The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an ip network

A process controller implements an overall, user-developed control strategy in a process control network that includes distributed controller and field devices, such as Fieldbus and non-Fieldbus devices. A user defines the control strategy by building a plurality of function blocks and control modules and downloading or installing user-specified portions of the control strategy into the Fieldbus devices and the non-Fieldbus devices. Thereafter, the Fieldbus devices automatically perform the downloaded portions of the overall strategy independently of other portions of the control strategy. For example in a process control system that includes distributed field devices, controllers and workstations, portions of the control strategy downloaded or installed into the field devices operate independently of and in parallel with the control operations of the controllers and the workstations, while other control operations manage the Fieldbus devices and implement other portions of the control strategy.

Process control system using a process control strategy distributed among multiple control elements

A process control system includes an alarm and event monitoring and display system for which various users of the system can easily prioritize the alarm and event information that is displayed. The alarm and event configuration is highly flexible and is configured by a user to display particular events in a hierarchical manner, as directed by the user. The user sets a desired alarm priority, selecting high importance alarms for more urgent display and annunciation and rendering a lower display status to less urgent events. At log-on, a particular system user is associated with a display configuration for displaying alarm and event information that is pertinent to that user and the process control system is automatically "primed" with current alarms and initiate process information about new alarm and event occurrences.

Process control system including alarm priority adjustment

Methods and apparatus for control configuration with versioning, security, composite blocks, edit selection, object swapping, formulaic values and other aspects

A system and method for maintaining logically consistent backups using minimal data transfer are presented A system comprises a backup system having a backup storage device and one or more primary systems having mass storage devices that are to be backed up on the backup storage device The primary systems identify changes that are going to be made to the mass storage device The combined effected locations in the mass storage device of these identified changes are then captured in a static snapshot when the mass storage device is in a logically consistent state Only those data blocks changed since the last backup are then transferred to backup system The backup system can then store these changes or apply the changes to the backup storage device in order to bring the backup storage device current to a particular point in time

Backup system that takes a snapshot of the locations in a mass storage device that has been identified for updating prior to updating

A computer supervising individual controllers has a memory and a programmer, the memory storing a set of operating modules and control information of individual controllers, the programmer making a control program for each controller by providing software wiring of the operating modules based on the control information therefor, whereby the individual controllers are started by the control program and control information from the computer, while during operation the controllers transmit the latest control information to the computer for updating the control information in the computer.

Takehiko Motomiya

Papers

Process control system