Process control

Abstract

A system for communicating according to a standard communication protocol for process control includes a plurality of interconnected computers. The system includes a module that permits communication of information between computers that communicate with process control equipment. The system also includes a module that permits a primary controlling machine to communicate with computers that communicate with process control equipment, and that permits a secondary controlling machine to take the place of the primary controlling machine when the primary controlling machine is unavailable. The system further includes a module that aggregates requests for information directed to one computer that communicates with a piece of process control equipment, communicates with the computer and obtains the information, and delivers the information to each of the requesters. The standard communication protocol for process control can be OPC, and the communicated information can be one or more process control parameters.

1 - 20 . (Cancelled).  
   
   
       21 . A computer program recorded on a computer-readable medium, said computer program comprising: 
 a module that:    (a) aggregates all requests for the same information directed to one of a plurality of interconnected computers, the one computer communicating with at least one piece of process control equipment, the requests transmitted according to a standard communication protocol;    (b) communicates with the one computer according to the standard communication protocol and obtains the information; and    (c) delivers, according to the standard communication protocol, the requested information.    
   
   
       22 . The computer program of  claim 21  wherein the standard communication protocol is Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control (“OPC”).  
   
   
       23 . The computer program of  claim 21  wherein the requested information comprises a process control parameter.  
   
   
       24 . The computer program of  claim 21  wherein all requests for information originate from one computer.  
   
   
       25 . A method of delivering information, comprising: 
 a) aggregating all requests for the same information directed to one of a plurality of interconnected computers, the one computer communicating with at least one piece of process control equipment, the requests transmitted according to a standard communication protocol;    b) communicating with the one computer according to the standard communication protocol and obtaining the information; and    c) delivering, according to the standard communication protocol, the requested information.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the standard communication protocol is Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control (“OPC”).  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the requested information comprises a process control parameter.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein all requests for information originate from one computer.  
   
   
       29 . A system for delivering information, comprising: 
 a) means for aggregating all requests for the same information directed to one of a plurality of interconnected computers, the one computer communicating with at least one piece of process control equipment, the request transmitted according to a standard communication protocol;    b) means for communicating with the one computer according to a standard communication protocol and obtaining the information; and    c) means for delivering, according to the standard communication protocol, the requested information.    
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the standard communication protocol is Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control (“OPC”).  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the requested information comprises a process control parameter.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 29  wherein all requests for information originate from one computer.