Mark Francisco Nixon

US Patent:

6510351, Jan 21, 2003

Filed:

Mar 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/270291

Inventors:

Terrence L. Blevins - Round Rock TX
Dennis L. Stevenson - Round Rock TX
Mark J. Nixon - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

700 18, 700 87, 712234

Abstract:

A modifier function block adapted for use in process control routine includes a series of processor implementable instructions that conditionally enhance or modify the functionality of a base function block associated with the process control routine. The base function block includes a resettable branching point located within a set instructions used to perform a process control related operation. The branching point of the base function block has a pointer which, when set to a first value, causes another of the set of instructions within the base function block to be executed (to thereby bypass the execution of the modifier function block), and which, when set to a second value, causes the series of instructions within the modifier function block to be executed (to thereby alter the functionality of the base function block). In this manner, the modifier function block may be conditionally called, depending on the state of the base function block, to change the operation of the base function block or to, alternatively, leave the functionality of the base function block unaltered.

US Patent:

6615090, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Feb 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/499446

Inventors:

Terrence L. Blevins - Round Rock TX
Mark J. Nixon - Round Rock TX
Wilhelm K. Wojsznis - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemont Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05G 1101

US Classification:

700 26, 700 19, 700 20, 700 23, 700 27, 700 49, 700 53, 714 37, 714 46, 714 47, 702183, 702184, 702185

Abstract:

A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter for a multi-variable function block associated with one or more devices or loops within a process control system, processes the collected data to determine which devices, loops or function blocks have problems that result in reduced performance of the process control system, displays a list of detected problems to an operator and then suggests the use of other, more specific diagnostic tools to further pinpoint or correct the problems. When the diagnostic tool recommends and executes a data intensive application as the further diagnostic tool, it automatically configures a controller of the process control network to collect the data needed for such a tool.

US Patent:

6618630, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Jul 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/342573

Inventors:

Larry O. Jundt - Round Rock TX
Mark J. Nixon - Round Rock TX
Jon D. Westbrock - Eagen MN

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

700 17, 700 19, 709220

Abstract:

A user interface is adapted to be used in a process control network having a controller communicatively coupled to a plurality of field devices, a process control configuration database and a workstation having a display, a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the controller. The user interface includes a process control configuration system that enables a user to manipulate and view a process control solution for use in the process control network, a field device management system that enables a user to communicate with one of the field devices and an interface that passes data between the process control configuration system and the field device management system to enable simultaneous use of the process control configuration system and the field device management system.

US Patent:

6633782, Oct 14, 2003

Filed:

Feb 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/499445

Inventors:

Trevor D. Schleiss - Austin TX
Mark Nixon - Round Rock TX
Terrence Lynn Blevins - Round Rock TX
Todd B. Brase - Austin TX
Suresh Ganesamoorthi - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

700 26, 700 18, 700 23, 700 28, 700 52, 700 53, 700 86, 714 37, 714 38, 714 46, 714 47, 702183, 702184, 702185

Abstract:

A diagnostic system for use in a process control system collects and stores in a database information pertaining to the operation of the process control system, and that uses an expert engine to apply rules for analysis to the information in the database to determine solutions to problems. The database stores various types of information such as event and alarm data, notices of scheduled maintenance and changes to operating parameters, and historical data related to previous changes to the process control system that are relevant to determining both the source of the problems detected in the process control system and the steps necessary to either further analyze or correct the detected problems. The diagnostic system identifies the source of the problem and identifies and runs the appropriate analytical tools or takes remedial measures based on the rules for analysis for the expert engine.

US Patent:

6687698, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560199

Inventors:

Mark Nixon - Round Rock TX
Teresa Chatkoff - Austin TX
Stephen Gilbert - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fisher Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707 10, 707 2, 707202, 711141, 711163, 709201

Abstract:

A configuration database includes multiple databases distributed at a plurality of physical locations within a process control system. Each of the databases may be accessed by users at any of the sites within the process control system. A database server having a shared cache accesses a database in a manner that enables multiple subscribers to read configuration data from the database with only a minimal number of reads to the database. To prevent the configuration data being viewed by subscribers within the process control system from becoming stale, the database server automatically detects changes to an item within the configuration database and sends notifications of changes made to the item the each of the subscribers of that item so that a user always views the state of the configuration as it actually exists within the configuration database.

US Patent:

6704737, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560361

Inventors:

Mark Nixon - Round Rock TX
Teresa Chatkoff - Austin TX
Stephen Gilbert - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707101, 707 3, 707 10, 707100, 707102, 707202

Abstract:

A configuration database includes multiple databases distributed at a plurality of physical locations within a process control system. The configuration database may include a master configuration database that stores all of the configuration data for all of the sites and one or more briefcase databases that download and reserve configuration data from the master database. The briefcase database is used at other sites to perform configuration activities and, thereafter, changed configuration items are promoted back to the master configuration database where these changed items are stored.

US Patent:

6721609, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jun 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/593327

Inventors:

Wilhelm K. Wojsznis - Round Rock TX
Terrence L. Blevins - Round Rock TX
Richard C. Seeman - Georgetown TX
Mark J. Nixon - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1302

US Classification:

700 28, 700 33, 700 44, 700 55, 700 53, 700 54

Abstract:

A model predictive controller having a set of inputs adapted to receive process output signals and further having a set of outputs adapted to supply process input signals to process control devices is configured to perform integrated optimal model predictive control. The controller provides integrated optimal control using a feedback path that couples a selected output to an input having a setpoint that is equal to the constraint limit of the selected output. The controller maintains the selected output at its constraint limit until one of the outputs, other than the selected output, is going to reach or exceed the associated constraint limit for that output. When the output is going to reach or exceed the associated constraint limit for that output, the controller relaxes the setpoint until the output is no longer going to reach or exceed the associated constraint limit for that output.

US Patent:

6806847, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/951715

Inventors:

Mark J. Nixon - Round Rock TX
Vasiliki Tzovla - Evia, GR
Andrew P. Dove - Austin TX
Kent A. Burr - Round Rock TX
Neil J. Peterson - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345 21, 345 7, 709217

Abstract:

A portable computer for use in interfacing to a process control system having a host system includes a housing adapted for hand-held operation, a processing unit disposed within the housing and a computer readable memory disposed within the housing and coupled to the processing unit. The portable computer also includes a display, a keypad and a radio frequency transceiver adapted to communicate with the host system, all of which are disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the processing unit. A first software routine stored in the computer readable memory processes a user input received from the keypad and sends a command to the host system via the radio frequency transceiver. Additionally, a second software routine stored in the computer readable memory receives process information sent from the host system in response to the command and displays the received process information via the portable computer display.