Patent ID: 6195591
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A computer program product on a computer usable medium for use in a process control system distributed through a network connecting a workstation, a field device, and a controller coupled to the field device, the computer program product comprising:a bootstrap loading program for bootstrap loading the process control system to control the field device including:a startup information assignment routine that assigns network connectivity information to the controller;a broadcast protocol routine that broadcasts a message-oriented protocol to a protocol boot port in the network, the message-oriented protocol being broadcast via a boot server that matches the address of the field device with an assigned identifier and internet protocol address, and echoes the field device address to the protocol boot port;a receive protocol routine executable in the boot port that receives the message-oriented protocol, matches the echoed field device address with an address in the message-oriented protocol, and sets network connectivity information in the boot port if the message-oriented protocol is received;an acknowledge protocol receipt routine executable in the controller that returns a message to the boot server indicative of an operational condition of the controller;a field device configuration routine for configuring device address, name and number information associating the field device and the network; anda download routine that downloads control program code to the controller.