Simplifying integration of field devices accessible by different network protocols into a field device management system
First Claim
1. A method of facilitating integration of management of a plurality of field devices into a field device management system, wherein said plurality of field devices are accessible by a new network protocol, said plurality of field devices being comprised in a process control plant, said method comprising:
- providing a common interface containing a first plurality of procedures and a second plurality of procedures, wherein said first plurality of procedures are invoked by an upper layer to initiate a plurality of management actions on a device of interest independent of a protocol by which said device is accessible, wherein each of said second plurality of procedures is implemented by said upper layer, wherein integration of management of said plurality of field devices can be attained by adding a device manager which implements said first plurality of procedures according to said new network protocol, and communicates with said upper layer using said second plurality of procedures, whereby said integration is simplified due to said common interface.
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Abstract
A common interface is provided using which an application layer interfaces with a device corresponding to each type of control network protocol. Substantial portion of challenge in integrating management of field devices accessible by a new control network protocol entails development of protocol specific portions which are responsive to procedures according to the common interface. Due to the separation of the control network protocol specific portions and upper layers using the common interface, the integration is simplified.
25 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of facilitating integration of management of a plurality of field devices into a field device management system, wherein said plurality of field devices are accessible by a new network protocol, said plurality of field devices being comprised in a process control plant, said method comprising:
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providing a common interface containing a first plurality of procedures and a second plurality of procedures, wherein said first plurality of procedures are invoked by an upper layer to initiate a plurality of management actions on a device of interest independent of a protocol by which said device is accessible, wherein each of said second plurality of procedures is implemented by said upper layer, wherein integration of management of said plurality of field devices can be attained by adding a device manager which implements said first plurality of procedures according to said new network protocol, and communicates with said upper layer using said second plurality of procedures, whereby said integration is simplified due to said common interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions facilitating integration of management of a plurality of field devices into a field device management system, wherein said plurality of field devices are accessible by a new network protocol, said plurality of field devices being comprised in a process control plant, wherein execution of said one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors contained in said field device management station causes said one or more processors to perform the actions of:
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providing a common interface containing a first plurality of procedures and a second plurality of procedures, wherein said first plurality of procedures are invoked by an upper layer to initiate a plurality of management actions on a device of interest independent of a protocol by which said device is accessible, wherein each of said second plurality of procedures is implemented by said upper layer, wherein integration of management of said plurality of field devices can be attained by adding a device manager which implements said first plurality of procedures according to said new network protocol, and communicates with said upper layer using said second plurality of procedures, whereby said integration is simplified due to said common interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus facilitating integration of management of a plurality of field devices into a field device management system, wherein said plurality of field devices are accessible by a new network protocol, said plurality of field devices being comprised in a process control plant, said apparatus comprising:
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means for providing a common interface containing a first plurality of procedures and a second plurality of procedures, wherein said first plurality of procedures are invoked by an upper layer to initiate a plurality of management actions on a device of interest independent of a protocol by which said device is accessible, wherein each of said second plurality of procedures is implemented by said upper layer, wherein integration of management of said plurality of field devices can be attained by adding a device manager which implements said first plurality of procedures according to said new network protocol, and communicates with said upper layer using said second plurality of procedures, whereby said integration is simplified due to said common interface.
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Specification