Logic arrangement, system and method for configuration and control in fieldbus applications

• US 7,062,580 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Inventors: Donaires, Omar
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray, Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US10/436,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 710/104, 710/62, 700/86, 700/83, 700/17, 700/33, 715/789, 715/813, 709/228, 709/223, 709/253, 709/302, 703/15, 370/254, 370/257, 702/122
• US Class Current: 710/104
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23261 Use control template library
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25014 Fieldbus general name of bus connected to machines, detectors, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25228 Scheduling communication on bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a logic arrangement, system and method which aid in a design of a fieldbus network configuration. In particular, the present invention includes certain functions for an automatic generation and verification of block and device tags, function block verification and modifications for function block type consistency based on information in the block profile, automatic allocation of function blocks into devices by an off-line scheduler, and a control strategy configuration system (which uses artificial intelligence to generate and maintain a fieldbus design knowledge-base). Accordingly, the user is able to easily configure the fieldbus network and devices residing thereon in an effective manner, as well as use the previously used configurations for establishing new fieldbus networks.

Claims

1. A logic arrangement for configuring a fieldbus network, which, when executed by a processing arrangement, is operable to perform steps comprising of:

obtaining particular information relevant to a function block; and

automatically generating a tag for the function block based on the particular information;

determining whether the particular information of the function block changed; and

if a change of the particular information is detected, generating a further tag for the function block based on a further context of the further tag.

2. The logic arrangement of claim 1, wherein the particular information includes a context of the function block.

3. The logic arrangement of claim 2, wherein the context of the function block is at least one of a global-relevant context, a device-relevant context, a control module-relevant context and a default context.

4. A method for configuring a fieldbus network, comprising the steps of:

obtaining particular information relevant to a function block;

automatically generating a tag for the function block based on the particular information;

determining whether the particular information of the function block changed; and

if a change of the particular information is detected, generating a further tag for the function block based on a further context of the further tag.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the particular information includes a context of the function block.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the context of the function block is at least one of a global-relevant context, a device-relevant context, a control module-relevant context and a default context.

7. A system for configuring a fieldbus network, comprising:

a processing arrangement operable to execute the following instructions;

obtaining particular information relevant to a function block, and

automatically generating a tag for the function block based on the particular information;

determining whether the particular information of the function block changed; and

if a change of the particular information is detected, generating a further tag for the function block based on a further context of the further tag.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the particular information includes a context of the function block.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the context of the function block is at least one of a global-relevant context, a device-relevant context, a control module-relevant context and a default context.