Distributed database configuration with graphical representations having prelinked parameters for devices within a networked control system

US5706455A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Square D Company · US

Inventors

• Allen D. Benton · Dublin, US
• Leon J. Hochstedler · Worthington, US
• Kevin Allen Hughes · Cedar Park, US
• Paul H. Knapke · Columbus, US
• Michael J. Monteiro · Westerville, US
• Christopher J. Protopapas · Columbus, US
• Fred Van Eijk · Dublin, US
• Frank J. Donnelly · Dublin, US
• A. Donald Hale, Jr. · Hilliard, US
• Keith E. Sarbaugh · Hilliard, US
• Winthrop G. Worcester · Powell, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 1995
• Grant date: Jan 6, 1998
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/25075
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A networked control system includes graphical representations of actual devices coupled to a network. The graphical representations include symbols that provide an actual picture of the devices and means for displaying values and status of the devices. A controller uses a system database to create an application database that is used for controlling and monitoring the devices. The system database and application database combine to form a real-time distributed database for controlling devices on the network. The system database includes templates for the physical devices with a control structure that has prelinked parameters that relate to the representation. A graphic editor allows a user to create the database from templates in the system database. Data and other device parameters are automatically linked to a device symbol when creating the graphical representations. A process controller couples the devices to the network and provides the data and status of the networked device to the system. The system includes a mechanism that automatically organizes communications to the devices into optimized transactions.