Method and apparatus for process control
First Claim
1. In a method for controlling a process wherein an element affecting the process is responsive to a control signal representing a value of a controlled process parameter and the control signal is produced by periodically executing a selected algorithm associated with an activity in a sequence of activities describing the process, and wherein the algorithm to be executed is periodically selected, the improvement comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing event detector data blocks defining predetermined changes of value of process parameters marking the onset of process activities;
(b) recalling a stored event detector data block associated with the selected algorithm;
(c) continuously comparing an input signal representing a process parameter to a predetermined trigger value to detect the predetermined change of value defined by the recalled event detector data block; and
(d) producing an interrupt signal in response to detecting the predetermined change, the interrupt signal interrupting the execution of algorithms and initiating the execution of a predetermined procedure using data stored with the recalled event detector data block.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for producing a control signal by digital computation for controlling an element affecting a process. The process is described by a sequence of activities, and the onset of each activity is marked by a predetermined change of a process parameter. An event detector is provided for detecting the occurrence of predetermined changes of process parameters in response to data included within event detector data blocks. The event detector data blocks include data defining the desired response to the detection of a predetermined change of a process parameter. The control signal is produced in accordance with a selected predetermined algorithm using data included in algorithm data blocks. A first event detector data block and a first algorithm data block are selected defining a first predetermined change of a process parameter and a first algorithm. Upon detection of the first predetermined change, of a process parameter, a second predetermined change of a process parameter is selected in accordance with data included within the first selected event detector data block and a second algorithm data block is selected defining a second algorithm.
67 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a method for controlling a process wherein an element affecting the process is responsive to a control signal representing a value of a controlled process parameter and the control signal is produced by periodically executing a selected algorithm associated with an activity in a sequence of activities describing the process, and wherein the algorithm to be executed is periodically selected, the improvement comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing event detector data blocks defining predetermined changes of value of process parameters marking the onset of process activities; (b) recalling a stored event detector data block associated with the selected algorithm; (c) continuously comparing an input signal representing a process parameter to a predetermined trigger value to detect the predetermined change of value defined by the recalled event detector data block; and (d) producing an interrupt signal in response to detecting the predetermined change, the interrupt signal interrupting the execution of algorithms and initiating the execution of a predetermined procedure using data stored with the recalled event detector data block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In an apparatus for controlling a process wherein an element affecting the process is responsive to a control signal representing a value of a control process parameter and the control signal is produced by a processor periodically executing a selected algorithm associated with an activity in a sequence of activities describing the process, and wherein means are provided for periodically selecting an algorithm to be executed, the improvement comprising:
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(a) means for storing event detector data blocks defining predetermined changes of value of process parameters marking the onset of process activities; (b) means for recalling a stored event detector data block associated with the selected algorithm; (c) means for continuously comparing an input signal representing a process parameter to a predetermined trigger value to detect the predetermined change of value defined by the recalled event detector data block; and (d) means responsive to the detection of the predetermined change for producing an interrupt signal to interrupt the processor execution and initiate execution by the processor of a predetermined procedure using data stored with the recalled event detector data block. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification