Object-oriented programmable industrial controller with distributed interface architecture
First Claim
1. An object-oriented controller in which control functionality is encapsulated in objects that may be rendered accessible to a remotely located computer, the controller comprising:
- a. an object manager for storing a plurality of obiects corresponding to controlled physical entities, each object specifying at least one control function associated with the entity and including, for each function;
i. at least one executable procedure for performing an action associated with the control function; and
ii. at least one executable procedure for displaying information associated with the control function, the at least one procedure providing display instructions executable by the remotely located computer and causing display thereon of the information in a predetermined format, wherein iii. the procedures are distinct and subject to independent modification;
b. a performance engine for causing performance of the actions in accordance with the procedures associated therewith; and
c. a communication module facilitating access to the display procedure by the remotely located computer, such access comprising;
i. transfer of the display instructions to the remotely located computer upon request; and
ii. modification of the display procedure in accordance with commands transmitted by the remotely located computer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A controller capable of interacting with a remotely located computer has an object-oriented control structure facilitating remote access to data formatted in accordance with instructions defined by the controller. The control structure may be organized around a database of object items each associated with a control function. For each control function, the items include one or more procedures for performing an action associated with the control function, and one or more procedures for displaying data associated with the control function. The action procedures effectively define the controller'"'"'s repertoire with respect to a particular control function. The display procedures comprise instructions retrievable and executable by the remotely located computer, causing display thereon of the data in a predetermined format (i.e., the format prescribed by the instructions). The controller facilitates selection and performance of actions in the database, and execution of the display procedure makes the display instructions accessible to the remotely located computer.
330 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. An object-oriented controller in which control functionality is encapsulated in objects that may be rendered accessible to a remotely located computer, the controller comprising:
-
a. an object manager for storing a plurality of obiects corresponding to controlled physical entities, each object specifying at least one control function associated with the entity and including, for each function;
i. at least one executable procedure for performing an action associated with the control function; and
ii. at least one executable procedure for displaying information associated with the control function, the at least one procedure providing display instructions executable by the remotely located computer and causing display thereon of the information in a predetermined format, wherein iii. the procedures are distinct and subject to independent modification;
b. a performance engine for causing performance of the actions in accordance with the procedures associated therewith; and
c. a communication module facilitating access to the display procedure by the remotely located computer, such access comprising;
i. transfer of the display instructions to the remotely located computer upon request; and
ii. modification of the display procedure in accordance with commands transmitted by the remotely located computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
a. an input/output module for connection to at least one input/output point on a controlled machine; and
b. a computer memory comprising a plurality of registers and flags for containing data associated associated with the action, the state resources including the at least one input/output point and the registers and flags.
-
-
17. The controller of claim 1 further comprising means for operating an industrial machine, the information comprising quantitative data representative of machine operation.
-
18. A method of facilitating interaction between a controller and a remotely located computer, the method comprising:
-
a. defining a plurality of objects corresponding to controlled physical entities, each object specifying at least one control function associated with the entity and including, for each function;
i. at least one executable procedure for performing an action associated with the control function; and
ii. at least one executable procedure for displaying information associated with the control function, the at least one procedure providing display instructions executable by the remotely located computer and causing display thereon of the information in a predetermined format, wherein iii. the procedures are distinct and subject to independent modification;
b. selecting and performing actions in accordance with the procedures associated therewith; and
c. facilitating access to the display procedure by the remotely located computer by;
i. responding to a display request by transferring the display instructions to the remotely located computer; and
ii. responding to a modification command issued by the remotely located computer by modifying the display procedure in accordance therewith. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
a. analyzing the current and previously obtained data samples to detect an alarm condition; and
b. causing the remotely located computer to issue an alert signal in response thereto.
-
-
29. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:
-
a. associating at least one state with the control function; and
b. monitoring a resource associated with the action and, based thereon, determining the state.
-
-
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of responding, in performing the action, to the determined state.
-
31. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:
-
a. defining a list of resources associated with the action; and
b. establishing control connections to the listed action resources to perform the action.
-
-
32. The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of:
-
a. defining a list of resources associated with the state; and
b. establishing monitoring connections to the listed state resources to determine the state.
-
-
33. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of operating an industrial machine, the information comprising quantitative data representative of machine operation.
Specification