Patent US6484061B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6484061B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Web interface to a programmable controller
Assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
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Filing: 2000-12-15
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Granted: 2002-11-19
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Expires: 2020-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.
Inventors
- 👤 A. Dean Papadopoulos
- 👤 Allan Tanzman
- 👤 Richard A. Baker, Jr.
- 👤 Rodolfo G. Belliardi
- 👤 Dennis J. W. Dube
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:49
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G05B19/058; H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/025; H04L67/12; H04L69/00; H04L69/08; H04L69/16; H04L69/161; H04L69/169; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/10; G05B2219/12; G05B2219/1214; G05B2219/14; G05B2219/14006; G05B2219/15; G05B2219/15038; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31104; G05B2219/31156; G05B2219/31186; G05B2219/31422; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32126; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot coupled through a back plane to the programmable logic controller, the module comprising: a microprocessor; means for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser; and means for coupling the interface module to the back plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot coupled through a back plane to the programmable logic controller, the module comprising: a microprocessor; means for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser; and means for coupling the interface module to the back plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The interface module of claim 1 wherein said interface module include a means for interfacing a protocol task with said back plane, said interfacing means for receiving a data request for accessing said programmable logic controller system for said requested data, and for sending a response to said remote location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface module of claim 1 wherein said communication network is a worldwide network known as Internet using an Internet Protocol (IP).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interface module of claim 2 wherein said interface module functions as a web site on said Internet, said interface module including a global IP address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot in a back plane of a programmable logic controller, the module comprising: A. a microprocessor; B. a network interface for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser; C. a back plane interface for physically connecting the interface module to said backplane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
An interface module for allowing access to a programmable logic controller system from a communication network at a remote location, the interface module adapted for installation in a slot in a back plane of a programmable logic controller, the module comprising: A. a microprocessor; B. a network interface for coupling the interface module through said communications network to a browser; C. a back plane interface for physically connecting the interface module to said backplane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface module of claim 5 further comprising a protocol stack to enable data transfer between the remote location and said programmable logic controller system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The interface module of claim 6 further comprising a server task for interfacing said protocol stack with said back plane, said server task for receiving a data request from said protocol stack, accessing said programmable logic controller system for said requested data, and for sending a response to said remote location through said protocol stack and network interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface module of claim 5 wherein said communication network is a worldwide network known as Internet using an Internet Protocol (IP).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface module of claim 5 wherein said interface module functions as a web site on said Internet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interface module of claim 6 wherein said protocol stack includes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP stack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interface module of claim 10 wherein the protocol stack includes HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) to deliver hypertext documents.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface module of claim 7 wherein said data requests allow a user at a remote location to view data within said programmable logic controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interface module of claim 12 wherein said data requests further including views of said programmable logic controller's configuration and status of input and output devices coupled to the programmable logic controller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5727170A
Cited
US6282454B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |