Safety Monitoring and Process Control System

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling a tangible process, includes a control device for controlling the tangible process, an imaging device providing a visual feed of the tangible process, a handheld wireless device and a communication link interfacing the imaging device and the control device with the handheld wireless device at a location remote from the tangible process. The handheld wireless device includes a display for remotely displaying the visual feed and at least one switch operable to remotely control an aspect of the tangible process; the aspect controlled includes initiating and terminating the tangible process.

1 . A system for monitoring and controlling a tangible process, comprising:
 a control device for controlling the tangible process;   an imaging device positioned to provide a visual feed of the tangible process;   a handheld wireless device; and   a communication link interfacing the imaging device and the control device with the handheld wireless device at a location remote from the tangible process; and   wherein the handheld wireless device includes a display for remotely displaying the visual feed and includes at least one switch operable to remotely control an aspect of the tangible process.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aspect controlled includes initiating and terminating the tangible process. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication link includes a digital communication network. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch is a soft switch displayed on the display of the handheld wireless device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lost communication timer adapted to terminate the tangible process upon the absence of a communication from the handheld wireless device for greater than a preset period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a security feature for limiting control of the tangible process to authorized operators.