Process control system using standard protocol control-of standard devices and non-standard devices

A process system comprising:

• a plurality of field devices including standard-type devices and non-standard-type devices;
• and
• a process controller coupled to the plurality of field devices to implement a standard set of function blocks and control functions in an overall control strategy so that field devices including standard-type devices and non-standard-type devices use a function block as a fundamental building block for control structures of standard-type devices and non-standard-type devices.

A process control system for controlling a plurality of field devices of multilpe different field device types including standard-type field devices and non-standard-type field devices, the process control system comprising:

• a plurality of distributed controllers coupled to the field devices;
• and
• a software system including a plurality of control modules that are selectively defined and created at configuration, and installed on ones of the plurality of distributed controllers, the definitions of the control modules being configured so that non-standard-type devices are controlled and responsive in the manner of standard type devices, the definitions of control modules being bound at run-time.

An executable program code implementing a process control system for controlling a plurality of field devices of multiple different field device types including standard-type field devices and non-standard-type field devices, the process control system including a plurality of distributed controllers coupled to the field devices, the executable program code comprising:

• a software system including a plurality of control modules that are selectively defined and created at configuration, and installed on ones of the plurality of distributed controllers, the definitions of the control modules being configured so that non-standard-type devices are controlled and responsive in the manner of standard type devices, the definitions of control modules being bound at run-time;
• and
• a communication and control routine for communicating with the standard-type and the non-standard-type field devices and for controlling the standard-type and the non-standard-type field devices.