System for dynamic connection of distributed advanced process control components with control level applications
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsFrancisco P. Maturana, Pavel Tichy
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for a “path affinity” engine that may work in the background to discover route information needed to connect industrial control components to control level data using “tag names.” Connections may be established dynamically through the path affinity engine, thereby simplifying the commissioning process and allowing connections to be made on an as needed basis. Accordingly, discovery of tag locations at runtime may be permitted, and implementing hardware changes in industrial control environments may be greatly simplified.
Claims19
A path affinity apparatus for facilitating connected messaging between distributed control components comprising:
- an electronic computer executing a program stored in non-transient memory to
- (a) communicate on a network connecting industrial control components storing control level data associated with tag names to provide a directory of tag names linked to route data of industrial control components holding the control level data associated with the tag name;
- (b) receive a request from a first industrial control component providing a tag name for control level data, wherein upon receiving the request, the program executes to:
- (i) identify whether pre-existing connection is associated with the tag name;
- and
- (ii) upon identifying a pre-existing connection associated with the tag name, delete the tag name from the pre-existing connection;
- (c) open a connection between the path affinity apparatus and a second industrial, control component using route data linked to the tag name from the directory and provide the first industrial control component with a pointer to the connection;
- and
- (d) receive the pointer from the first industrial control component to exchange control level data between the first industrial control component and the second industrial control component associated with the tag name using the connection.
An advanced process control component for operating on data held in distributed control components comprising:
- an electronic computer executing a program stored in non-transient memory to:
- (a) transmit a tag name to a path affinity apparatus communicating on a network connecting industrial control components storing control level data associated with tag names, the path affinity apparatus holding a directory of tag names linked to route data of industrial control components holding the control level data associated with the to name;
- (b) receiving a pointer from the path affinity apparatus indicating establishment of a connection with an industrial control component for obtaining control level data associated with the tag name, wherein upon receiving the pointer, the program executes to;
- (i) identify whether a pre-existing connection is associated with the tag name;
- and
- (ii) upon identifying a pre-existing connection associated with the tag name, delete the tag name from the pre-existing connection;
- and
- (c) providing the pointer to the path affinity apparatus to exchange control level data with the industrial control component associated with the tag name using the connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.