Adapter for providing digital communication between a field device and a computer
First Claim
1. An adapter for interfacing communications between a computer and a field device, the adapter comprising:
- terminals adapted for connection to the field device;
a communication mating device adapted for connection to a communication port on the computer;
a memory module for storing application software with respect to a plurality of communication protocols, wherein application software specific to a communication protocol employed by the field device is uploaded onto the computer via the communication mating device, the application software allowing the computer to send and receive data based on the communication protocol employed by the field device; and
a port circuit connected to the field device by the terminals and to the computer by the communication mating device, wherein the port circuit interfaces bi-directional communication between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adapter provides the components necessary to operate a computer or similar device as a communicator for smart field devices. The adapter includes terminals adapted for connection to the field device and a communication cable adapted for connection to the computer. Memory located within the adapter stores application software associated with the communication protocol employed by the field device. The application software stored by the memory is loaded onto the computer via the communication cable, allowing a user to receive and send data to the field device based on the communication protocol employed by the field device. The adapter includes a port circuit that interfaces bi-directionally communication between the computer and the field device using the communication protocol.
76 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An adapter for interfacing communications between a computer and a field device, the adapter comprising:
-
terminals adapted for connection to the field device; a communication mating device adapted for connection to a communication port on the computer; a memory module for storing application software with respect to a plurality of communication protocols, wherein application software specific to a communication protocol employed by the field device is uploaded onto the computer via the communication mating device, the application software allowing the computer to send and receive data based on the communication protocol employed by the field device; and a port circuit connected to the field device by the terminals and to the computer by the communication mating device, wherein the port circuit interfaces bi-directional communication between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of providing bi-directional communication between a computer and field device using an adapter, the method comprising:
-
connecting the adapter to the computer using a communication mating device; connecting the adapter to the field device using a pair of terminals; detecting a communication protocol being employed by the field device; transferring application software from memory located within the adapter to the computer, wherein the application software uploaded to the computer is associated with the detected communication protocol employed by the field device and allows the computer to send and receive data based on the communication protocol employed by the field device; and communicating data bi-directionally between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An adapter that interfaces communication between a computer and a field device, the adapter including:
-
means for connecting the adapter to the computer; means for connecting the adapter to the field device; memory means for storing application software associated with a plurality of field device communication protocols, wherein the application software associated with a communication protocol employed by the field device is loaded onto the computer using the means for connecting the adapter to the computer; and means for communicating data bi-directionally between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
-
Specification