Control system methods and apparatus with services

Abstract

A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as “process control apparatus”), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a “process controller” that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
   
   
       49 . A control system, comprising:
 a plurality of control system components in communications coupling with a network,   at least one of the control system components being a service-providing component,   the service-providing component providing one or more services in response to one or more messages from another of said control system components over the network, where those services include at least setting a value used by one or more control apparatus, at least one of which includes a control/sensing device,   one or more interfaces, in communications coupling with the network and with the service-providing component, that facilitates invoking said services.   
   
   
       50 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein one or more of the interfaces is described in a document. 
   
   
       51 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the network comprises any of an Internet, an enterprise-based Intranet, a LAN, WAN, cable television-based network, wireless network and/or telecommunications-based network. 
   
   
       52 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the publicly available document describes (i) programmatic calls for invoking said services for any of accessing and updating information for the one or more control apparatus, and (ii) programmatic responses to such calls. 
   
   
       53 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein one or more of said messages comprises a request in text or ASCII format specifying object-related service. 
   
   
       54 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein one or more of the services permit manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       55 . The control system of  claim 54 , wherein one or more of the objects any of control and reflect the status of associated control apparatus. 
   
   
       56 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the services include any of location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       57 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein one of the components comprises a client digital data processor executing code supplied by another of the control system components. 
   
   
       58 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein at least the service-providing component disposed remotely from one or more other control system components. 
   
   
       59 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the service-providing component executes on a server digital data processor. 
   
   
       60 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the components include any of an HTPP server, a web browser, a client digital data processor and a server digital data processor. 
   
   
       61 . The control system of  claim 49 , wherein the one or more processes include any of continuous, repetitive, discrete, and/or environmental control processes. 
   
   
       62 . A control system, comprising:
 first and second components in communications coupling over a network, each of the first and second components comprising software executing on respective processors,   the second component providing one or more services in response to one or more messages from the first component over the network, where those services include at least setting a value used by the one or more control apparatus, at least one of which includes a control/sensing device,   wherein one or more one or more messages comprises request in text or ASCII format.   
   
   
       63 . A control system of  claim 62 , wherein the first and second components execute on processors that are disposed remotely from one another. 
   
   
       64 . The control system of  claim 62 , comprising one or more interfaces, in communications coupling with the network and with the second component, that facilitates invoking said services. 
   
   
       65 . The control system of  claim 64 , wherein one or more of the interfaces is described in a document. 
   
   
       66 . The control system of  claim 65 , wherein the document describes (i) programmatic calls for invoking said services for any of accessing and updating information for the one or more control apparatus, and (ii) programmatic responses to such calls. 
   
   
       67 . The control system of  claim 62 , wherein the network comprises any of an Internet, an enterprise-based Intranet, a LAN, WAN, cable television-based network, wireless net-work and/or telecommunications-based network. 
   
   
       68 . The control system of  claim 62 , wherein one or more of the services permit manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       69 . The control system of  claim 68 , wherein one or more of the objects any of control and reflect the status of associated control apparatus. 
   
   
       70 . The control system of  claim 62 , wherein the services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       71 . The control system of  claim 70 , wherein the one or more services include a service for getting and/or setting a value associated with the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       72 . The control system of  claim 70 , wherein the one or more services include a service for querying one or more of the process control apparatus for current data values associated therewith. 
   
   
       73 . The control system of  claim 70 , wherein at least one of the one or more services comprise providing information about or a list of configurable values associated with the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       74 . The control system of  claim 62 , wherein the first component comprises a client digital data processor executing code supplied by another of the control system components. 
   
   
       75 . The control system of  claim 62 , comprising any of an HTPP server, a web browser, a client digital data processor and a server digital data processor. 
   
   
       76 . A control system, comprising:
 first and second digital data processors in communications coupling via one or more networks, where the one or more networks include any of an Internet, an intranet, a LAN, WAN, cable television-based network, wireless network and/or telecommunications-based network,   a first control component comprising software executing on the first digital data processor,   a second control component comprising software executing on the second digital data processors,   the second control component providing one or more services in response to one or more messages from the first component over the network, where those services include at least setting a value used by one or more control apparatus that include a control/sensing device.   
   
   
       77 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein one or more one or more messages comprises request in text or ASCII format. 
   
   
       78 . A control system of  claim 76 , wherein the first and second control components execute processors that are disposed remotely from one another. 
   
   
       79 . The control system of  claim 76 , comprising a software interface that facilitates invoking said services. 
   
   
       80 . The control system of  claim 79 , wherein the software interface is described in a document. 
   
   
       81 . The control system of  claim 80 , wherein the document describes (i) programmatic calls for invoking said services for any of accessing and updating information for the one or more control apparatus, and (ii) programmatic responses to such calls. 
   
   
       82 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein one or more of the services permit manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       83 . The control system of  claim 82 , wherein one or more of the objects any of control and reflect the status of associated control apparatus. 
   
   
       84 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein the services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       85 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein the one or more services include a service for getting and/or setting a value associated with the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       86 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein the one or more services include a service for querying the one or more control apparatus for current data values associated therewith. 
   
   
       87 . The control system of  claim 76 , wherein at least one of the one or more services comprise providing information about or a list of configurable values associated with the one or more control apparatus. 
   
   
       88 . The control system of  claim 76 , comprising any of an HTTP server, a web browser, a client digital data processor and a server digital data processor. 
   
   
       89 . A control system, comprising:
 a plurality of control system components in communications coupling with a network,   at least one of the control system components being a service-providing component providing services in regard to objects storing information pertaining to one or more control apparatus, at least one of which includes a control/sensing device,   the service-providing component providing such services in response to one or more messages from another of said control system components over the network.   
   
   
       90 . The control system of  claim 89 , comprising one or more interfaces coupled to the service-providing component that facilitate invoking said services. 
   
   
       91 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein one or more one or more messages comprises request in text or ASCII format. 
   
   
       92 . A control system of  claim 89 , wherein the first and second control components execute processors that are disposed remotely from one another. 
   
   
       93 . The control system of  claim 89 , comprising a software interface that facilitates invoking said services. 
   
   
       94 . The control system of  claim 93 , wherein the software interface is described in a document. 
   
   
       95 . The control system of  claim 94 , wherein the document describes (i) programmatic calls for invoking said services for any of accessing and updating information for the one or more control apparatus, and (ii) programmatic responses to such calls. 
   
   
       96 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein one or more of the services permit manipulation of the objects. 
   
   
       97 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein one or more of the objects any of control and reflect the status of associated control apparatus. 
   
   
       98 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein the services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       99 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein the services provide for (i) creating a named object that stores information regarding the one or more control apparatus, (ii) destroying such an object, (iii) accessing information in such an object, (iv) updating information in such an object, (v) determining, from an object name, a physical address associated with such an object, and (vi) providing notification of changes in at least selected information stored in such an object. 
   
   
       98 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein one of the components comprises a client digital data processor executing code supplied by another of the control system components. 
   
   
       99 . The control system of  claim 89 , wherein the plurality of components includes any of an HTPP server, a web browser, a client digital data processor and a server digital data processor. 
   
   
       100 . A control system, comprising:
 a plurality of components that transfer information between a network and one or more process control apparatus,   the plurality of components being responsive to one or more messages exchanged via the network in text or ASCII form to provide one or more services for at least setting information regarding the one or more process control apparatus.   
   
   
       101 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of components include one or more of: a command processor component, an interface component, an object manager component, and a server component. 
   
   
       102 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein at least one of the plurality of components is included in a digital data processor. 
   
   
       103 . The control system of  claim 102 , wherein the digital data processor comprises an HTTP server. 
   
   
       104 . The control system of  claim 102 , wherein the digital data processor executes software that is responsive to said one or more messages exchanged via the network in text or ASCII form to provide the one or more services. 
   
   
       105 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the network operates in accord with at least one of TCP/IP and HTTP protocol. 
   
   
       106 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more process control apparatus comprise control/sensing devices to any of monitor and control a process. 
   
   
       107 . The control system of  claim 100 , comprising a digital data processor that generates said messages. 
   
   
       108 . The control system of  claim 107 , wherein the digital data processor is disposed remotely from at least one of plurality of components. 
   
   
       109 . The control system of  claim 107 , wherein the digital data processor comprises any of a portable computer, desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, workstation, or other computing system. 
   
   
       110 . The control system of  claim 107 , wherein the digital data processor executes a code requested and received thereby over the network, the code configuring the digital data processor to generate said messages. 
   
   
       111 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein at least one of the plurality of components transfers information to and from the one or more process control apparatus in response to one or more of the messages. 
   
   
       112 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the network includes at least one of a digital data processing network, LAN, WAN, cable television-based network, wireless network, telecommunications-based network, Internet, and an enterprise-based Intranet. 
   
   
       113 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more services include a service for locating one or more objects that control or reflect the status of the one or more process control apparatus. 
   
   
       114 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more services include a service for any of (i) creating a named object that stores information regarding the process control apparatus, (ii) destroying such an object, (iii) accessing information in such an object, (iv) updating information in such an object, (v) determining, from an object name, a physical address associated with such an object, and (vi) providing notification of changes in at least selected information stored in such an object. 
   
   
       115 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more services include any of a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, a location service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       116 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein one or more of the plurality of components comprises a server, and further comprising a second digital data processor that comprises a client and generates said messages. 
   
   
       117 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more services include a service for getting and/or setting a value associated with one or more of the process control apparatus. 
   
   
       118 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein the one or more services include a service for querying one or more of the process control apparatus for current data values associated therewith. 
   
   
       119 . The control system of  claim 100 , wherein at least one of the one or more services comprise providing information about or a list of configurable values associated with one or more process control apparatus. 
   
   
       120 . A method for process control, comprising:
 providing one or more services for at least setting information regarding one or more process control apparatus in a process control system, the one or more services being provided over a network;   responding to requests received in text or ASCII form over the network to provide the one or more services.   
   
   
       121 . The method of  claim 120 , comprising transmitting code that configures a digital data processor to generate and send the requests over the network. 
   
   
       122 . The method of  claim 120 , comprising operating the network in accord with at least one of TCP/IP and HTTP protocols. 
   
   
       123 . The method of  claim 120 , comprising monitoring and/or controlling the process control apparatus via the one or more services. 
   
   
       124 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein the one or more services include a service for at least one of (i) creating a named object that stores information regarding the process control apparatus, (ii) destroying such an object, (iii) accessing information in such an object, (iv) updating information in such an object, (v) determining, from an object name, a physical address associated with such an object, and (vi) providing notification of changes in at least selected information stored in such an object. 
   
   
       125 . A control system, comprising:
 a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via a network,   at least a first one of the control system components providing one or more services to at least a second one of the control system components in response to one or more messages from that second component over the network, where those services include configuring the first component to any of (i) establish communications over the network with a third one of the control system components, (ii) to monitor and/or control said third component.   
   
   
       126 . A control system of  claim 49 , wherein the services include setting a value relating to the third component. 
   
   
       127 . A control system, comprising:
 a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via a network,   at least a first one of the control system components providing one or more services to at least a second one of the control system components in response to one or more messages from that second component over the network, where those services include configuring the first component to access or update one or more objects that any of control and reflect a status of an associated process control apparatus.   
   
   
       128 . A control system, comprising:
 A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network,   B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, and   C. wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to locate an object in the control system, the object being associated with a third control system component.   
   
   
       129 . The control system of  claim 128 , wherein the third component comprises any of control/sensing devices and interface equipment for control/sensing devices. 
   
   
       130 . The control system of  claim 128 , wherein the third component comprises one or more devices and/or equipment to monitor and control processes. 
   
   
       131 . The control system of  claim 128 , wherein the processes include any of continuous, repetitive and discrete processes, and environmental control processes. 
   
   
       132 . The control system of  claim 128 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to locate the object in a fourth control system component. 
   
   
       133 . The control system of  claim 132 , wherein the fourth control system components comprises a control station. 
   
   
       134 . A control system, comprising:
 A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network,   B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services enabling the second component to set a value associated with a third one of the control system components.   
   
   
       135 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the value associated with the third component is included in an object. 
   
   
       136 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the third component comprises any of control/sensing devices and interface equipment for control/sensing devices. 
   
   
       137 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the third component comprises one or more devices and/or equipment to monitor and control processes. 
   
   
       138 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the processes include any of continuous, repetitive and discrete processes, and environmental control processes. 
   
   
       139 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the one or more services includes notifying the second component of changes related to the third component. 
   
   
       140 . The control system of  claim 134 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to set the value in an object in a fourth control system component. 
   
   
       141 . The control system of  claim 140 , wherein the fourth control system components comprises a control station. 
   
   
       142 . A control system, comprising:
 A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network,   B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services enabling a second component to register one or more characteristics for use by a third control system component over the network.   
   
   
       143 . The control system of  claim 142 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to register at least a name of an object. 
   
   
       144 . The control system of  claim 143 , wherein the object stores information that any of controls and reflects a status of a fourth control system component. 
   
   
       145 . The control system of  claim 144 , wherein the fourth component comprises any of control/sensing devices and interface equipment for control/sensing devices. 
   
   
       146 . The control system of  claim 143 , wherein the second component comprises a control station. 
   
   
       147 . The control system of  claim 142 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the third component to locate an object by name. 
   
   
       148 . The control system of  claim 147 , wherein the object stores information that any of controls and reflects a status of a fourth control system component. 
   
   
       149 . The control system of  claim 148 , wherein the fourth component comprises any of control/sensing devices and interface equipment for control/sensing devices. 
   
   
       150 . The control system of  claim 148 , wherein the fourth component comprises one or more devices and/or equipment to monitor and control processes. 
   
   
       151 . The control system of  claim 150 , wherein the processes include any of continuous, repetitive and discrete processes, and environmental control processes.