System and methods for object-oriented control of diverse electromechanical systems using a computer network

US6832120B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Tridium Inc. · US

Inventors

• Gerald L. Frank · Rua Maria Anália, US
• Danny J. Wahlquist, Jr. · Richmond, US
• Brian Frank · West Hollywood, US
• John Sublett · Richmond, US
• Daniel Giorgis · Glen Allen, US
• William G. Rockwell, Jr. · Richmond, US
• Ottie E. Allgood · Mechanicsville, US
• Robert Adams · Midlothian, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 14, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 14, 2004
• Expiry date: May 14, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/37085
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A control system methodology that uses object-oriented software to integrate multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented techniques are used to construct distributed applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and monitoring systems of varying size and configuration. Information is brought into a common object model and made available throughout the system. A custom programming language is included for object creation. Access to objects is controlled through a multi-level security protocol. Data flow is governed by a real-time information synchronization manager. Classes are used to implement the system in a platform independent way according to a “core class hierarchy” in which objects are organized to inherit behavior and perform predictably. A control engine allows the user to control the order of execution of objects. A script is provided for generating custom objects.