US 12,058,048 B2 · Leveraging out-of-band communication channels between process automation nodes

Abstract

Implementations are described herein for leveraging an “out-of-band” communication channel between nodes of a process automation system. In various implementations, an out-of-band communication channel may be established between two or more process automation nodes of a process automation system. The out-of-band communication channel may be outside of a process automation network through which the two or more process automation nodes are communicatively coupled with other process automation nodes of the process automation system. The two or more process automation nodes may cooperate with one or more of the other process automation nodes to implement an at least partially automated process. One or more characteristics of the process automation system may be monitored, and based on the monitoring, traffic may be selectively diverted from the process automation network to the out-of-band communication channel.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A distributed control node (DCN) comprising:

first and second communication interfaces;
and
circuitry configured to:
join a process automation network using the first communication interface, wherein the process automation network communicatively couples a plurality of process automation nodes of a process automation system;
join an out-of-band communication channel between the DCN and one or more other process automation nodes of the process automation system using the second communication interface;
detect occurrence of an event;
determine a priority level of at least some outbound traffic to be sent from the DCN over the first communication interface to one of the other process automation nodes;
in response to detection of the occurrence of the event, divert the outbound traffic having the determined priority level from the DCN over the second communication interface, through the out-of-band communication channel, to the particular process automation node;
and
cooperate with at least the one of the other process automation nodes to implement a process loop in which one or more actuators are operated automatically based on output of one or more sensors.

7 more elements

At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution of the instructions by one or more processors of a distributed control node (DCN), cause the one or more processors to:

join a process automation network that communicatively couples a plurality of process automation nodes of a process automation system;
establish an out-of-band communication channel between the DCN and one or more other process automation nodes of the process automation system;
monitor the process automation system for occurrence of an event;
determine a priority level of at least some outbound traffic to be sent from the DCN over the first communication interface to one of the other process automation nodes;
in response to detection of the event, divert the outbound traffic having the determined priority level from the DCN over the second communication interface through the out-of-band communication channel, to the particular process automation node;
and
cooperate with at least the one of the other process automation nodes to implement a process loop in which one or more actuators are operated automatically based on output of one or more sensors.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Leveraging out-of-band communication channels between process automation nodes

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Leveraging out-of-band communication channels between process automation nodes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18