Virtual access to a limited-access object

A server for facilitating interaction between a user of an augmented reality (AR) mobile device and a first real-world object in a process control environment, the server being configured to:

• cause, as the user moves through the process control environment, a display of the AR mobile device to superimpose digital information on portions of the process control environment that are within a field of view of a camera of the AR mobile device, the superimposed information being associated with nodes in a map of the process control environment, and the nodes corresponding to other real-world objects in the process control environment;
• cause the display of the AR mobile device to indicate a direction to the first real-world object while the first real-world object is not within the field of view of the camera;
• and
• after detecting a user input, made via the AR mobile device, that indicates selection of the first real-world object, causing the display of the AR mobile device to superimpose, on a portion of the process control environment that is currently within the field of view of the camera but does not include the first real-world object,
• a digital model or digital image of the first real-world object, and
• a user interface providing at least (i) one or more virtual controls providing user control of the first real-world object, and/or (ii) one or more displays presenting information associated with status, settings, and/or outputs of the first real-world object.

An augmented reality (AR) mobile device for facilitating interaction between a user and a first real-world object in a process control environment, the AR mobile device including a camera and a display, and the AR mobile device being configured to:

• superimpose, as the user moves through the process control environment and via the display, digital information on portions of the process control environment that are within a field of view of the camera, the superimposed information being associated with nodes in a map of the process control environment, and the nodes corresponding to other real-world objects in the process control environment;
• indicate, via the display, a direction to the first real-world object while the first real-world object is not within the field of view of the camera;
• and
• after detecting a user input, made via the AR mobile device, that indicates selection of the first real-world object, superimpose, on a portion of the process control environment that is currently within the field of view of the camera but does not include the first real-world object, and via the display,
• a digital model or digital image of the first real-world object, and
• a user interface providing at least (i) one or more virtual controls providing user control of the first real-world object, and/or (ii) one or more displays presenting information associated with status, settings, and/or outputs of the first real-world object.