Abstract: A distribution system that provides for multicast transmission of the most important data that is of highest interest and value to client applications including HMI stations, historians, trend views, alarm management functions, advanced process controls, peer-peer communications and supervisory control. A blast list containing the types of data that are to be collected is formulated and stored in a system server and sent to embedded controllers which then multicasts that data to the system server and all console stations in the system.

Abstract: A distribution system that provides for multicast transmission of the most important data that is of highest interest and value to client applications including HMI stations, historians, trend views, alarm management functions, advanced process controls, peer-peer communications and supervisory control. A blast list containing the types of data that are to be collected is formulated and stored in a system server and sent to embedded controllers which then multicasts that data to the system server and all console stations in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first hardware configured to communicate, via a first interface, over a supervisory control network with one or more components of an industrial process control and automation system. The apparatus also includes second hardware configured to communicate, via a second interface, with a computing platform that virtualizes at least one other component of the industrial process control and automation system. The apparatus further includes a third interface configured to transport information between the first and second hardware.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first interface configured to communicate over a first industrial process control network using a first protocol. The apparatus also includes a second interface configured to communicate over a second industrial process control network using a second protocol. The apparatus further includes a third interface configured to communicate with at least one supervisory device over a third network. In addition, the apparatus includes at least one processing device configured to provide concurrent access for the at least one supervisory device to process control devices coupled to the first and second industrial process control networks during a migration of process control devices that use the first protocol to process control devices that use the second protocol.

Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first hardware configured to communicate, via a first interface, over a supervisory control network with one or more components of an industrial process control and automation system. The apparatus also includes second hardware configured to communicate, via a second interface, with a computing platform that virtualizes at least one other component of the industrial process control and automation system. The apparatus further includes a third interface configured to transport information between the first and second hardware.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first interface configured to communicate over a first industrial process control network using a first protocol. The apparatus also includes a second interface configured to communicate over a second industrial process control network using a second protocol. The apparatus further includes a third interface configured to communicate with at least one supervisory device over a third network. In addition, the apparatus includes at least one processing device configured to provide concurrent access for the at least one supervisory device to process control devices coupled to the first and second industrial process control networks during a migration of process control devices that use the first protocol to process control devices that use the second protocol.

Abstract: Phase function blocks are associated with a process for producing at least one product or part thereof. For example, a phase function block could reside in a recipe control module defining the process. Each phase function block can be executed to implement the process. A phase function block may acquire and initiate execution of a module providing control over a process element. The phase function block may also provide one or more first parameters to the module. The first parameters define how the module implements a portion of the process using the process element. In addition, the phase function block may retrieve one or more second parameters from the module. The second parameters are associated with results of the execution of the module. Multiple phase function blocks could be contained in multiple recipe control modules, which are distributed in multiple controllers in a hard real-time process control system.

Abstract: A method and system for processing the data of any one of a variety of processes without doing a total custom design for each process. The system includes a computer and database that communicates with various monitors of the process to gather, store and retrieve the process data. A user interfaces to the computer via a client device. The computer includes a program that identifies events and activities of the process based on input from the user or from process data collected as the process runs. Attributes of the events and activities are also identified. These events, activities and attributes are classified according to a data structure that includes event types, activity types and attribute types. Storage volumes are allocated to each of the defined event types and/or activity types for storage and retrieval of the data by attribute type. The composite event or activity data can be retrieved in multiple views, such as row, column, graphical and the like.

Abstract: Phase function blocks are associated with a process for producing at least one product or part thereof. For example, a phase function block could reside in a recipe control module defining the process. Each phase function block can be executed to implement the process. A phase function block may acquire and initiate execution of a module providing control over a process element. The phase function block may also provide one or more first parameters to the module. The first parameters define how the module implements a portion of the process using the process element. In addition, the phase function block may retrieve one or more second parameters from the module. The second parameters are associated with results of the execution of the module. Multiple phase function blocks could be contained in multiple recipe control modules, which are distributed in multiple controllers in a hard real-time process control system.

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: Interactive instructions in sequential control modules in controllers supports the integration of manual operations with automated process actions in the sequential control module function block, which executes in various controller platforms. Also supported is a table view operator display for effective interaction with the manual instructions. Manual interactions and changes are journaled so that a record of all actions is recorded.

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 system for processing the data of any one of a variety of processes without doing a total custom design for each process. The system includes a computer and database that communicates with various monitors of the process to gather, store and retrieve the process data. A user interfaces to the computer via a client device. The computer includes a program that identifies events and activities of the process based on input from the user or from process data collected as the process runs. Attributes of the events and activities are also identified. These events, activities and attributes are classified according to a data structure that includes event types, activity types and attribute types. Storage volumes are allocated to each of the defined event and/or types, activity types for storage and retrieval of the data by attribute type. The composite event or activity data can be retrieved in multiple views, such as row, column, graphical and the like.