Abstract: A data acquisition service on a network node is disclosed for forwarding received process data to a process history database over a potentially slow and/or intermittent network connection. A store and forward functionality within the networked node receives incoming process data via a first network interface and forwards outgoing process data via a second network interface. The disclosed store and forward functionality includes an immediate transmission cache and a store and forward storage. The store control enters, in response to detecting an entry condition, an activated mode wherein incoming process data is directed to the store and forward storage. A read control forwards outgoing process data to the second network interface from the immediate transmission cache and store and forward storage. The read control includes at least a first configurable parameter that constrains a rate at which data retrieved from the store and forward storage is forwarded via the second network interface.

Abstract: A template-based supervisory process control and manufacturing information application development facility is disclosed that includes a number of time-saving application development tools that significantly enhance design productivity and allow re-using of previously developed application building blocks. The development facility includes an application object template library that stores a set of previously defined application object templates. The template library is accessed by developers through a configuration utility that facilitates specifying instances of the set of previously defined application object templates to be included in an application. Thereafter, application objects are instantiated from the selected ones of the set of previously defined application object templates in a build of the specified application.

Abstract: A supervisory process control and manufacturing information application development and execution system is disclosed that supports the execution of application object scripts derived from multiple different scripting languages. In particular, the system includes a script editor interface that enables submission/specification of scripts for application objects. The script editor interface supports multiple distinct user-side script languages (e.g., user-supplied script text). A script translation component that receives the user-side script includes routines for rendering execution-side script (executable by a script engine) from source script rendered by the script editor and written according to any of a set of user-side script languages supported by the script translation component. The translator supports at least a first scripting language and a second scripting language.

Abstract: An extensible base process control and manufacturing information application development and execution software suite is disclosed that facilitates streamlined third party (e.g., OEM) development of derivative applications for particular vertical markets. The suite includes an object design toolkit that provides object template derivation tools for accessing and editing a set of base object templates. The objects derivable from the base templates include at least application objects deployed upon lower level hosting component objects of a supervisory process control and manufacturing information application. The toolkit also includes development tools for creating new base object templates that are added as extensions of the set of base object templates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed, in a supervisory process control system environment, for installing supervisory process control software from a central software deployment server. The software distribution method includes the step of first specifying a software component for a supervisory process control application to be deployed to a remote location and a destination for the software component based upon a distributed application configuration. A software component is conditionally transmitted to the remote supervisory control computer, after the determining step, if the the software component for the supervisory process control application is not present at the remote location.

Abstract: A centralized diagnostics management tool is disclosed that facilitates centralized monitoring of distributed components of a supervisory process control and manufacturing information application. The centralized diagnostics management tool includes a diagnostics management console shell that is customized according to a set of software modules that interface to data sources to populate views supported by the console shell. The console shell includes a set of view templates including controls for manipulating graphically displayed representations of data rendered by the distributed components. The console shell also includes an interface for exchanging requests and data with an extensible set of software modules that provide data links to ones of the set of distributed components. The software modules also define the customizable portions of the view rendered by the console shell.

Abstract: An application object for a supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices and having a layered architecture, the application object comprising a set of text entries listed in a first language, a dictionary within each object drafted to enable the set of text entries to be translated into a plurality of multiple languages, and a set of one or more translation fields for storing text in each of the plurality of languages corresponding to the set of text entries listed in the first language.

Abstract: A supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application is disclosed. The components of the application are distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices in a multi-layered hierarchical manner wherein lower layers host higher installed layers of application components. Application objects reside at a relatively high level of the distributed application architecture and model entities within a process control system. Engine objects host execution of the application objects in a run-time environment. Thus, application objects are not deployed until a host engine object with which they are associated have been deployed. Engine objects are hosted by platform objects. The platform objects correspond to a physical computer system component for executing the engine objects and associated application objects. A configuration facility presents a variety of views including deployment and model views of the application.

Abstract: A security component within a supervisory process control and manufacturing information system comprising a set of user roles corresponding to different types of users within the information system, a set of security groups defining a set of security permissions with regard to a set of objects, wherein each security group includes an access definition relating the security permissions to at least one of the set of user roles, and a set of user accounts assigned to at least one of the defined roles thereby indirectly defining access rights with regard to the set of objects having restricted access within the system. The security permissions within the supervisory process control and manufacturing information system are assigned at an object attribute level.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying representations of tag sources representative of corresponding component devices is disclosed herein. The present system includes a tag dictionary for defining the tag sources in a predefined object-oriented format. The tag dictionary is comprised of tag definition objects, each containing information relating to a given tag source and each being associated with a tag type object. A tag browser allows for display and editing of the tag source representations in accordance with the tag definition objects. In a preferred implementation each of the representations includes information relating to a predefined set of parameters characterizing the tag sources. The tag browser also optionally includes a tag filter for causing display of those tag source representations comporting with tag selection criteria, and for suppressing display of all other tag source representations.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating data transmission between a source node and a destination node is disclosed herein. The present method contemplates monitoring system performance so as to detect when the system enters an overloaded state. Such detection may be effected by, for example, determining the extent of the time interval during which instructions are retained in a queue at the destination node awaiting execution. When this interval exceeds a maximum queuing time, the system is deemed to be in an overloaded state. Upon entry into an overloaded state, data transmission from the source node is suspended pending recovery of the system from the overloaded state. In a preferred implementation, overload probe messages are periodically inserted into a message queue at the destination node.