Patent ID: 6618745
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G05B,H04L

Abstract:
A method of interfacing with a plurality of field devices in a process control system having a controller and a user interface communicatively coupled together, a linking device coupled to the controller, and a plurality of field devices communicatively coupled to the linking device via a communication network that uses a first communication protocol, the method comprising:monitoring substantially all communications on the communication network using the linking device; selectively processing at least some of the monitored communications in the linking device to obtain first function block information associated with a first function block implemented by one of the plurality of field devices; and sending the first function block information to a second function block implemented by the controller, wherein the first function block information is sent to the controller via a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol, wherein the first function block and the second function block are part of a control loop.