Patent ID: 7635586

Claim:
A system for controlling a process in a bioreactor, comprising: a first sensor system comprising a first sensor device, and a first connection for communicating a material or information between said first sensor device and the bioreactor, wherein said first sensor device interacts with the bioreactor through said connection and wherein said first sensor device generates one or more data signals based on the material or information communicated from the bioreactor; a control system for controlling the process in the bioreactor, said control system configured to communicate one or more control signals to said first sensor system wherein the control signals are based on data signals received from said first sensor system; and a communication network connecting said control system and said first sensor system, wherein said control system comprises a controller configured with a bioreactor control process to control the conditions in a bioreactor by determining control signals based on the bioreactor control process and information received related to a condition in the bioreactor, and further configured to send the control signals over said communication network, and a utility tower, housed separately from the bioreactor and coupled to said controller via said communication network, said utility tower configured to receive the control signals from said controller and to change a condition in the bioreactor based on the control signals, said utility tower comprising a monitoring system that transmits information related to a condition of the bioreactor to said controller via said communication network, and a bioreactor supply system which supplies a gas or liquid substance to the bioreactor in response to a control signal received from said controller, wherein said first sensor system is configured to provide the one or more data signals related to a condition in the bioreactor to said control system using said communication network, and said first sensor system is further configured to receive one or more control signals from said control system and to perform a first action based on the one or more control signals.