Block oriented control system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for operating in an open control system comprising:
- a memory, which includes system management data and a function block;
wherein the system management data includes a system schedule;
wherein the function block includes parameters and a computer program;
a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the function block based on the system schedule; and
a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a block oriented control system that allows interoperability between devices made by different manufacturers. A block oriented control system is a system which includes a plurality of field devices incorporating a physical layer, communication stack, and user layer, with the field devices being connected by a transmission medium, such as a bus. The physical layer receives signals from the bus and translates the signals into a message for the communications stack, and receives messages from the communications stack and translates the messages into signals for the bus. The communication stack controls the communications between devices operating in the control system. The user layer is a block oriented approach to the system'"'"'s control functions, and includes function blocks and system management. The function blocks are standardized encapsulations of control functions, such as analog input or proportional/derivative. The system management allows synchronization of the device applications and the network processing.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. An apparatus for operating in an open control system comprising:
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a memory, which includes system management data and a function block;
wherein the system management data includes a system schedule;
wherein the function block includes parameters and a computer program;
a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the function block based on the system schedule; and
a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
a resource block, a first transducer block, and a second transducer block, wherein the resource block insulates the function block from physical hardware, the first transducer block decouples the input to the function block, and the second transducer decouples the output of the function block.
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22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the memory stores a plurality of functions blocks and the processor executes the plurality of function blocks.
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23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory further stores a plurality of function blocks and at least one object selected from the group consisting of link objects, trend objects, alert objects, and view objects.
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24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein a resource is defined by the plurality of function blocks and at least one object.
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25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of resources.
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26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor receives input parameters, and further comprising an input snap which protects the input parameters from external interference.
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27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the processor outputs output parameters, and further comprises an output snap for protecting the output parameters from internal interference.
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28. A system for permitting interoperability between devices comprising:
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a plurality of devices, each device including a resource block and a function block;
wherein the resource blocks uniquely identify each device and the function block processes parameters to produce an output message; and
a medium attachment unit, operably connected to the function block, wherein the medium attachment unit translates an input message from a transmission medium to the function block and the output message from the function block to the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for providing an open control system which allows the removal of the network controller without affecting interoperability between devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a network controller, which controls a plurality of devices operating on a transmission medium, the network controller comprising;
a first memory, which includes a network schedule; and
a first processor, operably connected to the first memory, wherein the first processor controls activities on the transmission medium according to the network schedule;
providing a device, operably connected to the network controller with the transmission medium, wherein the device comprises;
a second memory, which includes a system schedule; and
a second processor, operably connected to the second memory, wherein the second processor receives instructions from the first processor and is capable of controlling activities on the transmission medium according to the system schedule; and
shifting the responsibility of controlling activities on the transmission medium to the device. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. An apparatus for enhancing interoperability of a control system, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing at least one encapsulated function block, which includes contained parameters and a computer program;
means, coupled to the storing means, for processing the function block using the contained parameters, wherein the processing of the contained parameters produces an output parameter; and
means, coupled to the processing means, for translating messages from the processor for transmission on a transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. An apparatus operating in a control system, the apparatus comprising:
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a user layer, which includes an encapsulated block to provide functionality;
a physical layer, which translates messages from a transmission medium into a suitable format for the user layer and from the user layer into a signal for transmission on the transmission medium; and
a communication stack, connected to the user layer and the physical layer, wherein the communication stack includes a data link layer and an application layer, wherein the data link layer controls the transmission of messages onto the transmission medium and the application layer allows the user layer to communicate over the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A memory for storing data for access by an application framework operating in a device within a control system, the memory comprising:
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a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including;
a resource block, which makes hardware specific characteristics of the device electronically readable;
an encapsulated function block, wherein the function block includes a program and parameters; and
at least one transducer block, wherein the at least one transducer block controls access to the function block. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification