MULTIPLE BOOLEAN INPUTS AND OUTPUTS FOR DEVICE FUNCTION BLOCKS

摘要

The present invention provides techniques for splitting bundled inputs and outputs into separated Boolean inputs and outputs for function blocks of automation devices. More specifically, previously-defined bundled inputs and outputs may be used, whereas separated Boolean inputs and outputs may be used as well. In other words, the newly added Boolean inputs and outputs do not replace, but rather compliment, the previously defined bundled inputs and outputs.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a distributed automation control device comprising:
a memory circuit storing a multi-Boolean function block configured to receive a plurality of inputs, to perform multiple Boolean logical operations based on the inputs, and to output any one of a plurality of logical outputs based upon the Boolean logical operations, wherein the plurality of inputs are accessible from the multi-Boolean function block as both a single bundle of the plurality of inputs and as the plurality of individual inputs, and the plurality of logical outputs are accessible from the multi-Boolean function block as both a single bundle of the plurality of logical outputs and as the plurality of individual logical outputs;a processor configured to execute the multiple Boolean logical operations; andan interface configured to output any of the plurality of logical outputs based upon the operations executed by the processor; and an automation controller coupled to the distributed automation control device via a network; wherein the distributed automation control device is configured to communicate with the automation controller via the network, but receives the plurality of inputs and outputs any one of the plurality of logical outputs without command from the automation controller.