System for remotely accessing an industrial control system over a commercial communications network

A control system for allowing an user access at a remote site through a communication network to information and data contained in an industrial control system having at least one programmable logic controller, the system comprising:

• A. means for coupling the remote site to the communication network said coupling means including a web browser for interacting with the communications network;
• B. a web site associated with the industrial control system and accessible through the communications network;
• C. means for linking the industrial control system to the web site, said linking means including an interface module for coupling the at least one programmable logic controller to the communications network;
• D. means for coupling the interface module to the at least one programmable logic controller, said coupling means for transferring data between the interface module and said at least one programmable logic controller;
• E. means for processing data requests received from said remote location over said communications network;
• F. means for enabling data transfers between the remote location and said industrial control system;
• and
• G. means for interfacing a protocol task with the at least one programmable logic controller, said interfacing means for receiving a data request from said enabling means, for accessing said industrial control system for said requested data, and for sending a response to said remote location through said enabling means, said response in a framework supplied by an operating system located in said at least one programmable logic controller.