Interface for Automation Client

Abstract

Automation agents are utilized to modify operating characteristics of a client, such as a piece of equipment. An operating characteristic of equipment can be selectively adjusted by modification of a set point value, which is associated with the operating characteristic of the equipment. The equipment can adjust the operating characteristic based upon the set point value. A remote control indication can be provided to indicate when a set point value is available for modification. The remote control indication is adjustable by an execution module associated with the equipment. A set point latch can be provided for indicating when the set point value is modifiable by an automation agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 selectively adjusting an operating characteristic of equipment by modification of a set point value, the set point value associated with the operating characteristic of the equipment, the equipment for adjusting the operating characteristic based upon the set point value;   providing a remote control indication, the remote control indication for indicating when a set point value is available for modification, the remote control indication adjusted by an execution module associated with the equipment; and   providing a set point latch, the set point latch representing a value for indicating when the set point value is to be modified by an automation agent, the automation agent to automatically adjust the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value when the set point latch is latched.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a fail-safe value corresponding to the operating characteristic, wherein the execution module adjusts the operating characteristic based upon a fail-safe value when a fail-safe event is detected. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the set point latch comprises a Boolean value. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control indication is a Boolean value. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising adjusting the operating characteristic of the equipment when the set point latch comprises a true Boolean value. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the operating characteristic comprises at least one of a drill revolutions per minute, a mud pump flow rate, a torque, a throttle position, a maximum torque, a direction, or an automation routine. 
     
     
         7 . A computing device comprising:
 a memory for storing one or more modules;   a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor for executing the one or more modules to cause the processor to:
 selectively adjust an operating characteristic of equipment by modification of a set point value, the set point value associated with the operating characteristic of the equipment, the equipment for adjusting the operating characteristic based upon the set point value; 
 providing a remote control indication, the remote control indication for indicating when a set point value is available for modification, the remote control indication adjusted by an execution module associated with the equipment; 
 providing a set point latch, the set point latch a value for indicating when the set point value is modifiable by an automation agent, the automation agent to automatically adjust the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value when the set point latch is latched. 
   
     
     
         8 . The computing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the processor executes the one or more modules to cause the processor to furnish a user interface operable to selectively adjust the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value, the user interface configured to furnish an indication when the set point value is to be modified by the automation agent. 
     
     
         9 . The computing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the processor executes the one or more modules to cause the processor to furnish a fail-safe value to the equipment, the fail safe value corresponding to the operating characteristic, wherein the execution module adjusts the operating characteristic based upon a fail-safe value when a fail-safe event is detected. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the set point latch comprises a Boolean value, and the remote control indication comprises a Boolean value. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the processor executes the one or more modules to cause the processor to adjust the operating characteristic of the equipment when the set point latch comprises a true Boolean value. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the operating characteristic comprises at least one of a drill revolutions per minute, a mud pump flow rate, a torque, a throttle position, a maximum torque, a direction, or an automation routine. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the equipment comprises at least one of a drill, a mud pump, a hoist, a rotary device, a choke, a valve, a blowout preventer, an auto-driller, or an alarm device. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 equipment having a memory for storing a set point value associated with an operating characteristic of the equipment, the equipment operable to adjust the operating characteristic based upon the set point value, the memory also storing a set point latch associated with the set point value;   an automation agent for automatically adjusting the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value, the set point latch indicating when the set point value is to be modified by the automation agent; and   an execution module operatively coupled with the equipment to selectively adjust the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value, wherein the execution module applies the set point value when the set point latch is latched and the set point value is available for remote control as indicated by a remote control indication.   
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the execution module furnishes a user interface operable to selectively adjust the operating characteristic by modification of the set point value, the user interface configured to furnish an indication when the set point value is to be modified by the automation agent, wherein the user interface receives a user remote control command indicating that remote control is allowed. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the execution module adjusts the operating characteristic based upon a fail-safe value when a fail-safe event is detected, the failsafe value corresponding to the operating characteristic. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the set point latch comprises a Boolean value. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the execution module adjusts the operating characteristic of the equipment using the set point value provided by the automation agent when the set point latch comprises a true Boolean value. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the operating characteristic comprises at least one of a drill revolutions per minute, a mud pump flow rate, a torque, a throttle position, a maximum torque, a direction, or an automation routine. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the equipment comprises at least one of a drill, a mud pump, a hoist, a rotary device, a choke, a valve, a blowout preventer, an auto-driller, or an alarm device.