Patent ID: 8180466

Claim:
A process device for measuring a process variable of an industrial process, comprising: a process variable sensor configured to sense the process variable; device circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor configured to process an output from the process variable sensor and provide an output related to the sensed process variable; a databus configured to carry data between at least two components of the process device, the two components contained within the process device; safety response circuitry contained within the process device and which is separate from the two components, the safety response circuitry comprising; a device interface to couple to the process device and provide an output related to operation of a component of the process device, wherein the device interface comprises a connection to the databus of the process device which is used to transfer digital data between the at least two components of the device and a microprocessor of the device; a component monitor to monitor data carried on the databus, and monitor operation of the component of the process device based upon the output from the device interface and responsively identify a safety event of the component indicative of a failure of the component and provide a safety event output; and a safety response module to respond to the safety event of the component based upon the safety event output in accordance with a safety response; and wherein the device interface, component monitor and safety response module are isolated from other components of the process device to provide redundancy.