Method and system for data transformation in a computer network

Details Method and system for data transformation in a computer network Method and system for data transformation in a computer network

1999-09-23

2002-07-16

Lee, Thomas (Department: 2185)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Input/output addressing

C710S007000, C710S008000, C710S011000, C710S072000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06421743

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to computer networks, and more particularly to the transformation of data in a computer network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many control functions are managed in a computer network environment.
FIG. 1
illustrates a conventional network
100
. The network comprises a control network
102
at one end and an enterprise
108
at the other end. The enterprise
108
may be a workstation or personal computer. The control network
102
comprises a plurality of devices
104
. For example, the devices
104
may include controls for an air conditioning system, a motion sensor to detect when a room is occupied, a switch for a light in the room, a temperature sensor, and a security camera. Each device
104
has one or more control points defined by the vendors of the devices. The enterprise
108
is directly connected to the control network
102
in such a way that it typically becomes another node on the network
102
, like the devices it is controlling. In this case, each machine in the enterprise
108
must be specifically outfitted with the hardware and software necessary to become a node. Enterprise network management staff do not often have the skills necessary to manage these additional elements and enterprise software authors will also need training to satisfy the additional requirements of communicating directly with the control network.
Software exists on the enterprise
108
to facilitate communication between its applications
110
and the control network
102
. To communicate, they send messages to each other that contain information about control points. The enterprise
108
contains one or more applications
110
that process the information in the message from the control network
102
and determine the appropriate response. In order to process and respond to the message correctly, the applications
110
must be written specifically for the control points of the particular group of devices
104
at the control network
102
as well as for the platform on the enterprise
108
. This requires an understanding of the details of devices
104
and their corresponding control points and of the protocol used by the control network
102
. However, problems arise when the configuration of the control network
102
changes, for example when one or more of the devices
104
are replaced or upgraded. A new device may use different control points. When this occurs, the applications
110
must be rewritten to accommodate for the change. This is inflexible and cumbersome for the enterprise network manager. In addition, any change to the workstation dictated by the enterprise
108
must keep its connection to the control network
102
in mind. The software typically used to enable workstation communication to control networks is typically platform specific. As a result, the workstation(s) employed by the enterprise
108
to communicate with the control network
102
must be specially managed to ensure compatibility. This adds to the cost of operation for the network.
Another limitation of the architecture of
FIG. 1
is that there must be a permanent connection between the control network
104
and the enterprise
108
for communication to take place. This isn't practical in many situations where the enterprise
108
may not be located in the same physical location as the control network
104
. It may only be practical to connect the two for short periods of time.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and system of improved data transmission in a computer network. This method and system should provide flexibility to the network and reduce the cost of operation for the network. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for data transmission in a computer network. The method includes sending data with a first structure to a connector, the connector coupled between the front-end and the back-end, the data being either from the front-end or the back-end; and mapping the data to a second structure by the connector, such that a change in a configuration of at least one control point at the back-end is transparent to the front-end. In the preferred, the method includes an additional device, a connector, that serves as a gateway between the enterprise and the control network. The enterprise defines structures, data points, that it prefers to use and configures the gateway to use them. From then on, communication between the enterprise and the connector uses those structures. The enterprise also configures the gateway to communicate with the desired elements of the control network by defining input/output points. The enterprise never communicates directly with the control network and so it does not need to be aware of the details of that communication. Messages containing information about control points transmitted between the back-end and the connector are isolated from data points transmitted between the connector and the front-end. This transparency provides the network with more flexibility and reduces the cost of operating the network. It allows for the front-end to use an open standard which further increases the flexibility of the network, and the enterprise to use whatever structures it desires, independent of the details of the control network implementation.


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