System and method for updating information

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2004027643 A2

description

System and method for updating information

The invention relates to a system and a method for providing information to a client and to update the information provided.

When communicating in a Web environment, two different groups are usually involved. First, there are

Web servers, provide the information in the form of displayable pages are available, on the other hand, there are Web clients (so-called browser), indicating the pages provided by the web server. In general, as is a client-server system organized in such a way that the server his

Clients do not know. The latter call the information required usually from only a result of user actions to the Web server. Accordingly, then a new web page is loaded on the client, or there is a new version of the same side te created. Such client-server systems are nowadays increasingly used in the industrial environment. Here, the clients are primarily used for displaying information to, for example, industrial production processes. fall over the car atisierungsgerä- te or diagnostic devices such as sensors constantly new information that must be the user of the client, such as a plant operator, in such a system. The information is sent by the automation or diagnostic devices to the server and from the server, the client can get the required data. The problem with such a

Client-server system in an industrial environment is that the client is not aware usually that the values ​​that it displays on a side, have already changed in the industrial process and thus its display no longer corresponds to reality. Nowadays, the updating of the information is achieved in that the web client automatically after a defined period, the corresponding newly requesting information and its web page redraws if necessary. Here, it is disadvantageous, however, that the user of the client is removed during reconstruction for operating the website and it is in the short term no information available. The rigid use of time for the update also has the consequence that a page is often constructed and requested new, although no new information. Unnecessary side structure and data transfer in this application is therefore the rule. Another way to provide the user with current information is to establish a permanent connection between the client and the server. However, this derogation must exist a special infrastructure resources on the server and on the client. The implementation of the updating of information in this way is thus relatively expensive.

From US 5,713,017 a method is known in which the updating of data in a fault-tolerant file system with the help of counters is managed.

The invention has for its object to provide a system and method which easily update the information presented on a client.

This object is achieved by a system for updating displayed on at least one client information to a server for providing the information, at least one of the representation of the information provided on a client information unit, a data transmission device for the transmission of new information to the server and / or transmission of information between the server and at least one client, first means for managing identifiers for identification of information units and the allocation of one update stamp to a respective identifier, second means for assigning newly received information about the identifications and Updating the update stamp, and third means for comparing the information unit of the respective assigned update stamp with the current stamp.

The object is further achieved by a method of updating shown on at least one client information, the information being provided on a server, the information on a client in at least one unit of information are displayed, new information on the server and / or information between the , newly received information is associated with second means to the identifiers server and one client are transmitted through a data transmission device, identifiers for identifying pieces of information are managed by first means and is assigned to a respective identifier by the first means an update stamp and the update stamp is updated by the second means and a comparison of the respective information unit assigned update stamp with the current update stamp by the third means.

The invention is based on the knowledge that need to be updated on a client, particularly a browser or web client, shown provided information depending on the source of information at different times. To update this information with little effort only when needed, after amendment, on the client is allowed to "age" the pages and content that will be displayed in the browser. For this purpose, the respective page that is displayed in the browser, included a so-called update stamp. This update stamp is centrally managed from a web service and delivered to the appropriate clients with the sides. This related data fields are identified by a handle. From web service within the system will be in accordance with the management of IDs and the associated update stamps realized. The web service can provide information about how to date is an identifier. For this, the Web service compares the identifier of the associated update stamps with the update stamp supplied by the Web client. Come by external devices new information into the system, which will be deposited, for example, on the server, then the update stamp, belongs to this information, updated accordingly. A simple but effective implementation of change stamp can be done by simple counters. The browser or Web client can now compare periodically the original, provided update stamp with the present in the system, the current update stamp. It is the system then accurately known whether the content of a page is out of date.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the updating of the information presented in an information unit is provided with the update stamp inequality. Only one difference, that is, when the inequality update stamp, the corresponding information in the browser reloads. Here it is also possible to provide individual units on a page in the browser with independent news stamps so that multiple data areas independently with information to be supplied to the user. The information update is thus exactly as required, resulting in a reduction of traffic and eliminates superfluous page generated on the client.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the system is provided for updating information on an industrial production process. Client-server systems for displaying production process data set in the industrial environment by getting more. The operator of a facility are now powered by increasingly mobile so-called "thin client" with information. In the production process falls at irregular intervals delivered through diagnostic devices and sensors data for a user new information. Updating this information can be advantageously ensured by the inventive system. In particular, the process values ​​that are visualized or example Event List, information of a control or information about a data block of control are of interest here. It is advantageous in particular that the information surfaces in the respective information units, ie in own Datenberei- where information from different sources can be summed up in a window, can be updated on the client. The individual pieces of information can in this case are subject to a different update mode.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the client is configured as a device for controlling and monitoring the production process.

This is especially advantageous that conventional HMI devices, as they are nowadays already used in industrial environments on plants, can be used as part of the inventive system. These devices for controlling and monitoring a production process are more resistant and adapted to the harsh environmental conditions that prevail in a production plant normally. In addition, the use of operating and monitoring devices allows an interaction of the user with the server. The user thus receives information not only represented and is in a passive

Role, but may rather settle on the client and commands to the server, which cause changes in the production process under certain circumstances. To control the system, the user must therefore not, after being supplied with infor- mation, go to an extra device or terminal to input his commands to operate the system from there. In addition, simple devices that can exclusively borrowed need a web browser, so there Thin Clients used.

A further advantageous embodiment of the system is characterized in that the server to provide automation equipment or systems and / or diagnostic devices or systems received information is provided. On the server itself, within the system of the invention, therefore, all data that are relevant to the production process on a plant, stored directly.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention makes it unnecessary special, additional data processing systems on which the system information is stored provide. A cost-effective introduction of the system on a plant is guaranteed. Optionally, if necessary, one to redundant servers are installed for safety reasons, on which the respective data of the plant and are mirrored to the production process. There is no further installation work, there must be present on the client, other than a browser, no additional functionality.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the server is designed as a Web server. This provides the possibility to send the infor- mation about nowadays common way used Web protocols. The use of standard techniques such as web services, HTML, ECMA script, thereby becomes possible.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the first means and / or the second means and / or the third means are provided for installation on the server. No other hardware systems for the respective services for managing identifiers and timeliness stamps and updating the Aktualitätsstem- pel and to update the information received from the automation equipment needed. A cost-effective implementation of the system is possible. Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that special, used in the web environment Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) are provided as identifiers.

In the Web environment, the use of so-called Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) is the identification of resources common practice. Therefore come to identify data fields URIs used. Each page is identified by a corresponding URI. From web service (a so-called URI validator) within the system is then in accordance with the management of IDs and the associated update stamps realized. The web service can provide information about how to date a URI, that is an identifier that. The use of URIs allows easy realization of the proposed system.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the data transmission device is designed as Intranet and / or Internet. The use of such a network enables decentralized organization within the system of the invention. A server must for example not directly related to a production plant, but it can keep its information from the automation devices in removing an intranet or the Internet achieved. Likewise must the browser or client on which the information is provided and updated, are not located in close proximity to the server. Such an organization has the advantage that multiple clients from a server can be provided at different locations with information. A decentralized control and monitoring of the entire production process is made possible thereby. The mobility in the entire system is increased.

The invention is described and explained with reference to the embodiment provided in the figure shown. It shows: 1 shows a schematic representation of the system for providing and updating information, which are displayed on a client.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system 1 for updating information. The information is shown in this case by means of a browser 2 for a user. This browser can be installed on any client. 9 Inside of the browser provides the possibility to define different information units 4ι. The information to be displayed can be within the respective information units 4_A independently be updated. The information is managed in the presented exemplary embodiment on a server 3 and provided by the server 3 to the browser or client 2 9 available. Each information unit 4_± here is an identifier assigned to 8i. The identifier is used to identify the corresponding information unit 4_± , One identifier, a respective update stamp t (8_n) Assigned. This assignment each information unit is 4_± provided with an accompanying her current update stamp t (8ι). The management of identifiers 8χ .._n and timeliness stamps t [8ι .._n] Carried out by the means 5. In the exemplary embodiment means 6 are on the server 3 also for assigning newly received information to the respective identifiers 8ι .._n provided. If new information comes, the update stamp of the respective identifier is updated. The information to be displayed is in the running example of automation devices or diagnostic nosegeräten 10 delivered. A comparison of an information unit 4_± associated update stamp t [4_±] To the managed by the means 5 current update stamp t [8i] is realized by the agent. 7 The transfer of data within the system 1 is carried out using a data transfer device 11, which is formed in the exemplary embodiment in the form of an Intranet / Internet 12th The special feature of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, game 1 of the system is that information which 4χ on a browser 2 in units of information .._m be shown, so to speak, obsolete ^ ". To make obsolete the information to be presented, a simple mechanism is proposed. Here, each displayed information unit an update stamp t [4χ] 4i is given, the time of receipt or the preparation of the information on a server is created. 3 This recency stamp t [4ι] is an identifier 8i associated with the respective information unit 4i, assigned. the management of the update stamp tχ .._n and the identifiers 8χ .._n is ensured by special, realized on the Web server 3, so-called Web services. 5 Here are 8χ as identifiers .._n special, used in the web environment Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) used. Each page is identified by a corresponding URI. The Web service 5, a so-called URI validator, managing identifiers realized 8 .._n and the associated update stamps t .._n, The validator 5 can provide information on how to date a URI is by maintaining the URI 8i associated update stamp t [4_±] Returns and compares it with a supplied update stamp. The URI used need not always refer to a full page, but may refer to a identifiable information unit 4_±Which is displayed in the browser 2, relate. Thus, a web page, for example, from several pieces of information 4 .._m made subject to a different update mode. In automation technology, here are particular process values ​​that are visualized or eg Event List information to a control or information about a data block of controlling interest. Each of these blocks of information is assigned 4χ a URI. A client 9 can ask targeted by the different URIs, if a particular piece of information is identified by the URI, is still current or not. When creating a page on the web server 3, the web server asks the Web service 5 the cur- tual update stamp t [4i] to match the URIs 8i which are the page or information unit 4 belong, according to. no entry for this URI still exists (first call), the current update stamp is returned and the Web service 5 transmits the form to be in the administration. A generated by the web server 3 side or information unit 4i includes cross-referenced or optionally directly to the client-side script code to implement the client-side Web service client implementation, the URIs for which shown on the page information units , and the update stamp, which were determined in the generation of the page or information units for the individual URIs. Using the Web service implementation 7 of the update stamp t [8i] is requested of URIs to the URI validator Web service. 5 Varies the update stamp t [8ι] of the memorized in the web page values ​​t [4ι], the information to be displayed has changed and it is possible to react accordingly. Alternatively, the update stamp t [8χ] be sent to the URI validator Web service 5 and the latter provides only the information - data outdated yes / no. As long as the response is not returned for a request to the URI validator Web service 5, is no more losgesendet. This reduces the request load on the web server 3 and also the complexity of the implementation on the client side 9. One on the Web page on the client 9 cyclically current function can determine how long it takes to answer the URI validator arrive -Web service request. this is a selectable time limit is exceeded, can accordingly be re- acts, for example by an error scenario is traced or an indication to the user of the system 1 is displayed by being asked to check the operability of the system. 1 The update of the update stamp is on the server 3 through special means 6 for assigning newly received information on the identifiers (URIs) 8 .._n and updating the update stamp of t to t + 1 at NEW PRINTS information implemented Siert. This Update Service 6 knows the mapping between URI 8χ and to update information. Whenever the information, for example process values, which are sent from diagnostic and automation devices 10 to the server change, calls the Update Service the URI validator Web service 5 with the associated URIs and updated so that the update stamp t. In the update stamp t may be the simplicity to a counter which is increased by a change. In addition to the simple mechanism, information to be displayed on a browser 2 to leave with the help of timeliness stamps t obsolete, allowing them to update this information, the system presented is dardtechniken mainly by the possibility of using standard for implementing advantageous. On most browsers is a client-side scripting (eg ECMA Script) exist, wherein it is a standardized language used in web browsers. Using this language, it is the most widely used browsers today already possible, point to existing Web service client implementations to fall back. If no such deployment can be created assuming a scripting option itself. It is thus an open standard be used and specific, expensive solutions are avoided. Further advantages of the proposed system are the ability to respond flexibly to changes in information, as well as the fact that no permanent bond to the server 3 is necessary. The proposed solution is also firewall-capable, which represents an important factor for data security within companies. Further advantages can be seen in the scalability of the proposed solution and the fact that the request be reduced to the runtime environment on the client. 9

The invention relates to summarize a system 1 and a method of updating shown on a client 9 information in the process data-driven environment. In- formation units 4, which are used to display process data of automation devices 10 in a Browser 2 get in preparation included an update stamp t. The update stamp is under administration in the system 1, and updated with addition of new information for the respective information unit 4 update stamp t + 1 compared. If they are not the update stamp information in the browser 2 is updated.