State machine function block with user-definable actions of a transition between states

摘要

A control system within a process plant using one or more state machine function blocks integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may cause a state machine implemented by the state machine function block to identify a next state as well as one or more transition actions to perform in accordance with transitioning from a current state to the next state. Configuration data associated with the transition actions may be retrieved from a database based on the current and next states of the state machine and at least one of the inputs. The state machine function block may also include one or more outputs that are generated based on the state transition. The function block being configurable though a graphical user interface which indicates plural cells in a matrix 300, allowing identification of conditions to initiate transition, the next state and the transition action.