Method and system for using services within a communication network

• US 7,953,107 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Anders, Gert, Görsch, Robert, Böhme, Hagen
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, IV; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jiang; Charles C
• Application Number:
  US10/572,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20070112976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,805 Days
• Field of Search: 370/464, 370/465, 370/466, 705/1, 705/14, 709/223, 709/224, 709/250, 340/870.01, 340/870.02, 340/870.03
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and a method for the use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, as well as a service access unit to connect an automation system to a communication network. A system is proposed for the improved use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, with components of the automation system being coupled together by a conventional field bus, with a service access unit being provided to connect the conventional field bus to the communication network, with the service access unit being provided as client for the services provided in the communication network and with the service access unit having a transformation unit, provided to adapt a first communication protocol of the services to a second communication protocol of the field bus.

Claims

1. A system for using services provided by a communication network, the system comprising:

a communication network having internet mechanisms and a central register database for providing information about the services accessible from the communication network;

at least one automation system having hardware automation components connected by a conventional field bus, the automation components lacking internet mechanisms; and

a service access unit operative as one element of the automation system and comprising at least a hardware element, the service access unit directly connected to the conventional field bus for connecting the conventional field bus to the communication network, wherein the service access unit operates as a client for requesting services, as requested by automation components, from the communication network and operates as a server for providing web services in the communication network, the service access unit further including a protocol converter for adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by the field bus, thereby permitting the automation components to communicate with internet mechanisms of the communication network, the service access unit further comprising a search means for addressing the central register database, services requested by the service access unit becoming active in the automation system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the services are web services.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is an intranet.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the service access unit provides further services in the communication network.

5. A method for using services provided in at least one communication network having internet mechanisms and at least one automation system comprising automation components connected by a conventional field bus, the method comprising:

connecting the conventional field bus to the communication network by a service access unit, the automation components comprising hardware automation components and lacking internet mechanisms, the communication network having a central register database for providing information about the services accessible from the communication network, the service access unit operative as one element of the automation system and comprising at least a hardware element and directly connected to the conventional field bus;

adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by the field bus by a protocol converter included in the service access unit, thereby permitting the automation components to access internet mechanisms of the communication network; and

accessing the services by the automation components using the service access unit as a client, the services requested by the automation components, wherein the service access unit operates as a server for providing services in the communication network, the service access unit comprising a search means for addressing the central register database, services requested by the service access unit becoming active in the automation system.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the services are web services.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the communication network is an intranet.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the service access unit provides further services in the communication network.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the services include executing a software update of at least one of the automation components.

10. A service access unit for connecting an automation system having hardware automation components to a communication network having internet mechanisms, the communication network having a central register database for providing information about the services accessible from the communication network, the service access unit comprising a protocol converter for adapting a first communication protocol used by the services to a second communication protocol used by a conventional field bus, the automation components lacking internet mechanisms, the service access unit operative as one element of the automation system and comprising at least a hardware element, the service access unit directly connected to the conventional field bus, the conventional field bus connecting the automation components, wherein the service access unit further operates as a client for requesting services from the communication network, or as a server for providing services in the communication network and permitting the automation components to communicate with the internet mechanisms of the communications network, the service access unit further comprising a search means for addressing the central register database, services requested by the service access unit becoming active in the automation.