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US6078320A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System for configuring a process control environment

Assignee: Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-18
•
Granted: 2000-06-20
•
Expires: 2018-02-18
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Abstract

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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Andrew P. Dove
  • 👤 Larry O. Jundt
  • 👤 Stephen G. Hammack
  • 👤 J. Clint Fletcher

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 11:20
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0426; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23255; G05B2219/23258; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25067; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/967

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim 234 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising: providing an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundation classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including a stencil object, the stencil object representing a process control element including a step of using at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration, including the step of using at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; dragging the stencil object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the stencil object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of the process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 234 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising: providing an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundation classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including a stencil object, the stencil object representing a process control element including a step of using at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration, including the step of using at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; dragging the stencil object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the stencil object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of the process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil class for maintaining a list for stencil control and managing a stencil user interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one diagram class includes a diagram class for managing a diagram user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one stencil class and the at least one diagram class descend from a form view foundation class, the form view foundation class being for containing control classes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the classes from the set of commercially available foundation classes include a list view control foundation class and a image list foundation class.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil list control class, the stencil list control class managing stencil items, providing a view of the stencil items and providing a drag source capability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a function block stencil view class, the function block stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating a function block diagram.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a sequential function charting (SFC) stencil view class, the SFC stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating an SFC diagram.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 298 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising the steps of: providing an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundations classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements, the steps of presenting a stencil portion presentation including the step of using at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated, including the step of using at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; individually dragging a plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the plurality of stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of locations of the respective process control elements in the process control environment; interconnecting the plurality of stencil objects in the diagram portion presentation to indicate interaction of the respective process control elements in the process control environment, the interconnecting the plurality of stencil objects including using at least one connection class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 298 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising the steps of: providing an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundations classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements, the steps of presenting a stencil portion presentation including the step of using at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; presenting a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated, including the step of using at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; individually dragging a plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the plurality of stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of locations of the respective process control elements in the process control environment; interconnecting the plurality of stencil objects in the diagram portion presentation to indicate interaction of the respective process control elements in the process control environment, the interconnecting the plurality of stencil objects including using at least one connection class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil class for maintaining a list for stencil control and managing a stencil user interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one diagram class includes a diagram class for managing a diagram user interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one stencil class and the at least one diagram class descend from a form view foundation class, the form view foundation class being for containing control classes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the classes from the set of commercially available foundation classes include a list view control foundation class and a image list foundation class.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil list control class, the stencil list control class managing stencil items, providing a view of the stencil items and providing a drag source capability.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a function block stencil view class, the function block stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating a function block diagram.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a sequential function charting (SFC) stencil view class, the SFC stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating an SFC diagram.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one connection class includes a connection base class, the connection base class representing a connection object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one connection class further includes a sequence function chart (SFC) connection class, the SFC connection class providing a representation of a connection on an SFC object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one connection class further includes a function block connection class, the function block connection class providing a representation of a connection on a function block object.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 265 words
A system for configuring a process control environment comprising: a computer system including a processor coupled to a memory, a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; an object oriented framework stored on the memory, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundation classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a first software portion that presents, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including a stencil object, the stencil object representing a process control element, the first software portion including at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a second software portion that presents, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration, the second software portion including at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a third software portion that enables a user to drag the stencil object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; a fourth software portion that enables the user to drop the stencil object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of the process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a fifth software portion that configures the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 265 words
A system for configuring a process control environment comprising: a computer system including a processor coupled to a memory, a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; an object oriented framework stored on the memory, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundation classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a first software portion that presents, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including a stencil object, the stencil object representing a process control element, the first software portion including at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a second software portion that presents, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration, the second software portion including at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a third software portion that enables a user to drag the stencil object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; a fourth software portion that enables the user to drop the stencil object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of the process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a fifth software portion that configures the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil class for maintaining a list for stencil control and managing a stencil user interface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the at least one diagram class includes a diagram class for managing a diagram user interface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 36 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the at least one stencil class and the at least one diagram class descend from a form view foundation class, the form view foundation class being for containing control classes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the classes from the set of commercially available foundation classes include a list view control foundation class and a image list foundation class.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 39 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil list control class, the stencil list control class managing stencil items, providing a view of the stencil items and providing a drag source capability.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a function block stencil view class, the function block stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating a function block diagram.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a sequential function charting (SFC) stencil view class, the SFC stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating an SFC diagram.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 320 words
A system for configuring a process control environment comprising: a computer system including a processor coupled to a memory, a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundations classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a first software portion that presents a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements, the first software portion including at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a second software portion that presents a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated, the second software portion including at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a third software portion that enables a user to drag the plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; a fourth software portion that enables a user to drop the plurality of stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of locations of the respective process control elements in the process control environment; a fifth software portion that interconnects the plurality of stencil objects in the diagram portion presentation to indicate interaction of the respective process control elements in the process control environment to create a process control routine, the fifth software portion including at least one connection class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; and a sixth software that configures the controllers within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 32
Independent Claim 320 words
A system for configuring a process control environment comprising: a computer system including a processor coupled to a memory, a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; an object oriented framework, the object oriented framework including classes, the classes including classes from a set of commercially available foundations classes and classes derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a first software portion that presents a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements, the first software portion including at least one stencil class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a second software portion that presents a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated, the second software portion including at least one diagram class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; a third software portion that enables a user to drag the plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; a fourth software portion that enables a user to drop the plurality of stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of locations of the respective process control elements in the process control environment; a fifth software portion that interconnects the plurality of stencil objects in the diagram portion presentation to indicate interaction of the respective process control elements in the process control environment to create a process control routine, the fifth software portion including at least one connection class that is derived from the set of commercially available foundation classes; and a sixth software that configures the controllers within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil class for maintaining a list for stencil control and managing a stencil user interface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one diagram class includes a diagram class for managing a diagram user interface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 36 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one stencil class and the at least one diagram class descend from a form view foundation class, the form view foundation class being for containing control classes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the classes from the set of commercially available foundation classes include a list view control foundation class and a image list foundation class.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 39 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the at least one stencil class includes a stencil list control class, the stencil list control class managing stencil items, providing a view of the stencil items and providing a drag source capability.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a function block stencil view class, the function block stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating a function block diagram.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the at least one stencil class further includes a sequential function charting (SFC) stencil view class, the SFC stencil view class controlling stencils used for creating an SFC diagram.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the at least one connection class includes a connection base class, the connection base class representing a connection object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the at least one connection class further includes a sequence function chart (SFC) connection class, the SFC connection class providing a representation of a connection on an SFC object.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the at least one connection class further includes a function block connection class, the function block connection class providing a representation of a connection on a function block object.
Claim 43
Independent Claim 198 words
A system for generating a new process control environment comprising: a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; a first software portion that presents a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements; a second software portion that presents a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated; a user interface, operatively coupled to the display device, to control dragging of one or more of the plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control dropping of the stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of a location of the respective process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a third software portion that interconnects dropped stencil objects to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation, to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process and to provide the new process control environment.
Claim 44
Independent Claim 198 words
A system for generating a new process control environment comprising: a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; a first software portion that presents a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of stencil objects representing respective process control elements; a second software portion that presents a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated; a user interface, operatively coupled to the display device, to control dragging of one or more of the plurality of stencil objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control dropping of the stencil objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of a location of the respective process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a third software portion that interconnects dropped stencil objects to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation, to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process and to provide the new process control environment.
Claim 45
Independent Claim 147 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including an object; presenting, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration; dragging the object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of an element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 46
Independent Claim 147 words
A method for configuring a process control environment, the process control environment including a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, on the display device, a stencil portion presentation including an object; presenting, on the display device, a diagram portion presentation, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration; dragging the object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation; dropping the object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of an element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and configuring the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the step of dragging the object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation includes the step of selecting the object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the steps of configuring a process control environment are implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the classes are derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the object is a stencil object.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the element is a process control module.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the object represents a process control module.
Claim 53
Independent Claim 176 words
A system for configuring a process control environment having a computer system with a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the system including; a first software portion adapted to present a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including an object; a second software portion adapted to present a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration; a user interface, operatively coupled to the display device, to control dragging of the object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control dropping of the object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of a process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a configuration routine adapted to configure the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 54
Independent Claim 176 words
A system for configuring a process control environment having a computer system with a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices, the system including; a first software portion adapted to present a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including an object; a second software portion adapted to present a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration; a user interface, operatively coupled to the display device, to control dragging of the object from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control dropping of the object on the diagram portion presentation in a position indicative of a location of a process control element in the process control environment to create a process control routine; and a configuration routine adapted to configure the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 81 words
The system of claim 47 further comprising: a third software portion adapted to present a cursor on the display device, movement of the cursor being controlled by the user interface, the user interface allowing a user to control the cursor to select the object in the stencil portion presentation and to drag the object from the stencil portion presentation to a position in the diagram portion presentation indicative of a location of the process control element in the process control environment.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the object is a process control module.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 12 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the object is a stencil object.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 11 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the object represents a module.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the third software portion is implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 47 wherein the second software portion is implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the second software portion includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 47 wherein the first software portion is implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 53 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the first software portion includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 55 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the first software portion includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 65
Independent Claim 221 words
A system for generating a new process control environment comprising: a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; a first software portion adapted to present a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of objects; a second software portion adapted to present a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated; a user interface operatively coupled to the display device to control dragging of one or more of the plurality of objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control a step of dropping of the objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of a location of a respective element in the process control environment; and a third software portion adapted to interconnect the dropped stencil objects to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of a process control routine during runtime of a process; and a configuration routine adapted to configure the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 66
Independent Claim 221 words
A system for generating a new process control environment comprising: a computer system having a processor coupled to a display device and a separate controller coupled to a plurality of field devices; a first software portion adapted to present a stencil portion presentation, the stencil portion presentation including a plurality of objects; a second software portion adapted to present a diagram portion presentation on the display device, the diagram portion presentation representing a process control environment configuration when the process control environment is generated; a user interface operatively coupled to the display device to control dragging of one or more of the plurality of objects from the stencil portion presentation to the diagram portion presentation and to control a step of dropping of the objects on the diagram portion presentation in positions indicative of a location of a respective element in the process control environment; and a third software portion adapted to interconnect the dropped stencil objects to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of a process control routine during runtime of a process; and a configuration routine adapted to configure the controller within the process control environment to operate in accordance with the diagram portion presentation to execute at least a portion of the process control routine during runtime of a process.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 85 words
The system of claim 58 further comprising: a fourth software portion adapted to present a cursor on the display device, movement of the cursor being controlled by the user interface, the user interface allowing a user to control the cursor to select the object in the stencil portion presentation and to drag the object from the stencil portion presentation to a position in the diagram portion presentation indicative of a location of the element in the process control environment to create the process control routine.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 58 wherein the element is a process control module.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 12 words
The system of claim 58 wherein the object is a stencil object.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 11 words
The system of claim 58 wherein the object represents the module.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the fourth software portion is adapted to use an object-oriented framework including classes, and includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the third software portion is adapted to use an object-oriented framework including classes, and includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the second software portion is implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 65 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the second software portion includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the first software portion is implemented using an object oriented framework.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 67 wherein the object oriented framework includes classes and the first software portion includes classes derived from or included with a set of commercially available foundation classes.

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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) 2003-06-20 2003-12-20 2004-06-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-06-20 2007-12-20 2008-06-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-06-20 2011-12-20 2012-06-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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