초록 ▼

A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides a process whereby the parameters and/or functions of a hardware field device, e.g., field controller, can be altered dynamically by the use of a downloadable data table. This programming method is being called “Full Dynamic Linking” (abbreviated as F

A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides a process whereby the parameters and/or functions of a hardware field device, e.g., field controller, can be altered dynamically by the use of a downloadable data table. This programming method is being called “Full Dynamic Linking” (abbreviated as FDL), and provides a mechanism by which software and firmware is written in such a way as to provide extreme flexibility in the application of control processing.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for changing a function of a field controller, said method comprising the steps of:a) storing a dynamic link table having a plurality of parameters with the field controller, wherein said plurality of parameters comprise an event component and an action component; and b) updating said pl

1. A method for changing a function of a field controller, said method comprising the steps of:a) storing a dynamic link table having a plurality of parameters with the field controller, wherein said plurality of parameters comprise an event component and an action component; and b) updating said plurality of parameters of said dynamic link table to change the function of the field controller. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said updating step comprises the step of forwarding a new set of parameters to said field controller remotely.3. The method of claim 1, wherein said event component identifies a state change of a device and said action component identifies an action to be taken pertaining to said state change of said device.4. The method of claim 3, wherein said plurality of parameters further comprise at least one condition component, wherein said at least one condition component identifies a condition that is to be met first before executing said action.5. The method of claim 4, wherein said at least one condition component comprises a first condition and a second condition.6. The method of claim 1, wherein said event component identifies a message from a controlling authority and said action component identifies an action to be taken pertaining to said message.7. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of parameters further comprise at least one condition component, wherein said at least one condition component identifies a condition that is to be met first before executing said action.8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one condition component comprises a first condition and a second condition.9. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps comprising of:a) storing a dynamic link table having a plurality of parameters with the field controller, wherein said plurality of parameters comprise an event component and an action component; and b) updating said plurality of parameters of said dynamic link table to change the function of the field controller. 10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein said updating step comprises the step of forwarding a new set of parameters to said field controller remotely.11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein said event component identifies a state change of a device and said action component identifies an action to be taken pertaining to said state change of said device.12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein said plurality of parameters further comprise at least one condition component, wherein said at least one condition component identifies a condition that is to be met first before executing said action.13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said at least one condition component comprises a first condition and a second condition.14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein said event component identifies a message from a controlling authority and said action component identifies an action to be taken pertaining to said message.15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein said plurality of parameters further comprise at least one condition component, wherein said at least one condition component identifies a condition that is to be met first before executing said motion.16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said at least one condition component comprises a first condition and a second condition.17. A programmable system, comprising:a field controller having a dynamic link table with a plurality of parameters associated with a function, wherein said plurality of parameters comprise an event component and an action component; and a system controller for forwarding a set of parameters to said dynamic link table to change said function.