Use of remote soft phases in a process control system
AssigneeFisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
InventorsGodfrey R. Sherriff, William G. Irwin, David L. Deitz, Grant Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process control system includes an executive routine located at a first node of a process control system, one or more soft phases located at other nodes remote from the first node and communication software located in the each of the nodes to enable the executive routine to call and execute the soft phases that are at nodes remote from the first node. This operation may reduce loading or communication traffic on the batch executive node and enables the operator to interact with a soft phase at a workstation or node that is convenient to the operation of the soft phase, which makes the operator's task easier and results in faster execution of the soft phase.
Claims25
A process control system for use in controlling a process having an executive routine stored in and executed at a first node within the process control system and having a second node, comprising:
- a soft phase server located in the first node and adapted to communicate with the executive routine;
- a soft phase stored in a second node remote from the first node, wherein the second node is communicatively coupled to the first node via a communication link;
- and
- a soft phase broker located at the second node and adapted to communicate with the soft phase server to cause execution of the soft phase at the second node.
A process control system comprising:
- a first computing device located at a first node within the process control system;
- a second computing device located at a second node within the process control system;
- a communication link between the first and second nodes providing communications between the first and second nodes;
- an executive routine stored on and adapted to be executed by the first computing device;
- a soft phase stored on an and adapted to be executed by the second computing device;
- and
- remote communication software stored on and adapted to be executed by the first and second computing devices to enable the executive routine to call the soft phase for execution via the communication link.
A method of performing a control routine within a process, comprising the steps of:
- storing an executive routine within a first computing device;
- storing a soft phase in a second computing device remotely located from the first computing device but connected to the first computing device via a communication link;
- using the executive routine to call a series of phases to be performed in the process, wherein at least one of the phases is the soft phase;
- and
- using a server in the first communication device to communicate with the executive routine in the first computing device and to communicate with the second computing device via the communication link to cause execution of the soft phase within the second computing device when the executive routine calls the soft phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.