Network accessible interface for a process control network
Patent 6192281 Issued on February 20, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date: December 30, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
An interface between a remote communications network and a process control system includes a storage device, a communication software stack and a user software layer. The user software layer enables interfacing between the remote communications network and the process control system by directing the communication software stack to operate in the process control system using a process communication protocol, by monitoring the message traffic on the communication software stack, and by copying requested message traffic to the storage device. The user software layer also includes media interface software that allows access to the storage device by the remote communications network to thereby deliver specific data to a device connected to the remote communications network.
Other References
Fieldbus Foundation Manual, Communications Technical Specification and User Layer Technical Specification, 1994-1997, including Fieldbus Message Specification FF-870-1.1; Physical Layer Conformance Testing FF-830 FS 1.0; Device Description Language FF-900-1.0; Function Blocks (Part 1) FF-890-1.2; Fieldbus Access Sublayer FF-875-1.1; Function Blocks (Part 2) FF-891-1.2; Data Link Protocol FF-822-1.1; System Management FF-880-1.1; Communication Profile FF-940-1.0; Transducer Blocks (Part 1) FF-902 Rev PS 2.0; Transducer Blocks (Part 2) FF-903-Rev PS 2.0; Data Link Services FF-821-1.0; 31.25 kbit/s Physical Layer Profile FF-816-1.0; Network Management FF-801-1.1; and System Architecture FF-800-1.0
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December 30, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
