Method and Apparatus for Operating Field Devices via a Portable Communicator

A portable communicator for use in a process control system, the process control system including a controller coupled to a field device, the controller configured to communicate with the field device to control a physical process parameter or to measure a physical process control parameter in a process plant, the portable communicator comprising:

• a processor;
• a computer-readable memory having computer-readable instructions executable on the processor;
• a communication interface coupled to the field device and configured to communicate with the field device without communicating with the controller;
• and
• a software application stored on the computer readable memory and configured to execute on the processor to perform a preconfigured routine on the field device, via the communication interface, using a preprogrammed set of conditions.

A method of performing a routine on an entity in a process control system, the process control system including a controller coupled to a field device, the controller configured to communicate with the field device to control a physical process parameter or to measure a physical process control parameter in a process plant, the method comprising:

• communicating wirelessly with the field device without communicating with the controller and using a portable communicator, the portable communicator having a processor and a computer-readable memory having computer-readable instructions executable on the processor;
• providing a user interface on the portable communicator, wherein the user interface enables a user to initiate a preconfigured routine on the field device using a preprogrammed set of conditions;
• receiving, via the user interface, a request from the user to initiate the preconfigured routine on the field device using the preprogrammed set of conditions;
• and
• performing, via the portable communicator, the preconfigured routine on the field device.

A process control system comprising:

• a field device;
• a controller coupled to the field device, the controller configured to communicate with the field device to control a physical process parameter or to measure a physical process control parameter in a process plant;
• and
• portable communicator comprising:
• a processor;
• a computer-readable memory having computer-readable instructions executable on the processor;
• a communication interface configured to communicate wirelessly with the field device without communicating via the controller;
• and
• a software application stored on the computer readable memory and configured to execute on the processor to send data to the field device or to receive data from the field device via the communication interface and not via the controller.

A process control system comprising:

• a field device;
• a controller coupled to the field device, the controller configured to communicate with the field device to control a physical process parameter or to measure a physical process control parameter in a process plant;
• and
• portable communicator comprising:
• a processor;
• a computer-readable memory having computer-readable instructions executable on the processor;
• a communication interface coupled to the field device and configured to communicate with the field device without communicating with the controller;
• and
• a software application stored on the computer readable memory and configured to execute on the processor to perform a preconfigured routine on the field device, via the communication interface, using a preprogrammed set of conditions.