Controller and controlling method thereof

• US 7,200,643 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
• Original Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
• Inventors: Latvakoski, Juhani, Vaskivuo, Teemu, Tikkala, Aki
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, DUYEN MY
• Application Number:
  US10/169,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,287 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709223-225, 709217-218, 3408532-853, 348 1402- 1403, 348/14.05, 348152-153
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21021 Intelligent I-O, executes tasks independently from main cpu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio
• 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 2219/31186 TCP-IP internet protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/452 Remote windowing, e.g. X-Window System, desktop virtualisation protocols for virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A controller, a system, and a method of controlling the operation of the controller of an electric device. The method comprises: sending a user interface software packet stored in the controller'"'"'s memory to a first external device; disassembling the user interface software packet in the first external device into executable user interface server software and user interface client software; sending the user interface client software from the first external device to a second portable external device; the user interface client software communicating with the user interface server software via a wireless radio connection between the first external device and the second portable external device; the user interface server software converting the commands issued by the user interface client software and transferring the commands to the controller'"'"'s interface; and the controller executing an operation according to the converted command received via its interface.

Claims

1. A controller comprising:

control means for controlling an operation of an electric device, connected or connectable to the controller;

data transfer means for transferring data between the controller and a first external device external to the controller, said first external device being distinct from said electronic device;

an interface communicating with the control means; and

a memory, a user interface software packet being stored in the memory, the user interface software packet being sent, using the data transfer means, for disassembly in the first external device, the user interface software packet, when disassembled, comprising user interface server software and user interface client software, when executed, the user interface client software communicating with the user interface server software, and the user interface server software converting commands issued by the user interface client software to be transmitted to the controller interface via the data transfer means, wherein the first external device connects to a second portable external device via a wireless radio connection and sends the user interface client software to said second portable external device, the user interface server software being executable in the first external device, and the user interface client software being executable in the second portable device.

2. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first external device comprises a processing program for the received user interface software packet, the processing program checking the received user interface software packet and disassembling the user interface server software from the user interface software packet.

3. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein an external device comprises a service mechanism that dynamically keeps a record of the controller.

4. A controller as claimed in claim 3, wherein the controller'"'"'s user interface server software registers in the service mechanism.

5. A controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein the user interface server software registers in the service mechanism by transmitting a user interface client software instance it created to the service mechanism.

6. A controller as claimed in claim 5, wherein the user interface client software instance comprises identifier data on the controller.

7. A controller as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller comprises means for setting the identifier data to a default value.

8. A controller as claimed in claim 6, wherein if the identifier data stored in the controller memory are default values, then the processing program generates identifier data for the controller, the identifier data are sent to the controller using a data transfer connection as an acknowledgement of the user interface software packet, and the controller stores the identifier data in its memory.

9. A controller as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the service mechanism is executed in a third external device, or the service mechanism is executed in the first external device.

10. A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data transfer means is a radio transceiver.

11. A system for controlling an operation of an electronic device, the system comprising a controller connected or connectable to the electric device, the controller comprising control means for controlling the operation of the electronic device, data transfer means for transferring data between the controller and a first external device external to the controller, said first external device being distinct from said electronic device;

an interface communicating with the control means; and

a memory, a user interface software packet being stored in the memory, the user interface software packet being sent, using the data transfer means, for disassembly in the first external device, the user interface software packet, when disassembled, comprising user interface server software and user interface client software, when executed, the user interface client software communicating with the user interface server software, and the user interface server software converting commands issued by the user interface client software to be transmitted to the controller interface via the data transfer means, wherein the first external device connects to a second portable external device via a wireless radio connection and sends the user interface client software to said second portable external device, the user interface server software being executed in the first external device, and the user interface client software being executed in the second portable external device.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first external device comprises a processing program for the received user interface software packet, the processing program checking the received user interface software packet and disassembling the user interface server software from the user interface software packet.

13. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein an external device comprises a service mechanism that dynamically keeps a record of the controllers.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller'"'"'s user interface server software registers in the service mechanism.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the user interface server software registers in the service mechanism by transmitting a user interface client software instance it created to the service mechanism.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the user interface client software instance comprises identifier data on the controller.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the controller comprises means for setting the identifier data to a default value.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein if the identifier data stored in the controller memory are default values, then the processing program generates identifier data for the controller, the identifier data are sent to the controller using a data transfer connection as an acknowledgement of the user interface software packet, and the controller stores the identifier data in its memory.

19. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the service mechanism is executed in a third external device, or the service mechanism is executed in the first external device.

20. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data transfer means is a radio transceiver.