US 5,971,581 A · Fieldbus network configuration utility with improved scheduling and looping

Abstract

A system and method for creating a fieldbus configuration on a computer system. The user assembles a graphical program or wiring diagram on the screen which comprises a selected plurality of function block icons which are linked with one or more wires connecting the function block icons. As the user assembles the fieldbus configuration wiring diagram, the system automatically creates and displays a schedule which visually presents the schedule being created. The schedule comprises one or more schedule bars for graphically or visually indicating the order of execution of the function blocks. The user can change the order of execution indicated by the schedule by graphically manipulating the schedule bars in the schedule. The user can also place one or more loop structures in the editor window which encapsulate a group of function block icons. The loop structure is used to specify a rate for the function block icons comprised within the loop structure.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A method for creating a fieldbus configuration on a computer system, the computer system including a display screen, wherein the fieldbus configuration is for a fieldbus network, wherein the fieldbus network includes a plurality of devices connected to a fieldbus bus, wherein one or more of the fieldbus devices includes one or more function blocks, the method comprising:

assembling a fieldbus configuration on the display screen of the computer, wherein said assembling said fieldbus configuration comprises:
displaying on the screen one or more function block icons in response to user input, wherein each of said one or more function block icons represents one or more of said function blocks;
linking said one or more function block icons;
creating a schedule in response to said assembling said fieldbus configuration, wherein said schedule indicates an order of execution of said one or more function blocks;
displaying said schedule on the screen in response to said creating said schedule, wherein said schedule graphically displays said order of execution of said one or more function blocks comprised in said fieldbus configuration.

2 more elements

displaying on the screen one or more function block icons in response to user input, wherein each of said one or more function block icons represents one or more of said function blocks;
assembling a fieldbus configuration including said one or more function block icons;
creating a schedule in response to said assembling said fieldbus configuration, wherein said schedule indicates an order of execution of said one or more function blocks;
displaying said schedule on the screen, wherein said schedule graphically displays said order of execution of said one or more function blocks comprised in said fieldbus configuration.

1 more element

displaying on a window of the screen one or more function block icons in response to user input, wherein each of said one or more function block icons represents one or more of said function blocks, wherein each of said one or more function block icons includes one or more inputs and/or one or more outputs;
displaying on the window of the screen a loop structure, wherein a first one or more of said function block icons are comprised within said loop structure, wherein said loop structure specifies a first rate for said fieldbus configuration;
linking said one or more function block icons to create a fieldbus configuration.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fieldbus network configuration utility with improved scheduling and looping

Life of this patent

Fieldbus network configuration utility with improved scheduling and looping

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40