Uniform control template generating system and method for process control programming
DCFirst Claim
1. A process control system which performs process control functions in a process environment using control templates, each template representing a selected process control function for a control environment and in which different control template views of a selected process control function may be displayed, the system comprising:
- A. a central processing unit;
B. a plurality of control templates that can be accessed by the central processing unit wherein each control template includes;
(1) process control function information;
(2) attribute information pertaining to the process environment;
(3) a conversation set associated with the process control function information and the attribute information which enables a user to interact with the attribute information in a manner specified by a selected control template view; and
(4) control method instructions which use the attribute information and the conversation set to perform a process control function;
C. a user-interface device coupled to the central processing unit which enables a user to select a control template for display, including means for systematically prompting the user to input control template information comprising one of the attribute information, the conversation set and the control method instructions for a control template; and
D. a control template generator which includes instructions that automatically generate a control template in response to the control template information input by the user.
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Abstract
A control template represents a selected function of a control process for a control environment and being used to generate a plurality of displayable views of the selected function. The template includes process control information such as algorithms and known control parameters of the control process, attribute information for the process environment such as inputs and outputs, at least one conversation set associated with the process control function information for relating specific control parameters of the control process in terms of a selected control template view and control method instructions that use the attribute information and at least one conversation set to form a process control solution. A system creates or modifies the control template.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A process control system which performs process control functions in a process environment using control templates, each template representing a selected process control function for a control environment and in which different control template views of a selected process control function may be displayed, the system comprising:
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A. a central processing unit; B. a plurality of control templates that can be accessed by the central processing unit wherein each control template includes; (1) process control function information; (2) attribute information pertaining to the process environment; (3) a conversation set associated with the process control function information and the attribute information which enables a user to interact with the attribute information in a manner specified by a selected control template view; and (4) control method instructions which use the attribute information and the conversation set to perform a process control function; C. a user-interface device coupled to the central processing unit which enables a user to select a control template for display, including means for systematically prompting the user to input control template information comprising one of the attribute information, the conversation set and the control method instructions for a control template; and D. a control template generator which includes instructions that automatically generate a control template in response to the control template information input by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A memory including a control template representing a selected function of a control process for a process environment, the template being used to generate a plurality of displayable views of the selected function, said template comprising:
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process control function information; attribute information pertaining to the process environment; a conversation set associated with the process control function information and the attribute information which enables a user to interact with the attribute information in a manner specified by a selected control template view; control method instructions which use the attribute information and the conversation set to perform a process control function; and a plurality of control template views capable of simultaneously displaying different views of the same process control function wherein each of the control template views uses the conversation set to enable a user to interact with the control process in a different manner. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of creating or editing control templates for a process control system which performs process control functions in a process environment, each template representing a selected process control function for a control environment in which different control template views of a selected process control function may be displayed, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. accessing a plurality of control templates with a central processing unit wherein each control template includes; (1) process control function information; (2) attribute information pertaining to the process environment; (3) a conversation set associated with the process control function information and the attribute information which enables a user to interact with the attribute information in a manner specified by a selected control template view; and (4) control method instructions which use the attribute information and the conversation set to perform a process control function; B. coupling a user-interface device to the central processing unit; C. enabling a user to select a control template for display with the user-interface device; D. systematically prompting the user to enter control template information comprising one of the attribute information, the conversation set and the control method instructions; and E. automatically generating a control template according to instructions in response to the control template information input in step D. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for creating a process control solution using a control template which represents a selected function of a control process for a process environment to generate a plurality of displayable views of the selected function, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing process control function information; providing attribute information pertaining to the process environment; providing a conversation set associated with the process control function information and the attribute information which enables a user to interact with the attribute information in a manner specified by a selected control template view; generating a plurality of simultaneously displayable views of the selected function wherein each displayable view uses the conversation set to allow a user to interact with the attribute information in a different manner; and using control method instructions to form the process control solution with the attribute information, the conversation set and the plurality of displayable views. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A computer system for generating control templates used in designing control solutions for a process controller in a process control environment, said system comprising:
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means for systematically prompting a user to specify a control attribute, control software for processing said attribute and a graphic representation for the unique control template; generator means for generating a unique control template by automatically grouping the control attribute, the control software selected by the user for processing said attribute, and the graphic representation of said unique control template in a manner useable by the process controller; a display for providing a visual interface between a user and said generator means to view said unique template; means for allowing the user to communicate with said generator means including software which allows a user to change said control attributes, said control software, or said graphic representation of said unique control template; and
storage means for storing said unique control template to allow the user to thereafter select and recall the unique template for designing a control solution on said display.
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41. A method for generating control templates used in designing control solutions in a process control environment using a computer system, said method comprising the steps of:
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systematically prompting a user to specify a control attribute, control software for processing said attribute and a graphic representation for a unique control template; generating a unique control template by grouping the control attribute, control software selected by the user for processing said attribute, and the graphic representation of said unique control template; providing a visual interface between a user and said generator means to view said unique template; providing an interface device including software which allows the user to communicate with said generator means to change said control attributes, said control software, or said graphic representation of said unique control template; and storing said unique control template to allow the user to thereafter select and recall the unique template for designing a control solution on said display.
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Specification