Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that communicate via an ip network

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.

1 - 228 . (canceled) 
   
   
       229 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       230 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the second component comprises a processor. 
   
   
       231 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the IP network comprises any of an LAN, WAN, and the Internet. 
   
   
       232 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the first component comprises any of an enabler and a bulletin board server. 
   
   
       233 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the first component comprises any of a DHCP server, a JINI server, and a Javaspaces server. 
   
   
       234 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the one or more services enable the second component to locate an object in the control system, the object being associated with a third control system component. 
   
   
       235 . The control system according to  claim 234 , wherein the third component comprises any of a control device, a field device, a controller, a workstation, a plant server, an enterprise server, and a system monitor. 
   
   
       236 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to any of:
 (i) register a name specified by the second component with the service,   (ii) search for names specified by the second component on the service,   (iii) post events specified by the second component,   (iv) remove posted events specified by the second component,   (v) querying the service as specified by the second component,   (vi) be notified of control system events specified by the second component.   
   
   
       237 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the one or more services are accessible via a Java Bean delivered over the IP network. 
   
   
       238 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the second component is capable of executing a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level and (ii) drives it to that level. 
   
   
       239 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the second component comprises a web server for facilitating any of configuration, monitoring, and/or maintenance of the second component or another one of the plurality of control system components. 
   
   
       240 . The control system of  claim 229 , wherein the second component comprises a web server that any of (i) collects process data from one or more control system components, (ii) generates source for operator displays, (iii) provides access to the control system, and (iv) hosts an applications development environment. 
   
   
       241 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       242 . The control system of  claim 241 , wherein the one or more services includes facilitating the transfer of any of data, messages, and objects between the second and third control system components. 
   
   
       243 . The control system of  claim 241 , wherein the one or more services include a publication/subscription service that enables the second component to publish any of data, messages, and objects over the IP network and/or to subscribe to any of data, messages, and objects, published by a third control system component over the IP network. 
   
   
       244 . The control system of  claim 241 , wherein the one or more services comprises notifying the second component of an event related to a third control system component. 
   
   
       245 . The control system of  claim 244 , wherein the wherein the event comprises an update to an object. 
   
   
       246 . The control system of  claim 244 , wherein the event comprises an unsolicited message from the third component. 
   
   
       247 . The control system according to  claim 241  wherein the third component comprises any of a control device, a field device, a controller, a workstation, a plant server, an enterprise server, and a system monitor. 
   
   
       248 . The control system of  claim 241 , wherein the one or more services are accessible via any of:
 (i) a Java Bean delivered over the IP network,   (ii) JINI,   (iii) JavaSpaces.   
   
   
       249 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       250 . The control system of  claim 249 , wherein the value associated with the third component is included in an object. 
   
   
       251 . The control system of  claim 249 , wherein the third component comprises any of a control device, a field device, a controller, a workstation, a plant server, an enterprise server, and a system monitor. 
   
   
       252 . The control system of  claim 249 , wherein the one or more services includes notifying the second component of an event related to the third component. 
   
   
       253 . The control system of  claim 249 , wherein the second component is capable of executing a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level and (ii) drives it to that level. 
   
   
       254 . The control system of  claim 249 , wherein the one or more services are accessible via any of:
 (i) a Java Bean delivered over the IP network,   (ii) JINI,   (iii) JavaSpaces.   
   
   
       255 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       256 . The control system of  claim 255 , wherein the one or more services includes enabling the second device to register one or more of its characteristics and, thereby, to enter into one or more relationships with other services in the control system. 
   
   
       257 . The control system of  claim 255 , wherein the one or more services include a bulletin board service that provides any of a name service, lookup service, and a query-by-example service. 
   
   
       258 . The control system of  claim 255 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to any of:
 (i) register a name specified by the second component with the service,   (ii) search for names specified by the second component on the service,   (iii) post events specified by the second component,   (iv) remove posted events specified by the second component,   (v) querying the service as specified by the second component,   (vi) be notified of control system events specified by the second component.   
   
   
       259 . The control system of  claim 258 , wherein the one or more services are provided at least in part by any of a Javaspace service, a JINI service and a DHCP service. 
   
   
       260 . The control system of  claim 255 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to locate an object in the control system. 
   
   
       261 . The control system of  claim 255 , wherein the one or more services includes any of
 (i) a sending service that enables the second component to register therewith that the second component will produce messages of one or more types via the IP network; and   (ii) a listening service that enables the second component to register therewith to receive one or more messages of one or more types via the IP network.   
   
   
       262 . The control system of  claim 255  wherein the third component comprises any of a control device, a field device, a controller, a workstation, a plant server, an enterprise server, and a system monitor. 
   
   
       263 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       264 . The control system of  claim 263 , wherein the recorded state of operation includes diagnostic information. 
   
   
       265 . The control system of  claim 263 , wherein the second component is capable of executing a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level and (ii) drives it to that level. 
   
   
       266 . The control system of  claim 263 , wherein the first component comprises any of an enabler and a bulletin board server. 
   
   
       267 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       268 . The control system of  claim 267 , wherein the interface comprises an applications program interface (API). 
   
   
       269 . The control system of  claim 268 , wherein the API is downloaded to the second component over the network. 
   
   
       270 . The control system of  claim 269 , wherein the API is downloaded via a Java Bean. 
   
   
       270 . The control system of  claim 267 , wherein the interface comprises at least one of a Java API, JavaSpaces API, and JINI API. 
   
   
       271 . The control system of  claim 267 , wherein the second component is capable of executing a control algorithm that at least one of (i) maintains the control system at a desired level and (ii) drives it to that level. 
   
   
       272 . A control system, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       273 . The control system of  claim 272 , wherein the one or more services including establishing communications between the second component and a third one of the control system components. 
   
   
       274 . The control system according to  claim 273 , wherein the third component comprises any of a control device, a field device, a controller, a workstation, a plant server, an enterprise server, and a system monitor. 
   
   
       275 . The control system of  claim 272 , wherein the one or more services comprises notifying the second component of an event related to a third one of the control system components. 
   
   
       276 . The control system of  claim 272 , wherein the one or more services including enabling the second component to any of:
 (i) register a name specified by the second component with the service,   (ii) search for names specified by the second component on the service,   (iii) post events specified by the second component,   (iv) remove posted events specified by the second component,   (v) querying the service as specified by the second component,   (vi) be notified of control system events specified by the second component.   
   
   
       277 . The control system of  claim 272 , wherein the one or more services include enabling the second component to get and/or set a value associated with a third one of the control system components. 
   
   
       278 . The control system of  claim 277 , wherein the wherein the event comprises an update to an object. 
   
   
       279 . The control system of  claim 277 , wherein the event comprises an unsolicited message from the third component. 
   
   
       280 . The control system of  claim 272 , wherein the one or more services includes any 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.