System and method for dynamically creating and editting function block types in a process control environment

• US 20070100471A1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Kumar, Ravi, Kilpatrick, Cathleen, Saleem Jahaber, Mohamed
• Granted Patent: US 7,515,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/18
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23248 Integrate function blocks from different machines; CORBA, RMI protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23261 Use control template library
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23424 Select construction element from function library
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device

Abstract

An apparatus includes a memory capable of storing information defining multiple function block types. A combination of instances of one or more function block types is capable of implementing a control process in a controller within a process control system. The apparatus also includes a function block editor capable of allowing a user to dynamically create or modify one or more of the function block types using a graphical user interface. The function block editor is capable of allowing the user to define one or more parameters for a function block type being created or modified.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory capable of storing information defining multiple function block types, wherein a combination of instances of one or more function block types is capable of implementing a control process in a controller within a process control system; and

a function block editor capable of allowing a user to dynamically create or modify one or more of the function block types using a graphical user interface, wherein the function block editor is capable of allowing the user to define one or more parameters for a function block type being created or modified.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to group parameters for the function block type being created or modified, wherein at least some of the parameters are grouped into different categories of parameters.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is further capable of generating a form layout for the function block type being created or modified as the one or more parameters are defined, the form layout used to configure an instance of the function block type for use in the control process.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is capable of allowing the user to dynamically create or modify multiple function block types, the multiple function block types including:

a Foundation Fieldbus function block type, a custom data block type, and a custom algorithm block type.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the function block editor is capable of providing forms allowing the user to dynamically create or modify the multiple function block types, wherein the forms differ based on the function block type being created or modified.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to define a symbol representing the function block type being created or modified.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to define default values for attributes of the one or more parameters.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to control which attributes of the one or more parameters are displayed in the graphical user interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a process builder capable of incorporating instances of one or more function block types into a new control process to be performed by the controller.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the process control system is capable of controlling multiple pieces of industrial equipment in a manufacturing facility; and

the controller is capable of using the control process to control one or more pieces of industrial equipment in the manufacturing facility.

11. A system, comprising:

a controller capable of controlling one or more process elements in a facility; and

an apparatus comprising;

a memory capable of storing information defining multiple function block types, wherein a combination of instances of one or more function block types is capable of implementing a control process in the controller; and

a function block editor capable of allowing a user to dynamically create or modify one or more of the function block types using a graphical user interface, wherein the function block editor is capable of allowing the user to define one or more parameters for a function block type being created or modified.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to group parameters for the function block type being created or modified, wherein at least some of the parameters are grouped into different categories of parameters.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the function block editor is further capable of generating a form layout for the function block type being created or modified as the one or more parameters are defined, the form layout used to configure an instance of the function block type for use in the control process.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the function block editor is capable of allowing the user to dynamically create or modify multiple function block types, the multiple function block types including:

a Foundation Fieldbus function block type, a custom data block type, and a custom algorithm block type.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to define a symbol representing the function block type being created or modified.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the function block editor is further capable of allowing the user to control which attributes of the one or more parameters are displayed in the graphical user interface.

17. A method, comprising:

receiving information from a user through a graphical user interface, the information associated with one or more function block types, a combination of instances of one or more function block types capable of implementing a control process in a controller within a process control system; and

dynamically creating or modifying one or more of the function block types based on the information, wherein the one or more created or modified function block types include one or more parameters defined by the user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving information grouping parameters of the one or more created or modified function block types, at least some of the parameters grouped into different categories of parameters.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a form layout for each of the one or more created or modified function block types, each form layout used to configure an instance of one of the function block types for use in the control process.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising allowing the user to control which attributes of the one or more parameters are displayed in the graphical user interface.