Method for wireless device location using automatic location update via a provisioning device and related apparatus and system

An apparatus comprising:

• an interface configured to communicate with a field device that is configured to measure, adjust, or control one or more characteristics of an industrial process that processes one or more materials in an industrial control system;
• a location detector configured to identify a location of the apparatus;
• a controller configured to:
• initiate communication of data to the field device via the interface in order to provision the field device so that the field device is able to communicate with other process control devices in the industrial control system;
• initiate communication of the identified location to the field device via the interface;
• initiate communication of the identified location and information identifying the field device to an external destination;
• and
• provide the identified location in response to receiving a request for the identified location;
• and
• a memory configured to store the identified location in association with the information identifying the field device.

A system comprising:

• a field device in an industrial control system, the field device configured to measure, adjust, or control one or more characteristics of an industrial process that processes one or more materials;
• and
• a provisioning device configured to provision the field device, the provisioning device comprising:
• an interface configured to communicate with the field device;
• a location detector configured to identify a location of the provisioning device;
• a controller configured to:
• initiate communication of data to the field device via the interface in order to provision the field device so that the field device is able to communicate with other process control devices in the industrial control system;
• initiate communication of the identified location to the field device via the interface;
• and
• initiate communication of the identified location and information identifying the field device to an external destination;
• and
• a memory configured to store the identified location in association with the information identifying the field device at the provisioning device;
• wherein at least one component of the industrial control system is configured to request the identified location from the external destination and to receive the identified location from the external destination.