Reverse Proxy for Robot Cell Web Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in providing efficient web-based connectivity to multiple devices within a robot cell, leading to a high number of global addresses being required, which is limited and difficult to manage, and complicates authorization and security measures.
Innovation Solution
A method and interface arrangement that utilize a single global address for a robot cell, with a reverse proxy converting global addresses to local addresses for auxiliary robot cell functions, allowing easy access while reducing the number of global addresses needed and enhancing logical address usage and security measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each auxiliary robot cell function is assigned a separate global address for web-based access, then direct access to each device is enabled, but the number of required global addresses increases significantly, making address management difficult and security measures more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reverse proxy server as an intermediary between client devices and auxiliary robot cell functions. The reverse proxy receives web requests on behalf of multiple auxiliary functions, manages address translation, and forwards requests to the appropriate local devices. This mediator consolidates address management, reducing the number of global addresses needed while maintaining easy web-based access to all auxiliary functions.
2Ease of operation
If the robot controller handles communication conversions for web access to auxiliary devices, then centralized control is maintained, but the robot controller becomes burdened with additional communication tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication conversion functionality from the robot controller and places it in a dedicated reverse proxy server. The reverse proxy handles all web protocol conversions, address translations, and communication protocols between web clients and auxiliary devices. This extraction relieves the robot controller of burdensome communication tasks while maintaining centralized control through the proxy's coordination role.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple global addresses are used for auxiliary robot cell functions, then each device can be accessed independently, but authorization and security measures become more difficult to implement and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse proxy server provides universal access control for all auxiliary robot cell functions through a single interface. Instead of implementing separate authorization mechanisms for each device, the proxy implements a unified security layer that handles authentication, authorization, and access control policies centrally. This multi-functional security approach maintains independent device access while simplifying security management through consistent policies applied across all auxiliary functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and computer program product for controlling data transfer between a client device and auxiliary robot cell functions of a robot cell as well as to an interface arrangement for the robot cell. The arrangement includes a reverse proxy providing connectivity for a client device to auxiliary robot cell functions accessible via a local addressing space, where the reverse proxy receives, in a first message having a destination address belonging to the interface device and being a first global address in a global addressing space, a request intended for an auxiliary robot cell function, converts the first address to a first local address of the auxiliary robot cell function in the local addressing space and sends the request to a web server associated with the auxiliary robot cell function using the first local address.