Page back system and method for remote paging in a control system
DCFirst Claim
1. A communications apparatus for communicating with an industrial control device and a remote device via a communications medium, comprising:
- a first communications interface operative to communicate with the industrial control device using a first communications protocol;
a second communications interface operative to communicate with the remote device via the communications medium using a second communications protocol;
a processor in electrical communication with the first and second communications interfaces and operative to exchange messages with the industrial control device and the communications medium via the first and second communications interfaces; and
a switch in electrical communication with the processor and having a first switch state and a second switch state, and wherein the first communications interface selectively communicates using one of the first communications protocol and a third communications protocol according to the switch state, whereby the communications apparatus can be programmed via a programming message from a programming device connected to the first communications interface using the third communications protocol when the switch is in the second switch state.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention comprises a modem apparatus adapted to provide full messaging and communications interface between a control device and a communications medium such as a telephone line. The modern can comprise an interface adapted to communicate directly with a control system device, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), using a communications protocol compatible with the normal network communications used in a distributed control system. The apparatus advantageously interfaces directly with unmodified control system devices, providing the ability to send and receive messages from remote devices or personnel via a communications medium. The invention also comprises a control system including a modem device providing full communications between a control device and remote personnel and/or devices. The apparatus can further be operative to monitor certain control conditions via communications with the control device, and to create and transmit messages across a communications medium according to the monitored control conditions.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A communications apparatus for communicating with an industrial control device and a remote device via a communications medium, comprising:
-
a first communications interface operative to communicate with the industrial control device using a first communications protocol;
a second communications interface operative to communicate with the remote device via the communications medium using a second communications protocol;
a processor in electrical communication with the first and second communications interfaces and operative to exchange messages with the industrial control device and the communications medium via the first and second communications interfaces; and
a switch in electrical communication with the processor and having a first switch state and a second switch state, and wherein the first communications interface selectively communicates using one of the first communications protocol and a third communications protocol according to the switch state, whereby the communications apparatus can be programmed via a programming message from a programming device connected to the first communications interface using the third communications protocol when the switch is in the second switch state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An industrial control system for controlling a process, comprising:
-
a communications device having a first communications interface operative to communicate using a first communications protocol, and a second communications interface operative to communicate using a second communications protocol;
a control device having a third communications interface adapted for removable connection with the first communications interface and operative to communicate with the communications device using the first communications protocol, and an output operative to interface with a controlled process;
a communications medium operatively connected to the second communications interface and adapted to communicate with the communications device using the second communications protocol;
wherein the control device is adapted to send trigger information to the communications device, and wherein the communications device is adapted to selectively construct and transmit a message via the second communications interface according to the trigger information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. In an industrial control communications device, a method for sending a message from a control device to a remote device via a communications medium, comprising:
-
obtaining trigger information via a first communications interface from the control device;
determining if a trigger condition exists according to the trigger information;
if a trigger condition exists, correlating the trigger condition with a data variable;
obtaining a data variable from the control device via the first communications interface;
creating a pager message including a text string and the data variable; and
transmitting the pager message to a remote device via a second communications interface and the communications medium using a second communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
selectively communicating via the first communications interface using one of the first communications protocol and a third communications protocol according to the switch state;
whereby the communications apparatus may be programmed via a programming message from a programming device connected to the first communications interface using the third communications protocol when the switch is in the second switch state.
-
-
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first communications protocol is the Allen-Bradley DF1 protocol and wherein the second communications protocol is the Telocator Alphanumeric Paging Protocol.
-
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving a programming message from the communications medium via the second communications interface, whereby the industrial control communications device may be programmed via the programming message from a programming device connected to the communications medium.
-
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:
-
receiving a programming message from the communications medium via the second communications interface; and
transmitting the programming message to the control device via the first communications interface, whereby the control device may be programmed by a programming device connected to the communications medium.
-
-
25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:
-
receiving a first message from a first device connected to the communications medium via the second communications interface;
transmitting the first message to the control device via the first communications interface;
receiving a second message from the control device via the first communications interface; and
transmitting the second message to the first device connected to the communications medium via the second communications interface;
whereby the control device may communicate with the first device connected to the communications medium.
-
-
26. A communications device for sending a pager message according to a control device condition, comprising:
-
means for obtaining trigger information via a first communications interface from the control device;
means for determining if a trigger condition exists according to the trigger information;
means for correlating the trigger condition with a data variable if a trigger condition exists;
means for obtaining a data variable from the control device via the first communications interface;
means for creating a pager message including a text string and the data variable; and
means for transmitting the pager message to a remote device via a second communications interface and the communications medium using a second communications protocol.
-
Specification