Verfahren und Systeme zum Abbonieren von Prozesssteuerungsdaten für entfernte Geräte

Ein System übermittelt Prozessdaten an ein entferntes Computergerät. Das System schließt einen Prozessor, eine Kommunikationseinheit und einen Speicher ein, der Befehle für Module speichert. Die Module schließen einen Scanner ein, der mit der Kommunikationseinheit verbunden wird, um eine Kommunikation mit einem Server über ein erstes Netzwerk zu ermöglichen. Der Scanner ermöglicht eine Kommunikation durch Empfangen von Daten vom Server, Identifizieren von Abfrageanforderungen in den empfangenen Daten und Senden von Anforderungslisten an den Server als Reaktion auf die Abfrageanforderungen. Das Modul schließt außerdem einen Datenstromprozessor ein, der einen Satz von Prozessdatenwerten in den empfangenen Daten bestimmt, wobei der Satz von Prozessdatenwerten Ansichtslistendaten entspricht, die an das entfernte Computergerät übermittelt werden sollen. Ein weiteres Modul ist eine Anwendungsprogrammschnittstelle (API), die mit der einen oder den mehreren Kommunikationseinheiten verbunden ist ...

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM KONFIGURIEREN EINES FERNZUGRIFFS AUF PROZESSSTEUERUNGSDATEN

Ein Verfahren zum Bereitstellen von Prozessdaten an einem entfernten Computergerät schließt das Empfangen von Konfigurationsdaten ein, die eine Konfiguration von zumindest einem Teil des Prozesssteuerungssystems beschreiben. Die Konfigurationsdaten schließen Informationen ein, die mehreren Prozesssteuerungsentitäten zugeordnet sind, und die Informationen in Bezug auf jede Entität schließen mindestens ein Tag ein, das einer Hierarchiestufe des Systems zugeordnet ist. Das Verfahren umfasst das Identifizieren mehrerer Stufen innerhalb des Systems auf Basis der Tags, einschließlich von mindestens einer Erststufenkennung und mehrerer Zweitstufenkennungen, die der Erststufenkennung zugeordnet sind. Ferner umfasst das Verfahren das Identifizieren mehrerer Steuermodule, die jeweils einer Zweitstufenkennung zugeordnet sind und die jeweils den Entitäten zugeordnet sind, auf Basis der Konfigurationsdaten. Das Verfahren umfasst das Erzeugen einer hierarchischen Liste verfügbarer Prozessdaten und das ...

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur nahtlosen Zustandsübertragung zwischen UI-Geräten in einer mobilen Schaltzentrale

Verfahren, Vorrichtung und Systeme zum Betreiben einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage umfassen mehrere UI-Geräte, von denen jedes auf Prozesssteuerungsdaten zur Anzeige auf dynamisch generierten Benutzeroberflächen zugreift, und von denen jedes den Gerätezustand direkt an ein anderes Gerät übertragen kann. Ein erstes UI-Gerät speichert Anweisungen, aufgrund derer ein Prozessor des ersten UI-Geräts dynamisch eine Benutzeroberfläche zum Anzeigen von Prozessdaten generiert. Prozessdaten werden an ein erstes UI-Gerät von einem Server bereitgestellt, der mit einem einheitlichen logischen Speicherbereich verbunden ist. Wenn ein zweites UI-Gerät von einem ersten UI-Gerät Daten empfängt, die auf den Zustand des ersten UI-Geräts hinweisen, generiert das zweite UI-Gerät dynamisch eine Benutzeroberfläche zum Anzeigen von Daten auf dem zweiten UI-Gerät abhängig von den empfangenen Daten, die auf den Zustand des ersten UI-Geräts hinweisen.

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Steuern einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage mit mobilen standortsensitiven Steuerungsgeräten

Verfahren und Vorrichtung für den Betrieb einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage umfassen mehrere UI-Geräte, die die Position des Geräts in der verfahrenstechnischen Anlage bestimmen und Daten in Bezug auf in der Nähe befindliche Geräte anzeigen können. Ein Prozessor in einem mobilen UI-Gerät übermittelt eine erste Anforderung von Daten und empfängt als Antwort auf die Anforderung die angeforderten Daten. Der Prozessor verursacht das Anzeigen der empfangenen Daten auf einem Display. Der Prozessor empfängt die Information, dass sich das mobile UI-Gerät in der Nähe eines externen Geräts befindet, und der Prozessor übermittelt gemäß der empfangenen Information eine zweite Anforderung von Daten. Anschließend empfängt der Prozessor Daten als Antwort auf die zweite Anforderung.

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM REGELN EINES WORKFLOWS IN EINER VERFAHRENSTECHNISCHEN ANLAGE

Überwachungsmodul für die Prozesssteuerung

Ein Überwachungsmodul arbeitet in einer Prozesssteuerungsumgebung mit einem Expertensystem zusammen, um Arbeitsaufgaben automatisch zu erstellen, zuzuweisen, zu verfolgen und zu verwalten. Das Überwachungsmodul erstellt Arbeitsaufgaben anhand der vom Expertensystem empfangenen Daten, es wählt verfügbares Personal aus, das die Arbeitsaufgaben ausführen soll, es sendet Arbeitsaufgaben an das ausgewählte Personal, es plant die Ausführung der Arbeitsaufgaben und erstellt und speichert Berechtigungen, die es dem zugeordneten Personal erlauben, eine Zielfunktion der Arbeitsaufgabe innerhalb der zugewiesenen Zeit abzuschließen. Das Überwachungsmodul bestimmt die erforderlichen Qualifikationen, Rollen, Zertifizierungen und/oder Zeugnisse, die einer Arbeitsaufgabe zugeordnet sind, und es wählt das Personal, das die Arbeitsaufgabe ausführen soll, anhand eines Personalprofils aus, das die Qualifikationen, Rollen, Zertifizierungen und/oder Zeugnisse definiert, die dem Personal zugeordnet sind. Alternativ ...

Verfahren zur Kommunikation mit verzögerter Bestätigung und Alarmverwaltung

Verfahren zum Kommunizieren von Anwendungsinformationen in einem Prozesssteuersystem, das einen ersten Abschnitt hat, der mit einem zweiten Abschnitt über eine Kommunikationsverbindung in Kommunikation steht, welches Verfahren die Schritte enthält: Einrichten eines Anwendungsclientprozesses in dem ersten Abschnitt des Prozesssteuersystems; Einrichten eines Anwendungsserverprozesses in dem zweiten Abschnitt des Prozesssteuersystems; Senden einer ersten Anwendungsmitteilung von dem Anwendungsclientprozess zu dem Anwendungsserverprozess, welcher Informationen enthält, die die Häufigkeit betreffen, mit welcher der Anwendungsserverprozess die Anwendungsaktualisierungsmitteilungen an den Anwendungsclientprozess zu senden hat und/oder Informationen, welche die Häufigkeit betreffen, mit welcher der Anwendungsclientprozess die erste Anwendungsmitteilung an den Anwendungsserverprozess zu senden hat und welche einen Satz von Anwendungsinformationen bestimmt, die periodisch an den Clientprozess zu ...

Verbundene Zonen in einem Prozesssteuerungssystem

Prozesssteuerungssystem, enthaltend: ein erstes Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk mit einem ersten Interzonenserver, wobei das erste Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk unter einer ersten Softwareversion betrieben wird; ein zweites Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk mit einem zweiten Interzonenserver, wobei das zweite Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk unter einer zweiten Softwareversion betrieben wird; eine erste, den ersten Interzonenserver und den zweiten Interzonenserver kommunikativ verbindende Kommunikationsverbindung; und eine die erste Kommunikationsverbindung zu einem Übermitteln von Prozesssteuerungsnachrichten von dem ersten Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk an das zweite Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk und von dem zweiten Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk zu dem ersten Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk nutzende Kommunikationsroutine, wobei das System ferner eine Versionssteuerroutine enthält, die die Prozesssteuerungsnachrichten aus einem mit der ersten Softwareversion kompatiblen Format in ein mit der zweiten Softwareversion kompatibles Format ...

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Kommunikation mit verzögerter Bestätigung und Alarmverwaltung

Prozesssteuersystem, das ein erstes Kommunikationsnetzwerk und ein zweites Kommunikationsnetzwerk hat, die über eine langsame Kommunikationsverbindung (16) miteinander in Kommunikation stehen, welches Prozesssteuersystem enthält:eine erste Benutzerschnittstelle (254), die mit dem ersten Kommunikationsnetzwerk verbunden ist;eine erste Steuereinrichtung (262), die mit der Benutzerschnittstelle (254) über das erste Kommunikationsnetzwerk in Kommunikation steht;einen ersten Datenserver (256), der mit der Benutzerschnittstelle (254) undder Steuereinrichtung (262) über das erste Kommunikationsnetzwerk in Kommunikation steht;eine zweite Benutzerschnittstelle (284), die mit dem zweiten Kommunikationsnetzwerk verbunden ist;eine zweite Steuereinrichtung (264), die mit der zweiten Benutzerschnittstelle (284) über das zweite Kommunikationsnetzwerk in Kommunikation steht; und einen zweiten Datenserver (286), der mit der zweiten Benutzerschnittstelle (284) und der zweiten Steuereinrichtung (264) über ...

Sichern von Vorrichtungen bei Prozesssteuerungssystemen

Techniken zum Sichern einer Vorrichtung zur Verwendung in oder mit einer Prozessanlage schließen das Ausstatten der Vorrichtung mit einem Schlüssel ein, der wenigstens teilweise aus Daten erzeugt wird, die notwendige Bedingungen und/oder Attribute angeben, die erfüllt werden müssen, bevor die Vorrichtung auf ein Netz der Prozessanlage zugreifen darf. Bei der Initialisierung bestimmt die Vorrichtung anhand des Schlüssels, ob die notwendigen Bedingungen erfüllt sind oder nicht, und entsprechend isoliert die Vorrichtung sich selbst oder greift auf das Prozesssteuerungsnetz zu. Schlüssel und die notwendigen Bedingungen/Attribute, die darin angegeben werden, können beispielsweise auf Standort, Zeit, Kontext, Kunde, Lieferant, jeweiliger Anlage, Hersteller, Benutzer, Datentyp Vorrichtungstyp und/oder anderen Kriterien beruhen. Außerdem können untergeordnete Schlüssel, die einem Schlüssel zugeordnet sind, aus einem anderen Satz notwendiger Bedingungen/Attribute erzeugt werden. Untergeordnete Schlüssel ...

Verfahren und Systeme zum Streamen von Prozesssteuerdaten an entfernte Geräte

Ein Verfahren zur Bereitstellung von Daten von einem Prozesssteuerungssystem an entfernten Computergeräten schließt ein: Erhalten einer oder mehrerer Listen, die Anzeigen zu angeforderten Prozessdatenparametern enthalten, die Prozessdaten angeben, die vom Server über ein zweites Netzwerk an die entfernten Geräte übermittelt werden sollen, von einem mobilen Server an einem Datenserver über ein erstes Netzwerk. Das Verfahren umfasst das Empfangen eines Stroms von Prozessdatenparameterwerten, die Prozessdatenparametern zugeordnet sind, die in einer oder mehreren Konfigurationsdateien enthalten sind, von mehreren Steuerungen innerhalb des Prozesssteuerungssystems über ein drittes Netzwerk. Die Konfigurationsdateien beschreiben eine Konfiguration des Prozesssteuerungssystems. Das Verfahren umfasst das Identifizieren eines Teilsatzes der empfangenen Parameterwerte, die den angeforderten Prozessdatenparametern der Listen entsprechen, durch Prozessoren des Datenservers und das Übermitteln des identifizierten ...

MOBILE GERÄTE FÜR EINEN FERNZUGRIFF AUF PROZESSSTEUERUNGSDATEN

Ein greifbares, nichtflüchtiges computerlesbares Medium speichert maschinenlesbare Befehle, die für einen Mikroprozessor auf einem mobilen Computergerät optimiert sind. Wenn sie von dem Mikroprozessor ausgeführt werden, bewirken die Befehle, dass der Mikroprozessor eine grafische Benutzerschnittstelle (GUI) anzeigt. Die Befehle bewirken auch, dass der Mikroprozessor über die GUI eine Auswahl von einem oder mehreren Elementen zur Ansicht empfängt. Jedes von dem einen oder den mehreren Elementen steht mit einem Prozesssteuerungssystem in Beziehung. Die Befehle bewirken, dass der Mikroprozessor die Auswahl aus dem einem oder den mehreren Elementen entweder über das Internet oder eine Mobiltelefoniedatenverbindung an einen mobilen Server sendet. Danach bewirken die Befehle, dass der Mikroprozessor entweder über das Internet oder über die Mobiltelefoniedatenverbindung; vom mobilen Server mehrerer Echtzeitwerte empfängt, die der Auswahl aus einem oder mehreren Elementen entsprechen, und die mehreren ...

SYSTEME UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR VERTEILUNG VON PROZESSSTEUERUNGSDATEN AN ENTFERNTE GERÄTE

Ein System zur sicheren Verbreitung von Informationen mit Bezug auf eine Prozesssteuerungsanlage umfasst einen Prozesssteuerknoten und ein Steuerelement, das mit einer Mehrzahl von Prozesssteuerungsvorrichtungen gekoppelt ist. Der Prozesssteuerknoten umfasst ein Kommunikatormodul, das dazu nutzbar ist, über ein erstes Netzwerk vom Steuerelement empfangene Informationen über die Prozessanlage zu übertragen. Das System umfasst auch ein Datendienstmodul, das dazu nutzbar ist, vom Kommunikatormodul über das erste Netzwerk die Informationen der Prozessanlage zu empfangen und einige oder alle dieser Informationen über ein zweites Netzwerk zu übertragen, und einen mobilen Server, der mit dem zweiten Netzwerk und einem dritten Netzwerk gekoppelt ist und dazu nutzbar ist, Daten vom Datendienstmodul zu empfangen. Der mobile Server ist dazu nutzbar, über das dritte Netzwerk mit einer Mehrzahl mobiler Computergeräte zu kommunizieren.

Großdaten in Prozesssteuerungssystemen

Großdatennetzwerk oder -system für ein Prozesssteuerungssystem oder eine Anlage, welches einen Großdatenapparat einschließt, der einen Datenspeicherbereich, der konfiguriert ist, um unter Verwendung eines gemeinsamen Datenschemas mehrere Typen von Prozessdaten und/oder Anlagedaten (wie Konfigurations- und Echtzeitdaten) zu speichern, die in dem Prozesssteuerungssystem verwendet, in diesem generiert oder von diesem empfangen werden, und ein oder mehrere Datenempfängerrechenvorrichtungen einschließt, um die Daten von mehreren Knoten oder Vorrichtungen zu empfangen. Die Daten können an den Knoten gecacht und mit Zeitstempel versehen und zur Speicherung an den Großdatenapparat gestreamt werden. Das Prozesssteuerungssystem-Großdatensystem stellt Dienste und/oder Datenanalysen bereit, um automatisch oder manuell vorschreibende und/oder prognostische Kenntnisse herauszufinden, und um bezogen auf die gefundenen Kenntnisse Änderungen und/oder Zusätze an dem Prozesssteuerungssystem und dem Set der ...

Datenmodellierungsstudio

Ein Datenmodellierungsstudio stellt eine strukturierte Umgebung für ein grafisches Anlegen oder Ausführen von Modellen bereit, die für eine Diagnose, Prognose, Analyse, Erkennung von Beziehungen usw. innerhalb einer Prozessanlage konfiguriert werden kann. Das Datenmodellierungsstudio enthält eine Konfigurationsmaschine zum Erzeugen von Benutzerschnittstellenelementen zur Erleichterung eines grafischen Aufbaus eines Modells und eine Laufzeitmaschine zum Ausführen von Datenmodellen beispielsweise in einer Offline- oder Online-Umgebung. Die Konfigurationsmaschine enthält eine Schnittstellenroutine, die Benutzerschnittstellenelemente erzeugt, eine Vielzahl von in einem Speicher abgelegten Modellvorlagen, die als Bausteine für das Modell dienen, und einen Modellkompilierer, der das grafische Modell in ein Datenformat konvertiert, das durch die Laufzeitmaschinen ausführbar ist. Die Laufzeitmaschine führt das Modell aus, um die gewünschte Ausgabe zu erzeugen, und kann eine Abrufroutine zum Abrufen ...

Verfahren zum Initiieren oder Wiederaufnehmen einer mobilen Steuerungssitzung in einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage

UI-Sitzungen in einem UI-Gerät werden entsprechend einem Gerätetyp oder einer Zielsitzung initiiert oder wieder aufgenommen. Eine Sitzungsanforderung wird von einem ersten Client-Gerät empfangen. Ein Gerätetyp, der mit der Sitzungsanforderung verknüpft ist, wird bestimmt, und eine Konfiguration der grafischen Benutzerschnittstelle wird gemäß dem Gerätetyp identifiziert. Eine Zielsitzung, die mit der Sitzungsanforderung verknüpft ist, wird identifiziert, und eine neue Sitzung wird für das erste Client-Gerät entsprechend der identifizierten GUI-Konfiguration und der identifizierten Zielsitzung konfiguriert. Daten, die mit der neuen Sitzung verknüpft sind, werden an das erste Client-Gerät übertragen.

Mobile Analyse physikalischer Phänomene in einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage

Ein mobiles Gerät in einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage erkennt ein physikalisches Phänomen und wandelt das erkannte physikalische Phänomen in digitale Daten um, die das physikalische Phänomen darstellen. Die Daten werden in ein Expertensystem übertragen und vom Expertensystem analysiert, um einen Status eines oder mehrerer Prozesselemente zu ermitteln. Es können anormale Bedingungen erkannt werden, die den Prozesselementen zugeordnet sind, und anhand der digitalen Daten kann eine Ursache der anormalen Bedingung ermittelt werden. Prozesssteuerungsparameter können automatisch geändert werden, um die anormale Bedingung zu korrigieren, Arbeitsaufgaben können erstellt werden, damit Mitarbeiter Maßnahmen zum Korrigieren der anormalen Bedingung ergreifen, und/oder ein Bediener kann aufgefordert werden, eine Maßnahme zum Korrigieren der anormalen Bedingung zu ergreifen.

Inbetriebnahme von Feldvorrichtungen in einem durch Big Data unterstützten Prozesssteuerungssystem

Techniken zur Bestimmung vorrichtungsspezifischer Informationen wie z. B. Inbetriebnahmedaten, Standortinformationen, Bildern und anderen Daten, die beschreibend für eine Prozessvorrichtung sind, die in einer Anlage installiert ist, umfassen das Erhalten von vorrichtungsspezifischen Informationen auf einer lokalen Vorrichtung während der Inbetriebnahme der Prozessvorrichtung. Auf der Grundlage dieser Informationen bestimmt die lokale Vorrichtung die relative Reihenfolge der Prozessvorrichtung innerhalb eines Prozessablaufs und kann eine Prozesselementausrichtungskarte bestimmen, welche die Aktivierungsreihenfolge einer Vielzahl von Prozesselementen innerhalb des Ablaufs angibt. Ein Benutzer kann die Karte auf der lokalen Vorrichtung ändern. Die Karte wird zu einem Big-Data-Prozesssteuerungsnetzwerk zur Verwendung bei Discovery- und Lernanalysen übertragen. Die vorrichtungsspezifischen Informationen und/oder die Karte kann/können verwendet werden, um auf der lokalen Vorrichtung Darstellungen/Ansichten des Prozessablaufs zu erzeugen, die Echtzeit-Betriebsdaten umfassen können. Ein Benutzer kann diese Ansichten für mehr oder weniger Details vergrößern oder verkleinern. Techniques for determining device-specific information such as: As commissioning data, location information, images and other data that are descriptive of a process device that is installed in a system include receiving device-specific information on a local device during commissioning of the process device. Based on this information, the local device determines the relative order of the process device within a process flow, and may determine a process element alignment map indicating the activation order of a plurality of process elements within the process. A user can change the map on the local device. The card is transferred to a big data process control network for use in discovery and learning analysis. The device-specific information and / or the map may be used to generate on the local device ...

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM REGELN EINES WORKFLOWS IN EINER VERFAHRENSTECHNISCHEN ANLAGE

Das automatisierte Verfahren für das Regeln eines Workflows in einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage umfasst das Festlegen von Schritten für die Durchführung einer Arbeitsaufgabe und das Generieren von zugehörigen Anzeigen für einen Bediener oder anderes Personal, das die Arbeitsschritte durchführen soll. Eine Arbeitsaufgabe wird erstellt, die eine Aufgabe festlegt, die in der verfahrenstechnischen Anlage durchgeführt werden muss und aus der spezifizierten Aufgabe einen Satz von Prozeduren für die Ausführung der Arbeitsaufgabe bestimmt. Für jede Prozedur wird eine zugehörige Anzeige generiert, und die zugehörigen Anzeigen werden auf einem mobilen UI-Gerät in einer Reihenfolge angezeigt, in der der Satz von Prozeduren durchgeführt werden muss.

Verfahren zum Initiieren oder Fortsetzen einer mobilen Steuerungssitzung in einer Prozessanlage

UI-Sitzungen auf einem UI-Gerät werden gemäß gespeicherten Statusdaten initiiert oder fortgesetzt. Von einem ersten Client-Gerät wird eine Sitzungsanforderung empfangen. Ein der Sitzungsanforderung zugeordnetes Benutzerprofil wird identifiziert, und es wird ermittelt, ob eine vorherige Sitzung vorhanden ist. Wenn keine vorherige Sitzung vorhanden ist, wird eine neue Sitzung mit einer Standardsitzungskonfiguration instanziiert. Wenn eine vorherige Sitzung vorhanden ist, wird eine neue Sitzung gemäß der vorherigen Sitzung instanziiert.

Kontextsensitive mobile Steuerung in einem Prozessleitsystem

Ein mobiles Gerät für kontextsensitiven Betrieb in einer Prozessteuerungsumgebung und ein System, das ein derartiges Gerät beinhaltet, beinhaltet eine erste Schaltung zum Erfassen von Informationen, die einer Prozesseinheit in der Prozessteuerungsumgebung zugeordnet sind. Das mobile Gerät beinhaltet auch einen Prozessor, der kommunikativ mit der ersten Schaltung gekoppelt ist, zur Identifikation der Prozesseinheit basierend auf den erfassten Informationen. Das mobile Gerät beinhaltet weiter eine Netzwerkschnittstelle, die kommunikativ mit dem Prozessor verbunden ist, zum Empfangen von einer Prozesseinheit zugeordneten Arbeitsaufgabedaten. Die Arbeitsaufgabedaten geben eine der Prozesseinheit zugeordnete Zielfunktion an. Der Prozessor löst ein Ereignis zur Erleichterung der Durchführung einer der Prozesseinheit zugeordneten Zielfunktion als Antwort auf die Nähe des mobilen Geräts zu der Prozesseinheit und den Arbeitsaufgabedaten aus.

Verfahren und Vorrichtung für die nahtlose Zustandsübertragung zwischen UI-Geräten in einer mobilen Schaltzentrale

Verfahren und Systeme für den Betrieb eines Prozessleitsystems beinhalten mehrere UI-Geräte, die jeweils eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen betreiben und dazu dienen, den jeweiligen Gerätezustands von Gerät zu Gerät weiterzugeben. Ein erstes UI-Gerät ist mit einem einheitlichen, logischen Datenspeicherbereich verbunden und führt eine oder mehrere erste Routinen durch, um eine Funktion durchzuführen. Ein zweites UI-Gerät ist über ein Netzwerk mit dem einheitlichen, logischen Datenspeicherbereich verbunden und führt eine oder mehrere gespeicherte Routinen durch, die jeweils einer der ersten Routinen entsprechen. Das erste UI-Gerät übergibt an das zweite UI-Gerät Statusinformationen, die auf eine oder mehrere erste Routinen auf dem ersten UI-Gerät hinweisen, so dass das zweite UI-Gerät beim Empfangen der Statusinformationen eine oder mehrere der zweiten Routinen ausführt, die einer oder mehreren der ersten Routinen entsprechen.

Verfahren und Vorrichtung für nahtlose Zustandsübertragung zwischen Benutzeroberflächengeräten in einer mobilen Schaltzentrale

Verfahren und Systeme zum Betreiben eines Prozessleitsystems beinhalten mehrere Benutzeroberflächen (UI), die jeweils Zugriff auf mehrere Anwendungen auf einem Server nehmen und zur Speicherung von Gerätezuständen auf dem Server und Empfangen von Gerätezuständen von dem Server betreibbar sind. Der Server ist mit einem einheitlichen, logischen Datenspeicherbereich gekoppelt und stellt Funktionen mit Bezug zu den in der Datenspeicherung gespeicherten Prozessdaten über eine oder mehrere Benutzeroberflächen bereit. Ein erstes mit dem Server gekoppeltes UI-Gerät nimmt Zugriff auf die Prozessdaten und wartet die Zustandsinformationen auf dem Server, die einen Zustand der Benutzeroberfläche angeben, der auf dem ersten UI-Gerät ausgeführt wird. Ein zweites mit dem Server gekoppeltes UI-Gerät nimmt Zugriff auf die Prozessdaten und die Zustandsinformationen, um eine Benutzeroberfläche auf dem zweiten UI-Gerät gemäß den Zustandsinformationen auszuführen, die den Zustand der Benutzeroberfläche angeben ...

Sammeln und Bereitstellen von Daten an eine Big-Data-Maschine in einem Prozesssteuerungssystem

Ein Gerät, das Big-Data in einer Prozessanlage unterstützt, beinhaltet eine Schnittstelle zu einem Kommunikationsnetzwerk, einen Cache, der konfiguriert ist, um vom Gerät beobachtete Daten zu speichern, und einen Prozessor mit mehreren Verarbeitungselementen, um die Daten zur Historisierung in einem unitären, logischen, zentralisierten Datenspeicherbereich zwischen zu speichern und zu übertragen (z. B. zu streamen). Der Datenspeicherbereich speichert mehrere Typen von Prozesssteuerungs- oder Prozessanlagendaten unter Verwendung eines einheitlichen Formats. Das Gerät versieht die zwischengespeicherten Daten mit einem Zeitstempel und in einigen Fällen können alle Daten, die vom Gerät generiert oder erstellt oder an ihm empfangen werden, zwischengespeichert und/oder gestreamt werden. Das Gerät kann ein Feldgerät, eine Steuerung, ein Eingabe-/Ausgabegerät, ein Netzwerkmanagementgerät, ein Benutzerschnittstellengerät oder ein Vergangenheitsdatenspeichergerät sein und das Gerät kann ein Knoten ...

Mobile Schaltzentrale mit Echtzeit-Umgebungssensitivität

Ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung verfolgen den Standort eines mobilen Geräts in einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage und zeigen vorhandene Informationen zum Standort des mobilen Geräts in der verfahrenstechnischen Anlage relativ zu Ausrüstung der verfahrenstechnischen Anlage an. Eine Standortsensitivitätskomponente generiert Informationen zum Standort des mobilen Schaltzentralengeräts. Eine erste Routine interpretiert von der Standortsensitivitätskomponente generierte Informationen gemäß in der Datenbank gespeicherten Informationen, um eine Beziehung zwischen dem Standort des Geräts und einem Layout der verfahrenstechnischen Anlage zu ermitteln. Eine zweite Routine generiert eine Grafik zur Darstellung auf dem Display gemäß der ermittelten Beziehung zwischen dem Standort des Geräts und dem Layout der Anlage.

Ereigniserfassungssystem für eine Folge von Ereignissen und Verfahren zum Erkennen von Ereignissen in einem Prozesssteuerungssystem

Ereigniserfassungssystem für eine Folge von Ereignissen, umfassend: einen Haupttaktgeber (66); eine mit dem Haupttaktgeber (66) kommunizierend verbundene erste Einrichtung (14), umfassend einen ersten Zähler (106), einen ersten Prozessor (122) und einen mit dem Haupttaktgeber (66) zeitlich synchronisierten Sekundärtaktgeber (104); und eine mit der ersten Einrichtung (14) kommunizierend verbundene zweite Einrichtung (50, 51), umfassend einen Ereignispuffer (114, 116), einen zweiten Zähler (108, 110) und einen zweiten Prozessor (123), der derart programmiert ist, dass bei der Erfassung eines Ereignisses ein Indikator des Ereignisses in dem Ereignispuffer (114, 116) gespeichert wird und der Wert des zweiten Zählers (108, 110) zum Zeitpunkt der Erfassung des Ereignisses als ein Ereigniszählwert in dem Ereignispuffer (114, 116) gespeichert wird, und weiterhin dass eine Ereignismeldung an die erste Einrichtung (14) gesendet wird, welche Ereignismeldung den Indikator des Ereignisses und einen ...

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM NAHTLOSEN ÜBERGANG ZWISCHEN BENUTZEROBERFLÄCHENGERÄTEN IN EINER MOBILEN SCHALTZENTRALE

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Betreiben einer verfahrenstechnischen Anlage schließen einen Server ein, der Anzeigeinformationen an ein erstes Benutzeroberflächen-(UI)-Gerät bereitstellt, Statusinformationen speichert und Anzeigeinformationen an ein zweites Benutzeroberflächengerät entsprechend den gespeicherten Statusdaten bereitstellt. Ein Prozessor ist an einen einheitlichen, logischen Datenspeicherbereich und an ein Speichergerät gekoppelt, das maschinenlesbare Anweisungen speichert, die von dem Prozessor ausführbar sind. Die Anweisungen veranlassen den Prozessor dazu, Prozessdaten zur Anzeige auf einem ersten UI-Gerät zu empfangen, die empfangenen Prozessdaten an das erste UI-Gerät zu übertragen, Statusinformationen im Zusammenhang mit der Anzeige der Prozessdaten auf dem ersten UI-Gerät zu speichern, Prozessdaten zur Anzeige auf einem zweiten UI-Gerät entsprechend den gespeicherten Statusinformationen zu empfangen und die empfangenen Prozessdaten entsprechend den gespeicherten Statusinformationen ...

Datenstreaming zur Analytik in Prozesssteuerungssystemen

Es werden Verfahren zum Streamen von Big Data in einer Prozessanlage offenbart. Im Allgemeinen vereinfachen diese Verfahren das Speichern oder die Kommunikation von Prozesssteuerdaten, umfassend Alarme, Parameter, Ereignisse und Ähnliches, annähernd in Echtzeit. Empfänger von Big Data wie Big Data Historians oder Vorrichtungen, die bestimmte Daten anfordern, werden über einen ursprünglichen Satz von Metadaten konfiguriert und erhalten danach aktualisierte Metadaten, nachdem sie diese von der Sendevorrichtung anfordern, wie wenn die Empfangsvorrichtung in den Daten auf eine Kennung stößt, wobei die Kennung in den zuvor empfangenen Metadaten nicht definiert wurde.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING DATA OVER A NETWORK BASED ON NETWORK USER CHOICES AND COLLECTING REAL-TIME DATA RELATED TO SAID CHOICES

A character having a plurality of attributes is created by a network user while within a character-enabled network site. Each attribute is defined by at least one of either audio data and/or visual image data and is selected by the user from a plurality of attributes presented to the user through a user interface. The combination of attributes defines a persona for the character. At least one of either an audio presentation and/or a visual image presentation is provided to the user interface. The presentations presented are selected from a plurality of presentations based on the character's persona. Data related to character attributes are stored in a database. One or more of the presentations presented to the user may be interactive, in that it allows for the user to make choices. 1. A method of collecting data on-line in response to user choices made on-line , said method comprising:storing a plurality of character data in a database;storing a plurality of character-attribute data in a database;linking the character attribute data with one or more of the character data;presenting to a user interface, one or more character data defining one or more characters for selection by the user;upon selection of a character, presenting in real time to the user interface, the selected character along with at least one of the character-attribute data linked to the selected character for selection by the user;upon selection of a character attribute, presenting in real time to the user interface, the selected character including the selected character attribute; andtallying the number of times the selected character attribute has been selected.2. The method of wherein the character data comprises at least one of audio data and visual image data.3. The method of wherein the character-attribute data comprises at least one of audio data and visual image data.4. The method of further comprising:storing data in a database indicative of the selected character and selected character ...

Optimized Cooling for Vehicle with Start-Stop Technology

An air conditioning system for a start-stop vehicle employs a compressor with a variable displacement. A controller determines a normal Climate Thermal Load (CTL) value for controlling a variable stroke of the variable displacement compressor. A stop event is detected in response to a speed of the vehicle and the occurrence of a predetermined deceleration. During the stop event, the variable stroke is increased by an amount determined in response to the normal CTL value, the speed of the vehicle, and a measure of the deceleration of the vehicle so that an evaporator temperature within the air conditioning system is allowed to decrease while the vehicle is stopping so that climate comfort can be maintained even while the engine is shut off during the subsequent time that the vehicle is stopped. 1. A vehicular air conditioning system for a vehicle having a start-stop technology , comprising:an evaporator;an evaporator temperature sensor for generating an evaporator temperature signal according to a temperature of the evaporator;an exterior temperature sensor for generating an exterior temperature signal according to a temperature outside of the vehicle;an occupant control element for setting an occupant demand signal;a variable displacement compressor driven by the engine and having a variable stroke for generating a variable amount of cooling of the evaporator in response to a stroke control signal;a vehicle speed sensor generating a speed signal according to an instantaneous speed of the vehicle; anda controller receiving the evaporator temperature signal and the speed signal, the controller 1) determining a Climate Thermal Load (CTL) value in response to the exterior temperature signal and the occupant demand signal, 2) determining an evaporator target temperature in response to the CTL value, 3) varying the variable stroke to keep the evaporator temperature signal near the evaporator target temperature, 4) detecting a stop event of the vehicle in response to the ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING OF DATA SECURELY BETWEEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES

A system for securely sharing data and conducting transactions in an electronic environment. The system may include a personal information device having a processor, memory and biometric sensor. Personal data is stored in the memory of the personal information device. The personal information device may be registered with a centralized system. Data stored on the personal information device may be uploaded to an access device upon verification of a user's identity using a biometric recognition technique. 1. A device for use in securely transferring data in an electronic environment , said device comprising:a processor;a memory accessible to the processor, the memory having personal data and a biometric template of a user stored therein;the memory further having instructions stored therein to cause the processor to perform the steps of:receive a request from an access device to access data stored in the memory,receive a biometric sample from a user,compare the biometric sample from the user to the biometric template,upload the requested data to the access device if the biometric sample and biometric template match.2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a biometric sensor in communication with the processor.3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a housing for containing the processor and the memory claim 2 , the housing having a front housing member and a back housing member claim 2 , the front housing member having a cutout for accommodating a biometric sensor.4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately 0.125 inches thick by 2.125 inches wide by 3.375 inches long.5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately a shape of a credit card.6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes a unique identification number stored therein.7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the memory further comprises instructions stored therein to cause the processor to perform the steps of: uploading the unique identification ...

Systems and Methods for Theater Seat Movement

Systems and methods for providing movement to seating including theater seating generate complex motion responses in the seating by automatically analyzing an audio component of media being consumed for one or more aspects of the audio information contained in the audio component at certain frequencies or frequency ranges. The aspects analyzed include aspects relating to frequencies and frequency ranges substantially higher than the low-frequency signals used to drive motion of theater seating. From the analysis of the audio aspects contained in the audio component, a plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is generated. The plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is directed to a plurality of individual actuators incorporated into different locations in a seat to provide sensations of motion at different locations of the seat, such as at a seat location, at a lower back location, and at an upper back location. 1. A system for providing a motion-enhanced experience to consumption of media containing audio information , the system comprising:a seat having a plurality of motion-generating assemblies incorporated therein at different locations of the seat; anda signal processor module communicatively connected to the motion-generating assemblies, the signal processor module being configured to receive audio information from an audio source and to process the audio information into a plurality of output signals, each output signal comprising primarily low-frequency signal information generated by the signal processor module to drive one of motion and output simulating motion, and each output signal being simultaneously directed to one of the motion-generating assemblies, the output signals differing from the audio information received from the audio source.2. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the signal processor module comprises a digital signal processor that analyzes the audio information from the audio source and generates each of ...

Method for Selecting Shapes in a Graphical Display

A selector shape may serve as the background to a configurable composite shape and may include one or more expressions that are evaluated to select between several composite shape definitions via links to the definition. Each selector shape includes an animation expression and a lookup table converter to select an identifier of the composite definition to be loaded and displayed. When the value of the animation expression changes, the value may be matched to the name of a new composite definition using the lookup table, and the new definition may be displayed. The previously-used composite definition may then be marked for removal by a caching system, and removed. These selector shapes also enable the same graphic element to be used in displays designed for different types of display devices, such as display devices having large display screens, standard computer screens and very small display screens. 1. A computing device for reducing a number of composite shape sub-elements stored in a runtime memory of a graphical display for the process control system , the device comprising:a processor;a memory;a display; and evaluating the expression to determine an expression result;', 'executing an operation to identify a composite shape sub-element using the expression result by matching the expression result to an item that identifies the composite shape sub-element from the plurality of composite shape sub-elements;', 'displaying the identified composite shape sub-element within the composite shape; and', 'removing any composite shape sub-elements not identified by the expression result., 'a composite shape sub-element selection application maintained in the memory and executed on the processor to select a composite shape sub-element for display within a composite shape of the graphical display, the composite shape configured to include a plurality of composite shape sub-elements and an expression, the composite shape sub-element selection application including ...

OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDE AND ITS USE TO INDUCE AN IMMUNE RESPONSE

A substantially pure or isolated oligodeoxynucleotide of at least 10 nucleotides is disclosed, wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide comprised a sequence represented by either formula: 1. A substantially pure or isolated oligodeoxynucleotide , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 22 , and wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is 100 nucleotides or less in length.2. The oligodeoxynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is modified to prevent degradation.3. The oligodeoxynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide has a phosphate backbone modification.4. The oligodeoxynucleotide of claim 3 , wherein the phosphate backbone modification is a phosphorothioate backbone modification.5. The oligodeoxynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is 20 nucleotides in length.6. The oligodeoxynucleotide claim 1 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is 50 nucleotides or less in length.7. The oligodeoxynucleotide of claim 1 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is 30 nucleotides or less in length.8. An oligodeoxynucleotide delivery complex comprising the oligodeoxynucleotide of and a targeting means.9. The oligodeoxynucleotide delivery complex of claim 8 , wherein the targeting means is selected from the group consisting of cholesterol claim 8 , virosome claim 8 , liposome claim 8 , lipid claim 8 , and a target cell specific binding agent.10. A composition comprising the oligodeoxynucleotide of and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.11. A method of inducing cytokine production by a peripheral blood mononuclear cell claim 1 , comprising{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'contacting the peripheral blood mononuclear cell with an effective amount of the oligodexoynucleotide of , thereby inducing the production of the cytokine, wherein the cytokine is interleukin (IL)-6 or interferon γ.'}12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the oligodeoxynucleotide is 30 nucleotides or less in length. ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-ANALYTE DETECTION

The present invention provides a system and method for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a sample. The detection system includes a housing that holds a reagent carousel rotatably coupled thereto. Further included in the housing is an incubator carousel rotatably coupled thereto. The housing also includes magnetic material that is associated with the incubation carousel for assisting in separation beads from reagent and wash solution. A robot, associated with the housing is configured to manipulate at least either the reagent carousel or the incubator carousel and transfer materials therebetween. Reaction vessels hold samples and reaction vessels handlers move the reaction vessels. Sample analysis is determined by at least one laser based detector. 151-. (canceled)52. A reagent storage assembly , comprising:a reagent carousel configured to hold a plurality of reagent kits;a rotational drive configured to rotate said reagent carousel; andmixers configured to interact with reagent containers in reagent kits, wherein said mixers mix contents of said reagent containers.53. The reagent storage assembly of claim 52 , further comprising an insulated cooler having an inner chamber and a cooling system for maintaining a particular temperature range within said chamber.54. The reagent storage assembly of claim 53 , wherein said reagent carousel is removably held within the chamber of said insulated cooler.55. The reagent storage assembly of claim 53 , wherein said reagent carousel is removably held within the chamber by a lead screw mechanism coupled to said rotational drive.56. The reagent storage assembly of claim 52 , wherein said mixers are coupled to gears that engage an agitation drive claim 52 , wherein the agitation drive manipulates gears to mix the contents of said reagent containers.57. The reagent storage assembly of claim 56 , further comprising a reagent pack piercer having a piercer drive coupled to at least one pin adapted to pierce a seal on ...

Shifter Force Detection

A shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft and a distal second end of the shaft being interfaced to a shifter mechanism. A first force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft, outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a forward/rearward direction and a second force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a lateral direction.

HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT AND PROBE THEREFOR

In vivo hyperthermia treatment of a target tissue can include imaging the target tissue with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, positioning a hyperthermia treatment probe in or proximate to the target tissue based on the imaging, and heating the target tissue by the probe. During the heating, changes in temperature of a volume of tissue that includes the target tissue can be monitored with the MRI system to determine an amount of the heating applied to the target tissue, and the heating can be terminated when the amount of the heating reaches a predetermined amount. 1. (canceled)2. A method of in vivo hyperthermia treatment of a target tissue , the method comprising:imaging the target tissue with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system;positioning a hyperthermia treatment probe in or proximate to the target tissue based on the imaging;heating the target tissue with the probe;monitoring, during the heating, changes in temperature of a volume of tissue that includes the target tissue with the MRI system to determine an amount of the heating applied to the target tissue; andterminating the heating when the amount of the heating reaches a predetermined amount.3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:injecting a cooling fluid into the probe to control an amount of the heating of the probe or the target tissue.4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the monitoring includes monitoring changes in temperature of the volume of tissue that includes the target tissue and a portion of surrounding non-target tissue claim 3 , and the injecting includes controlling an amount of cooling provided by the cooling fluid based on the monitoring.5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the monitoring includes monitoring changes in temperature of the volume of tissue that includes the target tissue and a portion of surrounding non-target tissue.6. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:after the terminating, repositioning the probe to a new ...

Shifter Force Detection

A shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft and a distal second end of the shaft being interfaced to a shifter mechanism. A first force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft, outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a forward/rearward direction and a second force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a lateral direction.

System, Method and Apparatus for Adaptive Driver Training

A method and apparatus for driver/operator training includes, in a training system, while presenting a simulation segment: collecting data from at least one input device and analyzing the data to predict a potential future issue. If this analysis indicates that there exists the potential future issue, an informational message is presented to warn of the trainee of the potential future issue. 1. A method of driver/operator training comprising: collecting data from at least one input device;', 'analyzing the data to predict a potential future issue; and', 'if the analyzing indicates that there exists the potential future issue, presenting an informational message to warn of the trainee of the potential future issue., 'in a training system, while presenting a simulation segment2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input device is selected from a group consisting of a gas pedal claim 1 , a brake pedal claim 1 , a clutch pedal claim 1 , a simulated transmission position detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission force detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission touch detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission pressure sensor claim 1 , a simulated transmission transducer claim 1 , a steering wheel rotation detector claim 1 , a steering wheel touch detector claim 1 , a biometric sensor claim 1 , and a trainee position detector.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the training system includes a display that simulates a windshield.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of presenting the informational message to warn of the potential future issue includes displaying a pop-up message on the display.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the pop-up message is located on the display at a location indicating the potential future issue.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting the informational message to warn of the potential future issue includes emitting an audio message on a speaker of the training system.7. A method of driver operated training ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE BATTERY PACKS

A method includes controlling an electrified vehicle by modifying a power output of an engine to power an electric heating device for selectively heating a battery pack of the electrified vehicle. 1. A method , comprising:controlling an electrified vehicle by modifying a power output of an engine to power an electric heating device for selectively heating a battery pack of the electrified vehicle.2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein modifying the power output of the engine includes modifying at least one of a speed output and a torque output of a crankshaft of the engine.3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the power output of the engine is modified to power the electric heating device if a temperature of the battery pack is less than a target temperature and a power limit of the battery pack is less than a target power limit.4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the power output of the engine is modified to power the electric heating device if an engine coolant temperature is less than a target engine coolant temperature.5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the power output of the engine is modified to power the electric heating device if a brake specific fuel consumption of the engine is different from a target brake specific fuel consumption.6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the power output of the engine is modified to power the electric heating device if:an engine coolant temperature is less than a target engine coolant temperature;an engine operating point is different from an engine operating point target;a temperature of the battery pack is less than a target temperature; ora power limit of the battery pack is less than a target power limit.7. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising continuing to power the electric heating device until a power limit of the battery pack is equal to or within range of a target power limit.8. The method as recited in claim 7 , comprising lowering the power output of the ...

Securing Devices to Process Control Systems

Techniques for securing a device for use in or with a process plant include provisioning the device with a key generated at least in part from data indicative of necessary conditions and/or attributes that must be met before the device is allowed access to a network of the process plant. Upon initialization, the device determines, based on the key, whether or not the necessary conditions are met, and the device isolates itself or accesses the process control network accordingly. Keys and the necessary conditions/attributes indicated therein may be based on, for example, location, time, context, customer, supplier, particular plant, manufacturer, user, data type, device type, and/or other criteria. Additionally, sub-keys associated with a key may be generated from another set of necessary conditions/attributes. Sub-keys may be provided by a different entity than the key provider entity. 1. A process control device for use in a process control plant , the process control device comprising:a processor;a non-volatile memory storing data indicative of a set of necessary attributes that are required for the process control device to be allowed to communicate with another device using a network of the process control plant, the set of necessary attributes being descriptive of an environment in which the process control device is allowed to communicate with the another device; andcomputer-executable instructions stored on the non-volatile memory or on another memory of the process control device, the computer-executable instructions being executable by the processor after a boot up of the process control device and prior to the process control device communicating with any other device to at least one of: (i) configure the process control device, or (ii) at least one of transmit or receive data used to control a process in the process control plant, determine a set of current attributes of a current environment in which the process control device is located after the boot ...

TISSUE MINCERS, RELATED SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS

A tissue mincer includes a canister defining a chamber and an opening, a lid configured to cover the opening, and a tissue cutter. The tissue cutter includes a shaft and a blade assembly. The shaft includes a proximal portion that is configured to be rotated and a distal portion extending into the chamber when the tissue mincer is assembled. The distal portion is coupled to the blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a first disk, at least one blade spaced from the distal portion of the shaft by the first disk, and a disk retainer that encloses at least a portion of the blade. The blade can rotate relative to at least the first disk when the proximal portion of the shaft rotates. The blade includes at least one cutting edge that is configured to cut tissue as the blade rotates. 1. A tissue mincer , comprising:a canister including at least one end surface and at least one lateral surface extending from the at least one end surface, the at least one end surface and the at least one lateral surface defining at least a portion of a chamber, the canister defining an opening;a lid configured to be attached to the canister and sized to be disposed over the opening; and a first disk defining a plurality of holes, the first disk positioned adjacent to the distal portion of the shaft;', 'at least one blade spaced from the distal portion of the shaft by the first disk, the at least one blade including at least one cutting edge and an lateral periphery, wherein the at least one blade is configured to rotate relative to the first disk when the proximal portion of the shaft rotates; and', 'a blade retainer including a base portion and at least one outer wall extending from the base portion, the at least one outer wall configured to enclose at least a portion of the lateral periphery of the at least one blade, the blade retainer configured to be coupled to the first disk., 'a tissue cutter comprising a shaft and a blade assembly, the shaft including a proximal portion and a ...

HYBRID VEHICLE WITH MULTI-ZONE CABIN COOLING AND INTEGRATED BATTERY COOLING

Cooling of a battery pack of an electrified vehicle is performed with an optimized energy usage and with minimal impact on cooling of the passenger cabin. Refrigerant from a condenser in an air conditioning system is evaporated in a front evaporator to cool a main air flow in a front cabin zone. The refrigerant is evaporated in a coolant chiller to cool a liquid coolant. The liquid coolant is pumped from the chiller to a rear exchanger to cool a rear air flow in a rear cabin zone. The liquid coolant is pumped from the chiller to the battery when a battery temperature and an ambient air temperature correspond to an active cooling mode. The coolant is pumped between the battery and a passive radiator instead of the chiller when the battery coolant temperature and the ambient air temperature correspond to a passive cooling mode. 1. An electrified vehicle comprising:a shared cooling subsystem including a compressor and a condenser circulating a refrigerant;a main evaporator selectably coupled to the shared cooling subsystem and adapted to evaporate refrigerant to cool a main air flow in a main section of a passenger cabin of the vehicle;a coolant chiller selectably coupled to the shared cooling subsystem and adapted to evaporate refrigerant to cool a liquid coolant;a chiller pump for pumping the coolant from the chiller;a zone exchanger selectably receiving coolant from the chiller pump to cool a zone air flow in a zone of the passenger cabin;a battery pack providing electrical energy for propelling the vehicle, wherein the battery pack includes an internal conduit for conveying the coolant;a passive radiator exposed to an ambient air temperature;a battery pump for pumping the coolant through the internal conduit; anda diverting valve with a first configuration establishing a first circulation loop including the radiator, the battery pump, and the internal conduit, and with a second configuration establishing a second circulation loop including the chiller and the ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING OF DATA SECURELY BETWEEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES

A system for securely sharing data and conducting transactions in an electronic environment. The system may include a personal information device having a processor, memory and biometric sensor. Personal data is stored in the memory of the personal information device. The personal information device may be registered with a centralized system. Data stored on the personal information device may be uploaded to an access device upon verification of a user's identity using a biometric recognition technique. 1. A device for use in securely transferring data in an electronic environment , said device comprising:a processor;a memory accessible to the processor, the memory having personal data and a biometric template of a user stored therein;the memory further having an application stored therein which, when activated, causes the processor to perform the steps of:receive a request from an access device to access data stored in the memory,receive a biometric sample from a user,compare the biometric sample from the user to the biometric template,upload the requested data to the access device if the biometric sample and biometric template match.2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a biometric sensor in communication with the processor.3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising a housing for containing the processor and the memory claim 2 , the housing having a front housing member and a back housing member claim 2 , the front housing member having a cutout for accommodating a biometric sensor.4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately 0.125 inches thick by 2.125 inches wide by 3.375 inches long.5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately a shape of a credit card.6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes a unique identification number stored therein.7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the application further comprises instructions to cause the processor to perform the steps of: uploading the unique ...

STREAMING DATA FOR ANALYTICS IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Techniques for streaming big data in a process plant are disclosed. Generally, these techniques facilitate storage or communication of process control data, including alarms, parameters, events, and the like, in near real-time. Receivers of big data, such as big data historians or devices requesting specific data, are configured via an initial set of metadata, and thereafter receive updated metadata upon requesting it from the transmitting device, such as when the receiving device encounters an identifier in the data, which identifier was not defined in the metadata previously received. 1. A method for communicating data in a process control system , the method comprising:storing a first set of metadata in a device operable to transmit a data stream;storing, in the device operable to transmit the data stream, a set of data for transmitting as the data stream;transmitting the first set of metadata to a device operable to receive the data stream;receiving the first set of metadata at the device operable to receive the data stream;transmitting the data stream to the device operable to receive the data stream;receiving the data stream at the device operable to receive the data stream, after receiving the first set of metadata; andparsing the received data stream, at the device operable to receive the data stream, according to the first set of metadata.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first set of metadata includes stream format description metadata describing the structure of the data stream.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first set of metadata includes data description metadata describing the content of the data stream.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the device operable to transmit the data stream is a controller claim 1 , and wherein the device operable to receive the data stream comprises a big data appliance.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the device operable to transmit the data stream automatically updates ...

System and method for sharing of data securely between electronic devices

A system for securely sharing data and conducting transactions in an electronic environment. The system may include a personal information device having a processor, memory and biometric sensor. Personal data is stored in the memory of the personal information device. The personal information device may be registered with a centralized system. Data stored on the personal information device may be uploaded to an access device upon verification of a user's identity using a biometric recognition technique.

Methods and Systems for Streaming Process Control Data to Remote Devices

A method of providing data from a process control system to remote computing devices includes obtaining, at a data server via a first network from a mobile server, one or more lists including indications of requested process data parameters indicating process data for communication from the server to the remote devices via a second network. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of controllers within the process control system via a third network, a stream of process data parameter values associated with process data parameters included in one or more configuration files. The configuration files describe a configuration of the process control system. The method includes identifying, by processors of the data server, a subset of the received parameter values corresponding to the requested process data parameters of the lists, and communicating, from the data server to the mobile server via the first network, the identified subset of parameter values. 1. A method of securely providing data from a process control system of a process plant to remote computing devices , comprising:obtaining, at a data server via a first network from a mobile server, one or more lists including indications of requested process data parameters indicating process data to be communicated from the mobile server to the remote computing devices via a second network;receiving, from a plurality of process controllers within the process control system via a third network, a stream of process data parameter values associated with process data parameters included in one or more configuration files, the one or more configuration files describing a configuration of the process control system;identifying, by one or more processors of the data server, a subset of the received process data parameter values corresponding to the requested process data parameters of the one or more lists; andcommunicating, from the data server to the mobile server via the first network, the identified subset of ...

Methods and Systems for Subscribing Remote Devices to Process Control Data

A system communicates process data to a remote computing device. The system includes a processor, a communication unit, and a memory storing instructions for modules. The modules include a scanner interfacing with the communication unit to enable communication with a server via a first network. The scanner enables communication by receiving data from the server, identifying polling requests in the data received, and transmitting request lists to the server in response to the polling requests. The modules also include a data stream processor determining a set of process data values in the data received, the set of process data values corresponding to view list data to be communicated to the remote computing device. Another module is an application program interface (API) interfacing with the communication units to enable communication with the remote computing device a second network by transmitting the set of process data values to the remote computing device. 1. A method of securely subscribing a remote computing device to obtain process data from a process control system of a process plant , comprising:receiving, at a mobile server via a first network from a data server, configuration data indicating a configuration of the process control system;establishing, by the mobile server, a communication connection with the remote computing device via a second network;receiving, at the mobile server via the second network from the remote computing device, an indication of a view list requesting process data associated with the process control system, wherein the process data corresponds to available data indicated by the configuration data;receiving, at the mobile server via the first network from the data server, a polling request for a list of data to be sent from the data server to the mobile server;determining, by the mobile server, the list of data based at least in part upon the view list;sending, from the mobile server to the data server via the first network, the ...

Methods and Apparatus for Configuring Remote Access of Process Control Data

A method of providing process data to a remote computing device includes receiving configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system. The configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of process control entities, and the information regarding each entity includes at least one tag associated with a level in a hierarchy of the system. The method includes identifying a plurality of levels within the system based upon the tags, including at least a first-level identifier and a plurality of second-level identifiers associated with the first-level identifier. Further, the method includes identifying a plurality of control modules, each associated with a second-level identifier, and each associated with the entities based upon the configuration data. The method includes generating a hierarchical list of available process data, and selecting from the hierarchical list a set of information to include on a watch list or alarm list. 1. A method of providing process data from a process control system of a process plant to a remote computing device , comprising:receiving, at a computing device from one or more components within the process control system via a first network, configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system, wherein the configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of entities within the process control system, and wherein the information regarding each entity includes at least one tag associated with a level in a hierarchy of the process control system;identifying, by one or more processors of the computing device, a plurality of levels within the process control system based upon the tags, including at least a first-level identifier and a plurality of second-level identifiers associated with the first-level identifier;identifying, by the one or more processors of the computing device, a plurality of control modules associated with ...

Mobile Devices for Remote Access of Process Control Data

A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium stores machine readable instructions optimized for a microprocessor on a mobile computing device. When executed by the microprocessor, the instructions cause the microprocessor to display a graphical user interface (GUI). The instructions also cause the microprocessor to receive, via the GUI, a selection of one or more items to view. Each of the one or more items is related to a process control system. The instructions cause the microprocessor to transmit to a mobile server, via either the Internet or a mobile telephony data connection, the selection of the one or more items. Thereafter, the instructions cause the microprocessor to receive from the mobile server, via either the Internet or the mobile telephony data connection, a plurality of real-time values corresponding to the selected one or more items, and to display the plurality of real-time values on the GUI. 1. A tangible , non-transitory computer readable medium storing machine readable instructions optimized for a microprocessor on a mobile computing device that , when executed by the microprocessor , cause the microprocessor to:display a graphical user interface (GUI);receive, via the GUI, a selection of one or more items to view, each of the one or more items related to a process control system;transmit to a mobile server, via either the Internet or a mobile telephony data connection, the selection of the one or more items;receive from the mobile server, via either the Internet or the mobile telephony data connection, a plurality of real-time values corresponding to the selected one or more items;display the plurality of real-time values on the GUI.2. A tangible claim 1 , non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more items corresponds to a process entity in the process control system.3. A tangible claim 1 , non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein receiving a selection of one ...

SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS CONTROL DATA TO REMOTE DEVICES

A system for securely disseminating information relating to a process control plant includes a process control node and a controller that is coupled to a plurality of process control devices. The process control node includes a communicator module operable to transmit, via a first network, information of the process plant received from the controller. The system also includes a data services module operable to receive from the communicator module, via the first network, the information of the process plant and to transmit some or all of that information via a second network, and a mobile server, coupled to the second network and to a third network, and operable to receive data from the data services module. The mobile server is operable to communicate with a plurality of mobile computing devices via the third network. 1. A system for securely disseminating information relating to a process control plant , the system comprising:a process control node comprising a plurality of process control devices, operable to control a process in the process plant, and a controller, coupled to the plurality of process control devices, the process control node further comprising a communicator module operable to transmit, via a first network, information of the process plant received from the controller;a data services module operable to receive from the communicator module, via the first network, the information of the process plant and to transmit some or all of that information via a second network; and communicate with a plurality of mobile computing devices via the third network;', 'receive from each of the mobile computing devices a selection of one or more alarms, one or more process control parameters, and/or one or more notifications to be transmitted to the respective mobile computing device from the mobile server; and', 'transmit to each of the mobile computing devices data of the selected notifications, alarms, and/or process control parameters according to the ...

Big Data in Process Control Systems

A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a big data apparatus including a data storage area configured to store, using a common data schema, multiple types of process data and/or plant data (such as configuration and real-time data) that is used in, generated by or received by the process control system, and one or more data receiver computing devices to receive the data from multiple nodes or devices. The data may be cached and time-stamped at the nodes and streamed to the big data apparatus for storage. The process control system big data system provides services and/or data analyses to automatically or manually discover prescriptive and/or predictive knowledge, and to determine, based on the discovered knowledge, changes and/or additions to the process control system and to the set of services and/or analyses to optimize the process control system or plant. 1. A system for supporting big data in a process control plant , comprising:a unitary, logical data storage area including one or more data storage devices configured to store, using a common format, data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or a process that is controlled in the process plant, the data including multiple types of data, and a set of types of data including configuration data, continuous data, and event data corresponding to the process; and 'each of the one or more other devices being a respective node of the process control big data network that (i) collects data that is generated by the respective node, (ii) transmits the collected data via the process control big data network to the one or more data receiver computing devices, and (iii) excludes a respective configuration or definition indicating a rate at which the collected data is to be transmitted by the respective node.', 'one or more data receiver computing devices configured to receive the data from one or more other devices via a process control big data network and to cause the ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS PLANT WITH WEARABLE MOBILE CONTROL DEVICES

Methods and apparatus for performing functions in a process plant include the use of wearable mobile user-interface (UI) devices. The wearable UI devices may perform process control functions, notification functions, commissioning functions, personal and environment safety functions, and/or guidance functions. 1. A wearable mobile user interface device for controlling a process plant , the wearable mobile user interface device comprising:a housing configured to secure the wearable device to a user;a processor, disposed within the housing, communicatively coupled to a network;a memory, disposed within the housing, communicatively coupled to the processor;a display, disposed within or physically coupled to the housing, communicatively coupled to the processor; andone or more routines stored on the memory device and executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform a process control function.2. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has the general form of a wrist watch and is configured to be removably affixed to the user in the manner of a wrist watch.3. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is integrated with a pair of glasses.4. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a network via an intermediary device.5. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 4 , wherein the intermediary device is a tablet or a smart phone.6. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 1 , further comprising a biometric sensor.7. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 6 , wherein the biometric sensor is a heart rate sensor.8. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 6 , wherein the biometric sensor is a pulse oximeter.9. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 6 , wherein the biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor.10. The wearable mobile user interface device of claim 1 , further comprising a ...

Integratable ILS Interlock System

Methods and compositions for preventing opposing ILS systems on a single runway from becoming active at the same time. A physical interlock system employs a physical switch element that may activate a first ILS system or an opposing second ILS system, but is not capable of permitting, and may prevent, opposing ILS systems from being active simultaneously. Also included are methods for preventing opposing ILS systems on a single runway from becoming active, comprising the use of a physical switch preventing activating signals from being sent to opposing ILS systems at the same time. 1) A system for preventing more than one instrument landing system (ILS) from being active for an airport runway at the same time , comprising:a first input signal indicating that a first ISL, guiding air traffic approaching said runway from a first direction, is selected;a second input signal indicating that a second ISL, guiding air traffic approaching said runway from a second direction, other than said first direction, is selected; a) send a first activating output signal to said first ILS, and prevent a second activating output signal being sent to said second ILS, when said first input signal indicates that said first ILS is selected;', 'b) send a second activating output signal to said second ILS, and prevent a first activating output signal being sent to said first ILS, when said second input signal indicates that said second ILS is selected;', 'c) prevent a first activating output signal and a second activating output signal being sent to said first ILS and said second ILS, respectively, if neither a first input signal or a second input signal are received by said interlock relay; and', 'd) maintain an activating output signal to a first-selected ILS if both said first input signal and said second input signal are received by said interlock relay;, 'an interlock relay, configured to receive said first input signal and second input signal, comprising one or more physical switch, ...

Commissioning Field Devices in a Process Control System Supported by Big Data

Techniques for determining device-specific information such as commissioning data, location information, images, and other data descriptive of a process device installed in a plant include obtaining the device-specific information at a local device during the process device's commissioning. Based on this information, the local device determines the relative order of the process device within a process flow, and may determine a process element alignment map indicating the activation order of a plurality of process elements within the flow. A user may modify the map at the local device. The map is transmitted to a process control big data network for use in discovery and learning analytics. The device-specific information and/or the map may be utilized to generate, at the local device, representations/views of the process flow, which may include real-time operational data. A user may zoom in or out on these views for more or less detail. 1. An apparatus for aligning process elements in a process , the apparatus comprising:a memory storing respective data for each field device included in a plurality of field devices for controlling at least a portion of the process in a process plant, the respective data for the each field device including respective identification information of the each field device and a respective indication of a relative order of the each field device with respect to at least one other field device within a flow of the process;an alignment generator configured to generate, based on the stored respective data of the plurality of field devices, a representation of an order of the plurality of field devices within the flow of the process, the generated representation being at least a portion of a process element alignment map of the process; anda display on which the at least the portion of the process element alignment map is presented.2. The apparatus of claim 1 ,further comprising a device verifier configured to verify, during a commissioning of ...

Methods and Apparatus for Configuring Remote Access of Process Control Data

A method of providing process data to a remote computing device includes receiving configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system. The configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of process control entities, and the information regarding each entity includes at least one tag associated with a level in a hierarchy of the system. The method includes identifying a plurality of levels within the system based upon the tags, including at least a first-level identifier and a plurality of second-level identifiers associated with the first-level identifier. Further, the method includes identifying a plurality of control modules, each associated with a second-level identifier, and each associated with the entities based upon the configuration data. The method includes generating a hierarchical list of available process data, and selecting from the hierarchical list a set of information to include on a watch list or alarm list. 1. A tangible , non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for providing process data from a process control system to a remote computing device that , when executed by one or more processors of the computing device , cause the computing device to:receive configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system from one or more components within the process control system via a first network, wherein the configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of entities within the process control system, and wherein the information associated with each entity includes at least one tag;receive a query from the remote computing device via a second network, the query including one or more search parameters associated with the tags of the entities;identify one or more entities based upon the one or more search parameters and the tags associated with the one or more entities;generate a list of entries including entries ...

BIG DATA IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a big data apparatus including a data storage area configured to store, using a common data schema, multiple types of process data and/or plant data (such as configuration and real-time data) that is used in, generated by or received by the process control system, and one or more data receiver computing devices to receive the data from multiple nodes or devices. The data may be cached and time-stamped at the nodes and streamed to the big data apparatus for storage. The process control system big data system provides services and/or data analyses to automatically or manually discover prescriptive and/or predictive knowledge, and to determine, based on the discovered knowledge, changes and/or additions to the process control system and to the set of services and/or analyses to optimize the process control system or plant. 1. A system for supporting big data in a process control plant , comprising:a unitary, logical data storage area including one or more data storage devices configured to store, using a common format, data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or a process that is controlled in the process plant, the data including multiple types of data, and a set of types of data including configuration data, continuous data, and event data corresponding to the process; andone or more data receiver computing devices configured to receive the data from one or more other devices and to cause the data to be stored in the unitary, logical data storage area.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data includes time series data.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a data entry of the time series data stored in the unitary claim 2 , logical data storage area includes a content and a timestamp claim 2 , the timestamp being indicative of a time of generation of the content of the data entry.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unitary claim 1 , logical data storage area is further ...

CONTEXT SENSITIVE MOBILE CONTROL IN A PROCESS PLANT

A mobile device for context-sensitive operation in a process control environment, and a system including such a device, includes a first circuit for acquiring information associated with a process entity in the process control environment. The mobile device also includes a processor, communicatively coupled to the first circuit, for identifying the process entity based on the acquired information. Further, the mobile device includes a network interface, communicatively connected to the processor, for receiving work item data associated with a process entity. The work item data indicates a target function associated with the process entity. The processor triggers an event to facilitate implementing the target function associated with the process entity in response to the proximity of the mobile device to the process entity and the work item data. 1. A method for contextual operation of a mobile device in a process control environment , the method including:acquiring at the mobile device information to identify a process entity in the process control environment;determining a proximity of the mobile device to the process entity;identifying at the mobile device work item data associated with the process entity, the work item data including information regarding a target function associated with the process entity; andautomatically triggering an event at the mobile device to facilitate implementing the target function associated with the process entity in response to the acquired information and the identified work item data.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the process entity is (i) a process control device claim 1 , or (ii) an area in the process control environment.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target function associated with the process entity is a scheduled task associated with the process entity.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein triggering an event at the mobile device to facilitate implementing the target function associated with the process entity ...

MOBILE CONTROL ROOM WITH REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS

A method and apparatus track the location of a mobile device within a process plant and display present information about the location of the mobile device in the process plant relative to equipment of the process plant. A location awareness component generates information pertaining to the location of the mobile control room device. A first routine interprets information generated by the location awareness component according to information stored in a database to determine a relationship between the location of the device and a layout of the process plant. A second routine generates a graphic for depiction on the display according to the determined relationship between the location of the device and the layout of the plant. 1. A mobile control room device for use in process plant , the device comprising:a processor;a memory device communicatively coupled to the processor;a display communicatively coupled to the processor;a location awareness component operable to generate information pertaining to the location of the mobile control room device;a database stored on the memory device and storing layout information of the process plant;a first routine stored on the memory device and operable to interpret information generated by the location awareness component according to information stored in the database to determine a relationship between the location of the mobile control device and the layout of the process plant; anda second routine stored on the memory device and operable to generate a graphic for depiction on the display according to the determined relationship between the location of the mobile control device and the layout of the process plant.2. A mobile control device according to claim 1 , wherein the database stores layout information for presenting the process plant from an overhead perspective.3. A mobile control device according to claim 1 , wherein the database stores layout information for presenting the process plant from an eye-level ...

SUPERVISOR ENGINE FOR PROCESS CONTROL

A supervisor engine cooperates with an expert system in a process control environment to automatically generate, assign, track, and manage work items. The supervisor engine creates work items according to data received from the expert system, selects available personnel to execute work items, sends work items to the selected personnel, schedules the execution of the work items, and creates and stores permissions that allow the assigned personnel to complete a target function of the work item at an assigned time. The supervisor engine determines required skill sets, roles, certifications, and/or credentials associated with a work item, and selects personnel to perform the work item according to a personnel profile specifying a skill set, a role, certifications, and/or credentials associated with the personnel. Alternatively or additionally, the supervisor engine assigns a work item according to the presence of personnel at or near the target equipment. 1. A computer-implemented , automated method of assigning tasks to personnel in a process plant , the method executed by a supervisor module and comprising:receiving data from an expert system;creating a work item specifying a task according to the data received from the expert system;selecting a person to execute the task specified in the work item;sending the work item to a device associated with the selected person; andreceiving an indication that the selected person has accepted the work item.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving data from an expert system comprises receiving data indicating a trend associated with a process parameter.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving data from an expert system comprises receiving data indicating a predicted problem in the process plant.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving data from an expert system comprises receiving a request to provide the expert system with a parameter value.5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein creating a ...

Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room

Methods, apparatus, and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices, each accessing process control data for display in dynamically generated user interfaces, and each operable to transfer device state directly to another device. A first user interface device stores instructions operable to cause a processor of the first user interface device to dynamically generate a user interface for displaying process data. Process data are provided to the first user interface device by a server coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area. When a second user interface device receives from a first user interface device data indicative of the state of the first user interface device, the second user interface device dynamically generates a user interface for displaying data on the second user interface device according to the received data indicative of the state of the first user interface device.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM

Methods and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices, each operating a plurality of applications, and operable to pass device state from device to device. A first user interface device is communicatively coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area, and executes one or more first routines for performing a function. A second user interface device is communicatively coupled via a network to the unitary, logical data storage area and executes one or more stored routines each corresponding to one of the first routines. The first user interface device passes to the second user interface device state information indicative of one or more first routines operating on the first user interface device such that the second user interface device, upon receiving the state information, executes one or more of the second routines corresponding to one or more of the first routines. 1. A system for operating a process control plant , the system comprising:a unitary, logical data storage area including one or more data storage devices configured to store, using a common format, process data corresponding to the process plant, the process data including multiple types of process data selected from configuration data, measurement data, batch data, continuous data, and event data;a first user interface device communicatively coupled via a network to the unitary, logical data storage area and operable to execute one or more first routines, each first routine for performing a control function, an operation function, a configuration function, a maintenance function, a data analysis function, a management function, a quality control function, or a security function; anda second user interface device communicatively coupled via the network to the unitary, logical data storage area and operable to execute one or more second routines, each second routine corresponding to one of the first routines;wherein the first user interface device is operable to pass ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING A WORK FLOW IN A PROCESS PLANT

An automated method for managing a work flow in a process plant includes determining the steps of performing a work item and generating associated displays for an operator or other personnel to perform the steps of the work item. A work item is created specifying a task to be performed in the process plant and determining from the specified task a set of procedures for execution of the work item. For each procedure, an associated display is generated and the associated displays are displayed on a mobile user interface device sequentially in an order in which the set of procedures are to be performed. 1. A computer-implemented , automated method of managing a work flow in a process plant , the method comprising:creating a work item specifying a task to be performed in the process plant;determining from the specified task a set of procedures for execution of the work item;generating for each of the procedures in the set of procedures an associated display; anddisplaying on a mobile user interface device the set of associated displays sequentially in an order in which the set of procedures are to be performed.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein creating a work item comprises receiving data from an expert system and specifying a task according to the data received from the expert system.3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein receiving data from an expert system comprises receiving an instruction to perform a particular action with respect to a process control device.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein creating a work item specifying a task to be performed in the process plant comprises specifying a maintenance task claim 1 , a calibration task claim 1 , a replacement task claim 1 , an inspection task claim 1 , or a repair task.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein creating a work item specifying a task to be performed in the process plant comprises specifying a task that requires a safety lockout procedure.6. A method according to claim 1 , ...

MOBILE ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN A PROCESS PLANT

In a process plant, a mobile device detects a physical phenomenon and converts the detected physical phenomenon to digital data representative of the physical phenomenon. The data are transmitted to an expert system and analyzed by the expert system to determine a state of one or more process elements. Abnormal conditions associated with the process elements may be detected, and a cause of the abnormal condition may be determined from the digital data. Process control parameters may be automatically changed to correct the abnormal condition, work items may be created to cause personnel to take action to correct the abnormal condition, and/or an operator may be prompted to take a corrective action to resolve the abnormal condition. 1. A method for analyzing physical phenomena in a process plant , the method including:detecting, in a mobile device, a physical phenomenon in the process plant;converting, in the mobile device, the detected physical phenomenon to digital data representative of the physical phenomenon;transmitting the digital data to an expert system; andanalyzing the digital data in the expert system to determine a state of one or more process elements.2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising detecting an abnormal condition associated with the one or more process elements.3. A method according to claim 2 , further comprising determining from the digital data a cause of the abnormal condition.4. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising automatically initiating a change to one or more process control parameters to correct the abnormal condition.5. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising automatically creating a work item to cause personnel to take action to correct the abnormal condition.6. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising providing to an operator an indication of a corrective action to be taken to resolve the abnormal condition.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein detecting the physical phenomenon ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF A MOBILE CONTROL DEVICE IN A PROCESS PLANT

Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining with dead reckoning the position, relative to an anchor point, of a mobile device. Data indicating an anchor position within a process plant is acquired and an anchor position is determined according to the acquired data. Data indicative of acceleration and orientation of the mobile device are received from circuitry of the mobile device. A position of the mobile device is determined according to the received data and the anchor position. 1. A method for determining a position of a mobile device within a process control environment , the method including:acquiring data indicating an anchor position within a process plant;determining the anchor position according to the acquired data;receiving, from circuitry of the mobile device, data indicative of acceleration and orientation of the mobile device; anddetermining a position of the mobile device according to the received data and the anchor position.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring data indicating an anchor position comprises determining a position of the mobile device using a global satellite positioning system.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring data indicating an anchor position comprises acquiring an image.4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein acquiring an image comprises acquiring an image of a bar code.5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein acquiring an image comprises acquiring an image of a portion of the process plant and wherein determining from the image a position of the mobile device comprises comparing the image of the portion of the process plant with a database of images associated with locations in the process plant to determine the position of the mobile device.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring data indicating an anchor position comprises acquiring data of one or more wireless signals.7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein acquiring data of one or more wireless signals comprises ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM

Methods and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface (UI) devices, each accessing a plurality of applications on a server, and operable to store device state on the server and receive device state from the server. The server is coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area and provides functions related to the process data stored in the data storage areas via one or more user interfaces. A first UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and maintains on the server state information indicative of a state of the user interface executing on the first UI device. A second UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and the state information to execute a user interface on the second UI device in accordance with the state information indicative of the state of the user interface executing on the first UI device. 1. A system for operating a process control plant , the system comprising:a unitary, logical data storage area including one or more data storage devices configured to store, using a common format, process data corresponding to the process plant, the process data including multiple types of process data selected from configuration data, measurement data, batch data, continuous data, and event data;a server coupled to the unitary, logical data storage area and operable to provide one or more functions related to the process data stored on the data storage area through one or more user interfaces;a first user interface device communicatively coupled to the server and operable, via the server, to access the process data, the first user interface maintaining on the server state information indicative of a state of the user interface executing on the first user interface device; anda second user interface device communicatively coupled to the server and operable, via the server, to access the process data and the state information and to execute a user interface on the second user interface device in ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM

Methods and apparatus for operating a process plant include a server providing display information to a first user interface (UI) device, storing state information, and providing display information to a second user interface device according to the stored state data. A processor is coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area and to a memory device that stores machine-readable instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the processor to retrieve process data for display on a first UI device, transmit to the first UI device the retrieved process data, store state information associated with the display of the process data on the first UI device, retrieve process data for display on a second UI device according to the stored state information, and transmit to the second UI device the process data retrieved according to the stored state information. 1. A server for facilitating mobile control of a process plant , the server comprising:a processor communicatively coupled via a network to a unitary, logical data storage area including one or more data storage devices configured to store, using a common format, process data corresponding to the process plant, the process data including multiple types of process data selected from configuration data, measurement data, batch data, continuous data, and event data; and retrieve process data for display on a first user interface device;', 'transmit to the first user interface device the retrieved process data;', 'store state information associated with the display of the process data on the first user interface device;', 'retrieve process data for display on a second user interface device according to the stored state information; and', 'transmit to the second user interface device the process data retrieved according to the stored state information., 'a memory device communicatively coupled to the processor and storing machine-readable instructions, executable by the processor to cause the processor ...

METHOD FOR INITIATING OR RESUMING A MOBILE CONTROL SESSION IN A PROCESS PLANT

User interface sessions in a user interface device are initiated or resumed according to stored state data. A session request is received from a first client device. A user profile associated with the session request is identified and a determination made as to whether a previous session exists. If no previous session exists, a new session is instantiated using a default session configuration. If a previous session exists, a new session is instantiated according to the previous session. 1. A method of initiating a user interface session on a first client device for controlling a process plant , the method comprising:receiving from the first client device a session request;identifying a user profile associated with the session request;determining whether a previous session exists; andif no previous session exists, instantiating a new session using a default session configuration; orif a previous session exists, instantiating a new session according to the previous session.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying a user profile associated with the session request comprises receiving from the first client device a user identifier associated with the user profile claim 1 , the user identifier currently logged into the first client device.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying a user profile associated with the session request comprises receiving from the first client device a user identifier associated with the user profile claim 1 , the user identifier currently logged into a second client device.4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:transmitting to the second client device a request to instantiate on the first client device a session according to the session operating on the second client device; andreceiving from the second client device a confirmation.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein determining whether a previous session exists comprises requesting from the first client device a session identifier associated ...

Method for initiating or resuming a mobile control session in a process plant

User interface sessions in a user interface device are initiated or resumed according to a device type and a target session. A session request is received from a first client device. A device type associated with the session request is determined, and a graphical user interface configuration is identified according to the device type. A target session associated with the session request is identified and a new session is configured for the first client device according to the identified graphical user interface configuration and the identified target session. Data associated with the new session are transmitted to the first client device.

COLLECTING AND DELIVERING DATA TO A BIG DATA MACHINE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data. 1. A method of delivering data using a device communicatively coupled to a communications network of a process plant , the process plant having equipment configured to control one or more processes , and the method comprising: the data including at least one of: (i) data that is generated by the device, (ii) data that is created by the device, or (iii) data that is received at the device,', 'the data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or a process controlled by the process plant, and', 'a type of the device is included in a set of device types, the set of device types including a field device and a controller;, 'collecting data at the device,'}storing, in a cache of the device, the collected data; and the unitary, logical data storage area being configured to store, using a common format, multiple types of data from a set of types of data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or the process controlled by the process plant, and', 'the set of types of data including continuous data, event data, measurement data, batch data, calculated data, and ...

DATA MODELING STUDIO

A data modeling studio provides a structured environment for graphically creating and executing models which may be configured for diagnosis, prognosis, analysis, identifying relationships, etc., within a process plant. The data modeling studio includes a configuration engine for generating user interface elements to facilitate graphical construction of a model and a runtime engine for executing data models in, for example, an offline or an on-line environment. The configuration engine includes an interface routine that generates user interface elements, a plurality of templates stored in memory that serve as the building blocks of the model and a model compiler that converts the graphical model into a data format executable by the run-time engine. The run time engine executes the model to produce the desired output and may include a retrieval routine for retrieving data corresponding to the templates from memory and a modeling routine for executing the executable model. 1. A computer system for facilitating graphical construction of a data model , wherein the data model analyzes data from a process plant to produce an output , the computer system comprising:a non-transitory computer readable memory that stores a plurality of data model templates including one or more data source templates defining data sources within the process plant, one or more functional templates defining data processing routines to be performed on data retrieved from the data sources and one or more data output templates indicating processing to be performed on outputs of the data processing routine; [ a library region that displays graphical depictions of the plurality of data model templates including the data source templates, the functional templates and the data output templates; and', 'a canvas region that receives and displays user selections of the graphical depictions of one or more data model templates and one or more interconnections defining the connections between the selected ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS PLANT WITH LOCATION AWARE MOBILE CONTROL DEVICES

A computer-readable storage medium for controlling a process plant includes instructions operable to determine the location of a device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. The instructions cause a processor to transmit to a server a first request for first data from a data storage area and to receive from the server, in response to the first request, first data from the storage area. The instructions cause the processor to cause the display to display the first data received from the server and to receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device. The instructions cause the processor to transmit to the server a second request for second data according to the received indication and to receive second data from the server. 1. A computer-readable medium storing instructions , executable by a processor in a mobile user interface device for controlling a process plant , the instructions operable to cause the processor to:transmit to a server a first request for first data from a data storage area;receive from the server, in response to the first request, first data from the storage area;cause the display to display the first data received from the server;receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device;transmit to the server a second request for second data according to the received indication; andreceive from the server, in response to the second request, second data.2. A computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions for causing the processor to receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device comprise instructions for causing the processor to receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an additional user interface device.3. A computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions for causing the processor to ...

Collecting and delivering data to a big data machine in a process control system

A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data.

Method and apparatus for controlling a process plant with location aware mobile control devices

Methods and apparatus for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices operable to determine the location of the device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. A processor in a mobile user interface device transmits a first request for data and receives the requested data in response to the request. The processor causes a display to display the received data. The processor receives an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device the processors transmits a second request for data according to the received indication. The processor then receives data in response to the second request.

DATA MODELING STUDIO

A data modeling studio provides a structured environment for graphically creating and executing models which may be configured for diagnosis, prognosis, analysis, identifying relationships, etc., within a process plant. The data modeling studio includes a configuration engine for generating user interface elements to facilitate graphical construction of a model and a runtime engine for executing data models in, for example, an offline or an on-line environment. The configuration engine includes an interface routine that generates user interface elements, a plurality of templates stored in memory that serve as the building blocks of the model and a model compiler that converts the graphical model into a data format executable by the run-time engine. The run time engine executes the model to produce the desired output and may include a retrieval routine for retrieving data corresponding to the templates from memory and a modeling routine for executing the executable model. 1a non-transitory computer readable memory that stores a plurality of data model templates including one or more data source templates defining data sources within the process plant, one or more functional templates defining data processing routines to be performed on data retrieved from the data sources and one or more data output templates indicating processing to be performed on outputs of the data processing routine; [ a library region that displays graphical depictions of the plurality of data model templates including the data source templates, the functional templates and the data output templates; and', 'a canvas region that receives and displays user selections of the graphical depictions of one or more data model templates and one or more interconnections defining the connections between the selected and displayed data model templates;, 'an interface routine that generates, via a user interface device, 'wherein the configuration engine further operates to execute a software routine to ...

GENERATING CHECKLISTS IN A PROCESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENT

A method executed in a process control environment automatically generates, displays, and tracks check lists according to assigned work items. The work items include information such as required equipment, required safety equipment, required tools, target function, and target equipment. The target function and/or target equipment information can be associated, together or separately, with the required equipment, required safety equipment, and required tools if the required equipment and tools are not specifically included in the work items. The check lists indicate the required equipment, tools, devices, parts, maintenance materials, manuals, and/or documents, that are necessary to perform the target function on the target equipment. A check list is displayed on a user interface device, which tracks, internally or in cooperation with a supervisor engine, whether a user of the user interface device has checked off the items on the check list. 1. A computer implemented method for facilitating task completion in a process plant , the method comprising:receiving a selection of a work item from a plurality of work items stored in a database of work items;determining from the selected work item one or more items required for the execution of the work item;generating a checklist of the one or more items for display to a person executing the work item; anddisplaying the checklist to the person executing the work item.2. A computer implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein determining from the selected work item one or more items required for the execution of the work item comprises reading one or more fields of the work item.3. A computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein reading one or more fields of the work item comprises one or more of: reading a required equipment field claim 2 , reading a required safety equipment field claim 2 , reading a required tool field claim 2 , and reading a field indicating a location of a target piece of equipment ...

System, Method and Apparatus for Adaptive Driver Training

An application for an adaptive training system includes a computer interfaced to one or more graphics displays, one of more input/output devices and having access to a plurality of training segments. The input/output devices are in communication with a trainee. Software operates in either a simulation mode in which a trainee interacts with the adaptive training system as if the trainee was operating a target vehicle or in a training mode in which the trainee receives computer-based training from the adaptive training system, in particular, when the trainee does not perform well during the simulation mode of operation. 1. An adaptive training system comprising:two modes of operation, a first mode of the two modes of operation being a simulation mode in which the adaptive training system mimics operation of a vehicle and accepts control directives on at least one input device, and a second mode of the two modes of operation being a training mode, in which the adaptive training system presents training;first, the adaptive training system operates in the simulation mode, collecting data from the at least one input device; andnext, the adaptive training simulation system analyzes the data and if the analysis indicates an issue has occurred while the adaptive training system operated in the simulation mode, the adaptive training system changes to operate in the training mode and presents training related to the issue.2. The adaptive training system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input device is selected from a group consisting of a gas pedal claim 1 , a brake pedal claim 1 , a clutch pedal claim 1 , a simulated transmission position detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission force detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission touch detector claim 1 , a simulated transmission pressure sensor claim 1 , a simulated transmission transducer claim 1 , a steering wheel rotation detector claim 1 , a steering wheel touch detector claim 1 , a biometric sensor claim 1 , and a ...

HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT AND PROBE THEREFORE

A method of using a probe that emits energy to coagulate lesions is disclosed. The probe is constructed and arranged to emit light from its distal end, either at an angle to its longitudinal axis, or along its longitudinal axis. Optionally, an end reflector may be used to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. A reinforcing sleeve for the fiber is mounted to a shielded, Piezo-electric motor constructed and arranged to move the fiber both longitudinally and rotationally within an optional elongate cannula. An MRI system is arranged to generate a series of output signals indicative of temperature in the targeted area. The application of energy is stopped when the temperature at the boundary of the lesion reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe is effected by expansion of a supplied cooling fluid through a restrictive orifice into an expansion zone at the probe end. The fiber is encased in a stiff tubular titanium probe with a relatively small fluid supply duct inside the probe with the interior of the probe acting as a return duct for the expanded liquid. The temperature of the probe end is monitored by a sensor in the probe end and controlled by controlling the pressure in the supplied cooling fluid. 1. A method of heat treating a targeted tissue mass in a living body , comprising:applying energy to a first zone of the targeted tissue mass via a probe that is percutaneously inserted into the living body proximate to or within the targeted tissue mass, the first zone being defined by a boundary portion of a peripheral surface of the targeted tissue mass and a tip of the probe;receiving, concurrently with applying the energy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals that specify temperatures in the targeted tissue mass and temperatures in a non-targeted tissue mass of the living body, the MRI signals being received at a controller of the probe; anddirectly responsive to the received MRI signals, and when ...

COLLECTING AND DELIVERING DATA TO A BIG DATA MACHINE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data. 1. A method of delivering data using a device communicatively coupled to a communications network of a process plant , the method comprising:collecting, at the device, data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or a process controlled by physical equipment disposed in the process plant, the data including data that is at least one of generated by or received at the device, and the device being one of a field device or a controller;storing, using a local schema, the collected data in a cache of the device; andcausing at least a portion of the collected data to be transmitted for storage at a data storage area of a process control big data appliance corresponding to the process plant, the data storage area being configured to store, using a common schema in which the local schema is included, multiple types of data from a set of types of data corresponding to at least one of the process plant or the process controlled by the process plant.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of types of data includes at least two of continuous data claim 1 , event data claim 1 , ...

COMMISSIONING FIELD DEVICES IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM SUPPORTED BY BIG DATA

Techniques for determining device-specific information such as commissioning data, location information, images, and other data descriptive of a process device installed in a plant include obtaining the device-specific information at a local device during the process device's commissioning. Based on this information, the local device determines the relative order of the process device within a process flow, and may determine a process element alignment map indicating the activation order of a plurality of process elements within the flow. A user may modify the map at the local device. The map is transmitted to a process control big data network for use in discovery and learning analytics. The device-specific information and/or the map may be utilized to generate, at the local device, representations/views of the process flow, which may include real-time operational data. A user may zoom in or out on these views for more or less detail. 1. A method of determining process element alignment in a process , the method comprising:obtaining, at a local device in conjunction with commissioning a field device installed in a process plant, identification information of the field device and an indication of a relative process order of the field device with respect to another process device to be used to control the process in the process plant; andproviding the identification information and the indication of the relative process order of the field device for use in generating a process element alignment map of the process.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the local device is a wireless commissioning device in physical proximity to the field device claim 1 , and the method further comprises verifying claim 1 , at the local device and based on the obtained identification information claim 1 , that the field device is an expected field device.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the identification information and the indication of the relative order of the field device ...

Shifter Force Detection

A shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft and a distal second end of the shaft being interfaced to a shifter mechanism. A first force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft, outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a forward/rearward direction and a second force sensing device is interfaced to the shaft outputting a value representative of an amount of force applied to the handle in a lateral direction. 1. A shifter system , the shifter system comprising:a shaft;a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft;a distal second end of the shaft interfaced to a transmission; anda force sensing device interfaced to the shaft, the force sensing device is configured to output an electrical current proportional to an amount of force applied to the handle in a forward direction or in a backward direction;an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit is configured to read the electrical current and responsive to the electrical current being outside of a range of acceptable values, the electronic circuit is configured to notify of the electrical current being outside of the range of acceptable values.2. The shifter system of claim 1 , further comprising a second force sensing device interfaced to the shaft claim 1 , wherein the force sensing device is configured to output the electrical current representative of the amount of force applied to the handle in a forward/backward direction claim 1 , and the second force sensing device is configured to output a second electrical current representative of the amount of force applied to the handle in a sideways direction.3. The shifter system of claim 2 , wherein the electronic circuit is configured to read the second electrical current and responsive to the second electrical current being outside of a second range of acceptable values claim 2 , the electronic circuit is configured to notify of the second electrical current being ...

DEVICE FOR SIGNALING MOVEMENTS OF A MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM OF A HUMAN BEING

The invention relates to a device for signalling movements of a musculoskeletal system of a human being having 1. Device for signalling movements of a musculoskeletal system of a human being having{'b': '1', 'a) at least one sensor () for detection of a movement,'}{'b': 2', '1, 'b) at least one carrier element () for at least one sensor () for detection of a movement,'}{'b': '2', 'c) means for fixing the at least one carrier element () to the musculoskeletal system of a human being,'}{'b': 1', '2', '8', '7', '1', '8', '1', '1, 'd) a signalling device for signalling sensor values of the at least one sensor () for detection of a movement, wherein the at least one carrier element () is constructed as at least two member elements () connected via a joint (), wherein at least one sensor () is arranged between two member elements (), wherein the sensors () are constructed as distance sensors and pressure sensors, so that an angle can be determined with the aid of these sensors ().'}21. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the sensor () is constructed as a distance sensor claim 1 , pressure sensor claim 1 , rotary movement sensor claim 1 , linear movement sensor claim 1 , torsion sensor claim 1 , extension sensor and/or position sensor.3246515. Device according to or claim 1 , characterised in that the at least one carrier element () is constructed as at least two flexible plates ( claim 1 , ) connected via bars () claim 1 , wherein preferably at least one sensor () is arranged between two bars ().4. (canceled)529. Device according to one of the preceding claims claim 1 , characterised in that the at least one carrier element () is constructed as a flexible traction cord claim 1 , flexible tape () or the like claim 1 , for example in the form of a collar.63. Device according to one of the preceding claims claim 1 , characterised in that the means () for fixing are constructed as self-adhesive pads claim 1 , bandages claim 1 , plaster claim 1 , collars claim ...

Securing Devices to Process Control Systems

Techniques for securing a device for use in or with a process plant include provisioning the device with a key generated at least in part from data indicative of necessary conditions and/or attributes that must be met before the device is allowed access to a network of the process plant. Upon initialization, the device determines, based on the key, whether or not the necessary conditions are met, and the device isolates itself or accesses the process control network accordingly. Keys and the necessary conditions/attributes indicated therein may be based on, for example, location, time, context, customer, supplier, particular plant, manufacturer, user, data type, device type, and/or other criteria. Additionally, sub-keys associated with a key may be generated from another set of necessary conditions/attributes. Sub-keys may be provided by a different entity than the key provider entity. 1. A method for securing devices in a process control plant , the method comprising:determining, at a computing device, a seed used to generate a key, the seed at least partially based on a number that is randomly generated or pseudo-randomly generated; the key generation data is indicative of a set of necessary conditions that are required for a host device that is provisioned with the key to communicate using a network of the process control plant to at least one of: (i) configure the host device, (ii) transmit real-time data to cause a process to be controlled in the process control plant, or (iii) receive real-time data to cause the process to be controlled, and', 'the set of necessary conditions includes one or more characteristics of an environment in which the host device is able to be located;, 'determining, at the computing device, key generation data, whereingenerating, at the computing device, the key from the seed and the key generation data; andcausing, by the computing device, a process control device to be provisioned with the generated key so that the provisioned ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS PLANT WITH LOCATION AWARE MOBILE DEVICES

Methods and apparatus for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices operable to determine the location of the device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. A processor in a mobile user interface device transmits a first request for data and receives the requested data in response to the request. The processor causes a display to display the received data. The processor receives an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device the processors transmits a second request for data according to the received indication. The processor then receives data in response to the second request. 1. A method comprising:receiving, at a mobile user interface device, a unique identifier transmitted from an external device in the plant environment, the unique identifier: (i) indicating that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to the external device, and (ii) stored to a database as being associated with one or more process entities relevant to the area in which the external device is disposed; and (i) identifying a process control device associated with the unique identifier; and', '(ii) causing the mobile user interface device to render a user interface interactable to modify a parameter at a process controller utilized to control the process control device associated with the unique identifier., 'responding to receiving the unique identifier by2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the unique identifier comprises receiving claim 1 , the unique identifier via a near-field communication (NEC) circuit.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the unique identifier comprises receiving the unique identifier via a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the unique identifier comprises receiving the unique identifier via a circuit configured for wireless communication in a frequency between 2400 MHz and 2480 MHz.5. The ...

ENHANCED DIRECTIVITY FEED AND FEED ARRAY

Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference. 1. (canceled)2. An antenna comprising:a polarizer coupled to a feed, the polarizer comprising a septum polarizer intersected by a dividing plane, the septum polarizer defining a first waveguide portion associated with a first polarization and further defining a second waveguide portion associated with a second polarization; anda diplexer comprising a first waveguide filter coupled between the first waveguide portion and a first port, and further comprising a second waveguide filter coupled between the second waveguide portion and a second port, wherein the first waveguide filter and the second waveguide filter are on opposing sides of the dividing plane and each of the first waveguide filter and the second waveguide filter has a waveguide wall intersected by the dividing plane.3. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein the waveguide wall intersected by the dividing plane is shared with the first waveguide filter and the second waveguide filter.4. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein an aperture of the feed is on a first side of the antenna claim 2 , and the first and the second ports are on a second side of the antenna.5. The antenna of claim 4 , wherein the second side of the antenna is opposite the first side of the antenna.6. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein the first waveguide filter and the second waveguide filter are mirror images of one another about the dividing plane.7. The antenna of claim 2 , wherein the first ...

Training apparatus, system and method for contact sports

A training apparatus, system and method for teaching proper athletic technique in contact sports. A first strap portion may be attached to a football helmet, and a second strap portion attached to shoulder pads. The apparatus provides feedback on the user's technique as tension is applied to the first and second strap portions, for example when the user attempts to lower their head during tackling or blocking, and causing detachment upon exceeding a threshold detachment force.

System, Method and Apparatus for Adaptive Driver Training

An application for an adaptive training system includes a computer interfaced to one or more graphics displays, one of more input/output devices and having access to a plurality of training segments. The input/output devices are in communication with a trainee. Software operates in either a simulation mode in which a trainee interacts with the adaptive training system as if the trainee was operating a target vehicle or in a training mode in which the trainee receives computer-based training from the adaptive training system, in particular, when the trainee does not perform well during the simulation mode of operation. 1. An adaptive training system comprising:a computer, the computer having a storage device;a cabinet;a plurality of interactive training segments stored on the storage device and accessible by the computer;a plurality of simulation segments stored on the storage device and accessible by the computer;a graphics display mechanically interfaced to the cabinet and electrically interfaced to the computer, the graphics display simulates a windshield of a target vehicle, the computer generates still and full-motion images that are displayed on the graphics display;a plurality input devices, each of the input devices electrically interfaced to the computer such that as a trainee operates each of the input devices, an electrical signal is received by the computer indicating a position of the input devices, the input devices corresponding to control devices of the target vehicle, at least one of the plurality of input devices is a steering wheel and at least one of the plurality of input devices is a brake pedal;the computer operates in either of two modes of operation, a first mode of the two modes of operation being a simulation mode in which the computer displays video frames from one of the simulation segments on the graphics display and receives electrical signals from the plurality of input devices, and a second mode of the two modes of operation being a ...

Integral resonator gyroscope

The present invention discloses an inertial sensor having an integral resonator. A typical sensor comprises a planar mechanical resonator for sensing motion of the inertial sensor and a case for housing the resonator. The resonator and a wall of the case are defined through an etching process. A typical method of producing the resonator includes etching a baseplate, bonding a wafer to the etched baseplate, through etching the wafer to form a planar mechanical resonator and the wall of the case and bonding an end cap wafer to the wall to complete the case.

High melt integrity battery separator for lithium ion batteries

Graphic display configuration framework for unified process control system interface

Integrierte grafische Benutzeroberfläche für eine Prozesssteuerungsumgebung, wobei die Benutzeroberfläche umfasst: grafische Benutzeroberflächen- und separate Funktionen für Betriebs-, Wartungs-, Konfigurations-, Simulations- und Verwaltungsfunktionen einer Prozessanlage, Echtzeitschnittstellenfunktionen für Betriebs-, Wartungs-, Konfigurations- und Simulationsfunktionen, wobei die Oberfläche eine Echtzeitanzeige von mehr als einer der Betriebs-, Wartung-, Konfigurations- und Simulationsfunktionen bereitstellt. Integrated graphical user interface for a process control environment, the user interface comprising: graphical user interface and separate functions for operation, maintenance, configuration, simulation and management functions of a process plant, Real-time interface functions for operating, maintenance, configuration and simulation functions, the interface providing a real-time display of more than one of the operating, maintenance, configuration and simulation functions.

Method for selecting shapes in a graphic display

Eine Auswahlform kann als Hintergrund für eine konfigurierbare zusammengesetzte Form dienen und kann einen oder mehrere Ausdrücke umfassen, die ausgewertet werden, um zwischen mehreren zusammengesetzten Formdefinitionen über Links zu der Definition eine Auswahl zu treffen. Jede Auswahlform umfasst einen Animationsausdruck und einen Verweistabellenkonverter, um einen Identifizierer der zu ladenden und anzuzeigenden zusammengesetzten Definition auszuwählen. Wenn sich der Wert des Animationsausdrucks ändert, kann der Wert mit dem Namen einer neuen zusammengesetzten Definition unter Verwendung der Verweistabelle angepasst werden, und die neue Definition kann angezeigt werden. Die zuvor verwendete zusammengesetzte Definition kann dann zum Löschen durch ein Cache-Speichersystem markiert und gelöscht werden. Diese Auswahlformen ermöglichen es auch, das gleiche Grafikelement in Anzeigen zu verwenden, die für verschiedenartige Anzeigevorrichtungen ausgelegt sind, wie etwa Anzeigevorrichtungen mit großen Anzeigebildschirmen, normale Computerbildschirme und sehr kleine Anzeigebildschirme. A selection shape can serve as the backdrop for a configurable compound shape and can include one or more expressions that are evaluated to make a selection between multiple compound shape definitions via links to the definition. Each selection form includes an animation expression and a look-up table converter to select an identifier of the composite definition to be loaded and displayed. If the value of the animation expression changes, the value can be adjusted with the name of a new compound definition using the look-up table and the new definition can be viewed. The previously used composite definition can then be marked for deletion by a cache memory system and deleted. These forms of selection also make it possible to use the same graphic element in displays designed for various types of display devices, such as display devices with large display screens, normal computer screens and ...

System, Method and Apparatus for Driver Training of Shifting

An application for a shifter simulator for driver training includes a shaft with a handle covering an upper end of the shaft. An upper plate is coupled to the shaft and is slideably interfaced to a lower plate by a plurality of linear bearings, allowing the upper plate to slide in a Y direction with respect to the lower plate. There are spring loaded Y ball detents attached to the lower plate which interface to Y detent grooves attached to the upper plate. The spring loaded Y ball detents and Y detent grooves provide a plurality of natural stopping locations similar to those of a transmission of the target vehicle. A shift arm guide is affixed to the shaft and interfaces to an H-gate. The H-gate is affixed to the lower plate and has detents such that the H-gate and shift arm guide simulate gear shifting positions.

Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room

Methods and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface (UI) devices, each accessing a plurality of applications on a server, and operable to store device state on the server and receive device state from the server. The server is coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area and provides functions related to the process data stored in the data storage areas via one or more user interfaces. A first UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and maintains on the server state information indicative of a state of the user interface executing on the first UI device. A second UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and the state information to execute a user interface on the second UI device in accordance with the state information indicative of the state of the user interface executing on the first UI device.

Method for Selecting Shapes in a Graphical Display

A selector shape may serve as the background to a configurable composite shape and may include one or more expressions that are evaluated to select between several composite shape definitions via links to the definition. Each selector shape includes an animation expression and a lookup table converter to select an identifier of the composite definition to be loaded and displayed. When the value of the animation expression changes, the value may be matched to the name of a new composite definition using the lookup table, and the new definition may be displayed. The previously-used composite definition may then be marked for removal by a caching system, and removed. These selector shapes also enable the same graphic element to be used in displays designed for different types of display devices, such as display devices having large display screens, standard computer screens and very small display screens.

Battery separators with reduced splitting propensity

A split resistant microporous membrane is provided for use in preparing a battery separator. The microporous membrane has a TD tensile strength to MD tensile strength ratio of from about 0.12 to about 1.2, preferably from about 0.5 to about 1. The microporous membrane is made by a process which includes the steps of preparing a film precursor by blown film extrusion at a blow-up ratio of at least 1.5, annealing the film precursor, and stretching the resultant annealed film precursor to form the microporous membrane.

Systems and methods for theater seat movement

Systems and methods for providing movement to seating including theater seating generate complex motion responses in the seating by automatically analyzing an audio component of media being consumed for one or more aspects of the audio information contained in the audio component at certain frequencies or frequency ranges. The aspects analyzed include aspects relating to frequencies and frequency ranges substantially higher than the low-frequency signals used to drive motion of theater seating. From the analysis of the audio aspects contained in the audio component, a plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is generated. The plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is directed to a plurality of individual actuators incorporated into different locations in a seat to provide sensations of motion at different locations of the seat, such as at a seat location, at a lower back location, and at an upper back location.

Mobile devices for remote access of process control data

A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium stores machine readable instructions optimized for a microprocessor on a mobile computing device. When executed by the microprocessor, the instructions cause the microprocessor to display a graphical user interface (GUI). The instructions also cause the microprocessor to receive, via the GUI, a selection of one or more items to view. Each of the one or more items is related to a process control system. The instructions cause the microprocessor to transmit to a mobile server, via either the Internet or a mobile telephony data connection, the selection of the one or more items. Thereafter, the instructions cause the microprocessor to receive from the mobile server, via either the Internet or the mobile telephony data connection, a plurality of real-time values corresponding to the selected one or more items, and to display the plurality of real-time values on the GUI.

Service-orientated architecture for process control systems

Context sensitive mobile control in a process plant

Method for initiating or resuming a mobile control session in a process plant

User interface sessions in a user interface device are initiated or resumed according to stored state data. A session request is received from a first client device. A user profile associated with the session request is identified and a determination made as to whether a previous session exists. If no previous session exists, a new session is instantiated using a default session configuration. If a previous session exists, a new session is instantiated according to the previous session.

Mri guided hyperthermia surgery

An MRI guided surgical apparatus includes a heat source formed by a laser (21) and an optical (20) fiber carrying the heat energy into a part to be coagulated by hyperthermia with an end reflector to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. A reinforcing sleeve (38) for the fiber is mounted in a shielded, Piezo-electric motor (22) which causes movement of the fiber longitudinally and angularly within a rigid elongate cannula. A magnetic resonance imaging system is arranged to generate a series of output signals over a period of time representative of temperature in the part as the temperature of the part changes during that time. The heat source is controlled in heat energy applied and location and orientation of the beam to stop heating when the temperature at the boundary of a tumor reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe can be effected by encasing the fiber in a tubing material defining a duct for the fiber and supply and return parallel ducts for cooling fluid, the tubing being encased in a titanium stiffening sleeve which is driven in the longitudinal and rotational directions to move the fiber tip.

Corrugated bug screen

A detection chamber assembly of a smoke detector is provided. The detection chamber assembly includes upper and lower covers, louvers and a corrugated bug screen. The louvers are arranged with the upper and lower covers to define a chamber bound between the upper and lower covers and the louvers. The louvers include a first pair of louvers defining a first space therebetween to permit fluidic ingress to the chamber and a second pair of louvers defining a second space therebetween to permit fluidic ingress to the chamber. The second space is wider than the first space. The corrugated bug screen includes a body disposed about the louvers and a mesh corrugation feature coupled to the body at the second space to permit fluidic ingress to the chamber at the second space and to inhibit bug ingress to the chamber at the second space.

Teething device

A teething device is constructed from flexible elastomeric tubing. This configuration allows the infant or toddler safe access to all regions of the mouth and gums so that the device can be chewed upon to relieve the distress of teething.

Mri guided hyperthermia surgery

An MRI guided surgical apparatus includes a heat source formed by a laser (21) and an optical (20) fiber carrying the heat energy into a part to be coagulated by hyperthermia with an end reflector to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. A reinforcing sleeve (38) for the fiber is mounted in a shielded, Piezo-electric motor (22) which causes movement of the fiber longitudinally and angularly within a rigid elongate cannula. A magnetic resonance imaging system is arranged to generate a series of output signals over a period of time representative of temperature in the part as the temperature of the part changes during that time. The heat source is controlled in heat energy applied and location and orientation of the beam to stop heating when the temperature at the boundary of a tumor reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe can be effected by encasing the fiber in a tubing material defining a duct for the fiber and supply and return parallel ducts for cooling fluid, the tubing being encased in a titanium stiffening sleeve which is driven in the longitudinal and rotational directions to move the fiber tip.

Method for controlling heating system of building, involves providing flow rate of heat carrier in generator circuit as input variable by which control variable of power of generator is affected, where generator controls heating power

The method involves heating a heat transfer medium i.e. wood pellet, by a heat generator (2) to inlet temperature. The medium flow is automatically controlled by a room temperature controller. Flow of a heat carrier in a generator circuit is determined and utilized as an input variable. Control of a heating system (1) is demand-guided by a determined flow rate of the heat carrier that is provided in the generator circuit as the input variable by which a control variable of scheme preferably power of the generator is affected, where the generator controls delivered heating power.

High melt integrity battery separator for lithium ion batteries

The battery separator for a lithium battery is made from a nonwoven flat sheet material having high temperature melt integrity, a microporous membrane having low temperature shutdown properties, and an adhesive bonding the nonwoven flat sheet to the microporous membrane and being adapted for swelling when contacted by an electrolyte.

Graphic display configuration framework for unified control system interface

A common process control graphical user interface plant operators, plant maintenance personnel, and management is disclosed which provides a real-time interface to both the process and the plant. The common interface is modular in design and is capable of supporting various specializations for each user type. Operator consoles are dedicated to each section of the plant and include additional functions such as maintenance, configuration, simulation and supervisory information. The unified for common graphical interface replaces control room displays filled with single case analog controllers, meters, and digital indicators. The common interface addresses the functions that previously were provided by the panel motor start/stop buttons and status indications, chart recorders, annunciator panels and subsystem interfaces. From a console, operators manage alarms, adjust the process by entering new setpoints or other parameters, “zoom in” on particular portions of the process for details, and utilize other specialized applications to work with their batch, advanced control, or business applications. The interface will run in both dedicated and non-dedicated modes, will run as a rich client or as part of a browser style interface utilizing web services and will run on workstations, laptops, tablet PC's, handhelds, and smart phones.

Supervisor engine for process control

A supervisor engine cooperates with an expert system in a process control environment to automatically generate, assign, track, and manage work items. The supervisor engine creates work items according to data received from the expert system, selects available personnel to execute work items, sends work items to the selected personnel, schedules the execution of the work items, and creates and stores permissions that allow the assigned personnel to complete a target function of the work item at an assigned time. The supervisor engine determines required skill sets, roles, certifications, and/or credentials associated with a work item, and selects personnel to perform the work item according to a personnel profile specifying a skill set, a role, certifications, and/or credentials associated with the personnel. Alternatively or additionally, the supervisor engine assigns a work item according to the presence of personnel at or near the target equipment.

Graphic display configuration framework for unified control system interface

A common process control graphical user interface plant operators, plant maintenance personnel, and management is disclosed which provides a real-time interface to both the process and the plant. The common interface is modular in design and is capable of supporting various specializations for each user type. Operator consoles are dedicated to each section of the plant and include additional functions such as maintenance, configuration, simulation and supervisory information. The unified for common graphical interface replaces control room displays filled with single case analog controllers, meters, and digital indicators. The common interface addresses the functions that previously were provided by the panel motor start/stop buttons and status indications, chart recorders, annunciator panels and subsystem interfaces. From a console, operators manage alarms, adjust the process by entering new setpoints or other parameters, “zoom in” on particular portions of the process for details, and utilize other specialized applications to work with their batch, advanced control, or business applications. The interface will run in both dedicated and non-dedicated modes, will run as a rich client or as part of a browser style interface utilizing web services and will run on workstations, laptops, tablet PC's, handhelds, and smart phones.

Deferred acknowledgment communications

A communication technique enables the efficient transmission of data through a low bandwidth and/or time delayed communication link and minimizes the idle time of the communication link by using a deferred acknowledgment of message bundles to temporally pack the communication link. The transmitting system stores messages to be transmitted in a pending message queue and applies a dynamic window to the pending message queue to define a message bundle to be sent through the slow communication link. The transmitting system requests an acknowledgment for at least one message within the bundle, but does not require an acknowledgment for every message within the bundle. Transmitted messages are temporarily stored as outstanding messages in a retransmission queue until the transmitted messages are acknowledged or until a time-out period associated with the messages has lapsed. When the transmitting station receives a timely acknowledgment in response to a requested acknowledgment, the transmitting station removes all outstanding messages associated with that acknowledgment from the retransmission queue.

Auxiliary steering system

AUXILIARY STEERING SYSTEM ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An economical and effective auxiliary steering system for a vehicle having a relatively low maximum speed in reverse direction. A ground driven pump having an output when the vehicle is going forward is directed to a diverter valve, which valve is responsive to loss of hydraulic pressure in the main steering circuit to direct the said output to the main steering valve. A single spring loaded check valve isolates the main steering valve under auxiliary steering conditions.

Supersonic aircraft with aerodynamic tail structure

A supersonic aircraft (100) comprises a wing (104) and at least two engine nacelles (122) coupled to the lower surface of the wing on the trailing edge (107). The supersonic aircraft further comprises an inverted V-tail (108) abutting to the upper side of the wing comprising a central vertical stabilizer (112), at least two inverted stabilizers (114) coupled to sides of the central vertical stabilizer (112) and coupled to the wing and supporting at least two engine nacelles (122), and at least two ruddervators (116) respectively pivotally coupled to at least two inverted stabilizers (114). The supersonic aircraft also comprises a controller coupled to at least two ruddervators (116) and capable of adjusting the aircraft longitudinal lift distribution throughout a flight envelope to maintain a reduced sonic boom and reduced drag trim condition.

Training apparatus, system and method for contact sports

A training apparatus, system and method for teaching proper athletic technique in contact sports. A first strap portion may be attached to a football helmet, and a second strap portion attached to shoulder pads. The apparatus provides feedback on the user's technique as tension is applied to the first and second strap portions, for example when the user attempts to lower their head during tackling or blocking, and causing detachment upon exceeding a threshold detachment force.

System and method for multi-analyte detection

A process plant user interface system having customized process graphic display layers in an integrated environment

A method useful for providing a user interface for a process plant includes displaying graphical depictions of process plant elements of the process plant via the user interface. Information is generated for a plurality of content layers of a process graphic display of the process plant elements by processing data regarding operation of the process plant. Content to be displayed via the user interface is determined from the generated information by determining which content layer of the plurality of content layer is to be displayed. In some embodiments, the determination may be made based on a user profile characteristic. The generated information may therefore support multiple views of the process plant via the user interface for a plurality of different types of users of the user interface, and may involve processing data regarding actual and simulated operation of the process plant. As a result, the method may also include determining whether the process plant is currently on-line to further determine the portion of the information to be displayed via the user interface.

Towel greenii organizer

This invention presents a wire shelf and hanger but is novel in its new use. It is used for hanging a bath towel. The hanger is longer because of the width of a bath towel. The shelf incorporates a bar to hold the hangers. As well the hanger will. swivel and use a waterproof tag so that each member of a family will have a personal bath towel hanger.

System, method and apparatus for adaptive driver training

An application for an adaptive training system includes a computer interfaced to one or more graphics displays, one of more input/output devices and having access to a plurality of training segments. The input/output devices are in communication with a trainee. Software operates in either a simulation mode in which a trainee interacts with the adaptive training system as if the trainee was operating a target vehicle or in a training mode in which the trainee receives computer-based training from the adaptive training system, in particular, when the trainee does not perform well during the simulation mode of operation.

Generating checklists in a process control environment

Context sensitive mobile control in a process plant

A process control system for context-sensitive operation of a process plant comprising: a process entity in a process control environment; a supervisory engine operable to generate a work item associated with the process entity that specifies a target function associated with the process entity and is a maintenance task, a calibration task, a replacement task, an inspection task, or a repair task; and a mobile device operable to wirelessly acquire the work item 520, generate an indication that the work item has been accepted by a user of the mobile device, transmit 525 the indication to the supervisory engine, and launch an application for executing the task, or provide an interface for carrying out the task. It may be determined if the user of the mobile device is permitted to implement the target function.

Commissioning field devices in a process control system supported by big data

Techniques for determining device-specific information such as commissioning data, location information, images, and other data descriptive of a process device installed in a plant include obtaining the device-specific information at a local device during the process device's commissioning. Based on this information, the local device determines the relative order of the process device within a process flow, and may determine a process element alignment map indicating the activation order of a plurality of process elements within the flow. A user may modify the map at the local device. The map is transmitted to a process control big data network for use in discovery and learning analytics. The device-specific information and/or the map may be utilized to generate, at the local device, representations/views of the process flow, which may include real-time operational data. A user may zoom in or out on these views for more or less detail.

Simulation and multimedia integration and navigation interface and method

A method that integrates the display of simulation and multimedia by dividing software simulation into a navigable structure that can be accessed with linear and random access navigational controls. A user interface is utilized to provide simultaneous or consecutive display of interactive simulation and multimedia content within windows of standardized shape, location and size. Controls, including menu selection and forward and back buttons permit navigation through integrated multimedia pages/sections and simulation. The assignation of attributes, programmatic methods and programmatic events to navigable simulation and multimedia structural units, referred to as "tracks", enables communication between the multimedia and simulation tracks, which maintains synchronization of the joint display. The random access navigation features of the interface permits adaptive simulation content display based on user performance, skills, needs and preferences.

Scripted graphics in a process environment

Integrated graphical runtime interface for process control systems

An integrated graphical runtime interface that provides a secure, highly available environment for process control systems is disclosed. In one example, a method for displaying process control information via a graphical user interface instantiates a runtime workspace application to operatively interpose between an operator station operating system and a user. The example method displays a plurality of panels via the graphical user interface and displays a portion of the process control information associated with a runtime application in at least one of the plurality of panels via the runtime workspace application.

Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room

A first user device 803A generates a display of process data 1010A. A second user device 803B receives data about the state of the first user interface device. The second device updates its state based on the data. The data may be dynamic content for an HTML page. The second device may display an identical user interface to the first device. The data may be transferred wirelessly and may use a near field communication (NFC) interface. The devices may be a stationary workstation and a tablet.

Collecting and delivering data to a big data machine in a process control system

A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data.

Integration of graphic display elements, process modules and control modules in process plants

System and method for multi-analyte detection

The present invention provides a system and method for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a sample. The detection system includes a housing that holds a reagent carousel rotatably coupled thereto. Further included in the housing is an incubator carousel rotatably coupled thereto. The housing also includes magnetic material that is associated with the incubation carousel for assisting in separation beads from reagent and wash solution. A robot, associated with the housing is configured to manipulate at least either the reagent carousel or the incubator carousel and transfer materials therebetween. Reaction vessels hold samples and reaction vessels handlers move the reaction vessels. Sample analysis is determined by at least one laser based detector.