US 11,716,224 B2
Networking module for instrumentation and control devices
Marshal W. Linder, New Kensington, PA (US); and Alan J. Testani, Boca Raton, FL (US)
Assigned to Airmar Technology Corporation, Milford, NH (US)
Filed by Airmar Technology Corporation, Milford, NH (US)
Filed on May 11, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/317,666.
Prior Publication US 2022/0368566 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. H04L 12/66 (2006.01); G06F 13/40 (2006.01); H04L 69/08 (2022.01); H04W 84/12 (2009.01); H04W 88/16 (2009.01)
CPC H04L 12/66 (2013.01) [G06F 13/4027 (2013.01); H04L 69/08 (2013.01); H04W 84/12 (2013.01); H04W 88/16 (2013.01)] 56 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A module for managing communication among instrumentation and control devices associated with a system, the module comprising a network bridging interface (NBI) configured to:
interconnect a plurality of network buses associated with the system;
monitor messages propagating along at least one of the network buses, the messages pertaining to a status of the system or a component, a connected network device, or an environment thereof, or pertaining to control of a component or a connected network device of the system;
identify network devices connected to the network buses based on the monitored messages;
determine whether to allow or block transmission of a monitored message from a first network bus of the plurality to a second network bus of the plurality based on user settings, the first network bus supporting a first communication protocol, the second network bus supporting a second communication protocol, the user settings pertaining to at least one of (i) the monitored message, (ii) an identified network device associated with the monitored message, and (iii) a combination thereof;
convert the monitored message from the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol in an event the first and second communication protocols are different; and
allow or block transmission of the monitored message according to the determining, thereby managing communication among devices associated with the system.