Methods and systems for interfacing small devices to computer networks
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDaniel W. Sexton, Andrew M. Lacy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect, the invention is a method for communicating with a device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an I/O device. The method includes steps of: interconnecting the device to a personal computer (PC) running a web browser; and running an application on the PC that launches the web browser to an initial page and uploads a web browser applet or active x object from the device to the PC via the interconnection. The above-described embodiment combines PLC and/or I/O communications with the Internet's wide reach and ability to supply information, and does so with the “look and feel” of a PC-Internet interface without adding significantly to the overhead burden of these small devices.
Claims26
A method for communicating with a device including one of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and an input/output (I/O) device, said method comprising the steps of:
- interconnecting the device to a personal computer (PC) running a web browser, wherein said interconnecting includes connecting the device to the PC via a connection outside a network connecting the PC to a server;
- and
- running an application on the PC that launches the web browser to an initial page and uploads a web browser applet or active x object from the device to the PC via the interconnection.
A system configured to allow indirect communication with a network, said system comprising:
- a computer;
- a device without a network interface and including a web browser applet or active x object, said device including one of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and an input/output (I/O) device;
- and
- an interconnection between said computer and said device,
- said computer configured with an interface to the network, a web browser, and an application that launches the web browser to an initial page and uploads the web browser applet or active x object from the device to the computer via said interconnection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.