Browser-enabled remote user interface for telecommunications power system

• US 7,181,517 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerson Network Power Energy Systems North America Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Astec International Limited (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Duguay, Louis, de Varennes, Christian, Iavergne, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne; Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): Todd; Gregory G.
• Application Number:
  US09/587,097
• Time in Patent Office: 2,454 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709223-224, 702/57, 702/60, 702/62, 700/286, 714/14
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

The modular master control unit of the telecommunications power system communicates via a data bus with the associated modular rectifier units, distribution unit(s) and battery connection unit(s) to collect operating state information from the neuron processors of those units and store that information in a database. The master control unit also controls the operation of the associated modular units by supplying operating state information, based on values stored in the database. The user interface manager module provides local user interface control over the system by allowing the user through a local display screen and touch pad to read from and write to the database. By downloading an applet to a remote computer running a web browser, the user interface manager allows users at remote locations to perform the same control and monitor functions as a user at the local site. The applet runs within the standard browser and communicates with the user interface manager using TCP/IP protocol.

Claims

1. A remote user interface system to enable a remote browser application to monitor and control a power system of the type having one or more rectifier subsystems, one or more reserve power subsystems and one or more power distribution subsystems, comprising:

a monitor and control system coupled to said power system for obtaining operating state information from at least one of said subsystems and for providing operating state information to at least one of said subsystems;

a data storage system associated with said monitor and control system for storing said operating state information; and

a user interface manager capable of accessing said data storage system and being operative to;

(a) provide an executable applet to said remote browser application, the applet generating a remote user interface within said browser application for monitoring and adjusting settings and thresholds of at least one of said subsystems;

(b) supply selected operating state information to said applet for display by said remote browser within said remote user interface; and

(c) receive data values generated by said applet in response to user interaction via said remote user interface and to communicate said data values to said data storage system for use in adjusting said settings and thresholds, said applet constructing a message that identifies, in addition to the data value, a screen descriptor and field identifier defining context of the data value in terms of a local user interface of said user interface manager, said remote user interface simulating functionality and appearance of said local user interface,

wherein said remote browser displays adjustable static state information within said user interface when dynamic state information that is affected by said static state information is selected in response to said user interaction.

2. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said user interface manager communicates with said applet using data packets compatible with an internet protocol.

3. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said user interface manager also supports a local user interface associated with said monitor and control system.

4. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said user interface manager also supports a local user interface that includes a touchpad input mechanism for user interaction with the power system.

5. The remote user interface system of claim 1 further wherein said user interface manager generates at least one display screen containing both static and dynamic content.

6. The remote user interface system of claim 5 wherein said dynamic content represents said operating state information.

7. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said user interface manager generates at a plurality of display screens, at least a portion of which contain dynamic content representing said operating state information, and wherein at least one of said applet and said user interface manager generates hyperlinks connecting said dynamic content with other display screens.

8. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said monitor and control system includes a rectifier monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from at least one of said rectifier subsystems.

9. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said monitor and control system includes a reserve monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from batteries attached to said power system.

10. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said monitor and control system includes a distribution monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from said power distribution subsystem.

11. The remote user interface system of claim 1 wherein said remote browser application is an internet web browser application.

12. A remote user interface system to enable a remote browser application to monitor and control a power system, comprising:

a monitor and control system coupled to said power system for obtaining operating state information about said power supply system and for providing operating state information to said power system;

a data storage system associated with said monitor and control system for storing said operating state information; and

a user interface manager capable of accessing said data storage system and being operative to provide an executable applet to said remote browser application, the applet generating a remote user interface within said browser application for monitoring and adjusting settings and thresholds of said power system, wherein said remote browser displays adjustable static state information within said user interface when dynamic state information that is affected by said static state information is selected via said user interface, said applet constructing a message that identifies, in addition to a data value generated by said applet in response to user interaction via said remote user interface, a screen descriptor and field identifier defining context of the data value in terms of a local user interface of said user interface manager, said remote user interface simulating functionality and appearance of said local user interface.

13. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said user interface manager communicates with said applet using data packets compatible with an internet protocol.

14. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said user interface manager also supports a local user interface associated with said monitor and control system.

15. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said user interface manager also supports a local user interface that includes a touchpad input mechanism for user interaction with the power system.

16. The remote user interface system of claim 12 further wherein said user interface manager generates at least one display screen containing both static and dynamic content.

17. The remote user interface system of claim 16 wherein said dynamic content represents said operating state information.

18. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said user interface manager generates at a plurality of display screens, at least a portion of which contain dynamic content representing said operating state information, and wherein at least one of said user interface manager and said applet generates hyperlinks connecting said dynamic content with other display screens.

19. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said monitor and control system includes a rectifier monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from at least one of said rectifier subsystems.

20. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said monitor and control system includes a reserve monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from batteries attached to said power system.

21. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said monitor and control system includes a distribution monitor and control module for obtaining operating state information from said power distribution subsystem.

22. The remote user interface system of claim 12 wherein said remote browser application is an internet web browser application.

23. A method of controlling a telecommunications power system, comprising:

delivering an executable applet to a browser application running on a computer that communicates with said telecommunications power system via a network;

using a processor powered by said telecommunications power system to obtain operating state information about said telecommunications power system;

communicating said operating state information to said applet via said network;

sending control information generated by said applet to said processor via said network, said applet constructing said control information as a message that identifies, in addition to a data value generated by said applet in response to user interaction via a remote user interface provided by said applet, a screen descriptor and field identifier defining context of the data value in terms of a local user interface of a user interface manager, said remote user interface simulating functionality and appearance of said local user interface;

using said control information to adjust settings and thresholds of said telecommunications power system; and

displaying adjustable static state information within said browser application when dynamic state information that is affected by said static state information is selected via said applet.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising using said processor to store said operating state information in a database administered by said processor.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising using said processor to store said control information generated by said applet in a database administered by said processor.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising generating a user interface display within said browser application that includes said operating state information.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising generating a user interface display within said browser application that includes static information and dynamic information, the dynamic information being based on said operating state information.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said applet generates a plurality of display screens in which at least a portion of said dynamic information on one of said display screens defines a hyperlink relationship with another of said display screens.