Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network

• US 7,020,532 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2004
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, Alexander, Badavas, Paul C., Kinney, Thomas B., Keyghobad, Seyamak, Hansen, Peter D., Ling, Bo, Thibault, Richard L., Christiansen, T. Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US10/756,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20040254648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 700/1, 700/2, 700/18, 700/19, 700/86, 700/89, 700/48, 717/1, 717/5, 717/6, 717/10, 717/11, 717/9, 718/1, 718/100, 718/103, 709/220, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 700/89
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4184 characterised by fault tolerance, reliability of production system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23298 Remote load of program, through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25014 Fieldbus general name of bus connected to machines, detectors, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25092 Customized control features, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31161 Java programcode or simular active agents, programs, applets
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31457 Factory remote control, monitoring through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34259 Common language run time CLR, MS-NET, DOTNET, java run time environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0686 Additional information in the notification, e.g. enhancement of specific meta-data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0866 Checking the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Claims

1. A control device for a control system, the control device comprising

a processor that executes a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level, and (ii) drives it to that level as a function of one or more measured values and one or more setpoints,

a web server that facilitates any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of the control system or one or more other control devices,

the control device further comprising any of (i) a sensor for sensing any of a temperature, level or other characteristic of a process controlled by the control system, and (ii) an actuator for the process controlled by the control system.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein

the control device comprises an interface to an IP network, and

on startup, the control device registers a characteristic thereof with at least one other device on the IP network.

3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device issues to the IP network, via the interface, a request for assignment of an IP address.

4. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device receives a device identification name from any of (i) a user-configured hub or other device to which the control device is coupled, (ii) a letterbug installed in the control device, (iii) a digital data processing apparatus, (iv) a software generated letterbug.

5. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device registers the characteristic with a bulletin board on the IP network.

6. The control device of claim 5, wherein the control device registers the characteristic with in a Javaspace on the IP network.

7. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device communicates with another device over the IP network in order to obtain configuration information.

8. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device retains configuration information for use at startup.

9. The control device of claim 2, wherein the web server any of (i) collects process data from one or more control devices, (ii) generates source for operator displays, (iii) provides access to the control system, and (iv) hosts an applications development environment.

10. The control device of claim 9, wherein the control device comprises a configuration editor.

11. The control device of claim 2, wherein the control device is any of a control station, operator console, personal computer, handheld computer, workstation, integrator, or controller.

12. A control system comprising a plurality of control devices coupled via one or more IP networks, wherein one or more selected control devices

A. execute a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level, and (ii) drives it to that level as a function of one more measured values and one or more setpoints,

B. comprises a web server that facilitates any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of the control system or one or more other control devices, and

C. wherein at least one of the selected control device comprises any of (i) a sensor for sensing any of a temperature, level or other characteristic of a process controlled by the control system, and (ii) an actuator.

13. The control system according to claim 12, wherein a said IP network is powered.

14. The control system of claim 13, wherein one or more of the control devices receive operational power from said IP network that is powered.

15. The control system comprising of claim 12, comprising a DHCP server that furnishes IP addresses in response to request by one or more of the control devices.

16. The control system of claim 15, wherein the DHCP server is solid state.

17. The control system of claim 16, wherein the DHCP server is free of moving parts and comprises zero, one or more removable components.

18. The control system of claim 12 comprising

a network enabler that is coupled to the IP network that responds to requests by the control devices to at least one of (i) register names specified by the control devices, (ii) search for names specified by the control devices, (iii) posting to a network bulletin board events specified by the control devices, (v) removing from the network bulletin board for events specified by the control devices, (vi) querying the network bulletin board for events specified by the control devices, (vii) notifying the control devices of events specified by the control devices.

19. The control system of claim 18, wherein the network enabler is any of a JINI and a JavaSpace server.