Abstract: A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic.

Abstract: A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a process, environmental, manufacturing, industrial or other such control system (hereinafter, “control system”) with enhanced, real-time change tracking. The system includes one or more configurable elements (e.g., field devices), a change tracking system that records of changes to those configurable elements (e.g., for compliance reporting, etc.) and a change detection system that responds to detected changes in configuration of those element(s) by inferring an identity of a person and/or device responsible for a change, the time of the change, and/or the reason for the change. This is unlike prior art systems, in which that such information must be specified, e.g., in a data entry form filled-in by the field engineer, operator or other who is making the change.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master.

Abstract: The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth).

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a process, environmental, manufacturing, industrial or other such control system (hereinafter, “control system”) with enhanced, real-time change tracking. The system includes one or more configurable elements (e.g., field devices), a change tracking system that records of changes to those configurable elements (e.g., for compliance reporting, etc.) and a change detection system that responds to detected changes in configuration of those element(s) by inferring an identity of a person and/or device responsible for a change, the time of the change, and/or the reason for the change. This is unlike prior art systems, in which that such information must be specified, e.g., in a data entry form filled-in by the field engineer, operator or other who is making the change.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master.

Abstract: A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing plural processes executing on a digital data processing system includes the steps of registering each of the processes for notification of at least selected events occurring in the other processes. Those events can include, for example, the addition, deletion or selection of an item in another process, the selection of the menu item in the graphical user interface of another process, and the invocation or termination of another process. An item is any informational entity in a process, such as the datum or display object. The method and system further detect an event in any of the processes and determining whether that event is one for which the process (other than bat in which the event occurred) is registered for notification. If so, that other process is notified of the event, e.g., so that it can take an action based on that effected in connection with the detected event in the process in which it occurred.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing plural processes executing on a digital data processing system includes the steps of registering each of the processes for notification of at least selected events occurring in the other processes. Those events can include, for example, the addition, deletion or selection of an item in another process, the selection of the menu item in the graphical user interface of another process, and the invocation or termination of another process. An item is any informational entity in a process, such as the datum or display object. The method and system further detect an event in any of the processes and determining whether that event is one for which the process (other than bat in which the event occurred) is registered for notification. If so, that other process is notified of the event, e.g., so that it can take an action based on that effected in connection with the detected event in the process in which it occurred.