Process control system and method with improved distribution, installation and validation of components
First Claim
1. A method of electronic commerce comprisingtransferring, from a first digital data processor to a second digital data processor, as part of an e-commerce transaction any of a first control system component and a definition thereof, the first control system component being adapted for use in a control system of the type having a second control system component coupled to and transferring information with a third component, any of the first and second control system components being further adapted for decoupling the second and third components from information transfer and coupling the first control component to the third component for transfer of information therewith, wherein the transferring step includes transferring any of the first control system component and the definition thereof from the first digital data processor to the second digital data processor in response to a request by the second control component.
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Abstract
A control system has blocks or other components that facilitate validation of their own replacements, e.g., downloaded via e-commerce transactions. The system includes first and second process control components. The first component is coupled to a third process control component, with which it transfers information, e.g., as part of an active or ongoing control process. The second component can be, for example, an update or other potential replacement for the first component. The first and/or second components can effect substitution of the second component for the first. More particularly, they can effect coupling of the second component for information transfer with the third component and decoupling of the first component from such transfer with the third component. Preferably, such coupling and decoupling occur while the process control system remains active.
381 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of electronic commerce comprising
transferring, from a first digital data processor to a second digital data processor, as part of an e-commerce transaction any of a first control system component and a definition thereof, the first control system component being adapted for use in a control system of the type having a second control system component coupled to and transferring information with a third component, any of the first and second control system components being further adapted for decoupling the second and third components from information transfer and coupling the first control component to the third component for transfer of information therewith, wherein the transferring step includes transferring any of the first control system component and the definition thereof from the first digital data processor to the second digital data processor in response to a request by the second control component.
Specification