Local equipment controller for computerized process control applications utilizing language structure templates in a hierarchical organization and method of operating the same
First Claim
1. A computer controlled industrial process controller for controlling a single vessel processing unit, comprising:
- a computer;
means for programing the computer using a language structure organized in a hierarchy of control function and having language structure templates which define standardized forms of process control, the language structure further comprising natural language statements reflecting process control intentions used in the language structure templates wherein the process control intentions specify process control objectives without specifying detailed, implementing calculations;
means, within the controller, for translating the language structure templates into executable program code, which code automatically provides control connections among the language structure templates;
means, within the controller, for translating the natural language statements reflecting process control intentions into program code executable by the computer;
means, within the controller, for executing the program code to control production of a product in the single vessel processing unit;
wherein the language structure templates include structures, called loop statement expressions, which are translated into program code and executed by the means for executing for controlling a measured process variable by manipulating at least one manipulated variable according to a predetermined idiom function;
wherein the loop statement expression comprises the measured process variable, the predetermined idiom function, and the at least one manipulated variable; and
wherein the language structure templates and the natural language statements are translated into a string of footnotes and associated attributes in a sequence defining an order of execution of the program code, each footnote defining a calculation to be performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled equipment controller and method of operating the same for controlling industrial process control equipment which uses a language structure and data structure specifically adapted for use in constructing computer programs for controlling chemical and physical processing. A translator converts to compilable code programs written as statements expressing control intentions or results. Provision is made for treating the program structure (i.e., control connections, program order, and components, etc.) as part of the dynamic state of the application. Graphical symbols, or icons, are employed to draw the eye to critical features in the control program and to lead the eye through critical interrelationships among the several commands of a control system. At the same time, the translator treats the keystrokes generating these icons as statements (i.e., commands) which define the relationships among other associated program statements (which are usually textual commands) to control the order in which the operations represented by those statements are executed.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A computer controlled industrial process controller for controlling a single vessel processing unit, comprising:
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a computer; means for programing the computer using a language structure organized in a hierarchy of control function and having language structure templates which define standardized forms of process control, the language structure further comprising natural language statements reflecting process control intentions used in the language structure templates wherein the process control intentions specify process control objectives without specifying detailed, implementing calculations; means, within the controller, for translating the language structure templates into executable program code, which code automatically provides control connections among the language structure templates; means, within the controller, for translating the natural language statements reflecting process control intentions into program code executable by the computer; means, within the controller, for executing the program code to control production of a product in the single vessel processing unit; wherein the language structure templates include structures, called loop statement expressions, which are translated into program code and executed by the means for executing for controlling a measured process variable by manipulating at least one manipulated variable according to a predetermined idiom function; wherein the loop statement expression comprises the measured process variable, the predetermined idiom function, and the at least one manipulated variable; and wherein the language structure templates and the natural language statements are translated into a string of footnotes and associated attributes in a sequence defining an order of execution of the program code, each footnote defining a calculation to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of operating a computer controlled industrial process controller for controlling a single vessel processing unit, comprising the steps
providing a computer; -
providing a language structure for programming the computer, the language structure organized in a hierarchy of control function and having language structure templates which define standardized forms of process control, the language structure further comprising natural language statements reflecting process control intentions used in the language structure templates wherein the process control intentions specify process control objectives without specifying detailed, implementing calculations; translating, by the controller, the language structure templates into executable program code, which code automatically provides control connections among the language structure templates; translating, by the controller, the natural language statements reflecting control intentions into program code executable by the computer; executing, by the controller, the program code to control production of a product in the single vessel processing unit; wherein the language structure templates include structures, called loop statement expressions, which are translated into program code and executed by the controller for controlling a measured process variable by manipulating at least one manipulated variable according to a predetermined idiom function; wherein the loop statement expression comprises the measured process variable, the predetermined idiom function, and the at least one manipulated variable; and wherein the steps of translating the language structure templates and translating the natural language statements include translating the templates and statements into a string of footnotes and associated attributes in a sequence defining an order of execution of the program code, each footnote defining a calculation to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification