Docking to support secure associations and flexible manufacturing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- docking a portable terminal to an industrial process controller through a docking interface using a first communication technology supported by the process controller;
communicating sensor configuration information from the industrial process controller to the portable terminal;
moving the portable terminal into an industrial process environment;
docking the portable terminal to a process sensor in the industrial process environment using a second communication technology supported by the process sensor, the second communication technology different from the first; and
configuring the process sensor with the sensor configuration information.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable terminal may dock to an industrial process controller through a wireless docking interface. The industrial process controller may communicate industrial node (e.g., process sensor) configuration information to the portable terminal. The portable terminal moves within an industrial process environment where processor sensors are located. The portable terminal also docks to the process sensors using the same or different wireless docking interface. Once docked, the portable terminal configures the process sensors with the sensor configuration information.
25 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
docking a portable terminal to an industrial process controller through a docking interface using a first communication technology supported by the process controller; communicating sensor configuration information from the industrial process controller to the portable terminal; moving the portable terminal into an industrial process environment; docking the portable terminal to a process sensor in the industrial process environment using a second communication technology supported by the process sensor, the second communication technology different from the first; and configuring the process sensor with the sensor configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A portable configuration terminal comprising:
-
a terminal docking interface configured to dock, using a first communication technology, with a sensor docking interface of a process sensor in an industrial process environment; a controller docking interface configured to dock using a second communication technology, with a controller device, the second communication technology different from the first; terminal configuration circuitry operable to; dock the portable configuration terminal through the controller docking interface to the controller device; and obtain sensor configuration information for the process sensor from the controller device while docked with the controller device; a memory operable to store the sensor configuration information for the process sensor; and sensor configuration circuitry operable to; dock the portable configuration terminal through the sensor docking interface to the process sensor; and reconfigure the process sensor with the sensor configuration information while docked with the sensor docking interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A controller device comprising:
-
a docking interface configured to connect to a portable configuration terminal configured to dock with a process sensor using a first communication technology; a memory in communication with the docking interface, the memory comprising; sensor configuration information for the process sensor that support a current manufacturing process in an industrial process environment; a sensor configuration instruction for the process sensor; map data comprising location information for the process sensor within the industrial process environment; and portable terminal configuration logic operable to; dock the controller device to a configuration terminal through the docking interface using a second communication technology supported by the controller device, the second communication technology different from the first; and transfer to the configuration terminal the sensor configuration information, the map data, and the sensor configuration instruction for the process sensor, while docked through the docking interface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification