Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Sequential or selective
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-12-04
Grant, William (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Sequential or selective
C709S217000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327511
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to control systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the type of a communication device using known communication protocols over standard networks, and for moving data, relating to input and output (I/O) devices within the control system, to and from a programable logic controller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Within control systems, there has a need to make I/O devices and modules, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and other devices capable of being used on standard communications protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, and others. This includes the ability to interface a proprietary communications protocol with standard protocols. Previous I/O scanners within such devices, typically used proprietary control networking protocols. Using proprietary control networking protocols, resulted in high installation costs, low ease-of-use, and compatibility problems with other devices/systems used in control systems, such as in factory automation applications. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,673 (Sackman et al.), 4,992,926 (Janke et al.), 4,897,777 (Jamke et al.), 5,245,704 (Weber et al.), 4,937,777 (Flood et al.), 5,307,463 (Hyatt et al.), and /or 5,805,442 (Crater et al.) provide some background and context for the present invention.
The present invention is directed to solving the above mentioned and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for communication with at least one device which resides on a standard communications network, such as an Ethernet network, using a standard communications protocol, such as TCP using Modbus. The apparatus has a scanner for scanning the device, a device scan table for storing data relating to the device, and a standard communications interface for interfacing between the device scanner and the standard communications network using the standard communication protocol.
The present invention is also a device scanner for a first device located on a first node of a standard communications network. The device scanner is provided for scanning devices on the standard communications network, and for identifying a second device on a second node of the standard communications network. The device scanner has an initiator for initiating a first communications command in a peer protocol format to the second node, a receptor for receiving from the second node a second communications command in the peer protocol format, in response to the first communications command, and an identifier for identifying the second device on the second node as a peer device. This apparatus and device can be used within a control system for monitoring input devices and for controlling output devices which reside on the standard communications network, as will be described in detail below.
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Metcalf Orlando P.
Naismith Ron
Papadopoulos Dean
Swales Andy
Tanzman Allan
Cabrera Zoila
Femal Michael J.
Golden Larry I.
Grant William
Schneider Automation Inc.
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