Patent ID: 7191021

Claim:
A method of enabling an operator to remotely manage a plurality of field devices designed to implement a process in a plant, said plant further containing a field device management station (FDMS) coupled to said plurality of field devices by a control network, wherein said FDMS is designed to issue a plurality of commands to each of said plurality of field devices on said control network, said method comprising: providing a wireless connection from a first client, wherein said wireless connection provides communication between said first client and said FDMS, wherein said wireless connection is provided to cover the entire communication path between said FDMS and said first client; enabling said operator to issue a first command from said first client to a first field device contained in said plurality of field devices, wherein said first command is contained in said plurality of commands; transferring an indication from said first client to said FDMS on said wireless connection in response to said first command being issued by said operator, said indication indicating that said operator has issued said first command from said first client; forwarding said first command from said FDMS to said first field device on said control network in response to receiving said indication, whereby said operator manages said plurality of field devices using said first client based on said wireless connection, providing a wire-based connection between a second client and said FDMS; enabling said operator to issue an another command from said second client, said another command being directed to a second field device contained in said plurality of field devices; transferring an another indication from said second client to said FDMS on said wire-based connection upon said operator issuing said another command; and forwarding said another command from said FDMS to said second field device on said control network upon receiving said another indication, whereby commands from said first client and said second client are channeled through said FDMS.