CUSTOM FUNCTION BLOCKS FOR USE WITH PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A method of incorporating a function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
- generating the function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files;
compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked function block file;
transferring the compiled/linked function block file to the provider of the process control system;
validating the compiled/linked function block file;
appending a security measure to the compiled/linked function block file to form a validated function block file;
transferring the validated function block file to a user of the process control system; and
incorporating the validated function block file within the process control system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for creating and incorporating a function block within a process control system enables a user of the process control system to generate a function block by combining a plurality of files selected from a group of files provided by the manufacturer of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block. The user can modify the function block source code file to include a procedure, routine or algorithm that is not provided by the manufacturer and can send the modified source code file to the manufacturer for validation. If the function block source code file is validated, a security measure such as a digital signature is provided to the user that enables the user to incorporate the function block within the process control system. The function blocks can be used to incorporate anew function into a process control application or to operatively integrate a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via data mapping functions performed by the function blocks.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of incorporating a function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
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generating the function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files; compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked function block file; transferring the compiled/linked function block file to the provider of the process control system; validating the compiled/linked function block file; appending a security measure to the compiled/linked function block file to form a validated function block file; transferring the validated function block file to a user of the process control system; and incorporating the validated function block file within the process control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of using a function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
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receiving function block information from a user of the process control system; determining whether the function block information is valid; generating security information in response to a determination that the function block information is valid; associating the generated security information with the function block; and sending the generated security information to the user if the function block information is valid. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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conveying information from a data source to the custom function block; processing the information from the data source based on a function within the custom function block; and conveying at least some of the processed information to a process control system application. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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communicatively interposing the custom function block between a process control system application and a data source; and conveying information between the process control system application and the data source based on a function performed by the custom function block. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of using a function block, comprising:
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communicatively interposing the function block between a process control application and a data source external to the process control application; and conveying information between the process control application and the data source external to the process control application based on a function performed by the function block. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of using a function block, comprising:
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operatively integrating a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via the function block; and conveying information between the process control application and the data source external to the process control application based on at least one of a data mapping function, a data conversion function and a data translation function performed by the function block.
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Specification