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

• US 20060212146A1
• Filed: 02/14/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Thibault, Richard L., Johnson, Alexander, Christiansen, T. Eric, Badavas, Paul C., Kinney, Thomas B., Keyghobad, Seyamak, Hansen, Peter D., Ling, Bo
• Application Number:
  US11/354,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212146A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/89
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4184 characterised by fault tolerance, reliability of production system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23298 Remote load of program, through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25014 Fieldbus general name of bus connected to machines, detectors, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25092 Customized control features, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31161 Java programcode or simular active agents, programs, applets
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31457 Factory remote control, monitoring through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34259 Common language run time CLR, MS-NET, DOTNET, java run time environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0686 Additional information in the notification, e.g. enhancement of specific meta-data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0866 Checking the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A field device for a control system, the improvement wherein

the field device provides a virtual machine environment and executes byte code therein,

the byte code configuring the field device to execute a control algorithm.

2. The field device of claim 1, the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to execute a control function block.

3. The field device of claim 1, the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device as a controller.

4. The field device of claim 3, the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to perform proportional integral derivative control.

5. A field device for a control system, the improvement comprising

a virtual machine environment within the field device,

byte code executing within the field device that configures it to perform signal conditioning.

6-7. -7. (canceled)

8. A field device for process control, the improvement wherein the field device comprises a web server.

9. The field device of claim 8, the further improvement wherein the web server is embedded.

10. The field device of claim 8, the further improvement wherein the web server serves web pages that facilitate any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of at least the field device.

11. The field device of claim 10, the further improvement comprising a configuration editor in communication with the web server, the configuration editor controlling at least the field devices'"'"' configuration.

12. The field device of claim 11, the further improvement wherein the configuration editor is selectively disabled or enabled, depending upon the type of network to which the field device is coupled.

13. A field device for a control system, the improvement wherein the field device provides a web server and a virtual machine environment.

14. The field device of claim 13, the further improvement wherein the virtual machine environment executes byte code that configures the field device to any of (i) execute a control algorithm and (ii) perform signal conditioning.

15. The field device of claim 14, the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device as a controller.

16. The field device of claim 15, the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to perform proportional integral derivative control.

17. The field device of claim 14, the further improvement wherein the web server is embedded.

18. The field device of claim 14, the further improvement wherein the web server facilitates any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of at least the field device.

19. The field device of claim 18, the further improvement comprising a configuration editor that is in communication with the web server, the configuration editor controlling at least the field devices'"'"' configuration.

20. The field device of claim 19, the further improvement wherein the configuration editor is selectively disabled or enabled, depending upon the type of network to which the field device is coupled.

21-228. -228. (canceled)