Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network

Abstract

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network such as an Ethernet.

1 . A field device for a control system, the improvement wherein 
 the field device provides a virtual machine environment and executes byte code therein,    the byte code configuring the field device to execute a control algorithm.    
   
   
       2 . The field device of  claim 1 , the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to execute a control function block.  
   
   
       3 . The field device of  claim 1 , the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device as a controller.  
   
   
       4 . The field device of  claim 3 , the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to perform proportional integral derivative control.  
   
   
       5 . A field device for a control system, the improvement comprising 
 a virtual machine environment within the field device,    byte code executing within the field device that configures it to perform signal conditioning.    
   
   
       6 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A field device for process control, the improvement wherein the field device comprises a web server.  
   
   
       9 . The field device of  claim 8 , the further improvement wherein the web server is embedded.  
   
   
       10 . The field device of  claim 8 , the further improvement wherein the web server serves web pages that facilitate any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of at least the field device.  
   
   
       11 . The field device of  claim 10 , the further improvement comprising a configuration editor in communication with the web server, the configuration editor controlling at least the field devices' configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The field device of  claim 11 , the further improvement wherein the configuration editor is selectively disabled or enabled, depending upon the type of network to which the field device is coupled.  
   
   
       13 . A field device for a control system, the improvement wherein the field device provides a web server and a virtual machine environment.  
   
   
       14 . The field device of  claim 13 , the further improvement wherein the virtual machine environment executes byte code that configures the field device to any of (i) execute a control algorithm and (ii) perform signal conditioning.  
   
   
       15 . The field device of  claim 14 , the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device as a controller.  
   
   
       16 . The field device of  claim 15 , the further improvement wherein the byte code configures the field device to perform proportional integral derivative control.  
   
   
       17 . The field device of  claim 14 , the further improvement wherein the web server is embedded.  
   
   
       18 . The field device of  claim 14 , the further improvement wherein the web server facilitates any of configuration, monitoring and maintenance of at least the field device.  
   
   
       19 . The field device of  claim 18 , the further improvement comprising a configuration editor that is in communication with the web server, the configuration editor controlling at least the field devices' configuration.  
   
   
       20 . The field device of  claim 19 , the further improvement wherein the configuration editor is selectively disabled or enabled, depending upon the type of network to which the field device is coupled.  
   
   
       21 - 228 . (canceled)