Plug and play reconfigurable USB interface for industrial fieldbus network access

A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable circuit including:
• a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the plurality of optional fieldbus networks;
• and
• a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units and
• a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive and execute firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network;
• a USB controller coupled to the microprocessor and connectable via a USB bus to a host server, the USB controller receiving the firmware from the host server over the USB bus and delivering the received firmware to the microprocessor;
• and
• a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network.

A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable circuit including:
• a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the plurality of optional fieldbus networks;
• and
• a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units;
• a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive and execute firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network;
• a memory unit coupled to the microprocessor, the memory unit storing downloaded firmware;
• and
• a timer unit coupled to the microprocessor.

A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable circuit including:
• a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the plurality of optional fieldbus networks;
• and
• a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units;
• a microprocessor switchably coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive and execute firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network;
• wherein the plurality of media units each include a physical layer of a fieldbus network protocol stack corresponding to the fieldbus network for which each provides access.

A The plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device for providing an interface between a host control device and a plurality of fieldbus networks, further comprising:

• a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit including a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit further including a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units for activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network and deactivating remaining media units, and a microprocessor switchably coupled to the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive from the host control device firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network;
• a USB port, the USB port providing connectivity to the host control device via a USB bus;
• and
• a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;
• wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

A plug-and-play reconfigurable interface device for providing an interface between a host control device and a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit including a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks, the circuit further including a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units for activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network and deactivating remaining media units, and a microprocessor switchably coupled to the plurality of media units, the microprocessor adapted to receive from the host control device firmware having instructions for reconfiguring the microprocessor to enable communication over the selected fieldbus network;
• a USB port, the USB port providing connectivity to the host control device via a USB bus,
• wherein the plurality of media units include:
• a Hart media unit for providing access to a Hart network,
• a Profibus media unit for providing access to a Profibus network;
• and
• a Foundation media unit for providing access to a Foundation fieldbus network.

A reconfigurable control device for controlling and monitoring a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a host, the host including a server and non-volatile memory;
• and
• a reconfigurable interface device coupled to the host for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable interface including a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a fieldbus network selected by the host from among several optional fieldbus networks;
• wherein the reconfigurable circuit includes a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks and a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units;
• wherein the non-volatile memory stores firmwares for reconfiguring the reconfigurable circuit in accordance with each of the several optional fieldbus networks.

A reconfigurable control device for controlling and monitoring a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• a host, the host including a server and non-volatile memory and a USB network hub;
• and
• a reconfigurable interface device coupled to the host for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable interface including a reconfigurable circuit, the circuit being reconfigurable to provide access to a fieldbus network selected by the host from among several optional fieldbus networks;
• wherein the non-volatile memory stores firmwares for reconfiguring the reconfigurable circuit in accordance with each of the several optional fieldbus networks;
• wherein the interface device includes:
• a USB controller coupled to the USB network hub via a USB bus;
• a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks;
• a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units;
• and
• a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;
• wherein the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

A reconfigurable system for controlling and monitoring a fieldbus network, comprising:

• a client device including a microprocessor, the client device executing application software for selecting a fieldbus network for control and monitoring operations;
• a host including a server and non-volatile memory, the host server providing an application program interface to the client device and communicating instructions and data to the client through the application program interface;
• and
• a reconfigurable interface device providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks and coupled to the host, the interface device being reconfigurable to provide access to the selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks, the reconfigurable interface device including a plurality of media units, each media unit providing access to one of the several optional fieldbus networks and a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units.

A reconfigurable system for controlling and monitoring a fieldbus network, comprising:

• a client device including a microprocessor, the client device executing application software for selecting a fieldbus network for control and monitoring operations;
• a host including a server, non-volatile memory and a USB network hub, the host server providing an application program interface to the client device and communicating instructions and data to the client through the application program interface;
• and
• a reconfigurable interface device including a USB controller, the interface providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks and coupled to the host, the interface device being reconfigurable to provide access to the selected fieldbus network from among several optional fieldbus networks;
• a power unit coupled to the plurality of media units, the power unit providing power to the activated media unit, and shutting off power to the deactivated media units, the power unit being switchably connected to the selected fieldbus network for optionally providing power to the fieldbus network;
• wherein the non-volatile memory at the host stores firmwares for reconfiguring the interface device to operate using a protocol corresponding to the optional fieldbus networks, and upon receiving an instruction from the client indicating a selected fieldbus network, the host server downloads a firmware corresponding to the selected fieldbus network and delivers the downloaded firmware to the interface device for reconfiguration
• and wherein the USB network hub is coupled to the USB controller via a USB bus and the power unit is coupled to and receives power from the USB bus.

A method for enabling communication with field devices on a selected fieldbus network using a reconfigurable interface device, the method comprising:

• selecting a fieldbus network, among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks for communication;
• and
• reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to the selected fieldbus network;
• wherein the reconfiguration of the interface device includes activating a media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network.

A method for enabling communication with field devices on a selected fieldbus network using a reconfigurable interface device, comprising:

• selecting a fieldbus network, among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks for communication;
• reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to the selected fieldbus network;
• downloading firmware including instructions for communicating over the selected network to the interface device;
• providing selection instructions and firmware to the interface device over a USB network bus;
• and
• depending on the selected fieldbus network, providing power to field devices from the interface device.

A method for enabling communication with field devices on a selected fieldbus network using a reconfigurable interface device, comprising:

• selecting a fieldbus network, among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks for communication;
• and
• reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to the selected fieldbus network
• downloading firmware including instructions for communicating over the selected network to the interface device;
• and
• reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to one of a Hart network, a Profibus network, and a Foundation fieldbus network.

A method for enabling communication with field devices on a selected fieldbus network using a reconfigurable interface device, comprising:

• selecting a fieldbus network, among a plurality of optional fieldbus networks for communication;
• and
• reconfiguring the interface device to provide access to the selected fieldbus network
• downloading firmware including instructions for communicating over the selected network to the interface device;
• providing a plurality of media units in the interface device, each media unit providing access to one of the optional fieldbus networks;
• activating the media unit corresponding to the selected fieldbus network;
• and
• deactivating remaining media units.

A reconfigurable interface device for providing access to a plurality of fieldbus networks, comprising:

• reconfigurable processing unit;
• a plurality of media units, each media unit including a preset circuit providing access to one of the plurality of optional fieldbus networks;
• and
• a switch unit coupled to each of the plurality of media units, the switch unit activating a media unit corresponding to a selected fieldbus network, and deactivating remaining media units depending on instructions received from the processing unit.