Custom function blocks for use with process control systems
First Claim
1. A method of incorporating a custom function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
- generating the custom function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the custom function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits;
compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked custom function block file;
transferring the compiled/linked custom function block file to the provider of the process control system;
validating the compiled/linked function custom block file;
appending a security measure to the compiled/linked custom function block file to form a validated custom function block file;
transferring the validated custom function block file to a user of the process control system; and
incorporating the validated custom function block file within the process control system such that the custom function block conveys information between first and second other function blocks, at least one of which first and second other function blocks is incompatible with the process control system in the absence of the custom function block,wherein the incorporated custom function block is operable to enable the execution of an external system, application, or algorithm associated with at least one of the first and second other function blocks to be synchronized with the execution of a process control scheme executed by the process control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for creating and incorporating a function block within a process control system enables a user of the process control system to generate a function block by combining a plurality of files selected from a group of files provided by the manufacturer of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block. The user can modify the function block source code file to include a procedure, routine or algorithm that is not provided by the manufacturer and can send the modified source code file to the manufacturer for validation. If the function block source code file is validated, a security measure such as a digital signature is provided to the user that enables the user to incorporate the function block within the process control system. The function blocks can be used to incorporate anew function into a process control application or to operatively integrate a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via data mapping functions performed by the function blocks.
18 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of incorporating a custom function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
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generating the custom function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the custom function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits;compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked custom function block file; transferring the compiled/linked custom function block file to the provider of the process control system; validating the compiled/linked function custom block file; appending a security measure to the compiled/linked custom function block file to form a validated custom function block file; transferring the validated custom function block file to a user of the process control system; and incorporating the validated custom function block file within the process control system such that the custom function block conveys information between first and second other function blocks, at least one of which first and second other function blocks is incompatible with the process control system in the absence of the custom function block, wherein the incorporated custom function block is operable to enable the execution of an external system, application, or algorithm associated with at least one of the first and second other function blocks to be synchronized with the execution of a process control scheme executed by the process control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of using a custom function block within a process control system, the method comprising:
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receiving custom function block information from a user of the process control system, wherein the custom function block includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits;determining whether the custom function block information is valid; generating security information in response to a determination that the custom function block information is valid; associating the generated security information with the custom function block; sending the generated security information to the user if the custom function block information is valid; and incorporating the custom function block into the process control system such that the custom function block is operable to convey information between first and second other function blocks, at least one of which first and second other function blocks is incompatible with the process control system in the absence of the custom function block. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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conveying information from a data source to the custom function block; processing the information from the data source based on a function within the custom function block; and conveying at least some of the processed information to a process control system application, wherein the custom function block comprises a combination of a plurality of files selected from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block, one of the plurality of files within the source code file modified to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits, andwherein the custom function block is operable to convey information between a first function block associated with the data source and a second function block associated with the process control system application, the first function block incompatible with the process control system and requiring the custom function block to convey information to the second function block. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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communicatively interposing the custom function block between a process control system application and a data source, the process control system application configured to operate with a first process control system type and the data source configured to operate with a second, incompatible process control system type; and conveying information between the process control system application and the data source based on a function performed by the custom function block, wherein the custom function block comprises a combination of a plurality of files selected from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block, one of the plurality of files within the source code file modified to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits, andwherein the custom function block is operable to integrate the data source into a process control system such that the process control system application and the data source cooperate seamlessly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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communicatively interposing the custom function block between a process control application and a data source external to the process control application, the data source configured for a second process control system incompatible, in the absence of the custom function block, with a first process control system associated with the process control application; and conveying information between the process control application and the data source external to the process control application based on a function performed by the custom function block, wherein the custom function block comprises a combination of a plurality of files selected from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the custom function block, one of the plurality of files within the source code file modified to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of using a custom function block, comprising:
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operatively integrating a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via the custom function block, the data source configured for a second process control system incompatible, in the absence of the custom function block, with a first process control system associated with the process control application; and conveying information between the process control application and the data source external to the process control application based on at least one of a data mapping function, a data conversion function and a data translation function performed by the custom function block, wherein the custom function block comprises a combination of a plurality of files selected from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the custom function block, one of the plurality of files within the source code file modified to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of;
(1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits.
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Specification