US5918233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for providing electronic documentation to users of industrial process control systems
Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-30
•
Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2016-05-30
Abstract
Abstract In a process control system, a user selects a displayed object. The user then asks to be shown documents related to the selected object. A list of related documents is automatically displayed to the user who may then select a document for display. The association of documents with displayed process control objects is facilitated by a document librarian. Within the document librarian, a user drags documents from within a document hierarchy over to hierarchically designated objects within the process control system, and drops them thereon. Links between the documents and the process control objects are thereby established.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Edward La Chance
- 👤 Richard Sardell
- 👤 Donald Francis Landry
- 👤 Helmut Waibel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:52
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41865; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/4184; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/913; Y10S707/915; Y10S707/917; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/956; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 94
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said method comprising: (a) associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said method comprising: (a) associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said facilitating selection (b) comprises facilitating a user to select said object using a pointing facility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said pointing facility comprises one of a mouse, a trackball and a touch screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said facilitating step (c) includes displaying a document select object corresponding to document retrieval and facilitating selection of said document select object by said user to initiate said displaying said list of documents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said displaying step (d) is performed in response to a selection device actuation sequence by said user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said selection device actuation sequence includes a user depressing an alternative selection button on said pointing facility.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein documents are stored in a plurality of predefined formats, and wherein said at least one document has a first predefined format of said plurality of predefined formats, and wherein said displaying comprises executing a display program corresponding to said first predefined format.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said plurality of predefined formats include at least one of ASCII text format, word processor format, CAD format, and digitized image format.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, comprising performing a search of said linking attributes to find ones that match the selected object, wherein said performing said search includes passing a reference corresponding to said selected object to a database search engine and directing said database engine to search for documents having an entry corresponding to said reference within their linking attribute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said reference to said selected object includes at least one of a compound name, a block name and an alarm name.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
228 words
A method for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said method comprising: (a) associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more hierarchically arranged objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; at least one linking attribute comprising a hierarchical identifier having a first identifier and a second identifier, at least one hierarchical identifier having a first identifier that identifies a given one of said objects, and a second identifier that represents a wildcard; (b) displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) performing a search to find linking attributes that match the selected object and displaying on the computer display a list of documents associated with any such matching linking attributes, wherein a linking attribute having a hierarchical identifier whose second identifier represents a wildcard matches any of (i) the given object identified by the first identifier of that hierarchical identifier, and (ii) a subordinate of that given object in said hierarchical arrangement; (e) facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
228 words
A method for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said method comprising: (a) associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more hierarchically arranged objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; at least one linking attribute comprising a hierarchical identifier having a first identifier and a second identifier, at least one hierarchical identifier having a first identifier that identifies a given one of said objects, and a second identifier that represents a wildcard; (b) displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) performing a search to find linking attributes that match the selected object and displaying on the computer display a list of documents associated with any such matching linking attributes, wherein a linking attribute having a hierarchical identifier whose second identifier represents a wildcard matches any of (i) the given object identified by the first identifier of that hierarchical identifier, and (ii) a subordinate of that given object in said hierarchical arrangement; (e) facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said performing said search includes searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier and said second identifier of a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said first identifier of a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document comprises a compound name and said second identifier comprises a block name.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 11, wherein a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document further includes a third identifier that is passed to said database search engine during said performing said search.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said performing said search includes searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier, said second identifier and said third identifier of said hierarchical identifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said performing said search includes searching for documents exactly matching said hierarchical identifier and for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said searching for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard includes searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier, and matching any second identifier and any third identifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said searching for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard includes searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier and said second identifier, and matching any third identifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said first identifier comprises a compound name, said second identifier comprises a block name and said third identifier comprises an alarm name.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said process control screen includes representations of interconnected physical process elements, and wherein said at least one object comprises one of said interconnected physical process elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said process control screen includes an alarm list, and wherein said at least one object comprises an alarm from said alarm list.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of electronic document management in a computerized process control system including at least one computer, said method comprising: (a) presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node, said linking step including associating, with at least selected document nodes a linking field identifying one or more process control objects.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of electronic document management in a computerized process control system including at least one computer, said method comprising: (a) presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node, said linking step including associating, with at least selected document nodes a linking field identifying one or more process control objects.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes includes a first level of process nodes and a second level of process nodes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said process control system includes process control objects, at least some of said process control objects being identified by a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a predefined correspondence to said first identifier and said second identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes such that said first level of process nodes correspond to said first identifiers of said process control objects.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes such that at least a portion of said second level of process nodes correspond to said second identifiers of said process control objects.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said process control objects are further identifier by a third identifier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein said second level of process nodes includes a node having a parent, said parent having a first identifier associated with it, said node corresponding to all process control objects that have a common first identifier with its parent, and lack a specified third identifier.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein said second level of process nodes includes a node having a parent, said parent having a first identifier associated with it, said node corresponding to all process control objects that have a common first identifier with its parent, and specify any third identifier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes includes a first intermediate level having a plurality of first intermediate nodes therein, each first intermediate node corresponding to a particular first identifier and a particular second identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein at least some of said first intermediate nodes have at least one child node corresponding to at least one process control object having said particular first identifier and said particular second identifier, but not having any particularly defined third identifier.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein at least some of said first intermediate nodes have at least one child node corresponding to at least one process control object having said particular first identifier and said particular second identifier, and any particularly defined third identifier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said presenting step (a) includes presenting the user with said hierarchical organization of process nodes, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes further includes a second intermediate level having a plurality of second intermediate nodes therein, said second intermediate level being subordinate to said first intermediate level within said hierarchical organization of process nodes, each second intermediate node corresponding to a particular first identifier, a particular second identifier, and a particular third identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said first identifier includes compound names, said second identifier includes block names and said third identifier includes alarm names.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said presenting step (b) includes presenting said user with said hierarchical organization of document nodes, wherein a first level of said document nodes define document categories.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said presenting step (b) includes presenting said user with said hierarchical organization of document nodes, wherein a second level of said document nodes define specific document objects.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said permitting step (c) and said permitting step (d) include facilitating said user to operate a pointing facility to drag said first node over to said second node and to drop it thereon.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 37, wherein after said drag and said drop, said method includes displaying a cross reference under each of said first node and said second node in its respective hierarchy to the other of said first node and said second node.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said hierarchy of process nodes is displayed in a first windows panel on said computer screen, and said hierarchy of document nodes is displayed in a second windows panel on said computer screen.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said computerized process control system has a document database, and wherein said linking step (e) includes communicating with said document database to inform it of a link between a document object corresponding to said document node and a process control object corresponding to process node.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 40, wherein said communicating with said document database causes a modification of the linking field associated with said document object to include reference to said process control object in said linking field.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said computerized process control system has a document database, said document database containing document objects and storing said linking field for each document object, wherein said method further includes querying said linking fields, and creating said hierarchical organization of process nodes therefrom.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said system comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least ones aid object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said system comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least ones aid object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 43, wherein said means for facilitating selection (c) comprises means for facilitating a user to select said object using a pointing facility.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 44, wherein said pointing facility comprises one of a mouse, a trackball and a touch screen.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 44, wherein said means for facilitating (c) includes means for displaying a document select object corresponding to document retrieval and means for facilitating selection of said document select object by said user to initiate said displaying said list of documents.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 44, wherein said means for displaying (c) operates in response to a selection device actuation sequence by said user.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 47, wherein said selection device actuation sequence includes a user depressing an alternative selection button on said pointing facility.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 43, wherein documents are stored in a plurality of predefined formats, and wherein said at least one document has a first predefined format of said plurality of predefined formats, and wherein said means for displaying comprises means for executing a display program corresponding to said first predefined format.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 49, wherein said plurality of predefined formats include at least one of ASCII text format, word processor format, CAD format, and digitized image format.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 43, comprising means for performing a search of said linking attributes to find ones that match the selected object, wherein said means for performing said search includes means for passing a reference corresponding to said selected object to a database search engine and directing said database engine to search for documents having an entry corresponding to said reference within their linking attribute.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 51, wherein said reference to said selected object includes at least one of a compound name, a block name and an alarm name.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said system comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more hierarchically arranged objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; at least one linking attribute comprising a hierarchical identifier having a first identifier and a second identifier, at least one hierarchical identifier having a first identifier that identifies a given one of said objects, and a second identifier that represents a wildcard; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for performing a search to find linking attributes that match the selected object and displaying on the computer display a list of documents associated with any such matching linking attributes, wherein a linking attribute having a hierarchical identifier whose second identifier represents a wildcard matches any of (i) the given object identified by the first identifier of that hierarchical identifier, and (ii) a subordinate of that given object in said hierarchical arrangement; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said system comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more hierarchically arranged objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; at least one linking attribute comprising a hierarchical identifier having a first identifier and a second identifier, at least one hierarchical identifier having a first identifier that identifies a given one of said objects, and a second identifier that represents a wildcard; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for performing a search to find linking attributes that match the selected object and displaying on the computer display a list of documents associated with any such matching linking attributes, wherein a linking attribute having a hierarchical identifier whose second identifier represents a wildcard matches any of (i) the given object identified by the first identifier of that hierarchical identifier, and (ii) a subordinate of that given object in said hierarchical arrangement; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 53, wherein said means for performing said search includes means for searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier and said second identifier of a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 53, wherein said first identifier of a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document comprises a compound name and said second identifier comprises a block name.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 53, wherein a hierarchical identifier associated with at least one said document further includes a third identifier that is passed to said database search engine by said means for performing said search.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said means for performing said search includes means for searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier, said second identifier and said third identifier of said hierarchical identifier.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said means for performing said search includes means for searching for documents exactly matching said hierarchical identifier and for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 58, wherein said means for searching for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard includes means for searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier, and matching any second identifier and any third identifier.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 58, wherein said means for searching for documents matching said hierarchical identifier using at least one wildcard includes means for searching for documents exactly matching said first identifier and said second identifier, and matching any third identifier.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 58, wherein said first identifier comprises a compound name, said second identifier comprises a block name and said third identifier comprises an alarm name.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 43, wherein said process control screen includes representations of interconnected physical process elements, and wherein said at least one object comprises one of said interconnected physical process elements.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 43, wherein said process control screen includes an alarm list, and wherein said at least one object comprises an alarm from said alarm list.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for electronic document management in a computerized process control system including at least one computer, said system comprising: (a) means for presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) means for presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) means for linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for electronic document management in a computerized process control system including at least one computer, said system comprising: (a) means for presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) means for presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) means for linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 64, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes includes a first level of process nodes and a second level of process nodes.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 65, wherein said process control system includes process control objects, at least some of said process control objects being identified by a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes has a predefined correspondence to said first identifier and said second identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 66, wherein said first level of process nodes correspond to said first identifiers of said process control objects.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 67, wherein at least a portion of said second level of process nodes correspond to said second identifiers of said process control objects.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 68, wherein said process control objects are further identifier by a third identifier.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 69, wherein said second level of process nodes includes a node having a parent, said parent having a first identifier associated with it, said node corresponding to all process control objects that have a common first identifier with its parent, and lack a specified third identifier.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 69, wherein said second level of process nodes includes a node having a parent, said parent having a first identifier associated with it, said node corresponding to all process control objects that have a common first identifier with its parent, and specify any third identifier.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 69, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes includes a first intermediate level having a plurality of first intermediate nodes therein, each first intermediate node corresponding to a particular first identifier and a particular second identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 72, wherein at least some of said first intermediate nodes have at least one child node corresponding to at least one process control object having said particular first identifier and said particular second identifier, but not having any particularly defined third identifier.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 72, wherein at least some of said first intermediate nodes have at least one child node corresponding to at least one process control object having said particular first identifier and said particular second identifier, and any particularly defined third identifier.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 72, wherein said hierarchical organization of process nodes further includes a second intermediate level having a plurality of second intermediate nodes therein, said second intermediate level being subordinate to said first intermediate level within said hierarchical organization of process nodes, each second intermediate node corresponding to a particular first identifier, a particular second identifier, and a particular third identifier of said process control objects.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 69, wherein said first identifier includes compound names, said second identifier includes block names and said third identifier includes alarm names.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 64, wherein a first level of said document nodes define document categories.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 77, wherein a second level of said document nodes define specific document objects.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 64, wherein said means for permitting (c) and said means for permitting (d) include means for facilitating said user to operate a pointing facility to drag said first node over to said second node and to drop it thereon.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 79, wherein said system includes means for displaying a cross reference under each of said first node and said second node in its respective hierarchy to the other of said first node and said second node.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 64, wherein said hierarchy of process nodes is displayed in a first windows panel on said computer screen, and said hierarchy of document nodes is displayed in a second windows panel on said computer screen.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 64, wherein said computerized process control system has a document database, and wherein said means for linking includes means for communicating with said document database to inform it of a link between a document object corresponding to said document node and a process control object corresponding to process node.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 82, wherein said means for communicating with said document database causes a modification of the linking field associated with said document object to include reference to said process control object in said linking field.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 64, wherein said computerized process control system has a document database, said document database containing document objects and storing linking field for each document object, wherein said system further includes means for querying said linking fields, and creating said hierarchical organization of process nodes therefrom.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
156 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, said computer program product for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said computer program product comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
156 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, said computer program product for providing electronic documentation to a user of an industrial process control system, said computer program product comprising: (a) means for associating a linking attribute with each of a plurality of documents, each linking attribute identifying one or more objects that correspond to elements of an industrial process; (b) means for displaying a process control screen on a computer display, said process control screen having at least one said object displayed thereon; (c) means for facilitating selection of said displayed object by said user of the industrial process control system; (d) means for displaying on the computer display a list of documents with linking attributes that match the selected object; (e) means for facilitating selection by said user of at least one document of said list of documents; and (f) means for displaying said at least one document on said computer display.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
235 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, said computer program product for electronic document management in a computerized process control system, said computer program product including: (a) means for presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) means for presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) means for linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node, said means for linking including means for associating, with at least selected document objects, a linking field identifying one or more process control objects.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
235 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, said computer program product for electronic document management in a computerized process control system, said computer program product including: (a) means for presenting a user with a hierarchical organization of process nodes, said hierarchical organization of process nodes having a correspondence to process control objects of the process control system, said hierarchical organization of process nodes being at least partially displayed on a display of said computer; (b) means for presenting said user with a hierarchical organization of document nodes, said hierarchical organization of document nodes having a correspondence to documents within said process control system, said hierarchical organization of document nodes being at least partially displayed on said display of said computer; (c) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a first node selected from one of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; (d) means for permitting a user to designate to said computer a second node selected from the other of said hierarchical organization of process nodes and said hierarchical organization of document nodes; and (e) means for linking said first node and said second node such that a selected process node is associated with a selected document node, said means for linking including means for associating, with at least selected document objects, a linking field identifying one or more process control objects.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |