Abstract: A process control system includes a programmable automation controller and at least one process control peripheral, each process control peripheral in data and control communication with the programmable automation controller such that, upon configuration of the process control system, the programmable automation controller executes a single software program to assist a user to define prescribed information in respect of the process control peripheral, including configuration information, define trigger conditions, if any, associated with the process control peripheral, and define alarm conditions, if any, associated with the process control peripheral. The software program thereafter is operable to provide information in respect of the process control system to the user.

Abstract: A process control system includes a set of environments organised hierarchically, a controller having a multiplicity of devices coupled thereto, each device initially assigned to an environment in the set of environments. In its initial state, the controller operates to control the multiplicity of devices in accordance with a first set of processes, control actions and trigger conditions and at least one device of the multiplicity of devices is able to change environment such that, whenever at least one device changes environment, the controller operates to control the multiplicity of devices in accordance with a different set of processes, control actions and trigger conditions if so required.

Abstract: A process control system comprising: a programmable automation controller (“PAC”) (12); and at least one process control peripheral device (14). The peripheral devices are controlled by the PAC depending upon user-configured settings. The PAC uses an operating system which comprises a kernel, a configuration process and run-time processes. The run-time processes comprises a number of sub-processes that allow the PAC to monitor and log the peripheral devices and/or environment and control the peripheral devices in accordance with the configurations and any changes to the environment in which the peripheral devices are located.

Abstract: An automated process control system (100) and method includes a controller (101) and a number of peripheral devices (104) that are controlled by the controller (101). The devices are located in a number of environments and sub-environments. The devices, environments, and sub-environments are organised in hierarchies and each device has an associated hierarchical identifier, which depends upon the environment in which the device is located. If the environment changes then so does the associated identifier. The controller is operable to determine when an environment changes and to implement any control actions that may be required by the change in the environment. The identifier for devices can also be linked to users of the system to define dependencies between the devices and users. Properties for the devices can therefore be linked to the users through the identifier, thus enabling multiple users to access the same devices.