METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL USING CONTROL DEVICES 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.
141 Citations
280 Claims
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1-228. -228. (canceled)
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229. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, C. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240)
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241. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services including establishing communications between the second component and a third control system component, C. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248)
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249. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services enabling the second component to get and/or set a value associated with a third one of the control system components, and C. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (250, 251, 252, 253, 254)
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255. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services enabling any of the second component and a third control system component to register one or more of their characteristics therewith, C. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262)
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263. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, the one or more services comprising at least one of (i) recording a state of operation of the second component, and (ii) enabling a system monitor to access the recorded state of the second component, and C. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (264, 265, 266)
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267. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, C. an interface communicatively coupled to the IP network and to one or more of the services, the interface facilitating invocation of the service by the second component, D. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (268, 269, 270, 271)
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270-1. The control system of claim 267, wherein the interface comprises at least one of a Java API, JavaSpaces API, and JINI API.
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272. A control system, comprising:
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A. a plurality of control system components in communications coupling via an IP network, B. at least a first control system component providing one or more services via the IP network to at least a second control system component, C. wherein the second component is capable of implementing any of a continuous, logic, or batch process control strategy, D. wherein the second component comprises any of an intelligent transmitter, intelligent actuator, and an intelligent positioner. - View Dependent Claims (273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280)
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Specification