System level function block engine

• US 8,112,162 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Pouchak, Michael A., Wacker, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sivanesan, Sivalingam
• Application Number:
  US11/670,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700/1, 700/276, 717/109, 717/106, 717/110
• US Class Current: 700/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23266 Compiler
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23306 Load program from host, remote load, non volatile card to volatile, ram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23452 Simulate sequence on display to control program, test functions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

A function block engine, a block execution list and a parameter and/or variable storage space being resident in a memory supporting the engine. The function block engine may execute a program according to a list of function blocks identified in the block execution list to design and construct and circuit or system. Also, the engine may provide simulation of the resultant circuit or system. The circuit or system may be transferred to a memory of another device for implementation and use as, for example, a controller. In some cases, the program may be executed from the memory. The engine may permit field programmability, configuration and simulation of the function blocks and resulting circuit or system.

Claims

1. A function block design system for designing a control system for a building HVAC system comprising:

a pre-configured function block engine in flash memory including a plurality of function blocks each having a pre-defined function;

an operating system scheduler connected to the function block engine; and

a block execution list module connected to the function block engine, the block execution list module configured to direct the order of execution of function blocks;

wherein functions of the function block engine use a common pool of RAM to hold minimal static value storage; and

wherein at least some of the function blocks are interconnected and combined into one block such that the control system is provided in one block.

2. The system for claim 1, wherein the function block engine is for providing at least one or more function blocks.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the function blocks are interconnected in a manner to effect a controller system.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the function block comprises:

a function block order module;

an input interface connected to the function block order module;

an output interface converter connected to the function block order module; and

wherein the function block order module is connected to the flash memory.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the controller system is testable with simulated inputs to one or more function blocks;

outputs of the function blocks may be observed, graphed, saved and/or analyzed; and

parameters and/or variables of the function blocks are selectable and/or adjustable.

6. A method for designing a control system comprising:

storing a list of function blocks in a memory;

interconnecting and combining at least some of the functions blocks; and

executing the function blocks from the memory according to the list of function blocks in a custom order of execution; and

wherein functions use a common pool of RAM to hold minimal static value storage;

wherein executing a function block comprises;

reading variables from the memory; and

writing variables to the memory.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing each function block with a function block type, one or more parameters, and/or one or more references; and

wherein at least some of the parameters and/or references include a pointer to the memory.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the function blocks are configurable after storing.

9. A programmable controller for an HVAC system comprising:

a memory;

a function block engine having at least one program including one or more pre-configured function blocks configured to be interconnected and combined in a custom configuration, the function block engine being resident in the memory, wherein functions use a common pool of RAM to hold minimal static value storage;

a block execution list identifying one or more function blocks, the block execution list being resident in the memory; and

a parameter and/or variable storage space being resident in the memory; and

wherein the function block engine program is executed from the memory and the function blocks reuse the pool of RAM not occupied by static value storage for temporary execution space.

10. The programmable controller of claim 9, wherein the block execution list is field programmable.

11. The programmable controller of claim 10, wherein at least some of the one or more function blocks implement one or more higher-level controller functions.

12. The programmable controller of claim 11, wherein the function block includes one or more parameters and/or one or more references.

13. The programmable controller of claim 12, wherein at least some of the one or more parameters and/or one or more references include a pointer to data stored in memory.

14. The programmable controller of claim 13, wherein the function block engine executes the function blocks in sequence according to the block execution list.

15. The programmable controller of claim 9, wherein the block execution list is programmable for a specific application.

16. The programmable controller of claim 9 wherein the memory is used for passing variables and parameters to and/or between the function blocks.

17. A design system comprising:

a function block engine comprising a plurality of function blocks each having a pre-configured function situated in a medium, wherein functions use a common pool of RAM to hold minimal static value storage, wherein function blocks are selected from the plurality of function blocks according a specific design, and connections are made among the selected function blocks, according to the specific design;

an operating system having access to the function block engine in the medium; and

a user interface connected to the operating system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the user interface comprises:

a display; and

a mechanism for affecting images on the display.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

if the operating system and the user interface are in an operational status relative to the function block engine, then the display shows a configure state of the function block engine;

the function block engine comprises a plurality of function blocks;

at least some of the plurality of function blocks are shown as icons on the display; and

at least one or more icons may be selected and displayed as function blocks on the display.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein function blocks on the display are selected, configured and interconnected to effect a specific design.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein:

the display is changed to show a simulated state of the function block engine;

signals are selected as inputs to the specific design; and

outputs of the specific design are displayed.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the outputs are saved.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the specific design is transferred as software to another device to implement the specific design.