System for communicating messages via a forward overhead control channel for a programmable logic control device

A method for communicating a programming command to a programmable logic controller (PLC) by sending multiple pages via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radio telephone system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) monitoring the cellular network control channel for a target page having a specific identifier assigned to a selected cellular communications device coupled to the PLC;
• (b) responsive to receiving the target page, monitoring the cellular network control channel at the cellular communications device for a predetermined time period for a schedule command page having a schedule command identifying a slot in a look-up table maintained by the PLC, the slot operative as a storage location in the look-up table for storing the programming command for the PLC;
• and
• (c) responsive to receiving the schedule command page during the predetermined time period, forwarding the slot identity from the cellular communications device to the PLC to initiate the programming command maintained at the slot and sending an acknowledgement signal via the cellular network control channel to acknowledge receipt of the schedule command page.

A method for communicating a reprogramming command to a programmable logic controller (PLC) by sending multiple pages via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radio telephone system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) monitoring the cellular network control channel for a target page having a specific identifier assigned to a communications device coupled the PLC;
• (b) responsive to receiving the target MIN page, monitoring for a predetermined time period the cellular network control channel for a schedule command page having a schedule command identifying a memory location containing programming data for the PLC;
• (c) responsive to receiving the schedule command page during the predetermined time period, monitoring the cellular network control channel for a page carrying new programming data;
• and
• (d) responsive to receiving the page carrying programming data, forwarding the memory location identity and the new programming data to the PLC, and sending an acknowledgement signal via the cellular network control channel to acknowledge receipt of the schedule command and data.