US6424872B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Block oriented control system
Assignee: Fieldcomm Group Inc
•
Filing: 1997-08-21
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2017-08-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a block oriented control system that allows interoperability between devices made by different manufacturers. A block oriented control system is a system which includes a plurality of field devices incorporating a physical layer, communication stack, and user layer, with the field devices being connected by a transmission medium, such as a bus. The physical layer receives signals from the bus and translates the signals into a message for the communications stack, and receives messages from the communications stack and translates the messages into signals for the bus. The communication stack controls the communications between devices operating in the control system. The user layer is a block oriented approach to the system's control functions, and includes function blocks and system management. The function blocks are standardized encapsulations of control functions, such as analog input or proportional/derivative. The system management allows synchronization of the device applications and the network processing.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Glanzer
- 👤 Terrance L. Blevins
- 👤 Ram Ramachandran
- 👤 Kenneth D. Krivoshein
- 👤 Patricia E. Brett
- 👤 Jack Elias
- 👤 William R. Hodson
- 👤 Frank Lynch
- 👤 Ashok K. Gupta
- 👤 Lee A. Neitzel
- 👤 Thomas B. Kinney
- 👤 Chuji Akiyama
- 👤 Yasuo Kumeda
- 👤 Hiroshi Mori
- 👤 Mitsugu Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:01
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/4185; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31118; H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/06; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for operating in an open control system comprising: a memory, which includes system management data and a function block; wherein the system management data includes a system schedule; wherein the function block includes parameters and a computer program; a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the function block based on the system schedule; and a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for operating in an open control system comprising: a memory, which includes system management data and a function block; wherein the system management data includes a system schedule; wherein the function block includes parameters and a computer program; a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the function block based on the system schedule; and a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory further contains network management data including a network schedule; and wherein the processor initiates a list of network activities according to the network schedule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the network management data includes a list of active devices, and wherein the processor updates the list of active devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processor updates the list of active devices by adding a new device to the list of active devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the medium attachment unit is in the processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory is in the processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the function block includes at least one device description.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory is selected from the group consisting of a floppy disk, hard drive and CD ROM.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of devices are electrically coupled to the transmission medium, the system management data includes a device tag, and the processor automatically assigns the device tag to one of the plurality of devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor maintains a system time, and wherein the system time is periodically published on the transmission medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the system management data further includes a schedule building tool and wherein the processor builds a system schedule with the schedule building tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the system management data further includes a schedule building tool and wherein the processor builds a network schedule with the schedule building tool.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the system management includes a plurality of function blocks and wherein at least one of the function blocks receives analog input data and makes the analog input data readable to another one of the plurality of function blocks as an output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the system management includes a plurality of function blocks and wherein at least one of the plurality of function blocks receives discrete input data and makes the discrete input data electronically readable to another one of the plurality of function blocks as an output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory stores a plurality of function blocks and wherein at least two of the plurality of function blocks are connected in series.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the processor controls the execution of the plurality of function blocks according to the system schedule.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is operably connected to a digital bus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the system management data also includes an object dictionary and the object dictionary lists parameters of the apparatus by index number.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the object dictionary includes object descriptions and the object descriptions are written in the device description language.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the object dictionary includes object descriptions and the object descriptions contain information which describes data types and structures.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the function block has an input and output and the memory further includes: a resource block, a first transducer block, and a second transducer block, wherein the resource block insulates the function block from physical hardware, the first transducer block decouples the input to the function block, and the second transducer decouples the output of the function block.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the memory stores a plurality of functions blocks and the processor executes the plurality of function blocks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory further stores a plurality of function blocks and at least one object selected from the group consisting of link objects, trend objects, alert objects, and view objects.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein a resource is defined by the plurality of function blocks and at least one object.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of resources.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives input parameters, and further comprising an input snap which protects the input parameters from external interference.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the processor outputs output parameters, and further comprises an output snap for protecting the output parameters from internal interference.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for permitting interoperability between devices comprising: a plurality of devices, each device including a resource block and a function block; wherein the resource blocks uniquely identify each device and the function block processes parameters to produce an output message; and a medium attachment unit, operably connected to the function block, wherein the medium attachment unit translates an input message from a transmission medium to the function block and the output message from the function block to the transmission medium.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for permitting interoperability between devices comprising: a plurality of devices, each device including a resource block and a function block; wherein the resource blocks uniquely identify each device and the function block processes parameters to produce an output message; and a medium attachment unit, operably connected to the function block, wherein the medium attachment unit translates an input message from a transmission medium to the function block and the output message from the function block to the transmission medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 28 wherein each device includes a memory containing a system schedule, and wherein each function block is executed according to the system schedule.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 29 wherein each device further includes a system time, and one of the system times acts as a network time.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 30 wherein one of the system times is a network time, and the network time is periodically published on the transmission medium to synchronize each system time with the network time.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing an open control system which allows the removal of the network controller without affecting interoperability between devices, the method comprising the steps of: providing a network controller, which controls a plurality of devices operating on a transmission medium, the network controller comprising: a first memory, which includes a network schedule; and a first processor, operably connected to the first memory, wherein the first processor controls activities on the transmission medium according to the network schedule; providing a device, operably connected to the network controller with the transmission medium, wherein the device comprises: a second memory, which includes a system schedule; and a second processor, operably connected to the second memory, wherein the second processor receives instructions from the first processor and is capable of controlling activities on the transmission medium according to the system schedule; and shifting the responsibility of controlling activities on the transmission medium to the device.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing an open control system which allows the removal of the network controller without affecting interoperability between devices, the method comprising the steps of: providing a network controller, which controls a plurality of devices operating on a transmission medium, the network controller comprising: a first memory, which includes a network schedule; and a first processor, operably connected to the first memory, wherein the first processor controls activities on the transmission medium according to the network schedule; providing a device, operably connected to the network controller with the transmission medium, wherein the device comprises: a second memory, which includes a system schedule; and a second processor, operably connected to the second memory, wherein the second processor receives instructions from the first processor and is capable of controlling activities on the transmission medium according to the system schedule; and shifting the responsibility of controlling activities on the transmission medium to the device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of evaluating bids to assume the responsibility of controlling activities on the transmission medium.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for enhancing interoperability of a control system, the apparatus comprising: means for storing at least one encapsulated function block, which includes contained parameters and a computer program; means, coupled to the storing means, for processing the function block using the contained parameters, wherein the processing of the contained parameters produces an output parameter; and means, coupled to the processing means, for translating messages from the processor for transmission on a transmission medium.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for enhancing interoperability of a control system, the apparatus comprising: means for storing at least one encapsulated function block, which includes contained parameters and a computer program; means, coupled to the storing means, for processing the function block using the contained parameters, wherein the processing of the contained parameters produces an output parameter; and means, coupled to the processing means, for translating messages from the processor for transmission on a transmission medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the storing means stores a system schedule and a plurality of function blocks and the processing means controls the execution of the plurality of function blocks according to the system schedule.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the storing means also stores a system schedule and the processing means processes the encapsulated function block according to the system schedule.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the storing means also stores a network schedule, wherein the processing means generates compel data messages based on the network schedule.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus operating in a control system, the apparatus comprising: a user layer, which includes an encapsulated block to provide functionality; a physical layer, which translates messages from a transmission medium into a suitable format for the user layer and from the user layer into a signal for transmission on the transmission medium; and a communication stack, connected to the user layer and the physical layer, wherein the communication stack includes a data link layer and an application layer, wherein the data link layer controls the transmission of messages onto the transmission medium and the application layer allows the user layer to communicate over the transmission medium.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus operating in a control system, the apparatus comprising: a user layer, which includes an encapsulated block to provide functionality; a physical layer, which translates messages from a transmission medium into a suitable format for the user layer and from the user layer into a signal for transmission on the transmission medium; and a communication stack, connected to the user layer and the physical layer, wherein the communication stack includes a data link layer and an application layer, wherein the data link layer controls the transmission of messages onto the transmission medium and the application layer allows the user layer to communicate over the transmission medium.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the application layer includes a fieldbus message specification, which defines the communication services and message formats.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the user layer includes a plurality of blocks interconnected to perform a desired function.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the plurality of blocks include a resource block, a function block, and a transducer block.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the plurality of blocks include an alert object and a link object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
78 words
A memory for storing data for access by an application framework operating in a device within a control system, the memory comprising: a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including: a resource block, which makes hardware specific characteristics of the device electronically readable; an encapsulated function block, wherein the function block includes a program and parameters; and at least one transducer block, wherein the at least one transducer block controls access to the function block.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
78 words
A memory for storing data for access by an application framework operating in a device within a control system, the memory comprising: a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including: a resource block, which makes hardware specific characteristics of the device electronically readable; an encapsulated function block, wherein the function block includes a program and parameters; and at least one transducer block, wherein the at least one transducer block controls access to the function block.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The memory of claim 43 wherein the data structure also includes a resource block that defines the specific attributes of a resource within the memory.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The memory of claim 43 wherein the data structure also includes a directory object to store a list of references to the resource block, function block and transducer block.
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |