Summary
The invention is concerned with the configuration, monitoring and control of complex process plants, and with allowing a process plant operator to create or configure process plant displays and interfaces in order to monitor and control the plant. The operator conducts a search (e.g. a keyword search) of interface modules, and so identifies and then selects those which he wishes to incorporate into the existing process plant interfaces or displays. Once the desired interface modules are incorporated, the relevant pieces of the process plant equipment are controlled or configured accordingly.
The hearing officer followed the steps set out in Aerotel in order to determine whether the invention was excluded from patentability. He concluded that the alleged contribution made by the invention lay in providing an improved way of creating a process plant operator interface, and did not extend to providing an improved process plant control system. He found that this contribution fell solely within excluded matter, as it was no more than a program for a computer.