Patent ID: 7143149

Claim:
A communication system to provide remote access, by an operator, to process sections in an industrial plant, the process sections monitored and controlled by a centralised control system, the communication system comprising: a data network; a plurality of wireless access points on the data network; first identifying means for identifying an operator; second identifying means for identifying at least one of job functions of the operator and preferences of the operator; a mobile wireless device provided to the operator; a means for connecting the mobile wireless device to one of the wireless access points; an interfacing means for connecting the mobile wireless device with the centralised control system using the data network; means for enabling the operator equipped with the mobile wireless device to query the centralised control system for status information pertaining to the process sections, via the interfacing means; means for customizing the status information, by the centralised control system for the operator based on a current location of the operator and the identified at least one of the job functions of the operator and the preferences of the operator; means for delivering the customized status information from the centralised control system to the mobile wireless device, via the interfacing means; and means for enabling the operator equipped with the mobile device to provide instructions to the centralised control system that request the centralised control system to control the process sections, via the interfacing means.