Methods and apparatus for remote process control

A process control system of the type having a plurality of devices to any of monitor and control a process, the process control system comprising

• A. a portable computer equipped for display to, and input from, an operator,
• B. a program executing on the portable computer that transmits to a digital data processor requests to update information that controls one or more of the devices, the program responding to operator input to transmit requests to get information reflecting the status of one or more of the devices and/or displaying said information,
• C. software executing on the digital data processor, the software responding to requests received from the program to selectively (a) issue a command to update information that controls one or more of the devices and (b) obtain information pertaining to one or more of the devices,
• D. wherein the digital data processor is disposed remotely from the portable computer and is coupled for communication therewith via a wireless network.

A process control system comprising

• A. a plurality of devices to any of monitor and control a process,
• B. a portable computer equipped for display to, and input from, an operator,
• C. a digital data processor coupled to the portable computer via a wireless network,
• D. software executing on the digital data processor, the software responding to selected requests received from the portable computer to execute a service for at least one of (i) creating a named object that stores information regarding the one or more control/sensing devices, (ii) destroying such an object, (iii) accessing information in such an object, (iv) updating information in such an object, (v) determining, from an object name, a physical address associated with such an object, and (vi) providing notification of changes in at least selected information stored in such an object, and
• E. the portable computer transmitting to the digital data processor requests for one or more said services, and responding to input to transmit to the digital data processor requests for one or more of said services in order to update information in an object that is associated with one or more of the devices.

A process control system comprising

• A. a plurality of devices to any of monitor and control a process,
• B. a portable computer equipped for display to, and input from, an operator,
• C. a digital data processor coupled to the portable computer via a wireless network,
• D. software executing on the digital data processor, the software responding to selected requests received from the portable computer to execute a service for at least one of (i) creating a named object that stores information regarding the one or more control/sensing devices, (ii) destroying such an object, (iii) accessing information in such an object, (iv) updating information in such an object, (v) determining, from an object name, a physical address associated with such an object, and (vi) providing notification of changes in at least selected information stored in such an object.