Flexible function blocks
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for operating in a block-oriented open control system comprising:
- a memory, which includes system management data and a flexible function block;
wherein the system management data includes a system schedule;
wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;
a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the flexible function block based on the system schedule; and
a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium.
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Abstract
A new and improved control system architecture using a combination of standard function blocks and new flexible function blocks eliminates the need for expensive and difficult to maintain custom control software and special I/O gateways for discrete/hybrid/batch and PLC applications. The end user builds application-specific flexible function blocks by configuring the number and type of inputs and outputs, and the block algorithm. Flexible function blocks and gateway flexible function block interconnect and interoperate with each other and with standard function blocks in a distributed control architecture.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for operating in a block-oriented open control system comprising:
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a memory, which includes system management data and a flexible function block;
wherein the system management data includes a system schedule;
wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;
a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the flexible function block based on the system schedule; and
a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for permitting interoperability between devices in a block-oriented open control system comprising:
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a plurality of devices, at least one device including a resource block and a flexible function block;
wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm wherein the resource blocks uniquely identify each device and the flexible function block processes parameters to produce an output message; and
a medium attachment unit, operably connected to the flexible function block, wherein the medium attachment unit translates an input message from a transmission medium to the flexible function block and the output message from the flexible function block to the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for enhancing interoperability of a block-oriented open control system, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing at least one flexible function block, which includes contained parameters and a computer program, wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;
means, coupled to the storing means, for processing the flexible function block using the contained parameters, wherein the processing of the contained parameters produces an output parameter; and
means, coupled to the processing means, for translating messages from the processor for transmission on a transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus operating in a block-oriented open control system, the apparatus comprising:
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a user layer, which includes a flexible function block to provide functionality, wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;
a physical layer, which translates messages from a transmission medium into a suitable format for the user layer and from the user layer into a signal for transmission on the transmission medium; and
a communication stack, connected to the user layer and the physical layer, wherein the communication stack includes a data link layer and an application layer, wherein the data link layer controls the transmission of messages onto the transmission medium and the application layer allows the user layer to communicate over the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A memory for storing data for access by an application framework operating in a device within a block-oriented open control system, the memory comprising:
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a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including;
a resource block, which makes hardware specific characteristics of the device electronically readable; and
an flexible function block, wherein the flexible function block includes an end-user configured program and input and output parameters. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification