Control system monitor
First Claim
1. In a process control system (PCS), having a control network and a plurality of nodes coupled to the control network, the PCS controlling a process, a monitoring system operatively connected to said PCS for obtaining predetermined data of the PCS to monitor the performance of the PCS, the monitoring system comprising:
- a) a first computer system operatively connected to the control network located in physical proximity to the PCS, for obtaining the predetermined data of the PCS on a periodic basis in accordance with a predetermined protocol of the control network, the first computer system arranged to assess the predetermined data obtained from the PCS and to generate an alarm when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated;
b) a second computer system, located remotely from the PCS, for receiving the predetermined data, the predetermined data of the PCS being transferred from the first computer system to the second computer system, the transfer being initiated by the first computer system when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated by the predetermined data; and
c) a communication line, operatively connected to the first and second computer systems, for providing a communication link between said first and second computer systems.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process control system (PCS) includes a control network and a plurality of nodes coupled thereto, the PCS controlling a process. A monitoring system, operatively connected to the PCS, obtains predetermined data of the PCS to monitor the performance of the PCS. The monitoring system comprises a first computer system operatively connected to the control network of the PCS. The first computer system continually accesses the predetermined data of the PCS on a predetermined periodic basis in accordance with a predetermined protocol of the control network. The first computer system is located in physical proximity with the PCS. A second computer system is located remotely from the PCS. The second computer system receives the predetermined data of the PCS transferred from the first computer system, the transfer being initiated by the first computer system when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated by the predetermined data. A communication line is connected between the first and second computer systems for providing a communication link therebetween.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a process control system (PCS), having a control network and a plurality of nodes coupled to the control network, the PCS controlling a process, a monitoring system operatively connected to said PCS for obtaining predetermined data of the PCS to monitor the performance of the PCS, the monitoring system comprising:
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a) a first computer system operatively connected to the control network located in physical proximity to the PCS, for obtaining the predetermined data of the PCS on a periodic basis in accordance with a predetermined protocol of the control network, the first computer system arranged to assess the predetermined data obtained from the PCS and to generate an alarm when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated; b) a second computer system, located remotely from the PCS, for receiving the predetermined data, the predetermined data of the PCS being transferred from the first computer system to the second computer system, the transfer being initiated by the first computer system when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated by the predetermined data; and c) a communication line, operatively connected to the first and second computer systems, for providing a communication link between said first and second computer systems. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a process control system (PCS), having a control network and a plurality of nodes coupled to the control network, the PCS controlling a process, a monitoring system including a first computer system operatively connected to the PCS, a second computer system remotely located to said first computer system, and a communication line operatively connecting the first computer system to the second computer system, a method for monitoring the performance of the PCS, including the steps of:
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a) obtaining performance data from the PCS on a periodic basis in accordance with a predetermined protocol of the control network; b) assessing the performance data obtained from the PCS; c) generating an alarm message when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated; d) establishing communication link to the second computer system via the communications line when an alarm condition of the PCS is indicated; and e) transferring the performance data from the PCS and the alarm message to the second computer system over the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. In a process control system (PCS), having a control network and a plurality of nodes coupled to the control network, the PCS controlling a process, a monitoring system including a first computer system operatively connected to the PCS, a second computer system remotely located to the first computer system and a communication line operatively connecting the first computer system to the second computer system, a method for monitoring the performance of the PCS, including the steps of:
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a) obtaining performance data from the PCS on a periodic basis in accordance with a predetermined protocol of the control network; b) assessing the performance data obtained from the PCS; c) establishing a communication link to the second computer system via the communications line when a predetermined condition of the PCS is indicated; and
,d) transferring the performance data from the PCS to the second computer system over the communication link.
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Specification