Method and apparatus for internet-based remote terminal units and flow computers

An Internet-accessible RTU system, comprising:

• at least one field sensor device;
• a RTU connected locally with said at least one field sensor device and configured to transmit data to and receive data from said at least one field sensor device;
• said RTU is also configured to be an Internet web server and an email client;
• a communication device, wherein said communication device enables said RTU to transmit and receive data over an Internet connection;
• said RTU is also programmed to process said data received from said at least one field sensor device and communicate said processed data over said Internet connection;
• and
• a remote host computer connected to said RTU via said Internet connection, wherein said remote host computer is programmed to receive periodic data from said RTU via said Internet connection, wherein said host computer is further programmed to analyze said data, parse out various data values, store said parsed data values in a database and manipulate data in said database.

A method of use of an Internet-accessible RTU, comprising:

• connecting RTU locally with at least one field sensor device;
• configuring said RTU to transmit data to and receive data from said at least one field sensor device;
• further configuring said RTU to be an Internet web server and an email client;
• connecting a communication device to said RTU, wherein said communication device enables said RTU to transmit and receive data over an Internet connection;
• programming said RTU to process said data received from said at least one field sensor device and communicating said processed data over said Internet connection;
• and
• connecting a WWW-enabled device to said RTU via said Internet connection, wherein said WWW-enabled device is programmed to transmit data to and receive data from said RTU via said Internet connection.

A method of use of an Internet-accessible RTU system, comprising:

• connecting a RTU locally with at least one field sensor device and configuring said RTU to transmit data to and receive data from said at least one field sensor device;
• configuring said RTU to be an Internet web server and an email client;
• connecting a communication device to said RTU, wherein said communication device enables said RTU to transmit and receive data over an Internet connection;
• programing said RTU to process said data received from said at least one field sensor device and communicating said processed data over said Internet connection;
• and
• connecting a remote host computer to said RTU via said Internet connection, wherein said remote host computer is programmed to receive periodic data from said RTU via said Internet connection, wherein said host computer is further programmed to analyze said data, parse out various data values, store said parsed data values in a database and manipulate data in said database.