Method for searching across a PLC network
View Patent ↗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.
1. A method, comprising:
via a PLC network interface of a non-PLC information device:
presenting, to the non-PLC information device, a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of a running operating system of the non-PLC information device, wherein the PLC network is one of a Profibus network and a Point to Point Interface network;
receiving at least one search parameter at the PLC network interface of the non-PLC information device, said at least one search parameter specified by a user of the non-PLC information device;
searching, in response to receiving said at least one search parameter, the PLC network for at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter specified by a said user of the non-PLC information device;
rendering to the user of the non-PLC information device said at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter wherein at least a portion of said at least one item is identified as conforming to said at least one search parameter; and
rendering said at least one item in an order based on a rank of the at least one item;
wherein the non-PLC information device is adapted to poll all possible network addresses of the PLC network to identify PLC devices coupled to the PLC network.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
via the PLC network interface, receiving the at least one search parameter, the at least one search parameter adapted for use by the non-PLC information device to search for files on one of the Profibus network and the Point to Point Interface network.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
via the PLC network interface, identifying the at least one item corresponding to the at least one search parameter specified by the user, the at least one item a file on one of the Profibus network and the Point to Point Interface network.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
via the PLC network interface, rendering the at least one item corresponding to the at least one search parameter specified by the user.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
via the PLC network interface, highlighting the at least one item corresponding to the at least one search parameter specified by the user.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
via the PLC network interface, previewing the at least one item corresponding to the at least one search parameter specified by the user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one item comprises a file stored on a memory device connected to a PLC connected to the PLC network.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one item comprises a content of a file stored on a memory device connected to a PLC connected to the PLC network.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a property of the item.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises at least a portion of a file name.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a file type.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises file creation temporal information.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises file modification temporal information.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a file storage location.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a file size.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a textual content of the item.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a graphical content of the item.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises an image content of the item.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises an audio content of the item.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises a video content of the item.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one search parameter comprises an animation content of the item.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one item is a portable configuration of a PLC, the portable configuration adapted to configure a device for use on a central processor unit of the PLC.
23. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one item is PLC control source file.
24. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one item is a programmable logic controller memory cartridge.
25. A machine-readable memory storing a plurality of instructions for activities comprising:
via a PLC network interface of a non-PLC information device:
presenting, to the non-PLC information device, a PLC network as a namespace shell extension of a running operating system of the non-PLC information device, wherein the PLC network is one of a Profibus network and a Point to Point Interface network;
receiving at least one search parameter at the PLC network interface of the non-PLC information device, said at least one search parameter specified by a user of the non-PLC information device;
searching, in response to receiving said at least one search parameter, the PLC network for at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter, relating to a criteria, specified by said user of the non-PLC information device;
rendering to the user of the non-PLC information device said at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter wherein at least a portion of said at least one item is identified as conforming to said at least one search parameter; and
rendering said at least one item in an order based on a rank of the at least one item;
wherein the non-PLC information device is adapted to poll all possible network addresses of the PLC network to identify PLC devices coupled to the PLC network.
26. A method, comprising:
via a programmable logic controller (PLC) network interface of a non-PLC information device, receiving at least one search parameter at the PLC network interface of the non-PLC information device, said at least one search parameter specified by a user of the non-PLC information device; searching, in response to receiving said at least one search parameter, a Profibus network for at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter specified by said user of the non-PLC information device, the non-PLC information device adapted to present the Profibus network as a namespace shell extension of a running system of the non-PLC information device; rendering to the user of the non-PLC information device said at least one item corresponding to said at least one search parameter wherein at least a portion of said at least one item is identified as conforming to said at least one search parameter; and rendering said at least one item in an order based on a rank of the at least one item;
wherein the non-PLC information device is adapted to poll all possible network addresses of the Profibus network to identify PLC devices coupled to the Profibus network.