Control system methods that transfer control apparatus information over IP networks in web page-less transfers
First Claim
1. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of:
- A. transferring a program to a digital data processor via an internet protocol (IP) network, wherein that IP network supports communications in a plurality of formats including at least a first format and a second format, wherein said first format comprises an HTML page format,B. executing the program on the digital data processor, the program configuring the digital data processor to generate at least one request for a process variable associated with the control apparatus and to transfer the at least one request via the IP network in the second format, wherein that second format is different from the first format,C. the program further configuring the digital data processor to receive, via the IP network, information associated with the control apparatus in response to the at least one transferred request;
wherein the second format comprises naming one or more software services that include any of a first service that creates and/or opens a list of points in the control system, a second service that lists data values for those points, and a third service that closes the list of points in the control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as “process control apparatus”), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a “process controller” that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. transferring a program to a digital data processor via an internet protocol (IP) network, wherein that IP network supports communications in a plurality of formats including at least a first format and a second format, wherein said first format comprises an HTML page format, B. executing the program on the digital data processor, the program configuring the digital data processor to generate at least one request for a process variable associated with the control apparatus and to transfer the at least one request via the IP network in the second format, wherein that second format is different from the first format, C. the program further configuring the digital data processor to receive, via the IP network, information associated with the control apparatus in response to the at least one transferred request;
wherein the second format comprises naming one or more software services that include any of a first service that creates and/or opens a list of points in the control system, a second service that lists data values for those points, and a third service that closes the list of points in the control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. transferring a program from a server to a digital data processor via an internet protocol (IP) network wherein that IP network supports communications in a plurality of formats including at least a first format and a second format, wherein said first format comprises an HTML page format, B. executing the program on the digital data processor, the program configuring the digital data processor to receive information associated with the control apparatus via the IP network and in the second format, wherein that second format is different from the first format;
wherein the second format comprises naming one or more software services that include any of a first service that creates and/or opens a list of points in the control system, a second service that lists data values for those points, and a third service that closes the list of points in the control system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of operating a control system of the type having a control apparatus comprising one or more control/sensing devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. executing a program within a web browser of a digital data processor, the web browser being configured to receive information from a network that supports communications in a plurality of formats including at least a first format and a second format, wherein said first format comprises an HTML page format, and the program (i) configuring the digital data processor for monitoring the control apparatus, and (ii) generating a request for information associated with the control apparatus in accordance with a second format, wherein that second format is different from the first format, B. with an interface that is in communication with the control apparatus and the digital data processor, responding to the request for transmitting information associated with the control apparatus;
wherein the second format comprises naming one or more software services that include any of a first service that creates and/or opens a list of points in the control system, a second service that lists data values for those points, and a third service that closes the list of points in the control system. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification