Invensys Systems, Inc.

The Foxboro Company

Other

Richard L Thibault

Bruce S Canna

Gerald S Couper

Peter Daniel Hansen

Thomas B Kinney

Seyamak Keyghobad

Paul C Badavas

Bo Ling

T Eric Christiansen

Alexander Park Johnson

William Baker

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an 'intelligent' transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network

A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as 'process control apparatus'), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a 'process controller' that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.

Control system apparatus and systems using value-based transfers

Methods for process control with change updates

Control system methods using value-based transfers

Control system apparatus with change updates

Control system methods that transfer control apparatus information over IP networks in web page-less transfers

Methods for remote process control with networked digital data processors and a virtual machine environment

Process control system with networked digital data processors and a virtual machine environment

Methods and apparatus for remote process control

A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as &ldquo;process control apparatus&rdquo;), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a &ldquo;process controller&rdquo; that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.

Method and apparatus for remote process control using applets

A powered Ethernet connection is provided between two devices connected by an Ethernet connection that provides data communication between the devices. Electrical power is applied to the Ethernet connection at the first device, and extracted from the Ethernet connection at the second device. The extracted power is used to power the second device.

System and method of powering and communicating field ethernet device for an instrumentation and control using a single pair of powered ethernet wire

A control system has blocks or other components that facilitate validation of their own replacements, e.g., downloaded via e-commerce transactions. The system includes first and second process control components. The first component is coupled to a third process control component, with which it transfers information, e.g., as part of an active or ongoing control process. The second component can be, for example, an update or other potential replacement for the first component. The first and/or second components can effect substitution of the second component for the first. More particularly, they can effect coupling of the second component for information transfer with the third component and decoupling of the first component from such transfer with the third component. Preferably, such coupling and decoupling occur while the process control system remains active.

Process control system and method with improved distribution, installation and validation of components

A control system incorporates components that automatically switch information sources in response to actual or potential degradation of information generated by them. Thus, a control system has first and second control components that generate first and second &ldquo;source&rdquo; signals, respectively, representing substantially identical or related process control variables. A third control component, which normally processes the first source signal, responds to actual or potential degradation of that signal for processing the second source signal in lieu of the first.

Process control system and method with automatic fault avoidance

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Wrentham, MA, United States of America

Richard L Thibault