Methods and apparatus for monitoring and/or control of process control apparatus

Abstract

A system for process control comprises a server digital data processor and a client digital data processor that are coupled by a network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The server digital data processor, which is additionally coupled to a control/sensing device and any associated interface equipment (collectively, referred to as “process control apparatus”), includes a command processor that transfers information between the network and the process control apparatus. The client digital data processor includes an information client (e.g., a so-called Internet web browser) capable of requesting and receiving an applet from the server digital data processor. The information client, further, defines a hardware-independent and operating system-independent virtual machine environment within the client digital data processor. The client digital data processor executes, within that virtual machine environment, an applet for configuring the client digital data processor as a “process controller” that establishes communications over the network with the command processor and that monitors and/or controls the process control apparatus via those communications.

1 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via wireless transmission from a further computing device, to monitor at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device and exchange wireless messages to get and set values associated with that at least one sensing device.   
   
   
       2 . The portable computing device of  claim 1  adapted to be coupled with said at least one sensing device via a wireless network. 
   
   
       3 . The portable computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless network comprises one or more of a digital data processing network, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and an intranet. 
   
   
       4 . The portable computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless network supports communications via an IP protocol. 
   
   
       5 . The portable computing device of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more sensing devices form part of a distributed architecture. 
   
   
       6 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device exchanges wireless messages to get from the at least one sensing device a temperature value and at least one other named data value. 
   
   
       7 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said wireless messages include one or more of
 a message to request opening a connection,   a message to request closing a connection,   a message to transmit one or more named data values to said portable device.   
   
   
       8 . The portable device of  claim 1  receiving wireless messages that include one or more data values associated with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       9 . The portable computing device of  claim 1  utilizing object services at least for communication with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       10 . The portable computing device of  claim 9 , wherein said object services comprise one or more services permitting manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       11 . The portable computing device of  claim 9 , wherein said object services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       12 . The portable computing device of  claim 1  graphically displaying values—transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       13 . The portable computing device of  claim 12 , wherein said graphical display comprises a trend graph of values transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       14 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a graphical user interface. 
   
   
       15 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising information received via wireless transmission from said further computing device that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       16 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a program received via wireless transmission from said further computing device that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       17 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein said portable computer device is configurable via said wireless transmission from said further computing device to monitor at least one named data value associated with said at least one sensing device, the portable computer device exchanging wireless messages to get that named data value from that sensing device. 
   
   
       18 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein said portable computing device is adapted to exchange messages with said further computing device via a wireless network. 
   
   
       19 . The portable computing device of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless network comprises one or more of a digital data processing network, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and an enterprise intranet. 
   
   
       20 . The portable computing device of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless network supports communications via an IP protocol. 
   
   
       21 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein said wireless messages include a message to transfer one or more named data values and a message that stops transfer of such values. 
   
   
       22 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via transfer from a further computing device, to monitor at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to wirelessly couple to said at least one sensing device and exchange wireless messages to get and set values associated with that at least one sensing device.   
   
   
       23 . The portable computing device of  claim 22  adapted to be coupled with said at least one sensing device via a wireless network. 
   
   
       24 . The portable computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the wireless network comprises one or more of a digital data processing network, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and an intranet. 
   
   
       25 . The portable computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the wireless network supports communications via an IP protocol. 
   
   
       26 . The portable computing device of  claim 23 , wherein said one or more sensing devices form part of a distributed architecture. 
   
   
       27 . The portable computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the portable computing device exchanges wireless messages to get from the at least one sensing device a temperature value and at least one other named data value. 
   
   
       28 . The portable device of  claim 22  wherein said wireless messages include one or more of
 a message to request opening a connection,   a message to request closing a connection,   a message to transmit one or more named data values to said portable device.   
   
   
       29 . The portable device of  claim 22  receiving wireless messages that include one or more data values associated with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       30 . The portable computing device of  claim 22  utilizing object services at least for communication with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       31 . The portable computing device of  claim 30 , wherein said object services comprise one or more services permitting manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       32 . The portable computing device of  claim 30 , wherein said object services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       33 . The portable computing device of  claim 22  graphically displaying values—transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       34 . The portable computing device of  claim 33 , wherein said graphical display comprises a trend graph of values transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       35 . The portable computing device of  claim 22 , further comprising a graphical user interface. 
   
   
       36 . The portable computing device of  claim 22 , further comprising information received from said further computing device that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       37 . The portable computing device of  claim 22 , further comprising a program received from said further computing device that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       38 . The portable computing device of  claim 22 , wherein said portable computer device is configurable via said further computing device to monitor at least one named data value associated with said at least one sensing device, the portable computer device exchanging wireless messages to get that named data value from that sensing device. 
   
   
       39 . The portable computing device of  claim 22  wherein said wireless messages include a message to transfer one or more named data values and a message that stops transfer of such values. 
   
   
       40 . In an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices, the improvement comprising
 a portable computing device,   a first digital data processor that is in communications coupling with the portable computing device and that configures the portable computing device to monitor at least one of the sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get and set values associated with that at least one sensing device.   
   
   
       41 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device is adapted to be coupled with said at least one sensing device via a wireless network. 
   
   
       42 . In the industrial system of  claim 41 , the further improvement wherein the wireless network comprises one or more of a digital data processing network, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and an intranet. 
   
   
       43 . In the industrial system of  claim 41 , the further improvement wherein the wireless network supports communications via an IP protocol. 
   
   
       44 . In the industrial system of  claim 41 , the further improvement wherein said one or more sensing devices form part of a distributed architecture. 
   
   
       45 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device exchanges wireless messages to get from the at least one sensing device a temperature value and at least one other named data value. 
   
   
       46 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device is adapted to exchange wireless messages that include one or more of
 a message to request opening a connection,   a message to request closing a connection,   a message to transmit one or more named data values to said portable computing device.   
   
   
       47 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device receives wireless messages that include one or more data values associated with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       48 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device utilizes object services at least for communication with said at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       49 . In the industrial system of  claim 48 , the further improvement wherein said object services comprise one or more services permitting manipulation of objects storing information pertaining to the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       50 . In the industrial system of  claim 48 , the further improvement wherein said object services include any of a location service, a life cycle service, an access service, a connection service, a status service, and a notification service. 
   
   
       51 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein said portable computing device graphically displays values transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       52 . In the industrial system of  claim 51 , the further improvement wherein said graphical display comprises a trend graph of values transferred from the at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       53 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein said portable computing devices comprises a graphical user interface. 
   
   
       54 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein said portable computing device comprises information received from said first digital data processor that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       55 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein said portable computing device comprises a program received from said first digital data processor that configures the portable computing device for said monitoring of at least one sensing device. 
   
   
       56 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein said portable computing device is configured via said first digital data processor to monitor at least one named data value associated with said at least one sensing device, the portable computer device exchanging wireless messages to get that named data value from that sensing device. 
   
   
       57 . In the industrial system of  claim 40 , the further improvement wherein the portable computing device is adapted to exchange wireless messages that include a message to transfer one or more named data values and a message that stops transfer of such values. 
   
   
       58 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via wireless transmission from a further computing device, to monitor at least one named data value associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device and exchange wireless messages to get that named data value from that sensing device.   
   
   
       59 .- 77 . (canceled) 
   
   
       78 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via transfer from a further computer device, to monitor at least one named data value associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device and exchange wireless messages to get that named data value from that sensing device.   
   
   
       79 .- 94 . (canceled) 
   
   
       95 . In an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices, the improvement comprising
 a portable computing device,   a first digital data processor that is in communications coupling with the portable computing device and that configures the portable computing device to monitor at least one named data value associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get that named data value from that sensing device.   
   
   
       96 .- 111 . (canceled) 
   
   
       112 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via wireless transmission from a further computing device, to utilize object services at least to monitor at least one of said sensing devices.   
   
   
       113 .- 131 . (canceled) 
   
   
       132 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices,
 the portable computing device being configurable, via transfer from a further computing device, to utilize object services at least to monitor at least one of said sensing devices.   
   
   
       133 .- 148 . (canceled) 
   
   
       149 . In an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices, the improvement comprising
 a portable computing device,   a first digital data processor that is in communications coupling with the portable computing device and that configures the portable computing device to utilize object services at least to monitor at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to any of get and set values associated with that at least one sensing device.   
   
   
       150 .- 165 . (canceled) 
   
   
       166 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices, comprising:
 a first digital data processor adapted to be communicatively coupled with the portable computing device for configuring said portable computing device to monitor one or more data values associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get said data values from that sensing device,   wherein said portable computing device graphically displays said data values, and   wherein said portable computing device graphical displays updates of said data values from said sensing device.   
   
   
       167 .- 181 . (canceled) 
   
   
       182 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices comprising:
 a first digital data processor adapted to be communicatively coupled with the portable computing device for configuring said portable computing device to monitor data values associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get said data values from that sensing device using wireless messages,   wherein said wireless messages include:
 a message to request opening a connection, and 
 one or more messages to transfer one or more of said data values and subsequent updates thereof using that connection, wherein said data values and updates thereof are current data values, 
 wherein said portable computing device receives said current data values using said wireless messages. 
   
   
   
       183 .- 197 . (canceled) 
   
   
       198 . A portable computing device for use with an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices comprising:
 a first digital data processor adapted to be communicatively coupled with the portable computing device for configuring said portable computing device to monitor data values associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get said data values from that sensing device using said wireless coupling,   wherein said portable computing device executes a program thereon which is any of hardware independent and operating-system independent, the program configuring the portable computing device to get said data values.   
   
   
       199 .- 214 . (canceled) 
   
   
       215 . In an industrial system that includes one or more sensing devices, the improvement comprising:
 a first digital data processor adapted to be communicatively coupled with the portable computing device for configuring said portable computing device to monitor data values associated with at least one of said sensing devices,   the portable computing device adapted to be wirelessly coupled to said at least one sensing device to get said data values from that sensing device using,   wherein said portable computing device is adapted to graphically display said data values; and   wherein said first digital data processor is adapted to receive said data values.   
   
   
       216 .- 232 . (canceled)