Industrial Controller Web Interface for Secure Remote Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial controller systems lack effective methods for remote diagnosis and control, limiting their operational efficiency and effectiveness in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a web server-based interface on an industrial controller, enabling remote access and control through a user device via HTTP protocol, allowing for dynamic web page modification and control information input, with role-based authorization for user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If industrial controllers use traditional local interface methods for diagnosis and control, then system security is maintained, but remote accessibility and operational efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary component between the PLC and remote user devices. This web server handles all web protocol communications, serving as a mediator that enables remote access without requiring the PLC to directly handle complex web protocols. The web server translates web requests into PLC-compatible commands, thus improving remote accessibility while keeping the PLC architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The web server is designed to perform multiple functions: it handles web protocol communications, manages user authentication, controls PLC operations, and provides diagnostic information. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional web server, the system achieves improved ease of operation for remote access without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If industrial controllers implement comprehensive remote access capabilities, then operational efficiency improves, but system security and protection against unauthorized access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The web server implements preliminary authentication actions before allowing any PLC control operations. User credentials are verified in advance, and authorization levels are determined before access is granted. This preliminary security check ensures that only authenticated users can access remote functions, maintaining system security while enabling efficient operation for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the web server continuously monitors PLC status and communicates diagnostic information back to user devices. This feedback loop allows operators to remotely monitor system health and make informed control decisions, improving operational efficiency while the centralized monitoring enhances security through anomaly detection.
3Ease of operation
If industrial controllers use proprietary communication protocols for remote access, then system reliability is maintained, but compatibility with standard web devices and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The web server acts as a protocol intermediary, translating standard web protocols (HTTP/HTTPS) into proprietary PLC communication protocols and vice versa. This mediator approach allows standard web browsers to interact with the PLC without requiring the PLC to natively support web protocols, thus improving web browser compatibility while isolating the protocol translation complexity within the web server layer.
4Adaptability or versatility
If industrial controllers implement dynamic web page modification capabilities, then user interface adaptability improves, but system complexity and potential security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The web server implements dynamic web page generation capabilities where interface elements can be modified based on user roles, system state, and operational context. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to customize itself for different scenarios without requiring separate static pages for each configuration, improving adaptability while keeping the underlying web server architecture manageable through programmatic control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for diagnosing and/or controlling an industrial controller using a user device, the industrial controller including a web server, the method including: storing, in the web server, diagnostic web pages each including control information for controlling an operation of the industrial controller; transmitting one of the diagnostic web pages to the user device via a web protocol; displaying, on the user device, the at least one transmitted diagnostic web page; receiving, by the user device, modification data input into the user device by a user, the modification data being data specifying a modification in the control information; transmitting the modification data to the web server via the web protocol; and modifying the at least one diagnostic web page stored in the web server based on the modification data to obtain a modified diagnostic web page having a modified control information.