Source: http://www.google.fr/patents/US6510351
Timestamp: 2013-06-19 11:19:14
Document Index: 568427926

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2']

Brevet US6510351 - Modifier function blocks in a process control system - Google�BrevetsRecherche Images Maps Play YouTube Actualit�s Gmail Drive Plus » Recherche avanc�e dans les brevets | Historique Web | Connexion Recherche avanc�e dans les brevets BrevetsA modifier function block adapted for use in process control routine includes a series of processor implementable instructions that conditionally enhance or modify the functionality of a base function block associated with the process control routine. The base function block includes a resettable branching...http://www.google.fr/patents/US6510351?utm_source=gb-gplus-shareBrevet US6510351 - Modifier function blocks in a process control system Num�ro de publicationUS6510351 B1Type de publicationOctroi Num�ro de demande09/270,291 Date de publication21 janv. 2003 Date de d�p�t15 mars 1999 Date de priorit�15 mars 1999Autre r�f�rence de publicationDE10012249A1 Num�ro de publication09270291, 270291, US 6510351 B1, US 6510351B1, US-B1-6510351, US6510351 B1, US6510351B1 InventeursTerrence L. Blevins, Dennis L. Stevenson, Mark J. Nixon Cessionnaire d'origineFisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Citations de brevets (54), Citations hors brevets (28), R�f�renc� par (13), Classifications (7) Liens externes: USPTO, Cession USPTO, EspacenetModifier function blocks in a process control systemUS 6510351 B1 R�sum� A modifier function block adapted for use in process control routine includes a series of processor implementable instructions that conditionally enhance or modify the functionality of a base function block associated with the process control routine. The base function block includes a resettable branching point located within a set instructions used to perform a process control related operation. The branching point of the base function block has a pointer which, when set to a first value, causes another of the set of instructions within the base function block to be executed (to thereby bypass the execution of the modifier function block), and which, when set to a second value, causes the series of instructions within the modifier function block to be executed (to thereby alter the functionality of the base function block). In this manner, the modifier function block may be conditionally called, depending on the state of the base function block, to change the operation of the base function block or to, alternatively, leave the functionality of the base function block unaltered.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to process control networks and, more specifically, to a device and method for enhancing the capability of function block elements within a process control environment.
Also, there is now a move within the process control industry to decentralize process control and, thereby, simplify process controllers. Decentralized control is obtained by having field mounted process control devices, such as valve positioners, transmitters, etc., perform one or more process control functions using what are typically referred to as function blocks and by then communicating data across a bus structure for use by other process control devices (or function blocks) in performing other control functions. To implement these control functions, each process control device includes a microprocessor having the capability to implement one or more function blocks as well as the ability to communicate with other process control devices using a standard and open communication protocol. In this manner, field devices can be interconnected within a process control network to communicate with one another and to perform one or more process control functions forming a control loop without the intervention of a centralized process controller. The all-digital, two-wire bus protocol now being promulgated by the Fieldbus Foundation, known as the FOUNDATION� Fieldbus (hereinafter �Fieldbus�) protocol is one open communication protocol that allows devices made by different manufacturers to interoperate and communicate with one another via a standard bus to effect decentralized control within a process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A modifier function block that is adapted for use in process control routine includes a series of processor implementable instructions that conditionally enhance or modify the functionality of a base function block associated with the process control routine. The base function block includes a resettable branching point located within a set of instructions used to perform a process control related operation. The branching point of the base function block has a pointer which, when set to a first value, causes another of the set of instructions within the base function block to be executed (to thereby bypass the execution of the modifier function block), and which, when set to a second value, causes the series of instructions within the modifier function block to be executed (to thereby alter the functionality of the base function block). In this manner, the modifier function block may be conditionally called, depending on the state of the base function block, to change the operation of the base function block or to, alternatively, leave the functionality of the base function block unaltered.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, a process control network 10 includes a centralized process controller 12 capable of implementing a process control routine stored therein and/or capable of communicating with control elements, such as function blocks, located within field devices distributed throughout the process control network 10. The controller 12 may be, by way of example only, the DeltaV� controller sold by Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. and may be connected to numerous workstations such as personal computers (PCs) 14 via a hub 16 and ethernet connections 18. In this configuration, the PCs 14 may be used by one or more operators or users to communicate with the process controller 12 (or other controllers connected within the network 10), to obtain information pertaining to the process control network 10, to review or change the status of the process control network 10, to obtain information pertaining to individual field devices within the process control network 10, etc. If the controller 12 is a DeltaV controller, it may provide a graphical depiction of the process control routine within the controller 12 to the user via one of the PCs 14 illustrating the function blocks or other control elements within the process control routine and the manner in which these function blocks are communicatively linked together to provide control of the process. Furthermore, if desired, a user or operator may be able to initiate tuning of one or more of the function blocks or control loops from one of the PCs 14.
Although the decentralized portion of the process control network 10 of FIG. 1 uses the Fieldbus communication and control protocol, it could use any other known or desired protocol as well, including protocols developed in the future. Generally speaking, the Fieldbus protocol is an all-digital, serial, two-way communication protocol that provides a standardized physical interface to a two-wire loop or bus interconnecting �field� equipment such as sensors, actuators, device controllers, valves, etc. located in an instrumentation or process control environment of, for example, a factory or a plant. The Fieldbus protocol provides, in effect, a local area network for field instruments (field devices) within a process, which enables these field devices to perform control functions at locations distributed throughout a process facility and to communicate with one another before and after the performance of these control functions to implement an overall control strategy. Because the Fieldbus protocol enables control functions to be distributed throughout a process control network, it reduces the workload of the process controller 12 or eliminates the need of the processor 12 for those field devices or areas of the process. It will be understood that, while the Fieldbus protocol is a relatively new all-digital communication protocol developed for use in process control networks, this protocol is known in the art and is described in detail in numerous articles, brochures and specifications published, distributed, and available from, among others, the Fieldbus Foundation, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Austin, Tex. As a result, the details of the Fieldbus communication protocol will not be described in detail herein.
Of course, modifier function blocks can be implemented using any external process control communication protocol (besides the Fieldbus protocol) and may be used to communicate with any type of function block including any function block that is similar to or the same as any of the different function blocks specifically identified by and supported by the Fieldbus protocol. Moreover, while the modifier function block in one embodiment hereof is a Fieldbus �function block,� it is noted that the use of the expression �function block� herein is not limited to what the Fieldbus protocol identifies as a function block but, instead, includes any other type of block, program, hardware, firmware, etc., associated with any type of control system and/or communication protocol that can be used to implement some process control routine function and that has a predefined setup or protocol for providing information or data to other such function blocks. Thus, while function blocks typically take the form of objects within an object oriented programming environment, this need not be case and can, instead, be other logical units used to perform particular control (including input and output) functions within a process control environment.
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