Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.

Abstract: One embodiment is a device comprising a controller for verifying a digital signature of a process, a memory for storing an indication from the controller that the digital signature was verified the indication including at least one symmetric key, and a bootloader for receiving the indication from the memory and performing at least one security check using the at least one symmetric key, wherein the bootloader executes a function of the external process, only when it passes the security check.

Abstract: Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting tampering of an energy meter can involve, in a first phase: gathering magnetic field sample data, an average magnetic field strength, a minimum magnetic field strength, and a maximum magnetic field strength from a magnetic field condition applied to an energy meter by a magnetic sensor that measures a magnetic field in one or more directions, and using learning coefficients calculated from the magnetic field sample data and the average magnetic field strength, the minimum magnetic field strength, and the maximum magnetic field strength to classify with a classifier, magnet tampering conditions with respect to the energy meter. In a second phase, a magnet tamper event can be identified with respect to the energy meter when the magnet tampering condition classified by the classifier is greater than a magnetic detection threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting tampering of an energy meter can involve, in a first phase: gathering magnetic field sample data, an average magnetic field strength, a minimum magnetic field strength, and a maximum magnetic field strength from a magnetic field condition applied to an energy meter by a magnetic sensor that measures a magnetic field in one or more directions, and using learning coefficients calculated from the magnetic field sample data and the average magnetic field strength, the minimum magnetic field strength, and the maximum magnetic field strength to classify with a classifier, magnet tampering conditions with respect to the energy meter. In a second phase, a magnet tamper event can be identified with respect to the energy meter when the magnet tampering condition classified by the classifier is greater than a magnetic detection threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for access control involve dynamically controlling an access to firmware running a certified feature in an energy meter and a non-certified feature in the energy meter. The access can be based on a bifurcation between the certified feature and the non-certified feature running in the energy meter on one or more of a single microcontroller or a group of different microcontrollers.

Abstract: One embodiment is a device comprising a controller for verifying a digital signature of a process, a memory for storing an indication from the controller that the digital signature was verified the indication including at least one symmetric key, and a bootloader for receiving the indication from the memory and performing at least one security check using the at least one symmetric key, wherein the bootloader executes a function of the external process, only when it passes the security check.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatuses for detecting and reporting suspected tampering of an energy meter to a utility. The method and apparatus uses a plurality of sensors to obtain data relating to one or more input parameters based on the type of input signal. The input parameters are mapped with a tamper type to provide a classification of one or more output parameters. The output parameters are compared to one or more operating conditions of the energy meter to identify one or more suspected tampers. Any suspected tampers are reported to the utility.

Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple circuit paths configured to generate multiple electrical signals to be used to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the circuit paths is configured to use electrical energy from a different one of multiple independent power supplies. The apparatus also includes an I/O terminal configured to be coupled to a common electrical conductor that is coupled to the multiple devices. The I/O terminal is configured to pass the electrical signals to the common electrical conductor. The apparatus is configured to use each of the electrical signals to one of: receive input data from one of the multiple devices or provide output data to one of the multiple devices.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatuses for detecting and reporting suspected tampering of an energy meter to a utility. The method and apparatus uses a plurality of sensors to obtain data relating to one or more input parameters based on the type of input signal. The input parameters are mapped with a tamper type to provide a classification of one or more output parameters. The output parameters are compared to one or more operating conditions of the energy meter to identify one or more suspected tampers. Any suspected tampers are reported to the utility.

Abstract: Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.

Abstract: Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.

Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller level including at least one process controller, and an input/output (I/O) module level including at least one I/O module. The process controller level and the I/O module level are communicatively coupled. and each include control logic comprising control hardware or algorithm blocks. The control logic in the process controller level and the I/O module level are configured to execute and exchange data to perform process control for a process run by the process control system in a distributed fashion across the process controller level and the I/O module level.

Abstract: An apparatus performs methods for device diagnostics based on signals from digital outputs. The apparatus includes an input/output module with a digital output module to be coupled to a device. The input/output module measures one or more characteristics of a digital signal provided by the digital output module, where at least one of the one or more characteristics of the digital signal is associated with an output current of the digital output module. The input/output module also performs one or more diagnostics using the one or more measured characteristics of the digital signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple circuit paths configured to generate multiple electrical signals to be used to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the circuit paths is configured to use electrical energy from a different one of multiple independent power supplies. The apparatus also includes an I/O terminal configured to be coupled to a common electrical conductor that is coupled to the multiple devices. The I/O terminal is configured to pass the electrical signals to the common electrical conductor. The apparatus is configured to use each of the electrical signals to one of: receive input data from one of the multiple devices or provide output data to one of the multiple devices.

Abstract: A redundancy termination panel includes first and second interfaces configured to be coupled to first and second I/O modules, respectively. The redundancy termination panel also includes a third interface configured to be coupled to a field device. The redundancy termination panel further includes an I/O channel circuit associated with an I/O channel between the I/O modules and the field device. The I/O channel circuit is configured to allow an input current used for receiving data from the field device to be split such that different portions of the input current are sourced by different ones of the I/O modules. The I/O channel circuit is also configured to combine multiple currents driven by different ones of the I/O modules and provide an output current used for sending data to the field device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first processing device of an input/output module (IOM), new firmware data for the IOM. The method also includes sending an output hold command from the first processing device to a second processing device of the IOM. The method further includes upgrading firmware of the IOM with the new firmware data using the first processing device and attempting a reboot of the first processing device. In addition, the method includes, in response to the output hold command and during the upgrading of the firmware and the rebooting of the first processing device, using the second processing device to cause a field circuit of the IOM to hold at least one previous output signal for one or more external devices.

Abstract: A digital output module, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium provide for automatic handling of a lamp load on a digital output channel. The digital output module includes a digital output control switch and a processor operably connected to the digital output control switch. The digital output control switch opens and closes a circuit to a lamp load. The processor receives a readback of a current value applied to the lamp load attached to the digital output module, and controls the digital output control switch based on the readback current value.

Abstract: A system includes an input/output module (IOM) configured to interface with a field device. The IOM includes a terminal block including a plurality of inputs or outputs, each of the inputs or outputs configured to send and receive signals to and from the field device. The IOM also includes a plurality of temperature sensors, each of the plurality of temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in a vicinity of the temperature sensor. The IOM also includes a connector configured to transmit the temperature of each of the plurality of temperature sensors to a processing device.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data associated with at least one of: one or more products stored in or transferred via a first cargo distribution terminal, one or more actions occurring in the first cargo distribution terminal, and one or more personnel associated with the first cargo distribution terminal or the one or more products. The method also includes generating an update to a blockchain based on the data and updating a local copy of the blockchain using the update. The method further includes publishing the update to one or more nodes for updating one or more additional copies of the blockchain. The update could identify that at least a portion of the one or more products has been received at or shipped from the first cargo distribution terminal. The update could identify information about a vehicle used to transport the one or more products or a driver of the vehicle.