US 9,423,789 B2 · System for accessing and browsing a PLC provided within a network

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: recognizing, by a PLC, that a memory device has been connected to the PLC; and configuring the PLC via a PLC executable software program resident on the memory device. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and rendering, to a user of the non-PLC information device, the PLC network as a node of a network. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, comprising: via a PLC network interface: presenting a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of a non-PLC information device; and searching the PLC network for at least one item corresponding to one or more search parameters.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A non-PLC (programmable logic controller) information device, comprising:

a memory;
a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions stored on the memory to provide:
a PLC network interface configured to:
connect to a PLC network selected from one of a Profibus network and a Point-to-Point Interface PLC network;
hierarchically present the PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of the non-PLC information device such that the non-PLC information device interprets the PLC network as the namespace shell extension;
render the PLC network as a node of a network to which the non-PLC information device is connected, and
initiate a search of at least one of files and content of files within any one or more of the PLC network, a PLC coupled to the PLC network, and a PLC memory device coupled to the PLC in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values via the non-PLC information device.

4 more elements

A system, comprising:

a first PLC (programmable logic controller) network selected from one of a Profibus network and a Point-to-Point Interface PLC network;
a first PLC connected to the first PLC network and a first PLC memory device;
and
a non-PLC information device connected to the first PLC network, the non-PLC information device comprising:
a memory;
a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions stored on the memory to provide;
a PLC network interface configured to:
poll for and identify respective addresses of PLC networks and devices coupled thereto that are coupled to the non-PLC information device;
hierarchically present the first PLC network as a namespace shell extension of an operating system of the non-PLC information device such that the non-PLC information device interprets the first PLC network as the namespace shell extension;
and
initiate a search of at least one of files and content of files within any one or more of the first PLC network, the first PLC, and the first PLC memory device in response to a user entering one or more search parameter values.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for accessing and browsing a PLC provided within a network

Life of this patent

System for accessing and browsing a PLC provided within a network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20