Web interface to an input/output device

An interface module for receiving data requests from a remote location in order to provide access to an at least one input/output device from a communication network, the module comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• a network interface for communicating with the communication network;
• a protocol stack;
• and,
• a HTTP web server in communication with the protocol stack, the server providing a web browser with information on the status of the input/output device.

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

• means for coupling the remote site to the communication network, the coupling means including a web browser for interacting with the communication network;
• a web site associated with the industrial control system and accessible through the communication network;
• means for linking the industrial control system to the web site, the linking means including an interface module for coupling the at least one input/output module to the communication network;
• means for coupling the interface module to the at least one input/output module, the coupling means for transferring data between the interface module and the at least one input/output module;
• means for processing data requests received from the remote location over the communication network;
• means for enabling a data transfer between the remote location and the industrial control system;
• and
• means for interfacing a protocol task with the at least one input/output module, the interfacing means for receiving a data request from the enabling means, for accessing the industrial control system for the requested data, and for sending a response to the remote location through the enabling means, the response in a framework supplied by an operating system located in the at least one input/output module.

A control system for allowing access to an input/output device from a communication network using a browser at a remote location, the control system comprising:

• an interface module having a microprocessor and a network interface for coupling the interface module to the communication network;
• a driver for coupling the interface module to the input/output device and for transferring data between the interface module and the input/output device;
• a protocol stack to enable data transfer between the remote location and the input/output device;
• and,
• a server task for processing data requests received from the communication network, the server task for interfacing a data request from the protocol stack accessing the input/output device for the requested data, and for sending a response to the remote location through the protocol stack and network interface, the response in a framework supplied by the operating system.