Adapter for providing digital communication between a field device and a computer

A method of providing bi-directional communication between a computer and field device using an adapter, the method comprising:

• connecting the adapter to the computer using a communication mating device;
• connecting the adapter to the field device using a pair of terminals;
• detecting a communication protocol being employed by the field device;
• transferring application software from memory located within the adapter to the computer, wherein the application software uploaded to the computer is associated with the detected communication protocol employed by the field device and allows the computer to send and receive data based on the communication protocol employed by the field device;
• and
• communicating data bi-directionally between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device.

An adapter that interfaces communication between a computer and a field device, the adapter including:

• means for connecting the adapter to the computer;
• means for connecting the adapter to the field device;
• memory means for storing application software associated with a plurality of field device communication protocols, wherein the application software associated with a communication protocol employed by the field device is loaded onto the computer using the means for connecting the adapter to the computer;
• and
• means for communicating data bi-directionally between the field device and the computer based on the communication protocol employed by the field device.