Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Distributed data processing – Client/server
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-06
2001-06-05
Sheikh, Ayaz (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Distributed data processing
Client/server
C370S312000, C702S016000, C709S201000, C709S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243738
ABSTRACT:
RESERVATION OF COPYRIGHT
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material to which a claim of copyright protection is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but reserves all other rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data acquisition (DAQ) systems, and particularly to a remote device access (RDA) feature which enables software programs executing on a computer to access and control remote data acquisition devices coupled through a network.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Scientists and engineers often use DAQ systems to perform a variety of functions, including laboratory research, process monitoring and control, data logging, analytical chemistry, test and analysis of physical phenomena, and control of mechanical or electrical machinery, to name a few examples.
A typical DAQ system comprises a computer system with DAQ hardware, wherein the DAQ hardware is typically plugged into one of the I/O slots of the computer system. A DAQ system also typically includes transducers and other detecting means for providing “field” electrical signals representing a process, physical phenomena, equipment being monitored or measured, etc. The field signals are provided to the DAQ hardware. In another common DAQ system configuration, the DAQ hardware is coupled to the computer system via other means such as through a VXI (VME extensions for Instrumentation) bus, a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus), a serial port, or parallel port of the computer system. Optionally, the DAQ system includes signal conditioning modules which receive the field signals and condition the signals to be acquired.
The DAQ hardware is configured and controlled by DAQ software executing on the computer system. The DAQ software for configuring and controlling the DAQ system typically comprises two portions: the device interface or driver level software and the application software, or the application. The driver level software serves to interface the DAQ hardware to the application. The driver level software is typically supplied by the manufacturer of the DAQ hardware or by some other third party software vendor. An example of DAQ driver level software is NI-DAQ from National Instruments Corporation. The application or client is typically developed by the user of the DAQ system and is tailored to the particular function which the user intends the DAQ system to perform. The DAQ hardware manufacturer or third party software vendor sometimes supplies the application software for certain applications which are common, generic or straightforward.
In many instances it is desirable to enable a user executing a DAQ application program on a first computer to be able to access or control a DAQ device coupled to a second computer. Therefore, an improved system and method is desired for enabling DAQ users to more easily operate a distributed DAQ system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a remote device access (RDA) feature for enabling access and control of remote devices in a data acquisition (DAQ) system. The remote access is preferably identical to the way local devices are accessed and controlled. In other words, a client DAQ application is written the same way whether the devices it is accessing and controlling are local to the client or are remote.
Broadly speaking, the data acquisition system comprises at least one client computer system executing a client DAQ application. The data acquisition system also comprises one or more server computer systems coupled to the client computer system through a network, wherein each server computer includes a data acquisition device which is controllable by the client DAQ application.
The RDA method comprises the client DAQ application making a call to access the remote DAQ device in the server computer. In the preferred embodiment, the call includes a device number which indicates a remote device. Client DAQ driver software executing in the client computer receives the call and examines the device number to determine that the DAQ device is a remote device. In response to a determination that the call is intended for a remote DAQ device, the call is then packaged into one or more packets and transferred through the network to the server computer. The packets are preferably transferred using a remote procedure call (RPC).
The server computer receives the one or more packets and unpackages the one or more packets to produce the call. The call is then provided to DAQ driver software executing in the server computer. The DAQ driver software executing in the server computer executes the call, i.e., performs a DAQ function using the DAQ device in response to the call, and generates result data. The result data is then transferred through the network to the client computer, and the client application receives the result data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5668803 (1997-09-01), Tymes et al.
patent: 5671414 (1997-09-01), Nicolet
patent: 5828840 (1998-10-01), Cowan et al.
patent: 5867688 (1999-02-01), Simmon et al.
patent: 6041283 (2000-03-01), Sigmar et al.
Ethernet GPIB Controller for PCs and Workstations, National Instruments Instrumentation Reference and Catalogue, 1997, pp 4-71 through 4-74, ©1996.
Gupta Vivek G.
Hayles Tim
Conley Rose & Tayon PC
Hood Jeffrey C.
Lee Tammy Tak
National Instruments Corporation
Sheikh Ayaz
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