Patent ID: 6522664
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G05B,H04L,H05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A communication platform system comprising;a first information system network using a first protocol selected from the set of Ethernet and ISDN; a control system network using a second protocol; a first network connection unit for connecting said first information system network with said control system network; a second network connection unit for connecting said information system network with a second information system network; one or more control units connected to said control system network, and one or more control units connected to said second information system network, each of said control units for controlling one or more sensors and/or actuators; one or more monitor terminals connected to said first information system network and to one or more of said control units; a central management terminal connected to said first information system network and to said control units for monitoring and controlling all the sensors and/or actuators; wherein said first network connection unit and the one or more control units are each provided with a communication platform for exchanging information between said first information systems network and said sensors and/or actuators, and wherein said communication platform comprises: a storage unit for storing information system data in said first protocol and control system data in said second protocol, an information system data communication control unit for controlling the sending and receiving of data to and from said first information systems network, a control system data interface unit for controlling the sending and receiving of data in said second protocol to and from one or more sensors and/or actuators; a unit for reading and writing data sent and received by said information system data communication control unit and by said control system data interface means into said storage unit; a conversion unit for converting the protocol of said data sent and received to data having a protocol suited to the protocol of the sending destination; wherein, said protocol conversion unit stores information system data received by said information system data communication control unit in said storage means when sending said information system data received from said information system network to a sensor, or actuator, converts said stored information system data from said first protocol to said second protocol, storess sadi protocol-converted data in said storage unit, and said control system data interface unit sends said protocol-converted data in said storage unit to said sensor, or actuator; and wherein, said protocol conversion unit stores said control system data received by said control system data interface unit in said storage unit when sending said received control system to said first information system network, converts said stored control system data from said second protocol to said first protocol, stores said protocol-converted data in said storage unit, and said information system data communication control unit sends said protocol-converted data in said storage unit to said first information system network; and wherein said sensors and/or actuators are controlled by said one or more monitor terminals or said centralized management terminal.