Abstract: A method includes receiving notifications associated with batch execution instances executed by multiple devices. The notifications identify events occurring in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes creating a unique namespace for association with the notifications. The method further includes storing records identifying the notifications in a unified activity hierarchy based on the unique namespace. Creating the unique namespace could include creating an initial namespace using one or more fields associated with a parent process being executed. The parent process can activate a child process, and a namespace for the child process can contain the initial namespace and use one or more fields associated with the child process. The child process can activate a grand-child process, and a namespace for the grand-child process can contain the initial namespace and the namespace for the child process and use one or more fields associated with the grand-child process.

Abstract: A method includes receiving notifications associated with batch execution instances executed by multiple devices. The notifications identify events occurring in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes creating a unique namespace for association with the notifications. The method further includes storing records identifying the notifications in a unified activity hierarchy based on the unique namespace. Creating the unique namespace could include creating an initial namespace using one or more fields associated with a parent process being executed. The parent process can activate a child process, and a namespace for the child process can contain the initial namespace and use one or more fields associated with the child process. The child process can activate a grand-child process, and a namespace for the grand-child process can contain the initial namespace and the namespace for the child process and use one or more fields associated with the grand-child process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure is disclosed. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory. A relationship between data of one or more activities and the time series, event and/or activity data is processed according to the data structure to retrieve the time series, event and/or activity data from the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory. A relationship between data of one or more activities and the time series, event and/or activity data is processed according to the data structure to retrieve the time series, event and/or activity data from the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory. A relationship between data of one or more activities and the time series, event and/or activity data is processed according to the data structure to retrieve the time series, event and/or activity data from the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory. A relationship between data of one or more activities and the time series, event and/or activity data is processed according to the data structure to retrieve the time series, event and/or activity data from the memory.

Abstract: A system which comprises: a graphical tool which is capable of building discrete phase sequential steps and a smart device control for input/output device control; a microprocessor which is capable of running the phase sequential steps; and a I/O communication processor which is capable of communicating the phase sequential steps to the input/output device.