# US 10,310,467 B2 · Cloud-based control platform with connectivity to remote embedded devices in distributed control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,467 B2 - Document ID: US10310467B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/251,815 - Filed: 2016-08-30 - Published: 2018-03-01 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-30 - Assignees: Honeywell International Inc. - Applicants: Honeywell International Inc. - Inventors: Harshal S. Haridas; Shane W. Booker; Paul F. McLaughlin; Adrian Watson; James A. Strilich; James Schreder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310467B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 19/4155: characterised by program execution, i.e. part program or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a program - G05B 19/41855: {by local area network [LAN], network structure} - G05B 2219/23276: Use of virtual, logical connections - G05B 2219/25232: DCS, distributed control system, decentralised control unit - G05B 2219/31449: Monitor workflow, to optimize business, industrial processes - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method includes transmitting, over a virtual private network (VPN) to a remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process. The method also includes receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information. The method further includes receiving, over a local network from an embedded device in a distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for communicating between a remotely-located control platform and an embedded device in a distributed control system over a virtual private network (VPN), comprising: communicatively coupling a bootstrapping server to the embedded device via a local network; transmitting, over the VPN to the remotely-located control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process; receiving, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information; receiving, over the local network from an embedded device in the distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol; and transmitting, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information, wherein: the VPN comprises a VPN tunnel between first and second VPN endpoints, the second VPN endpoint is communicatively coupled to the embedded device and the bootstrapping server by the local network, and at least one of the first and second VPN endpoints is configured to only allow information associated with the distributed control system to pass through the VPN tunnel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: initializing one or more BOOTP protocol components before transmitting the request for first information. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: one or more Ethernet settings and one or more MAC identifiers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second response comprises a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) response. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the embedded device comprises a Level 1 controller in an industrial process control and automation system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the control platform is configured to control the embedded device over the VPN after the second response is transmitted to the embedded device. ### Claim 7 An apparatus for communicating between a remotely-located control platform and an embedded device in a distributed control system over a virtual private network (VPN), comprising: at least one network interface stored in a memory configured to receive and transmit data over at least one network; and at least one processing device having a hardware processor configured to control the at least one network interface to: communicatively couple to a bootstrapping server to the embedded device, having a hardware processor, via a local network; transmit, over the VPN to the remotely-located control platform stored in a memory, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process; receive, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information; receive, over the local network from the embedded device in the distributed control system, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol; and transmit, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information, wherein: the VPN comprises a VPN tunnel between first and second VPN endpoints, the second VPN endpoint is communicatively coupled to the embedded device and the bootstrapping server by the local network, and at least one of the first and second VPN endpoints is configured to only allow information associated with the distributed control system to pass through the VPN tunnel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to initialize one or more BOOTP protocol components before transmitting the request for first information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: one or more Ethernet settings or one or more MAC identifiers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second response comprises a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) response. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the embedded device comprises a Level 1 controller in an industrial process control and automation system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control platform is configured to control the embedded device over the VPN after the second response is transmitted to the embedded device. ### Claim 13 A system comprising: an embedded device having a hardware processor in a distributed control system; a control platform stored in a memory configured for communication with the distributed control system over a virtual private network (VPN), the control platform located remotely from the embedded device, the control platform configured to support native communication with the embedded device; and a bootstrapping server having a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the embedded device by a local network, the bootstrapping server configured to: transmit, over the VPN to the control platform, a request for first information associated with a BOOTP protocol synchronization process; receive, from the control platform, a first response comprising the requested first information; receive, over the local network from the embedded device, a request for second information associated with the BOOTP protocol; and transmit, to the embedded device, a second response comprising the requested second information, wherein: the VPN comprises a VPN tunnel between first and second VPN endpoints, the second VPN endpoint is communicatively coupled to the embedded device and the bootstrapping server by the local network, and at least one of the first and second VPN endpoints is configured to only allow information associated with the distributed control system to pass through the VPN tunnel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the bootstrapping server is further configured to initialize one or more BOOTP protocol components before transmitting the request for first information. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the first information comprises at least one of: one or more Ethernet settings or one or more MAC identifiers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the second response comprises a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) response. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the embedded device comprises a Level 1 controller in an industrial process control and automation system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the control platform is configured to control the embedded device over the VPN after the second response is transmitted to the embedded device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the control platform is hosted in the cloud and comprises at least one of: one or more supervisory control applications, one or more procedural operations using standard function blocks, one or more custom applications using custom algorithm blocks, multiple selectable execution periods, one or more shared standard function blocks with different types of controllers, inter-cluster communication, Open Platform Communications (OPC) integration into a control environment, and multivariable control and optimization technology.