Patent ID: 8543741
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: G05B,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of communicating with a field device using a Field Device Tool (FDT) framework, wherein the field device operates in a process control environment and is communicatively coupled to a communication link, the method comprising: providing a scan capable device type manager (DTM) of type device, wherein the scan capable DTM of type device i) represents the field device in the FDT framework and ii) includes a scan function configured to scan the communication link; using the FDT framework to generate an instance of the scan capable DTM of type device; communicatively connecting the instance of the scan-capable DTM of type device to a communication channel, wherein the communication channel is operatively coupled to the communication link; using the scan function to scan the communication link to automatically obtain an address of the field device at the instance of the scan-capable DTM of type device, wherein scanning the communication link includes obtaining at least one of a device type or a manufacturer identity corresponding to the field device and discovering the field device according to the at least one of the device type or the manufacturer identity; connecting the instance of the scan capable DTM of type device to a frame application; and enabling communications between the field device and the frame application via the instance of the scan-capable DTM of type device using the address of the field device.