Flexible function blocks

Abstract

A new and improved control system architecture using a combination of standard function blocks and new flexible function blocks eliminates the need for expensive and difficult to maintain custom control software and special I/O gateways for discrete/hybrid/batch and PLC applications. The end user builds application-specific flexible function blocks by configuring the number and type of inputs and outputs, and the block algorithm. Flexible function blocks and gateway flexible function block interconnect and interoperate with each other and with standard function blocks in a distributed control architecture.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus for operating in a block-oriented open control system comprising: 
 a memory, which includes system management data and a flexible function block;    wherein the system management data includes a system schedule;    wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;    a gateway mapping communications to the flexible function block;    a processor, operably connected to the memory, wherein the processor executes the flexible function block based on the system schedule; and    a medium attachment unit, which translates input messages and output messages between the processor and a transmission medium.    
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the gateway utilizes a mapping algorithm.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the memory stores the mapping algorithm.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the gateway comprises a gateway flexible function block.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the gateway maps communications to inputs and outputs of the flexible function block.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the gateway maps inputs and outputs of non-function block equipment to inputs and outputs of the flexible function block.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the medium attachment unit comprises a network adapter.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the transmission medium comprises a bus.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the flexible function block includes at least one device description.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 29  further comprising at least one transducer block controlling access to the gateway function block.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the memory stores a plurality of function blocks, including standard and flexible function blocks, and wherein a standard function block and a flexible function block are interconnected.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the flexible function block has an input and output and the memory further includes: 
 a resource block, a first transducer block, and a second transducer block, wherein the resource block insulates the flexible function block from physical hardware, the first transducer block decouples the input to the flexible function block, and the second transducer decouples the output of the flexible function block.    
   
   
       41 . A system for permitting interoperability between devices in a block-oriented open control system comprising: 
 a plurality of devices, at least one device including a resource block and a flexible function block;    wherein the flexible function block includes end-user configured parameters and an end-user configured algorithm;    wherein the resource blocks uniquely identify each device and the flexible function block processes parameters to produce an output message;    a gateway mapping communications to the flexible function block; and    a medium attachment unit, operably connected to the flexible function block,    wherein the medium attachment unit translates an input message from a transmission medium to the flexible function block and the output message from the flexible function block to the transmission medium.    
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the gateway utilizes a mapping algorithm.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  further comprising a memory storing the mapping algorithm.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the gateway comprises a gateway flexible function block.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the gateway maps communications to inputs and outputs of the flexible function block.  
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the gateway maps inputs and outputs of non-function block equipment to inputs and outputs of the flexible function block.  
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the medium attachment unit comprises a network adapter.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the transmission medium comprises a bus.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein at least one device includes an application built using a combination of at least one flexible function block interconnected with at least one standard function block.  
   
   
       50 . A memory for storing data for access by an application framework operating in a device within a block-oriented open control system, the memory comprising: 
 a data structure stored in the memory, the data structure including:    a resource block, which makes hardware specific characteristics of the device electronically readable; and    a gateway function block including an end-user configured program and input and output parameters, the gateway function block operable to map communications to the block-oriented open control system.    
   
   
       51 . The memory of  claim 50  further comprising at least one transducer block, wherein the at least one transducer block controls access to the gateway function block.  
   
   
       52 . The memory of  claim 50 , wherein the gateway function block maps inputs and outputs of a non-function block apparatus to inputs and outputs of a flexible function block.  
   
   
       53 . The memory of  claim 50 , wherein the memory further stores a mapping algorithm and the gateway function block maps communications according to the mapping algorithm.