Abstract:
The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master. The download service can likewise generate for logging (by the change tracking system) information transferred from the model to other devices in control system. The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth). Regardless, the download service according to this aspect of the invention generates for logging by the change tracking system indicia of that transferred configuration information. Generation of those indicia is governed, at least in part, by the “track” attribute associated with one or more of the parameters with which the transferred information is associated.
Abstract:
The invention provides, in some aspects, a process, environmental, manufacturing, industrial or other such control system (hereinafter, “control system”) with enhanced, real-time change tracking. The system includes one or more configurable elements (e.g., field devices), a change tracking system that records of changes to those configurable elements (e.g., for compliance reporting, etc.) and a change detection system that responds to detected changes in configuration of those element(s) by inferring an identity of a person and/or device responsible for a change, the time of the change, and/or the reason for the change. This is unlike prior art systems, in which that such information must be specified, e.g., in a data entry form filled-in by the field engineer, operator or other who is making the change.
Abstract:
The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master. The download service can likewise generate for logging (by the change tracking system) information transferred from the model to other devices in control system.
Abstract:
The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth). Regardless, the download service according to this aspect of the invention generates for logging by the change tracking system indicia of that transferred configuration information. Generation of those indicia is governed, at least in part, by the “track” attribute associated with one or more of the parameters with which the transferred information is associated.
Abstract:
The invention provides, in some aspects, improved apparatus for configuring a control system. The apparatus includes a model made up of objects representing devices of such a system, including, at least one device that defines and/or controls communications on at least a portion of a network within that system. That device is referred to, here, as a “bus master” and the portion of the network is referred to as a “segment.” The object (or objects) representing the bus master can include information defining timings, port assignments and/or other aspects of the configuration of the segment. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. This includes transferring to the bus master communications configuration information for the segment. A download service according to this aspect of the invention generates—e.g., for logging by a change tracking system—indicia of the configuration information transferred to the bus master. The download service can likewise generate for logging (by the change tracking system) information transferred from the model to other devices in control system. The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth). Regardless, the download service according to this aspect of the invention generates for logging by the change tracking system indicia of that transferred configuration information. Generation of those indicia is governed, at least in part, by the “track” attribute associated with one or more of the parameters with which the transferred information is associated.
Abstract:
The invention provides, in some aspects, a process, environmental, manufacturing, industrial or other such control system (hereinafter, “control system”) with enhanced, real-time change tracking. The system includes one or more configurable elements (e.g., field devices), a change tracking system that records of changes to those configurable elements (e.g., for compliance reporting, etc.) and a change detection system that responds to detected changes in configuration of those element(s) by inferring an identity of a person and/or device responsible for a change, the time of the change, and/or the reason for the change. This is unlike prior art systems, in which that such information must be specified, e.g., in a data entry form filled-in by the field engineer, operator or other who is making the change.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus to modify control devices residing on a Fieldbus communications network, without interrupting the operation of the control devices. The control device updating may further be controlled and monitored by a remotely located host that also communicates on the Fieldbus network. The control device may comprise at least two distinct memory areas, wherein at least one memory area must be active, and at least one memory area must be inactive. Active memory areas provide the control device microprocessor operating system with executable instructions or data. The host downloads new executable instructions or data to inactive memory areas, with associated data entry points, during unscheduled communications periods wherein data input/output is not being performed between the control device and the host or another control device. Upon a full data transfer and proper verification of the new data, the host may issue an activation command that causes a selector device to activate the previously inactive memory area by directing the microprocessor to the entry points of the newly downloaded executable instructions or data. The memory activation must occur while the microprocessor is not performing application execution, application input/output, or application communications. By timing the memory activation in this manner, the microprocessor may be redirected to the newly downloaded executable instructions or data without microprocessor interruption.
Abstract:
A device management utility is described that includes a generalized graphical user interface facilitating access to a variety of resources associated with selected device types. In particular, the utility includes information interfaces communicatively linking the utility of a variety of data sources. In addition, the utility includes a graphical user interface display providing a variety of information associated with a selected device type. Such information includes device identification information, links to supplemental resources, and a set of screen selection controls for exposing multiple functional modes of operation of the device management utility.
Abstract:
A customization tool is described in association with a universal device type manager (DTM) utility. The customization tool includes a set of user interfaces and associated functionality that facilitates creating a set of customized templates for a particular device type. The customized templates define access to device data via graphical user interfaces supported by the universal DTM utility and/or universal BTM utility for instances of the device type.
Abstract:
In one general aspect, methods and devices for use with multiple communications protocols automatically determine which communications protocol to use when connected to a system bus. Signals transmitted on the system bus are monitored to determine what communications protocol the system bus is using. After determining which communications protocol the system is using, a compatible communications protocol is selected from one of several communications protocols stored in a device's memory. As a result, a user may connect a device to the system bus without having to determine which communications protocol is used by the system bus. Furthermore, suppliers may stock a single type of device that is compatible with multiple communications protocols reducing overhead associated with stocking devices. In addition, a device may be switched between systems without regard to the communications protocol of the device or system.