Method and system for providing block animation

A method of displaying the internal functions of a block, comprising:

• identifying a selected block having a block identifier;
• searching a data file having a plurality of drawing files, using the block identifier, to identify a matching drawing file that is associated with the block identifier;
• scanning the matching drawing file to identify text function items, having a name portion and a special character item, in the matching drawing file;
• associating each special character item that is identified in the scanning with a graphics item;
• associating each special character item that is identified in the scanning with a data signal;
• associating each graphics item associated with a special character item with the data signal associated with the same special character item;
• stripping the special character item from each text function item, that is identified in the scanning, from the matching drawing file to generate a modified matching drawing file;
• and
• generating a display based on the modified matching drawing file and each text function item that includes the name portion and the respective data signal associated with each identified graphics item to represent the internal functions of the block.

A control system for controlling an operating field device, comprising:

• a control device in communication with the operating field device, the control device sending and receiving data signals to the operating field device wherein the data signals control the operation of the operating field device;
• an operating system in communication with the control device, the operating system receiving and sending data signals to the control device to configure the control device, the operating system including:
• a user interface portion that interfaces with a user using a user interface;
• a controller portion, the controller portion accepting user input from the user interface portion to identify a selected block displayed on the user interface;
• and
• a memory portion, the controller portion matching the selected block with a matching drawing file in the memory portion;
• wherein the controller portion:
• scans the matching drawing file for text function items, having a name portion and a special character item;
• associates each special character item with a predetermined graphics item and a data signal from the control device;
• strips the special character item from each text function item;
• and
• generates a display based on the modified matching drawing file on the user interface, wherein the controller portion displays the predetermined graphics item, name portion, and data signal associated with each text function item to represent the internal functions of the block.

An operating system for displaying the details of a block, comprising:

• a user interface portion that interfaces with a user using a user interface;
• a controller portion, the controller portion accepting user input from the user interface portion to identify a selected block displayed on the user interface;
• and
• a memory portion, the controller portion matching the selected block with a matching drawing file in the memory portion;
• wherein the controller portion:
• scans the matching drawing file for text function items, having a name portion and a special character item;
• associates each special character item with a predetermined graphics item;
• strips the special character item from each text function item to generate a modified matching drawing file;
• and
• generates a display based on the modified matching drawing file on the user interface, wherein the controller portion displays the predetermined graphics item and name portion to represent the internal functions of the block.

An operating system for displaying the details of a block, comprising:

• means for identifying a selected block having a block identifier;
• means for searching a data file having a plurality of drawing files, using the block identifier, to identify a matching drawing file that is associated with the block identifier;
• means for scanning the matching drawing file to identify special character items in the matching drawing file;
• means for associating each special character item that is identified in the scanning with a graphics item;
• means for stripping each special character item that is identified in the scanning from the matching drawing file to generate a modified matching drawing file;
• and
• means for generating a display based on the modified matching drawing file and each identified graphics item representing the internal functions of the block.

A control system for controlling an operating field device, comprising:

• means for identifying a selected block having a block identifier;
• means for searching a data file having a plurality of drawing files, using the block identifier, to identify a matching drawing file that is associated with the block identifier;
• means for scanning the matching drawing file to identify text function items, having a name portion and a special character item, in the matching drawing file;
• means for associating each special character item that is identified in the scanning with a graphics item;
• means for associating each special character item that is identified in the scanning with a data signal;
• means for associating each graphics item associated with a special character item with the data signal associated with the same special character item;
• means for stripping the special character from each text function item, that is identified in the scanning, from the matching drawing file to generate a modified matching drawing file;
• and
• means for generating a display based on the modified matching drawing file and each text function item that includes the name portion and the respective data signal associated with each identified graphics item to represent the internal functions of the block.