Patent ID: 9086692
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: G05B,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of incorporating a custom function block within a process control system, the method comprising: generating the custom function block by combining a plurality of files from a group of files generated by a provider of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the custom function block and modifying one of the plurality of files within the source code file to include a procedure not included within the group of files, wherein the source code file includes a write checking routine which validates data written to data items in the custom function block from a source outside of the custom function block, by determining one or both of: (1) whether the data items can be written to by the source outside of the custom function block, or (2) whether the data written to the data items is within one or more predetermined threshold limits; compiling and linking the source code file to form a compiled/linked custom function block file; transferring the compiled/linked custom function block file to the provider of the process control system; validating the compiled/linked function custom block file; appending a security measure to the compiled/linked custom function block file to form a validated custom function block file; transferring the validated custom function block file to a user of the process control system; and incorporating the validated custom function block file within the process control system such that the custom function block conveys information between first and second other function blocks, at least one of which first and second other function blocks is incompatible with the process control system in the absence of the custom function block, wherein the incorporated custom function block is operable to enable the execution of an external system, application, or algorithm associated with at least one of the first and second other function blocks to be synchronized with the execution of a process control scheme executed by the process control system.