Agent-equipped controller having data table interface between agent-type programming and non-agent-type programming
First Claim
1. A distributed control system for controlling a distributed process performed by a plurality of devices, the distributed control system comprising:
- a first industrial controller including a first processing component and associated with at least a first device;
a first memory device in communication with the first processing component and configured to store a first data table;
at least one input module in communication with the first industrial controller and receiving an input signal from at least one sensor;
at least one output module in communication with the first industrial controller and sending an output signal to at least one actuator;
a first agent application executing on the first processing component;
a first real time control program executing on the first processing component to selectively enable and disable one of the output signals in response to one of the input signals wherein the first agent application and the first real time control program each access the first data table for both reading and writing information relating to the control or status of at least the first device;
a second industrial controller including a second processing component and associated with at least a second device;
a network connecting the first and second industrial controllers to communicate between the first and second industrial controllers;
a second memory device in communication with the second processing component and configured to store a second data table;
at least one input module in communication with the second industrial controller and receiving an input signal from at least one sensor;
at least one output module in communication with the second industrial controller and sending an output signal to at least one actuator;
a second agent application executing on the second processing component; and
a second real time control program executing on the second processing component to selectively enable and disable one of the output signals in response to one of the input signals wherein the second agent application and the second real time control program each access the second data table for both reading and writing information relating to the control or status of at least the second device.
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Abstract
A controller capable of being employed in a distributed control system, where the distributed control system controls operations of a plurality of devices that operate together to perform a process, and a method of communicating information between a first program portion and a second program portion of such a controller, are disclosed. The controller includes at least one processing component configured to perform a first plurality of program portions that operate in relation with one another as a first agent. The plurality of program portions includes a first program portion that controls agent-type behavior of the controller, and a second program portion that at least one of controls and monitors at least one of the devices. The controller further includes at least one memory component that stores a data table that is accessed by each of the first and second program portions to allow communication between those program portions.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A distributed control system for controlling a distributed process performed by a plurality of devices, the distributed control system comprising:
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a first industrial controller including a first processing component and associated with at least a first device; a first memory device in communication with the first processing component and configured to store a first data table; at least one input module in communication with the first industrial controller and receiving an input signal from at least one sensor; at least one output module in communication with the first industrial controller and sending an output signal to at least one actuator; a first agent application executing on the first processing component; a first real time control program executing on the first processing component to selectively enable and disable one of the output signals in response to one of the input signals wherein the first agent application and the first real time control program each access the first data table for both reading and writing information relating to the control or status of at least the first device; a second industrial controller including a second processing component and associated with at least a second device; a network connecting the first and second industrial controllers to communicate between the first and second industrial controllers; a second memory device in communication with the second processing component and configured to store a second data table; at least one input module in communication with the second industrial controller and receiving an input signal from at least one sensor; at least one output module in communication with the second industrial controller and sending an output signal to at least one actuator; a second agent application executing on the second processing component; and a second real time control program executing on the second processing component to selectively enable and disable one of the output signals in response to one of the input signals wherein the second agent application and the second real time control program each access the second data table for both reading and writing information relating to the control or status of at least the second device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification