Importance

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Abstract

A communications system for industrial controllers includes interface controllers which implement a remote command capability. The remote command feature allows conventional communications commands to be saved at a responding interface controller in a remote command table and performed at a later time. A 'SAVE' type remote command includes an ID field and an embedded command. The embedded command is stored in the remote command table at a location corresponding to the ID field. The ID field is used to access the embedded command in subsequent remote commands. A 'PERFORM' type remote command contains a string of ID's, which indicates which saved commands are to be performed and the order in which to perform them. When a PERFORM command is received, the conventional command stored in the remote command table is recalled and transmitted onto a communications network. The PERFORM command can be addressed to a single interface controller, or it can be broadcast to all interface controllers in the communications system. Remote commands are also provided to examine and delete remote command table entries at a responding interface controller.

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First Claim