초록 ▼

An integrated system for process control in which a process supervisor procedure (which is preferably the top-level procedure) is configured as a modular software structure, with modules which can be revised by a user at any time without significantly interrupting the operation of the process superv

An integrated system for process control in which a process supervisor procedure (which is preferably the top-level procedure) is configured as a modular software structure, with modules which can be revised by a user at any time without significantly interrupting the operation of the process supervisor. A user can define or redefine modules by editing highly constrained templates, which preferably include module timing and sequencing options including: block becomes active if another specified block has become active; block becomes active if a new value has been entered for a specified data source; block becomes active if a specified time of inactivity has elapsed; and combinations of these.

대표청구항 ▼

A computer-based method for operating a substantially continuous process, comprising the steps of: (1) operating the process with one or more sensors connected to sense conditions in the process, and one or more actuators connected to change conditions in the process; (2) controlling one or more of

A computer-based method for operating a substantially continuous process, comprising the steps of: (1) operating the process with one or more sensors connected to sense conditions in the process, and one or more actuators connected to change conditions in the process; (2) controlling one or more of said actuators with a process controller is accordance with signals received from said sensors and in accordance with control parameters; (3) repeatedly running a process supervisor procedure comprising one or more software modules, for selectively defining one or more of said control parameters for said process controller; (4) presenting a functional structure to a user, for a new software module and said process supervisor procedure and/or a functional structure corresponding to the user input from which a current software module of said process supervisor procedure was generated, and selectively loading user inputs into said functional structure to be used by said process supervisor procedure; (5) wherein said functional structure permits the user to define timing and sequencing parameters for respective ones of said software modules which include at least the following options: (a) become active if another specified software module has become active;