Patent ID: 6806847
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: G05B,G06F

Abstract:
A portable computer for use in a process environment having a process control system including a plurality of process control devices disposed within the process environment externally to the portable computer, the portable computer comprising:a housing adapted for portable operation; a processing unit disposed within the housing; a computer readable memory disposed within the housing and coupled to the processing unit; a display disposed within the housing and coupled to the processing unit; an input device that provides an input signal to the processing unit; a first software routine stored in the computer readable memory and adapted to be executed by the processing unit that processes the input signal, sends a request to the process control system requesting a change to be made with respect to one or more of the plurality of process control devices and provides information pertaining to the process control system generated by the one or more of the plurality of process control devices during operation of the process via the display; and a second software routine stored on the process control system that receives the request from the first software routine and in response to the request generates a command to cause the change with respect to the one or more of the plurality of process control devices.