Highly versatile process control system controller
First Claim
1. A controller for use in controlling a plurality of devices within a process, the controller comprising:
- a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines;
a memory coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor;
a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor; and
a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory;
wherein the controller can operate as a stand-alone controller or as one of a plurality of controllers within a distributed process control system having a user interface with which the plurality of controllers is connected to download configuration information and to communicate further information during execution of the one or more programming routines.
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Abstract
A versatile controller that can be used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory. When used in a distributed process control system, the controller platform may be used as a remote input/output device and the ports of this remote input/output device may be logically mapped to controllers within the distributed process control system in a manner that is different than the physical connection between such controllers and the remote input/output device.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A controller for use in controlling a plurality of devices within a process, the controller comprising:
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a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines; a memory coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor; a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor; and a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory; wherein the controller can operate as a stand-alone controller or as one of a plurality of controllers within a distributed process control system having a user interface with which the plurality of controllers is connected to download configuration information and to communicate further information during execution of the one or more programming routines. - 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, 42, 43)
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28. A controller for use in controlling a plurality of devices within a process, the controller comprising:
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a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines; a memory coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor; a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory; and a second communication port adapted to be intermittently connected to an operator interface to enable the operator interface to view information stored within the memory or the processor; wherein the controller can operate as a stand-alone controller or as one of a plurality of controllers within a distributed process control system having a user interface with which the plurality of controllers is connected to download configuration information and to communicate further information during execution of the one or more programming routines. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 44, 45)
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39. A controller for use in controlling a plurality of devices within a process, the controller comprising:
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a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines; a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor; a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor; a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory; and a second communication port adapted to be intermittently connected to an operator interface to enable the operator interface to view information stored within the memory or the processor; wherein the controller can operate as a stand-alone controller or as one of a plurality of controllers within a distributed process control system having a user interface with which the plurality of controllers is connected to download configuration information and to communicate further information during execution of the one or more programming routines. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 46, 47)
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Specification