Interactive two-way collaboration in process control plants

• US 7,574,509 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Schleiss, Trevor D., Nixon, Mark J., Peterson, Neil J., Chatkoff, Teresa
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN GILLES, JUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/303,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20040103165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,451 Days
• Field of Search: 709/228, 709/217, 709/203, 700/282, 700/2, 700/19, 700/17, 713/166, 713/170, 713/171
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

Systems and methods of transmitting process control information to a portable communication device associate a resource link with the process control information and transmit the process control information and the resource link to the portable communication device. A session identifier is associated with the process control information and the session identifier and the resource link are transmitted to the portable communication device. A message and the resource link associated with the process control information are provided at the portable communication device. A user selects the resource link to initiate a communication link between the portable communication device and a wireless communication service. The portable communication device may receive one of video information, audio information, still image information, and software application information in response to initiation of the communication link between the wireless communication service and the portable communication device.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting process control information to a portable communication device, comprising:

associating a user-selectable resource link with the process control information;

retrieving a rule indicative of persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated, wherein a plurality of persons are authorized to access information in a system associated with the process control information, and wherein the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated is a portion of the plurality of persons authorized to access information in the system;

selectively transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link based on the rule to a portable communication device uniquely associated with one of the persons indicated by the rule; and

transmitting second process control information to the portable communication device in response to receiving input indicative of a user selection of the user-selectable resource link, wherein the second process control information is associated with the process control information and is relatively more detailed than the process control information.

2. The method of claim 1, further including associating a session identifier with the process control information and the user-selectable resource link and transmitting the session identifier to the portable communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rule comprises a list, and wherein, based on a time of day, the list indicates the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated.

4. The method of claim 2, further including storing the process control information and the session identifier in a database based on the session identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the user-selectable resource link with the process control information includes associating a uniform resource locator with the process control information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the user-selectable resource link with the process control information includes associating the user-selectable resource link with one of alert or alarm information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device includes transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via a packet-switched network and a wireless communication service.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via the packet-switched network and the wireless communication service includes transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information using a virtual private network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via the packet-switched network and the wireless communication service includes transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link via an internet and a cellular communications system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the user-selectable resource link with the process control information further includes associating one of image information, video information, audio information, or a software application with the process control information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device includes transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link within one of a pager message, a phone message, or an e-mail.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second process control information is at least one of video information, audio information, still image information, or software application information.

13. The method of claim 1, further including generating the process control information within a controller and transmitting the process control information to the portable communication device from the controller.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the process control information from the controller includes transmitting the process control information via a communication link that is dedicated for use by the controller.

15. The method of claim 1, further including using a rules engine to filter the process control information prior to transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device includes transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link via a secure communication link.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the process control information is indicative of a condition in a process control system, and wherein the transmission of the process control information and the user-selectable resource link is triggered by the condition.

51. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receiving a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

generating an audit log by storing the response message in association with a plurality of other messages associated with the same session identifier.

52. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receiving a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

prioritizing the response message for processing relative to a plurality of other response messages based on the session identifier of the response message and session identifiers associated with the other response messages.

17. A system for transmitting process control information to a portable communication device, comprising:

a communications server programmed to;

associate a user-selectable resource link with the process control information;

retrieve a rule indicative of persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated, wherein a plurality of persons are authorized to access information in a system associated with the process control information, and wherein the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated is a portion of the plurality of persons authorized to access information in the system;

selectively transmit the process control information and the user-selectable resource link based on the rule to a portable communication device uniquely associated with one of the persons indicated by the rule; and

transmit second process control information to the portable communication device in response to receiving input indicative of a user selection of the user-selectable resource link, wherein the second process control information is associated with the process control information and is relatively more detailed than the process control information.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to associate a session identifier with the process control information and the user-selectable resource link and transmit the session identifier to the portable communication device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the communications server is programmed to store the process control information and the session identifier in a database based on the session identifier.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to associate the user-selectable resource link with the process control information by associating a uniform resource locator with the process control information.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to associate the user-selectable resource link with the process control information by associating the user-selectable resource link with one of alert or alarm information.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to transmit the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device by transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information via a packet-switched network and a wireless communication service.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications server is programmed to transmit the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via the packet-switched network and the wireless communication service using a virtual private network.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications server is programmed to transmit the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via the packet-switched network and the wireless communication service by transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link via an internet and a cellular communications system.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to associate the user-selectable resource link with the process control information by associating one of image information, video information, audio information, or a software application with the process control information.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to transmit the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device by transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device within one of a pager message, a phone message, or an e-mail.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein the second process control information includes at least one of video information, audio information, still image information, or software application information.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein the rule comprises a list, and wherein, based on a time of day, the list indicates the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is programmed to use a secure communication link to transmit the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication link.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the secure communication link includes a virtual private network.

48. The system of claim 17, wherein the process control information is indicative of a condition in a process control system, and wherein the transmission of the process control information and the user-selectable resource link is triggered by the condition.

53. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is further to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

generate an audit log by storing the response message in association with a plurality of other messages associated with the same session identifier.

54. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications server is further to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

prioritize the response message for processing relative to a plurality of other response messages based on the session identifier of the response message and session identifiers associated with the other response messages.

31. A machine accessible medium having data stored thereon that, when accessed, causes a machine to:

associate a user-selectable resource link with process control information;

retrieve a rule indicative of persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated, wherein a plurality of persons are authorized to access information in a system associated with the process control information, and wherein the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated is a portion of the plurality of persons authorized to access information in the system;

selectively transmit the process control information and the user-selectable resource link based on the rule to a portable communication device uniquely associated with one of the persons indicated by the rule; and

transmit second process control information to the portable communication device in response to receiving input indicative of a user selection of the user-selectable resource link, wherein the second process control information is associated with the process control information and is relatively more detailed than the process control information.

32. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to associate a session identifier with the process control information and the user-selectable resource link and transmit the session identifier to the portable communication device.

33. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to transmit the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device by transmitting the user-selectable resource link and the process control information via a packet-switched network and a wireless communication service.

34. The machine accessible medium of claim 33, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to transmit the user-selectable resource link and the process control information to the portable communication device via the packet-switched network and the wireless communication service by transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link via an internet and a cellular communications system.

35. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to transmit the process control information and the user-selectable resource link to the portable communication device by transmitting the process control information and the user-selectable resource link within one of a pager message, a phone message, or an e-mail.

49. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the process control information is indicative of a condition in a process control system, and wherein the transmission of the process control information and the user-selectable resource link is triggered by the condition.

55. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

generate an audit log by storing the response message in association with a plurality of other messages associated with the same session identifier.

56. The machine accessible medium of claim 31, wherein the data stored thereon, when accessed, causes the machine to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

prioritize the response message for processing relative to a plurality of other response messages based on the session identifier of the response message and session identifiers associated with the other response messages.

36. A communications server, comprising:

a communications interface;

a rules engine to retrieve a rule indicative of persons to which a user-selectable resource link and process control information should be communicated, wherein a plurality of persons are authorized to access information in a system associated with the process control information, and wherein the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated is a portion of the plurality of persons authorized to access information in the system; and

a communications collaboration unit that is adapted to;

selectively send the process control information received via the communications interface and the user-selectable resource link associated with the process control information based on the rule to a portable communication device uniquely associated with one of the persons indicated by the rule; and

transmit second process control information to the portable communication device in response to receiving input indicative of a user selection of the user-selectable resource link, wherein the second process control information is associated with the process control information and is relatively more detailed than the process control information.

37. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications collaboration unit is further adapted to send the process control information received via the communications interface together with a session identifier.

38. The communications server of claim 37, further including a database containing a log of communications between the communications server and the portable communication device, wherein the log of communications organizes the process control information using the session identifier.

39. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications collaboration unit is adapted to send the process control information via the communications interface to the portable communication device as one of a page, a phone message, or an e-mail.

40. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications interface is adapted to communicate with a wireless communication service via one of a phone line or a packet-switched network.

41. The communications server of claim 40, wherein the communications interface includes one of a modem or an Ethernet interface.

42. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications collaboration unit is adapted to establish a communication link with the portable communication device in response to receiving a communication associated with the user-selectable resource link from the portable communication device.

43. The communications server of claim 42, wherein the communication link is a secure communication link.

44. The communications server of claim 43, wherein the secure communication link is a virtual private network.

45. The communications server of claim 42, wherein the communications collaboration unit is further adapted to transmit the second process control information to the portable communication device via the communication link in response to receiving the communication associated with the user-selectable resource link, wherein the second process control information includes at least one of video information, audio information, textual information, or software application information.

46. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the rule comprises a list, and wherein, based on a time of day, the list indicates the persons to which the user-selectable resource link and the process control information should be communicated.

50. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the process control information is indicative of a condition in a process control system, and wherein the transmission of the process control information and the user-selectable resource link is triggered by the condition.

57. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications collaboration unit is further to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

generate an audit log by storing the response message in association with a plurality of other messages associated with the same session identifier.

58. The communications server of claim 36, wherein the communications collaboration unit is further to:

associate a session identifier with the user-selectable resource link;

receive a response message from the portable communication device associated with the user selection of the user-selectable resource link; and

prioritize the response message for processing relative to a plurality of other response messages based on the session identifier of the response message and session identifiers associated with the other response messages.