Multiple database display controller for displaying messages having different message formats

A method of displaying messages provided by first and second controllers of a process control system, the method comprising the following steps:

• a) receiving first and second input events in accordance with a first protocol;
• b) receiving a third input event in accordance with a second protocol, wherein the first and second protocols are different;
• c) storing the first and second input events in a first database as corresponding first and second display messages;
• d) addressing a third display message in a second database in accordance with the third input event, the third display message being substantially in accordance with the second protocol;
• e) if input events in accordance with the first protocol have a higher priority than input events in accordance with the second protocol, displaying one of the first and second display messages before the third display message;
• and,
• f) if input events in accordance with the second protocol have a higher priority than input events in accordance with the first protocol, displaying the third display message before the first and second display messages.

A binding line system comprising:

• a display device;
• a line controller arranged to control a binding line, wherein the line controller is arranged to provide a line controller event message;
• an auxiliary controller interfaced with the line controller, wherein the auxiliary controller is arranged to provide an auxiliary controller event message;
• a first database receiving line controller event messages having a first event message format;
• a second database receiving auxiliary controller event messages having a second event message format, wherein the first and second formats are different;
• and,
• a display controller coupled to the display device, the line controller, and the auxiliary controller, wherein the display controller is arranged to retrieve from the first database a line controller display message corresponding to the line controller event message in order to direct the line controller display message to the display device, wherein the display controller is arranged to retrieve from the second database an auxiliary controller display message corresponding to the auxiliary controller event message in order to direct the auxiliary controller display message to the display device, and wherein the line controller display message and the auxiliary controller display message have a common database format.

A display controller system comprising:

• displaying means for displaying display messages;
• a first database specific to a first protocol;
• a second database specific to a second protocol, wherein the first and second protocols are different;
• and,
• display controlling means responsive to a first event transmitted in accordance with the first protocol and to a second event transmitted in accordance with the second protocol for converting the first and second events to corresponding display messages having a common database format and for controlling the displaying means in order to display the display messages.