# US 8,788,067 B2 · Systems and methods for modeling interdependencies in batch processes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,067 B2 - Document ID: US8788067B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/827,982 - Filed: 2010-06-30 - Published: 2011-12-08 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-08 - Assignees: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Gretchen L. Krehbiel; Paul R. D'Mura; Andrew J. Keizer; Gigi Dewey; Robert C. Kline; William E. Godsil; Clark L. Case - Inventors: Gretchen L. Krehbiel; Paul R. D'Mura; Andrew J. Keizer; Gigi Dewey; Robert C. Kline; William E. Godsil; Clark L. Case - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788067B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/41865: {characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow} - G05B 19/418: Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract According to various embodiments, an interdependency modeling method for controlling a batch process with an industrial automation system includes evaluating an input parameter expression residing in a level of a supervisory system of the industrial automation system to determine a value, transferring the value of the input parameter expression to a level of an equipment control system of the industrial automation system, transferring data from the level of the equipment control system to the level of the supervisory system, and evaluating an output parameter expression residing in the level of the supervisory system based on the data from the level of the equipment control system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interdependency modeling method for controlling a batch process with an industrial automation system, comprising: evaluating during runtime an input parameter expression residing in a level of a supervisory system of the industrial automation system to determine a value of the input parameter expression, wherein the input parameter expression is based at least in part on a subscription to a data reference residing at or above the level of the supervisory system where the input parameter expression resides, and wherein the input parameter expression updates continuously; transferring the value of the input parameter expression to a level of an equipment control system of the industrial automation system; transferring data from the level of the equipment control system to the level of the supervisory system; evaluating an output parameter expression residing in the level of the supervisory system based on the data from the level of the equipment control system, wherein the output parameter expression updates based on a trigger; and presenting a value of the output parameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the input parameter expression and output parameter expression each comprise an arithmetic expression that includes terms that are references to process data associated with the batch process, references to variables associated with materials used by the batch process, references to variables of the supervisory system, references to variables of the equipment control system, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the variables of the equipment control system refer to characteristics, attributes, or statuses of equipment used in the batch process during operation of the equipment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the variables associated with materials used by the batch process refer to characteristics, attributes, or statuses of material used in the batch process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising updating an input parameter expression or output parameter expression upon a change in a value of the terms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the input parameter expression or output parameter expression comprises running a sequence of the supervisory system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the sequence comprises a hierarchical plurality of sequences or procedures. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, comprising driving or coordinating the hierarchical plurality of sequences or procedures with a sequence engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the level of the supervisory system includes recipe procedures, recipe unit procedures, recipe operations, or recipe phases and the level of the equipment control system includes equipment procedures, equipment unit procedures, equipment operations, equipment phases, equipment modules, or control modules. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising using the value of the input parameter expression with the equipment control system to perform tasks associated with the batch process. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising using a value of the output parameter expression to record process, equipment, or material values for tasks performed by the equipment control system. ### Claim 12 An automation system for a batch process, comprising: a personal computer, comprising a batch management system comprising a hierarchical sequence of one or more steps, wherein the sequence comprises an input parameter expression and an output parameter expression, wherein the input parameter expression is based at least in part on a subscription to a data reference residing at or above the step of the batch management system where the input parameter expression resides, wherein the input parameter expression is configured to update continuously, and wherein the output parameter expression is configured to update based on a trigger; a programmable logic controller, comprising an equipment control system comprising a hierarchy of one or more levels; and a data transfer link between the one or more steps of the batch management system and the one or more levels of the equipment control system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the input parameter expression and output parameter expression each comprise an arithmetic expression that includes terms that are references to process data associated with the batch process, references to variables associated with materials used by the batch process, references to variables of the batch management system, references to variables of the equipment control system, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more steps of the batch management system includes recipe procedures, recipe unit procedures, recipe operations, or recipe phases and the one or more levels of the equipment control system includes equipment procedures, equipment unit procedures, equipment operations, equipment phases, equipment modules, or control modules. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the input parameter expression or output parameter expression is evaluated by running the sequence. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the equipment control system uses the data transfer link to receive a value of the input parameter expression from the batch management system or transfer data to the batch management system. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising: computer code disposed on the computer readable storage medium, wherein the code comprises instructions for automating a batch process, the instructions comprising: instructions for performing a hierarchical sequence of one or more steps, wherein the sequence comprises an input parameter expression and an output parameter expression, wherein the input parameter expression is based at least in part on a subscription to a data reference residing at or above the step of the hierarchical sequence where the input parameter expression resides, wherein the input parameter expression is configured to update continuously, and wherein the output parameter expression is configured to update based on a trigger; instructions for performing one or more levels of an equipment control system; and instructions for transferring data between the one or more steps of the hierarchical sequence and the one or more levels of the equipment control system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the input parameter expression and output parameter expression each comprise an arithmetic expression that includes terms that are references to process data associated with the batch process, references to variables associated with materials used by the batch process, references to variables of the equipment control system, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The computer readable medium of claim 17, comprising instructions for the one or more levels of the equipment control system to perform tasks associated with the batch process using a value of the input parameter expression.