Application of WWW technology to the human-machine interface

This paper addresses the possibilities that exist for the use of Web browsers and servers in the human-machine interface; an area to which they were not targeted but in which they show great potential. A sample interface has been developed using only the standard components and protocols outside of the equipment being controlled. To understand this interface to equipment producing live data it is necessary to know how the Web works. The article discusses the nature of Web technology (its philosophy, protocols and component parts); HTTP and HTML standards; the exchanges of live data; security concerns and possible solutions; and a practical design. The emphasis of the paper is on the use of the technology for the control, maintenance and calibration of individual equipment such as bench instrumentation, oscilloscopes etc., and industrial instruments, weighing machines and flow meters etc