KR20010089578A - Internet enabled network flow computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved network flow system according to the invention comprises an internet / intranet enabled network flow computer having at least one flow measurement device and a host computer capable of communicating with the flow computer using internet technology or via a local connection. . In one embodiment, an internet enabled network flow computer receives flow measurement data in raw or calculated form from one or more measurement devices. The host computer connects to the network flow computer via the Internet, intranet or local connection. The host computer transmits or receives data from a network flow computer having the ability to observe the results of the flow data in the form of a web page on the host computer and the ability to remotely and locally configure and control the flow computer from the host computer.

Description

Internet-enabled network flow computer system {INTERNET ENABLED NETWORK FLOW COMPUTER SYSTEM}

Flow computers are used all over the world to control and measure the flow of liquids and gases in pipelines. Flow computers are used in many industries, such as in the oil and gas industry and in the water treatment industry. The flow computer is typically connected to a plurality of flow sensors that receive signals indicative of the flow of liquid or gas. The flow computer processes these signals to obtain the desired flow calculations. In some industries, these flow calculations are used to determine the quantity of commodity such as oil or gas that has passed through the pipeline. In some examples, flow calculations are used as a basis for commerce to determine the volume of goods whose ownership has changed from one party to the other. Because of the amount and money involved, it is important that the flow computer be very precise and extremely reliable, regardless of the environment in which the flow computer is being used. In addition, an important role of the flow computer is to provide accurate flow measurements, which automatically control various pipeline equipment such as valves, meters, electronic switches and other devices to control the operation and flow of liquid or gas. Can be used to control.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional flow computer 10 includes a processor 11, a keypad 14, an LCD display 15, and data pads 17 to 23 coupled to a secondary storage device 13. Equipped. The flow computer 10 may also have a floppy drive 16. Data ports 17-23 flow through serial input / output devices 28, such as various flow measurement transducers 24-26, control devices 29-30, modem 27 and host computer 31. (10) can be connected. The data ports 17 to 23 may be RS-232 or RS-485 data ports.

The microprocessor (or “processor”) 11 acts as a “brain” of the flow computer 10. The microprocessor 11 is connected to the pipeline, for example by flow measurement transducers 24 to 26. Although various suitable transducers 24 to 26 are known to provide data in analog voltage, analog current, frequency or other formats, nevertheless all such transducers amount of fluid flowing through the pipeline. And to monitor data concerning characters. The microprocessor 11 monitors data from the transducer, performs calculations, and performs other functions. Software embedded in the secondary storage device 13 allows the microprocessor 11 to perform these functions. The secondary storage device 13 is an expensive solid state device, commonly known as a "flash disk" or ROM chip, and can withstand harsh environments and extreme climatic conditions where flow computers are frequently used.

"On-site operator can control the flow computer 10. The operator inputs information such as a command to determine the frequency at which the flow measurement reading is taken and the result is calculated. In addition, the operator may choose to use a floppy drive 16 or other suitable memory device to load and store data in the flow computer 10. The processor 11 may display an LCD display screen 15; Provide visual feedback to the operator, on the other hand, the operator “plugs in” the laptop computer or other interface device 31 to the flow computer through one of the data ports 17 to 23. Thus, the owner or operator of the flow computer 10 can easily obtain flow measurement information from the flow computer. And you can also reprogram or modify the software flow computers when necessary.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it is known that the flow computer 10 can be configured directly or locally, while also communicating remotely with the flow computer 10. For example, a modem 27 is connected to the telephone line 32 and allows the host computer to remotely connect to the flow computer 10. When the flow computer is firmly located at the access location, the satellite antenna device can be used to form a satellite link to transmit information to and from the host computer. Thus, if an oil company wants flow data from a deepwater offshore platform, the oil company can communicate with the flow computer via a satellite connection from the host computer and obtain the desired flow information. Alternatively, the operator can move to an offshore plateform and connect the laptop to the flow computer to retrieve the desired information. Remote communication with the flow computer provides the advantage of on-site linking with the flow computer via a laptop computer without the need for a physical connection to the flow computer. However, there are some problems with this solution to the current system.

While this system makes it easy to obtain flow measurements at remote locations, there are some problems. The first problem is that manufacturers of flow computers typically implement their own proprietary communication protocols in their flow computer 10. Manufacturers can even use customized processors that use a proprietary operating system. Thus, the host computer 31 must designate software capable of interfacing and communicating with the unique software running on the flow computer to construct or retrieve information from the flow computer. Similarly, if a laptop is used to communicate directly with the flow computer, the laptop must use an appropriate specific communication protocol. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a customer may use a flow computer made by several manufacturers. In this case, the customer must keep track of the manufacturer of each flow computer so that the appropriate communication protocol can be used when communicating with the particular flow computer.

The problem is further complicated as manufacturers of flow computers periodically release new versions of the software for their flow computers. When the flow computer is updated by new software, the host computer or laptop computer must also be updated. As a result, the customer must record the version of the software residing within the flow computer as well as the manufacturer to ensure proper communication and control that can be implemented on the host computer or laptop computer. Thus, at each point in time where software or new features added to a new or modified protocol are used, the host must be modified / updated accordingly. Inevitably, there are so many versions of software running on different hosts. As a result, the obvious problem that occurs with a particular host machine, depending on the version of the host software running the host machine, is that it may or may not be able to effectively communicate and access some or all features of a given flow computer. In addition, manufacturers of flow computers are faced with the enormous challenge of ensuring backward compatibility with host software that has not yet been updated with the latest version of the software.

Compatibility issues with software versions cause user confusion and a nightmare for customer consumption in the art. This problem has existed for many years without any visible solution. Although this problem was well recognized, no effective solution appeared.

In addition to the absence of industry standard protocols, industry standard protocols may be overly limited as technology advances. One example for connecting a flow transducer such as reference numerals 24 to 26 to the flow computer 10 is MODBUS, an industry standard bus currently used. MODBUS technology is approximately 20 years old and could not keep pace with the many technological advances that have occurred over the years. Thus, to use MODBUS in some current technologies, MODBUS must be changed. The problem is that once the standard MODBUS architecture has been modified, incompatibility is introduced between the flow computer and the flow transducer unless both the flow computer and the flow transducer use the same version of MODBUS. Thus, unless an industry standard architecture or protocol is updated continuously, the standard becomes outdated.

It would be desirable if standardized architectures and protocols could be developed for the flow computer and host computer while allowing sufficient adaptability to allow for technical improvements to be implemented in the flow computer technology. Although such a system obviously offers advantages, it does not have a solution to these problems.

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is hereby incorporated by reference and claims priority of US Application No. 09 / 212,176, filed December 15, 1998, entitled "Internet Enabled Network Flow Computer System."

Report related to federally sponsored research or development

Unavailable

The present invention relates generally to computer systems for measuring and controlling the flow of liquids and gases through pipelines or conduits, and more particularly to flow computers that can be accessed remotely and locally. will be. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flow computer that functions as a web server that allows an operator to control the flow computer and obtain flow measurements from the flow computer via the Internet, intranets and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a flow computer system of the prior art.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an improved flow computer and host system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

3 is a block diagram illustrating the network flow computer shown in FIG. 2 constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

4 is a block diagram illustrating software implemented in a network flow computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a flash disk, a BIOS, and a RAM disk of the network flow computer shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flash disk initialization routine executed in the network flow computer shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The following detailed description describes preferred embodiments for implementing the principles underlying the present invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the following detailed description is merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the principles discussed in the detailed description. In addition, any terminology is used throughout the following description and claims to refer to components of a particular system. As those skilled in the art will understand, manufacturers can refer to a component by different names. This document does not distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the description and claims that follow, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus include, but are not limited to, "..." It should be interpreted as meaning. In addition, the term "fluid" is used in a variety including liquids and gases. Also, the term "couple" or "connect" means either an indirect electrical connection or a direct electrical connection. Thus, when the first device is coupled or connected with the second device, the connection may be a direct electrical connection or an indirect electrical connection made through other devices and connections.

2, a host computer 50 couples with one or more network flow computers 100, 800, 900 via the Internet, an intranet, or a similar technology. In addition, the flow computer couples with various flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730 through a standardized bus such as MODBUS. In Figure 2, although the three measuring devices are shown to be connected with each of the flow computer, those skilled in the art will understand that the number of flow measuring devices and other equipment can be changed. Similarly, host computer 50 can operate as an upstream without limitation for an unspecified number of flow computers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow computer is programmed to collect or receive data from measurement devices such as 710, 720 and 730. The flow computer 100 may also be programmed to be a web server and communicate via a connection of the Internet, an intranet, or a similar technology. The network flow computer 100 acts as a web server and executes other flow calculation software.

The host computer 50 may include any personal computer, laptop computer, workstation, mainframe computer, or any other computer capable of supporting access to the Internet, an intranet, or the like. The network flow computer 100 may be based on compatible processors such as INTEL x86 series microprocessors or K6 and K7 manufactured by AMD, PR series from CYRIX, and C6 and C7 series microprocessors from IDT. . The network flow computer 100 may also be based on an RS 6000, Spark, or ALPHA RISC microprocessor-based machine from Sun Microsystem (SUN MICROSYSTEM). Alternatively, network flow computer 100 may be based on any other microprocessor capable of performing the operations required by the present invention. The preferred embodiment assumes the use of an INTEL x86 based computer as the most cost effective platform. The minimum system requirement for a network flow computer on the x86 platform is a 386 class microprocessor, such as commercially available microprocessors from manufacturers such as INTEL, AMD and CYRIX. The present invention also works with advanced x86 architecture microprocessors such as the 486 series, PENTIUM, PENTIUM PRO and PENTIUM II. As noted above, the present invention also works on non-x86 platform computers. Although the best mode implements a standard PC configuration, the invention may also be implemented in a machine with an embedded computer or processor.

Although any common browser can be used, it is recommended that the host computer 50 run an Internet web browser software package such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or NETSCAPE's NAVIGATOR software. desirable. No other specialized software is required on the host computer. However, if desired, the host computer 50 may be programmed on the network flow computer with specialized software that allows backward compatibility with older versions of the software. Such specialized software may interoperate with the software implemented in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The host computer 50 can connect to the Internet either directly or through a service provider. Similarly, both host computer 50 and network flow computer 100 can connect to the Internet using any communication medium including standard analog telephone line connections, ISDN connections, T1 connections, satellite connections, direct wire connections, and the like. . The host computer 50 may also connect directly to the flow computer 100 by bypassing the public Internet, such as through the use of an intranet and similar technologies.

In operation, flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730 monitor and measure any fluid or any parameter of the fluids. The flow computer 100 receives flow measurement values from the flow measurement apparatuses 710, 720, and 730 to perform flow calculation. The flow computer then displays these flow calculations in real time on a web page. In addition, the flow computer 100 may be required to display historical data and other measurement or configuration data. Thus each flow computer has its own web address. The host computer 50 accesses these flow calculations by simply entering each URL address for a particular flow computer. For example, in order to address the flow computer 100, the operator of the host computer 50 is connected to the Internet to the flow computer 100 as shown by www.flow # 1.com in the example shown in FIG. Select the URL address. While the present invention refers to a URL to identify the address of the flow computer 100, the present invention includes some other type of addressing that can be used to identify the flow computer. In response to the selection of this address, the flow computer 100 preferably contacts the web page of the flow computer and responds, and preferably includes a list of current flow calculations. Other features and details of the flow computer 100 can be selected from menu entries in the web pages of the computer. In a similar manner, each of the other flow computers in the inventory of the customer can be addressed and the information of the flow computers are monitored in real time via the Internet, intranet or similar technology.

The configuration shown in FIG. 2 solves many problems associated with the prior art. Prior art measurement devices 710, 720, and 730 can operate using only a single industry standard protocol. For example, gas chromatographs communicate with external devices using only the MODBUS protocol. When a gas chromatograph connects to a network flow computer using the industry standard MODBUS protocol, the gas chromatograph is effectively a networked gas chromatograph that can be accessed remotely through the network flow computer. In addition, the gas chromatograph software does not require updating. Once the gas chromatograph is combined with the network flow computer 100 as described above, the network flow computer is provided by a gas chromatograph that can be accessed remotely by a given host computer 50 anywhere in the world. The flow measurement data can be configured. This eliminates the need to ensure that the flow computer and host computer operate with the same version of software. This solution is also practical in the real world, especially because of the wide availability of internet access.

The principles of the present invention can be applied to existing flow meters with gas chromatography, ultrasonic meters and orifice meters. For example, these flowmeters may already be included in electronic devices associated with these designs. These electronic devices can be integrated with a network flow computer such that the flow meter is effectively an internet enabled flow meter with a built-in network flow computer. When the present invention is used in such a flow meter, the flow meter can function in the same manner as the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with all the existing functionality in the flow meter.

3, the network flow computer 100 is configured according to a preferred embodiment having a PENTIUM family of microprocessors operating at a clock speed of 100 Mhz or 133 Mhz. The network flow computer 100 preferably has a flash disk 170 of at least 2 Mbytes, most preferably from 5 to 10 Mbytes of flash disk. The actual size of the flash disk depends somewhat on the number of options or features incorporated into this system. In addition, the flow computer 100 preferably includes at least 8 Mbytes of RAM 130, most preferably between 16 and 32 Mbytes of RAM. Flow computer 100 also includes a display mechanism 110. The display 110 may be a standalone monitor in a flow computer implemented in a standard PC configuration. If the flow computer 100 is implemented in a computer with a built-in computer or processor, the display 110 may be an LCD display unit, such as a 2 ″ × 16 ″ text only LCD display. The flow computer 100 may also have a keyboard 145 and a floppy disk 160.

The network flow computer 100 also preferably includes one or more bus interfaces 185, such as an ISA and PCI bus interface. The analog and digital interface cards 190 of the flow computer 100 are coupled to the bus interface 185 of the flow computer. Flow measurement devices, such as turbine meter 710, pressure transducer 720, differential pressure transducer 730, temperature probe 740, and other flow measurement device 750, may be analog or digital interface cards 190. ) Is combined. Such a flow measuring device is provided to the flow computer 100 on the basis of flow data in real time. Flow measuring devices 710, 720, 730, 740, 750 are directly coupled to the network flow computer 100, which becomes a flow flowmeter for the flow measuring device. Similar to the flow meter, the network flow computer 100 receives and processes digital and analog signals transmitted by the flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740, 750. The network flow computer 100 then performs all necessary calculations and corrections on the raw data received from the flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740, 750. The flow computer stores an execution log file of the flash disk 170 that is the result of the calculated flow measurement.

The flow computer can also identify and communicate with the self-configured and attached measurement device. As those skilled in the art will recognize and understand, methods of identifying peripheral devices attached to a computer are well known in the art.

The host computer 50 can access the network flow computer 100 via the Internet 340 to view real-time results of the flow. As noted above, the host computer 50 may also connect to the network flow computer 100 via an intranet or similar technology. In the host computer 50, the result of the calculated flow is displayed in a graph, a table of data or any other desirable display method. In addition, the flow computer 100 may store the results of some or all of the calculated flows for later analysis by the host computer 50.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the network flow computer 100 preferably also includes one or more serial ports 150, such as an RS-232 or RS-485 serial port. Serial port 150 allows network flow computer 100 to communicate with various external devices. Network flow computer 100 is coupled to ultrasonic flowmeter 400 and gas chromatograph 500 via serial port 150.

Flow computer 100 communicates with ultrasonic flowmeter 400, gas chromatograph 500 and flow computer 600 via an RS-232 or RS-485 serial port 150 using an industry standard MODBUS protocol. Serial port 150 is also used to directly connect host computer 50 and network flow computer 100. Directly connecting the host computer 50 to the network flow computer 100 through the serial port 150 may be the location of the network flow computer for a variety of reasons, such as in the case of network flow computer troubleshooting or servicing. This is often necessary when the host computer user is physically located at. The gas chromatograph 500 is connected to the network flow computer 100 via an RS-232 or RS-485 serial port 150 using the industry standard MODBUS protocol.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the network flow computer 100 is coupled to the ultrasonic flowmeter 400 through the serial port 150. Ultrasonic flow meter 400 may also be connected to network flow computer 100 via LAN interface 140 and LAN server 320. Ultrasonic flow meter 400 may be precisely a flow meter or a flow computer. Like the flow flow meter, the ultrasonic flow meter 400 records the flow data at the raw velocity and does not perform any data correction, such as for temperature and pressure. Ultrasonic flow meter 400 then communicates with the flow computer to perform all necessary calculations including correcting the original data for temperature and pressure data. Like the flow computer, the ultrasonic flow meter 400 not only records the original data but also performs the necessary calculations, corrects the data for temperature and pressure, and finally communicates the calculated results with the network flow computer 100.

Network flow computer 100 couples with other flow computers via serial port 150. For example, network flow computer 100 may be coupled to another flow computer 600, such as a commercially available flow computer DANIEL SPECTRA 100 via serial port 150. External flow computer 600 is coupled with other flow measurement devices, such as devices 710, 720, 730, 740, 750. In this configuration, the network flow computer 100 is indirectly connected to the flow measurement apparatus 710, 720, 730, 740, 750 via the flow computer 600. In the indirect connection of the network flow computer 100 to the flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, the flow computer 600 receives and processes digital and analog flow signals from the measurement device and typically Flow computer 600 performs all necessary flow measurement calculations. The flow computer 600 then communicates the calculated results with the network flow computer 100. After receiving the calculated result, the network flow computer 100 stores the result in an execution log file of the flash disk 170.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, network flow computer 100 connects to host computer 50 via the Internet and the World Wide Web 340. As described above and as those skilled in the art understand, network flow computer 100 may also be connected to host computer 50 via an intranet and similar technologies. Flow computer 100 may access the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 in a number of different ways. In the preferred embodiment, the flow computer 100 connects to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 through a local area network (“LAN”). The network flow computer 100 has a LAN interface 140. While the preferred embodiment uses an industry standard Ethernet LAN, one skilled in the art will also appreciate that other commercially available LANs, such as LON, WORKS, PROFI BUS, DEVICE NET, CAN, USB or any other industry standard LAN, are suitable. . LAN connection 140 may connect flow computer 100 to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340. LAN connection 140 may also network network flow computer 100 with other equipment at the site where the flow computer is used. In order to be able to connect the flow computer to the Internet 340, the LAN interface 140 is coupled to the router or gateway 310 and again to the LAN server 320. To prevent unauthorized access, the LAN connection 140 of the flow computer 100 is protected by coupling the LAN server 320 to the firewall 330 for virus intrusion from the Internet and other security reasons. Firewall 330 is then coupled to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340. In the preferred embodiment, the flow computer 100 is coupled to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340, while those skilled in the art will likewise share the invention with the Internet, the World Wide Web, or later, "Internet II." It will be appreciated that certain additional improvements to certain other aspects of the Internet, including what is called, are being addressed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the network flow computer 100 may also be connected to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 via other communication media. Thus, the flow computer 100 also includes one or more communication interface cards 1150 that are coupled to various external communication devices via a modem 210, satellite 220, ISDN 230, T1 line 240, and cable 250. Certain one or more communication media (eg, modem 210, satellite 220, ISDN 230, T1 line 240 and cable 250) may be configured to provide network flow computer 100. It can be used to connect to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340. Similarly, the host computer 50 is connected to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340.

Referring now to FIG. 4, custom software is written and combined with off-the-shelf commercial or publicly available software to implement network flow computer 100. The combination, order, layering or hierarchy of software shown in FIG. 4 briefly discusses the software used in the preferred embodiment. It should not be construed as limiting the invention. Different combinations, ordering, stratification or stratification of software can be used in the present invention. The software used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a LINUX operating system [101: " OS "], network service software net service 102, industry standard MODBUS communication protocol 103, APACHE web server 104, CGI script / HTML code 105 and JAVA applet / C program 106.

The underlying platform for software in the network flow computer 100 preferably includes the RED HAT LINUX operating system [101: “OS”]. LINUX OS 101 is a multitasking and multiuser operating system. RED HAT LINUX OS 101 is a variant of the popular UNIX operating system. RED HAT LINUX OS is commercially available from RED HAT SOFTWARE, INC. (Http://www.redhat.com). LINUX OS 101 includes software “kernels” for network flow computer 100. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a kernel is software code within an operating system that functions as the master controller of all system operations and resources. The kernel contains the basic functionality of the operating system, but not the file system. The kernel is responsible for allocating computer resources. The kernel needs a file system to execute files, locate files, and perform other file operations. There are many different types of files with data files and code files. Examples of code files are X-WINDOWS, a graphical shell for text editors EMACS and LINUX OS 101.

While in the preferred embodiment of the present invention implements the RED HAT LINUX OS 101, it is desirable that other distributions of LINUX or other operating systems be used. Examples of other publicly available distributions of LINUX include SLACKWARE LINUX, YGGDRASIL LINUX and CALDERA LINUX. Although the present invention is constituted by an operating system having all the features such as WINDOWS 98 or WINDOW NT, it is preferable to use a scalable operating system such as LINUX OS 101 or MICROSOFT WINDOWS CE. The scalable operating system can select a subset of operating system modules or features required for the application in the near future. The memory space required by the operating system features or a subset of modules can be minimized as controlled. This capability of a scalable operating system is particularly desirable for the development of embedded systems where memory space is limited and expensive. For example, in the present invention, LINUX OS 101 with the selected set of features may only require approximately 2 Mbytes for booting, while WINDOWS 98 may require 100 Mbytes or more. In addition, because network flow computer 100 is preferably designed for harsh environments, relatively expensive memory components such as flash disk 170 are used. Thus, the use of a scalable operating system, such as LINUX OS 101, is desirable to minimize the amount of memory required by the flow computer and, as a result, to minimize the cost of the system.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the size of the embedded LINUX OS 101 is determined by recompiling the LINUX OS source code having a subset of the overall features of the standard LINUX OS into a storage unit of 1 to 2 Mbytes. Decrease. This is accomplished by running the configuration utility provided by RED HAT LINUX. The utility can choose a subset of the features provided in a standard LINUX installation. The utility runs in the X-WINDOWS shell provided by LINUX. The command "make xconfig" is run in X-WINDOWS to initialize the utility. Once the utility is initialized, the options identified in appendix A are selected. Once the option of the identified LINUX OS is selected, the configuration utility is used to recompile the source code of LINUX OS 101 to generate a subset version of the LINUX OS, the size of which is determined by the network flow computer 100. Minimize storage space on the flash disk 170.

The next "layer" of software at network flow computer 100 is a bundle of net services 102 of the software. Net service 102 is a combination of one or more system programs (as opposed to application programs) and provides various services or resources and tasks associated with LINUX OS 101. For example, the preferred embodiment uses net services such as FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL ("FTP"), HYPER TEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL ("HTTP"), and TELNET. However, the present invention may use other net services 102. Net service 102 is publicly available and can be obtained from many different sources. For example, as in the preferred embodiment, the net service 102 software can be obtained from the RED HAT LINUX distribution CD-ROM. Most publicly available LINUX distributions typically have net service 102 software. As noted above, examples of other publicly available LINUX distributions include SLACKWARE LINUX, YGGDRASIL LINUX, and CALDERA LINUX. Net service 102 software can also be easily downloaded from various Internet sites. These internet sites are easily identified using commonly available internet search engines.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment uses FTP net service 102 to transfer files between host computer 50 and network flow computer 100. HTTP net service 102 enables network flow computer 100 to communicate over the world wide web of the Internet. As a result, the operator can observe the flow measurement result from the network flow computer 100 through the host computer 50 using an Internet browser such as Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER or NaviGator from Netscape. The preferred embodiment uses TELNET net service 102 to allow an operator to log in remotely to a network flow computer 100, such as a terminal. If the technician is physically where the network flow computer resides and the technician can work directly with the network flow computer, this remote connection appears at the network flow computer 100. This connection also allows a technician to perform fault tracking of the network flow computer 100 from a remote site.

The MODBUS software 103 allows the network flow computer 100 to communicate with a legacy flow computer or ultrasonic flow meter 400, gas chromatograph 500 and other flow computers via an RS-232 or RS-485 serial port 150. Communication with a flow meter such as 600). MODBUS software 103 implements the standard MODBUS communication protocol to perform tasks related to LINUX OS 1010. The source code of Appendix B is an implementation of the MODBUS protocol using the C programming language.

APACHE web server software 104 allows network flow computer 100 to operate as a web server using HTTP and FTP net service 102 communication protocols. Like the web server, the network flow computer 100 can be accessed through the host computer 50 over the entire internet 340. Similarly, network flow computer 100 may be accessed through host computer 50 across an entire intranet or similar technology. APACHE web server software 104 also enables the use of the COMMON GATEWAY InTERFACE (“CGI”) script 105 described below. APACHE web server software 104 is publicly available web server software and can be easily downloaded from the Internet. Internet sites for downloading APACHE web server software 104 may be identified by using commonly available Internet search engines. An excellent internet website for downloading APACHE web server software 104 is www.apache.org .

Referring back to FIG. 4, the CGI script / HTML code 105 and the JAVA applet / C program 106 may be configured by the network flow computer 100.

As part of the overall function of the network flow computer to communicate with multiple external devices, it is possible to perform various tasks and display the results of the calculated flow data to the host computer 50 connected to the network flow computer via the Internet 340. It is an application program. As those skilled in the art will understand, these various programs can be recorded such that the network flow computer 100 can perform various functions. For example, the source code provided in Appendix C allows the network flow computer 100 to query the ultrasonic flowmeter 400 once every 60 seconds to obtain a calibrated flow rate. Once the corrected flow rate is obtained, the flow computer 100 adds the flow rate to the execution log file named "ultrasonic.org". One such file is created for each full day and the process is repeated every 24 hours. Likewise, Appendix D is an example listing source code that enables the flow computer 100 to read a predefined message block from the ultrasonic flowmeter 400. This message block contains the data used to create the table. The table is then displayed on a host computer 50 that is connected to the flow computer 100 via the Internet 340. Both examples also use the MODBUS protocol 103 program listed in Appendix B.

The CGI script / HTML code 105 uses a JAVA applet to display the results of the computer flow data in graphical format on the host computer 50 when the host is connected to the flow computer 100 via the Internet 340. JAVA applets are commercially available under the trade name JAVACHART of VISUAL ENGINEERING, INC. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functionality provided by the commercial software JAVACHART can be developed independently using JAVA programming.

3 and 5, the flash disk 170 of the network flow computer 100 includes a software file identified in FIG. 4. These programs and data are executed when the network flow computer 100 is used for its own purposes. However, the flash disk 170 must be initialized before the flash disk can operate properly. As with the initial formatting and installation of data on the hard disk of a common PC and other software and operating system, initialization of the flash disk 170 is typically performed only one per unit. However, the initialization process can be repeated as necessary. Prior to initialization, flash disk 170 contains files that are to be unformatted or deleted.

5, as described above, the network flow computer 100 includes a flash disk 170 and a RAM 130. The network flow computer 100 also includes a BIOS 121. The flash disk 170 has a LINUX LILO loader 171 in the master boot record ("MBR") of the flash disk. The flash disk 170 also includes an uncompressed file space 172, a compressed file space 173, a user data area 174, and a free space 175. RAM 130 has a RAM disk 131 and an uncompressed file space.

In a normal PC, the file system usually resides on the hard disk of the PC without being compressed. PC hard disks are a relatively inexpensive storage medium. Thus, it is economically justified for a typical software application on a normal PC to have an uncompressed file system. Generally, in order to operate the software in a standard PC configuration, a program is dynamically loaded from the PC's hard disk into the PC's random access memory ("RAM") on which the program is executed. The file system of the standard PC configuration is maintained on the hard disk and programmed to read from and write to the file system on the hard disk. However, the program must reside in RAM at run time. The program cannot be run on the PC's hard disk.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention does not use a hard disk in the form of a permanent nonvolatile storage medium. This is because current hard disk technology generally cannot withstand the harsh environment in which a flow computer can be used. Indeed, the preferred embodiment uses flash disk 170 for permanent non-volatile storage. Flash disks are needed because files must be stored on some permanent nonvolatile storage media. The nonvolatile storage medium does not lose data stored in the nonvolatile storage medium when power to the storage medium is terminated. Flash disks emulate physical magnetic hard disks. Thus, software running on the network flow computer 100 cannot distinguish between a hard disk and a flash disk. Flash disks use solid state technology with parts that do not move. Thus, the flash disk can better withstand bad environmental conditions such as shock, high temperature and low temperature. Flash disks have the added advantage of smaller physical size compared to hard disks. This facilitates the use of a flash disk in a network flow computer consisting of an embedded computer or a processor.

Flash disks are very expensive compared to the cost of hard disks. In a normal PC with a hard disk, the cost of volatile RAM storage is approximately 20-30 times more expensive than non-volatile hard disk storage. Since the inexpensive storage medium of a normal PC is a hard disk, an uncompressed hard disk is an acceptable mode of operation from each cost. This situation is reversed in the network flow computer 100 of the preferred embodiment. In the network flow computer 100, the permanent nonvolatile flash disk 170 storage medium is approximately five times more expensive than the storage of the temporary volatile RAM 130. Since the flash disk 170 of the network flow computer 100 is more expensive than the RAM 130, it is more preferable to use the RAM storage rather than the flash disk storage to minimize the overall cost of the flow computer. However, the above preferences are limited by technical limitations protecting the permanent storage of files on RAM 130. Thus, to reduce cost, the preferred embodiment minimizes the flash disk 170 by storing most files on the flash disk in a compressed file space 173 in a compressed form. When the network flow computer 100 operates, the compressed file 173 is transferred from the flash disk 170 to the RAM 130 in an uncompressed form. The software on the flow computer 100 is executed by accessing the uncompressed file space 131 of the RAM and not by accessing the compressed file space 173 of the flash disk 170.

4 and 5, when initialization of the flash disk 170 is completed in a flash disk including at least some software files identified in FIG. 4, another possible data and program file is added. In particular, LINUX LILO loader 171 resides on the MBR of flash disk 170 (starting in sector 0). Between the MBR 171 and the memory space immediately following sector 430, an uncompressed file space 172 resides. Uncompressed file space 172 includes an uncompressed file system, a LINUX OS 101 kernel, and other files. In the space immediately following sector 430, compressed file space 173 resides. Compressed file space 173 includes the files identified in FIG. 4 that are not loaded into software and uncompressed file space 172. User data area 174 preferably includes a data file used by flow computer 100 that may be changed while using the flow computer. Depending on the size of the flash disk 170, a portion of the flash disk may be free space. A special initialization routine of flash disk 170 is described in the detailed description below.

User data area 174 of flash disk 170 includes a data file that can be changed while using network flow computer 100. An example of such a user data file includes a file that stores configuration information about the flow computer. The configuration file is modified, for example, when the host computer 50 is connected to the network flow computer 100 and changes the frequency of flow measurement every four to six hours. In order to permanently store the changes made to the user data file, these files are stored on the flash disk 170 in the user data area 174 and are written to the flash disk at the same time and not written to the RAM 130. The predetermined change is made. User data area 174 may be compressed or uncompressed depending on various considerations, such as performance requirements, available flash disk space, and other considerations.

The storage space of the flash disk 170 required for the LILO loader 171 and uncompressed file space 172 is determined by precompiling the LINUX OS 101 kernel. In a preferred embodiment, 430 sectors are needed to store LILO loader 171 and uncompressed file space 172 on flash disk 170. As noted above, the size of the LINUX OS 101 and kernel may be varied depending on the particular subset of features selected from the standard LINUX OS. In addition, the size may be affected by certain customized changes made in the LINUX OS 101 kernel.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the LINUX OS 101 kernel is loaded into the uncompressed file space 172. Small segments of the LINUX OS 101 kernel are stored in uncompressed file space in uncompressed form. Most kernels are stored in uncompressed file space 172 in compressed form. When the network flow computer 100 is powered on or rebooted, the uncompressed segment of the LINUX OS 101 kernel in the uncompressed file space 172 is executed first. Once the execution of the uncompressed kernel is started, the kernel is decompressed and, if necessary, another compressed segment of the LINUS OS 101 kernel in the uncompressed file space 172 is executed.

In a preferred embodiment, uncompressed file space 131 in RAM is made available by creating a RAM disk. A RAM disk is a method of creating a "hard disk" or "flash disk" in RAM to emulate the functionality of a hard disk or flash disk. Thus, the RAM disk 131 can store a file system, and files can be written to and accessed from a RAM disk, such as a conventional PC hard disk or flash disk. From the respective software operating on the network flow computer 100 (see FIG. 4), the file system residing on the RAM disk 131 is indistinguishable from the file system residing on the flash disk 170. Only the LINUX OS 101 kernel can identify between the RAM disk 131 and the hard disk. The ability to create a RAM disk is natural for the LINUX OS 101 kernel.

While creation and use of the compressed file space 173 and the RAM disk 131 are preferred in terms of cost reduction, respectively, in the present invention, the compressed file space and the RAM disk do not need to be used for the network flow computer 100. The requirements needed for the compressed file space 173 and RAM disk 131 are cost effective factors. The intention of the present invention is to function by flash disk 170 having only uncompressed file space 172. Likewise, the intention of the present invention is to function by the RAM 130 having no RAM disk 131. In the future, if the cost of the flash disk 170 becomes lower than the cost of the RAM 130, the use of the compressed file space 173 and the RAM disk 131 will be unnecessary, and the associated color savings will be non-factorial. may be factored.

When the power is turned on or when the network flow computer 100 is reset, the BIOS 121 is under the control of the flow computer. The BIOS 121 is an integrated circuit chip residing on the motherboard of the flow computer 100. The BIOS 121 is preprogrammed by logic that boots the flow computer 100 (ie, takes control of the flow computer) when the flow computer is first powered on or reset. When the BIOS 121 starts the booting process, the BIOS 121 searches for a hard drive or a flash drive, and the hard drive or the flash drive is connected as "hda" referred to in the first drive or LINUX OS technology. The BIOS 121 searches for an MBR on "hda". Since the hard disk is installed first as "hda", the BIOS places the MBR of the hard disk. The LINUX OS boot loader installed on the MBR of the hard disk boots the network flow computer 100 while initializing the flash disk 170.

Referring back to FIG. 5, since the BIOS 121 searches to initialize the boot sequence for the network flow computer 100, the LILO loader 171 must be located on the MBR of the flash disk 170. After BIOS 121 discovers and initiates execution of LILO loader 171, LILO loader searches and finds LINUX OS 101 kernel in uncompressed file space 172. Once LINUX OS 101 is found, LILO loader 171 is loaded into the LINUX OS kernel of RAM 130 and begins executing the kernel. At this time, the LINUX OS 101 controls the boot sequence of the network flow computer 100.

The LINUX OS 101 kernel may be physically stored anywhere on flash disk 170. However, in order for the LILO loader 171 to find the kernel, the LILO loader 171 must be one of those specifically configured for the physical location of the kernel, and the LILO loader 171 must be physical You must find the kernel at the default location. The physical default location for the kernel is the storage space immediately following the storage space occupied by the LILO loader 171 on the flash disk 170. In the preferred embodiment, the LINUX OS 101 kernel is physically stored at the beginning of the uncompressed file space 172 on the flash disk 170. This is the default location for the LINUX OS 101 kernel.

The LINUX OS 101 kernel has the main responsibility for booting the network flow computer 100. To properly execute the boot sequence, the kernel determines the location of the file system, whether the file system is compressed, and whether the RAM disk has been created. When a RAM disk is created, the kernel determines the size of the RAM disk and whether the file system has been loaded from the flash disk into the RAM disk. The kernel makes this determination based on the command line parameters passed from the LILO loader 171 to the LINUX OS 101 kernel.

As noted above, the file system resides on a hard disk or flash disk in a conventional manner, and is programmed to access and write files from the hard disk or flash disk and to access and write files to the hard disk or flash disk. When the RAM disk is set up and the file system from the flash disk is transferred to the RAM disk, on the network flow computer 100 which accesses and writes the file from the RAM disk and the file is accessed and written to the RAM disk in reverse with the flash disk. Program it to work.

In a preferred embodiment, the compressed file space 173 is stored on flash disk 170 starting at sector 430. This is the storage space immediately following the uncompressed file space 172 in the flash disk 170.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the initialization of flash disk 170 is described below in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Also other initialization sequences may be appropriate, and the following description describes only the preferred initialization. As a necessary condition for the preferred initialization process, the network flow computer 100 must be provided with a conventional hard disk (ie, "hda") installed as the first drive of the network flow computer. The flash disk 170 should be preferentially installed in the network flow computer 100 as a second drive of the flash disk (ie, "hdc": may be used instead of "hdb"). In addition, the hard disk "hda" must have a LINUX OS installed on the hard disk. this is

This can be achieved by a commercially available off-the-shelf software package called RED HAT LINUX, which provides detailed instructions on how to install a LINUX OS onto a hard disk using the CD-ROM disks provided by RED HAT. have. In addition, the compressed file space 173 of the flash disk 170 and all the files and their associated directory structure that ultimately reside in the user data area 174 are temporary on the local hard disk “hda” of the network flow computer 100. It must be located in a directory.

In a preferred embodiment, three program scripts "makeLILObootdisk", "makeCompressedRamDisk" and "bdlilo.conf" listed in Appendix E are used to implement the initialization process of flash disk 170. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the initialization process implemented in the three programs may be modified or recorded with many different changes, and may one day achieve the same purpose.

The "makeLILObootdisk" and "makeCompressedRamDisk" programs (see Appendix E) create a RAM disk 131 and an uncompressed file system in the RAM disk. The programs then copy the compressed version of the file space of RAM disk 131 to temporary storage on the hard disk that is connected as "hda". Next, the programs create an uncompressed file space 172 on a flash disk [170: " hdc "] and uncompress the compressed and compressed segments of the LINUX OS 101 kernel into the uncompressed file space 172. Copy to The programs then copy the boot loader file "boot.b" from the hard disk "hda" to the boot directory of the master boot record 171 of the flash disk [170: "hdc"]. The boot loader configuration file "bdlilo.conf" is then copied to the flash disk 170. Next, the programs and data files stored in the temporary storage on the hard disk "hda" must be properly copied to the compressed file space 173 and the flash disk [hdc ": 170) of the user data area 174. do. In addition, other files, such as an operating system, can be copied into the compressed file space 173.

After the initialization programs "makeLILObootdisk" and "makeCompressedRamDisk" of the flash disk 170 are successfully terminated, the LILO boot loader configuration program "bdlilo.conf" (see Appendix E) is executed. The LILO boot loader program sends the command line parameters to the LINUX OS 101 kernel in uncompressed file space 172. The parameters discern which kernel the network flow computer 100 uses the RAM disk 131, the size of the RAM disk, and the location of the compressed file space 173 on the flash disk 170. In addition, the boot loader program also determines the particular kernel image to be used in the boot sequence for the network flow computer 100. In the preferred embodiment, the kernel image used for the boot sequence is located in the file "vmlinuz.embedded".

Only the LILO boot loader configuration program "bdlilo.conf" writes to the first drive "hda". However, as described above, during initialization of the flash disk 170, the first drive of the network flow disk 100 is a local hard disk "hda", and the flash disk is connected as the second drive "hda". During the initialization routine, if the LILO boot loader program can write to "hda", the LILO boot loader program will damage the LINUX OS residing on the local hard disk "hda". Thus, once the initialization programs "makeLILObootdisk" and "makeCompressedRamDisk" are successfully terminated, the hard disk must be disconnected from the network flow computer 100 and the flash disk 170 must be connected as the first drive "hda". do. However, at this time, if the initialization of the flash disk 170 is not finished yet and the flash disk is connected as "hda", the flow computer 100 cannot boot using the flash disk. The solution is to create a floppy disk bootable with the LINUX OS. This can be accomplished by using commercially and publicly available RED HAT LINUX OS CD-ROM distribution discs. For a bootable floppy disk in the floppy disk drive 160 of the network flow computer 100, the flow computer may be booted into a flash disk 170 connected to the flow computer as the first drive “hda”. This configuration can connect the flash disk 170 as the first drive " hda " on the flow computer 100 during the LILO configuration phase of the flash disk initialization routine. Therefore, when the LILO loader program is executed, the LILO loader program writes to " hda " to which the flash disk 170 is connected. Thus, the desired result for the flash disk configuration is achieved. Once the LILO loader configuration is complete, the initialization routine of flash disk 170 is terminated and the bootable floppy disk is removed from floppy drive 160. Hereinafter, the network flow computer 100 is prepared for use. When the network flow computer 100 is rebooted, the flow computer boots to the flash disk connected as the first drive " hda ".

The initialization tutin is shown in the flow chart form shown in FIG. As will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art, the initialization routine described above may be performed by variations of what is described herein without departing from the purpose of the initialization routine.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are intended to illustrate and explain the invention, and include various changes in the dimensions, shapes, materials, components, circuit elements, wiring connections and contacts as well as the illustrated circuits, configurations, and methods of operation. This can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Once the above detailed description is fully understood, numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The following claims should be construed to include all such changes and modifications.

Embodiments of the present invention include at least one measurement device, a flow computer coupled with the measurement device and configured as a web server and configured to receive data from the measurement device, and one of the local Internet / Intranet connection or the Internet. A network flow system having a host computer in communication with the flow computer via an intranet connection. Thus, a constant resource indicator ["URL": Uniform resource locator) address identifies the flow computer, and the host computer can receive data from the flow computer in web page format. The flow computer can also be self-configured to identify and communicate with the attached measurement device. The flow computer may have a scalable operating system compressed on a flash disk and may be remotely programmed by the host computer. The host computer can communicate with the flow computer via a web browser.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for obtaining measurement data. The method includes coupling a flow computer to a measurement device suitable for monitoring fluid, providing corresponding measurement data, and connecting the flow computer to a host computer via a communication link, the flow computer comprising a first protocol Obtain measurement data from the measurement device and communicate with the host computer using a second protocol suitable for Internet / Intranet communication. Also, other aspects of this method may appear. For example, the measuring device may be asked questions at regular intervals, the host computer may program the flow computer, the flow computer may be identified using a URL address, and the flow computer may have data from the measuring device. Can generate a web page.

Claims (24)

In a network flow system, At least one measuring device; A flow computer coupled with at least one measurement device and configured to receive data from the at least one measurement device and also function as a web server; Having a host computer connected to said flow computer either locally or via an Internet / Intranet, The host computer is programmed to transmit and receive data in accordance with a communication protocol, the host computer being capable of communicating with the flow computer by the connection between the host computer and the flow computer. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the flow computer is identified by a URL address. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the host computer receives data in a web page format from the web server. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the communication protocol is an internet protocol. The network of claim 1, wherein the flow computer is programmable to identify the at least one measuring device without instructions from the host computer and is self-configured to communicate with the at least one measuring device. Flow system. 5. The network flow system of claim 4, wherein the flow computer is programmable to identify the at least one measuring device without instructions from the host computer and is self-configured to communicate with the at least one measuring device. 2. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the flow computer further comprises a storage area and is programmed by a scalable operating system recorded on the storage area. 8. The network flow system of claim 7, wherein the operating system is compressed on the flash disk. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement device communicates with the flow computer by a non-Internet protocol. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the host computer is capable of remotely programming the flow computer via the Internet or intranet connection. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the flow computer is securely programmed so that the host computer can program the flow computer only if a predetermined condition is satisfied. The network flow system of claim 1, wherein the host computer communicates with the flow computer via a web browser. In the measurement data acquisition method, (a) coupling the flow computer to a measurement device for monitoring the fluid to provide corresponding measurement data; (b) the flow computer communicates with the measurement device by a first protocol, communicates with the host computer by a second protocol suitable for internet / intranet communication, and connects the flow computer to the host computer via a communication link. Including steps And the host computer obtains the corresponding measurement data from the measurement device via the flow computer. The measurement data according to claim 13, wherein the flow computer queries the measurement device at regular intervals, and the measurement device generates an execution log of the measurement data in response to the measurement data. Acquisition method. The method of claim 13, wherein the host computer is capable of programming the flow computer. The method of claim 13, wherein the host computer is capable of programming the flow computer using internet browser software. The method of claim 13, wherein the flow computer is identified by the host computer using a URL address. The method of claim 13, wherein the flow computer is programmed to generate a web page with the corresponding data from the measurement device. A network flow computer, A first communication port suitable for connecting to a measurement device; A second communication port suitable for Internet / Intranet connection; At least one processor; A memory device attached to the at least one processor, the at least one processor being programmable to receive data from the measurement data via the first communication port, and via the second communication port the Internet / Intranet A network flow computer that is programmable to send data by connection. 20. The network flow computer of claim 19, wherein the memory device stores a compressed operating system. 20. The network flow computer of claim 19, wherein the network flow computer is used with a scalable operating system. 20. The network flow computer of claim 19, wherein the processor performs calculations on the data received from the measurement device. 23. The network flow computer of claim 22, wherein the processor places the calculation result on a web page accessible through the second communication port. 20. The network flow computer of claim 19, wherein the processor places data received from the measurement device on a web page accessible through the second communication port.