Process control system for versatile control of multiple process devices of various device types

US6032208A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC. · US

Inventors

• Mark J. Nixon · Round Rock, US
• Robert B. Havekost · Austin, US
• Larry O. Jundt · Round Rock, US
• Dennis Stevenson · Round Rock, US
• Michael G. Ott · Austin, US
• Arthur Webb · Loughborough, GB
• Mike Lucas · Broughton Astley, GB
• James Hoffmaster · Sharonville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 12, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 29, 2000
• Expiry date: Apr 12, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process controller implements smart field device standards and other bus-based architecture standards so that communications and control among devices are performed so that the standard control operations are transparent to a user. The process controller allows attachment to a theoretically and substantially unlimited number and type of field devices including smart devices and conventional non-smart devices. Control and communication operations of the various numbers and types of devices are performed simultaneously and in parallel.