Tool for configuring and managing a process control network including the use of spatial information
AssigneeFisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Philip Dove, David Richard Gardner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a tool which includes spatial information for configuring and managing a process control system which conforms to a standard protocol. Such a tool advantageously allows the efficient design and use of a process control system while ensuring that the physical characteristics of the system conform to the standard. In addition, the tool provides for more efficient diagnostics, on-line debugging, alarm monitoring and device maintenance.
Claims11
A method for configuring and managing a process control network, the process control network including a computer having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:
- providing the computer with information regarding a spatial layout of a facility;
- providing the computer with information regarding the configuration of the process control network;
- presenting a layout of the configuration of the process control network in relation to the spatial layout of the facility;
- and
- analyzing the layout of the process control network in relation to the physical layout of the facility to assure that the layout of the process control network conforms to criteria of a standard protocol.
An apparatus for configuring and managing a process control network, the apparatus comprising:
- a computer having a processor and a memory;
- a tool operated on the computer;
- means for providing the computer with information regarding a spatial layout of a facility;
- means for providing the computer with information regarding materials used in the process control network;
- wherein the tool is used to provide a layout of the process control network applied to the spatial layout of the facility;
- and
- wherein the tool is used to analyze the layout of the process control network applied to the spatial layout of the facility to assure that the layout of the process control network conforms to criteria of a standard protocol.
A method for configuring and managing a process control network, the method comprising:
- providing a tool operated on a computer;
- providing the computer with information regarding materials used in the process control network;
- using the tool to provide a layout of the process control network;
- and
- providing at a later time the computer with information regarding a spatial layout of a facility;
- applying the layout of the process control network to the spatial layout of the facility and
- analyzing the layout of the process control network in relation to the physical layout of the facility to assure that the layout of the process control network conforms to criteria of a standard protocol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.