Abstract: A process controller implements smart field device standards and other bus-based architecture standards so that communications and control among devices are performed so that the standard control operations are transparent to a user. The process controller allows attachment to a theoretically and substantially unlimited number and type of field devices including smart devices and conventional non-smart devices. Control and communication operations of the various numbers and types of devices are performed simultaneously and in parallel.

Abstract: A process control system includes a diagnostic monitoring and display functionality for viewing, in a coherent manner, diagnostic information relating to a process that operates over multiple devices and system components. Although the multiple devices and system components typically encompass widely different device types and operational standards, the process control system incorporates diagnostic information relating to all devices and presents this information to a system user in a uniform manner so that an operating control strategy and the diagnostic information are presented as though all control actions and diagnostic information were performed or generated at a single location. A user-defined diagnostic program is assembled as a set of function blocks and control modules and represented as a set of layers of interconnected control objects identified as modules which include informational structures accessed as attributes.

Abstract: A process controller implements an overall, user-developed control strategy in a process control network that includes distributed controller and field devices, such as Fieldbus and non-Fieldbus devices. A user defines the control strategy by building a plurality of function blocks and control modules and downloading or installing user-specified portions of the control strategy into the Fieldbus devices and the non-Fieldbus devices. Thereafter, the Fieldbus devices automatically perform the downloaded portions of the overall strategy independently of other portions of the control strategy. For example in a process control system that includes distributed field devices, controllers and workstations, portions of the control strategy downloaded or installed into the field devices operate independently of and in parallel with the control operations of the controllers and the workstations, while other control operations manage the Fieldbus devices and implement other portions of the control strategy.

Abstract: A process controller implements an overall, user-developed control strategy in a process control network that includes distributed controller and field devices. A user defines a module control strategy by specifying function blocks that make up control modules and determine the control strategy. The user modifies or debugs a module control strategy by adding, modifying and deleting function blocks, configuring parameters associated with the function blocks and creating a view to new attributes. By defining function blocks and control modules, a user-defined control strategy, application program or diagnostic program is represented as a set of layers of interconnected control objects identified as modules. A layer of the control strategy includes a set of modules which are interconnected in a user-specified manner. A module typically includes an algorithm for performing a specific function and display components which are used to display information to a user.

Abstract: A control studio object system is disclosed which allows a process control environment to be easily and quickly configured or modified. The control studio object system includes a stencil portion having stencil items conforming to algorithms and a diagram portion to which the stencil items may be copied via a drag and drop operation. Because the stencil items are objects which contain all of the information required by a diagram portion to create an object that contains all of the information necessary to program the process control environment, the completed diagram portion reflects the actual configuration of the process control environment. Additionally, providing the stencil items as objects allows the diagrammed environment to be installed directly to nodes without requiring the diagram to be compiled or rewritten in a language conforming to the node.

Abstract: A process controller implements and executes a standard set of function blocks or control functions defined by a standard protocol so that standard-type control is achieved with respect to non-standard-type devices. The process controller enables standard devices to implement the standard set of function blocks and control functions. The process controller implements an overall strategy as if all connected devices are standard devices by usage of a Fieldbus function block as a fundamental building block for control structures. These function blocks are defined to create control structures for all types of devices.

Abstract: A process control system includes a user interface which supports multiple IEC-1131 standard control languages and user-selection from among the control languages. From a single application routine, a user selects a control language from among a plurality of control languages including, for example, Function Blocks, Sequential Function Charts, Ladder Logic and Structured Text, to implement a control strategy.

Abstract: A process control terminal may be used in a computer network consisting of a process control network of process controllers and an application network of host computers. The process control terminal allows a process control operator access to both process control functions and application programs being executed by a host computer. The process control terminal includes an Ethernet controller and it emulates a standard DEC terminal in order to facilitate its use in preexisting computer systems. The process control terminal displays information relating to process control functions in a first portion of its associated CRT screen and information relating to applications programs in a second portion of the CRT screen, the second portion being exclusive of the first portion so that process control information is not overwritten by applications information.