Patent ID: 6557118
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A diagnostic tool for use in a process control system having a multiplicity of function blocks adapted to control a process device during operation of a process, the diagnostic tool comprising:a data collection unit configured to communicate with each of the multiplicity of function blocks to receive, on a regular basis during operation of the process control system, data pertaining to a function block operating parameter for each of the multiplicity of function blocks wherein the data is associated with an operating condition of each of the multiplicity of function blocks; a data analyzer that determines a value for the function block operating parameter for each of the number of times during operation of the process control system based on the received function block operating parameter data; a detector that detects a problem within the process control system based on the determined values of the function block operating parameter data; and an output generator that creates a report indicating the detected problem.