METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL USING CONTROL DEVICES THAT PROVIDE A VIRTUAL MACHINE ENVIRONMENT AND THAT COMMUNICATE VIA AN IP NETWORK
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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.
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Citations
256 Claims
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1-228. -228. (canceled)
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229. A field device, comprising:
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a network interface;
a sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic;
memory that stores at least web server software; and
processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the network interface, the processing circuitry executing the web server software to allow remote monitoring via the network interface of information from the sensing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238)
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239. A field device, comprising:
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a network interface;
a sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic;
a virtual machine; and
processing circuitry that executes instructions in the virtual machine, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to execute instructions in the virtual machine to allow monitoring of information from the sensing apparatus via the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (240, 241, 242)
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243. A monitoring system, comprising:
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a network;
a field device communicatively coupled to the network, the field device comprising a sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic and processing circuitry for executing web server software; and
a client device communicatively coupled to the network, wherein the client device is adapted to monitor information from the sensing apparatus via the web server software executing on the field device. - View Dependent Claims (244, 245, 246, 247)
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248. A monitoring system, comprising:
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a network;
a field device communicatively coupled to the network, the field device comprising a sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic and processing circuitry adapted to run a virtual machine; and
a client device communicatively coupled to the network, wherein the client device is adapted to any of (i) configure and (ii) monitor the field device over the network via the virtual machine of the field device. - View Dependent Claims (249)
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250. A monitoring system, comprising:
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a network;
a field device communicatively coupled to the network, the field device comprising a sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic and processing circuitry for providing, over the network, information from the sensing apparatus; and
a client device communicatively coupled to the network and having processing circuitry adapted to run a virtual machine, wherein the client device is adapted to any of (i) configure and (ii) monitor the field device over the network via the virtual machine of the client device. - View Dependent Claims (251)
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252. A method for monitoring a system, comprising:
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collecting information from a sensing apparatus in a field device, the sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic;
querying the field device with a browser via a network; and
responding to the query via a web server in the field device, the web server serving web pages to allow monitoring of the collected information over the network.
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253. A method for monitoring a system, comprising:
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collecting information from a sensing apparatus in a field device, the sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic;
operating a virtual machine on processing circuitry in the field device;
communicating with the field device over a network through the virtual machine, the communication including monitoring of the information collected by the sensing apparatus in the field device. - View Dependent Claims (254)
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255. A method for monitoring a system, comprising:
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collecting information from a sensing apparatus in a field device, the sensing apparatus adapted to measure a characteristic;
operating a virtual machine on processing circuitry in a client device; and
communicating with the field device over a network through the virtual machine that executes on the client device, the communication including monitoring of the information collected by the sensing apparatus in the field device. - View Dependent Claims (256)
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Specification