Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output addressing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2002-01-15
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output addressing
C710S004000, C710S008000, C710S015000, C710S019000, C710S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06339797
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an input/output client/server system, in which a general purpose apparatus provided with a function to communicate across networks complying with the TCP/IP protocol, such as a personal computer with Windows NTTM or Windows 95TM installed therein, can control, via the networks, general purpose input/output devices connected to a general purpose apparatus on the other end.
With the aim of enhancing productivity in a factory, for example, there have so far been architectured systems capable of exercising such management and control functions for machinery and equipment in the production line for the surveillance of operating conditions, collection of data concerning production results, analysis of output, and for controlling the machinery and equipment on each unit thereof. As an example, it is common to use a LAN (Local Area Network) in the production field by connecting microcomputers for controlling machines (for controlling input/output devices) to general purpose personal computers for production control.
In order to develop application software which enables access across the networks to input/output devices by use of general purpose personal computers, it was necessary to follow the procedure below in addition to making communications with microcomputers (for controlling input/output devices):
1. to develop client side software for transmitting input/output requests from the application software to the server side;
2. to develop server side software for receiving requests from the client side;
3. to develop server side software for accessing input/output devices;
4. to develop server side software for transmitting results of the access to the input/output devices to the client side; and
5. to develop client side software for receiving requests from the server side.
Incidentally, herein, the general purpose apparatus executing the application software will be called the client side and the general purpose apparatus having input/output devices connected thereto will be called the server side.
In the prior arts, it was possible to access input/output devices across networks by developing the above five sets of software. However, since these sets of software were dedicated, it was necessary to develop new software when there was a plurality of server sides.
Further, when there was a plurality of client sides, it was necessary for the server side to develop software capable of exclusive processing.
Furthermore, when a partial specification was changed, review or adjustment of the five sets of software became necessary, and this led to on increase in software development time and maintenance work and, above all, it increased costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an input/output client/server system in which the server side software need not be developed and changed to operate the input/output devices, and where the input/output devices on the server side can be controlled only by developing and changing software on the client side.
In order to solve this problem, there is provided an input/output client/server system in a remote control system between general purpose apparatuses provided with communications functions across networks complying with the TCP/IP protocol, comprising single or plural general purpose input/output units mounted on the interface boards of remote input/output devices of a general purpose apparatus on the receiver side and provided with a function to give a predetermined response to a command transmitted thereto from a general purpose apparatus on the transmitter side, means for recognizing addresses of the general purpose input/output units provided on the receiver side, and means for transmitting a command to the general purpose input/output unit with, attached thereto, the IP address of the general purpose apparatus at the destination and the port address of the general purpose input/output unit connected to the general purpose apparatus provided on transmitter side.
The network may be set up with a local area network or the Internet.
The power source of the general purpose apparatus on the receiver side and the power sources of the general purpose input/output units may be kept independent of one another, and the signal lines between the general purpose apparatus on the receiver side and the general purpose input/output units may be formed of floating-ground floating lines.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5325491 (1994-06-01), Fasig
patent: 5872998 (1999-02-01), Chee
patent: 6123241 (2000-09-01), Walter et al.
patent: 6157950 (2000-12-01), Krishnan
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Kyushu Electronics Systems, Inc.
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