Abstract: A system includes a plurality of sensors measuring a physical parameter; a processing unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to receive sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors; wherein the processing unit is further configured to compare rates of change between sensor data for each individual sensor of the plurality of sensors and each of the other individual sensors of the plurality of sensors; wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform a first action when the rate of change of each of the plurality of sensors is within a first threshold of all of the other plurality of sensors; and wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform a second action when the rate of change of at least one of the plurality of sensors is not within the first threshold of at least another of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: For use in time-limiting a request for information from a client to a resource, a timeout object, a method of operating the same and a real-time process control system employing the timeout object or the method. In one embodiment, the timeout object includes: (1) a client interface that receives, from the client, the request and a time-based parameter and (2) a resource interface that forwards the request to the resource and waits for the information an amount of time that is a function of the time-based parameter, the client interface: (2a) returning the information to the client if the timeout object receives the information within the amount of time and (2b) returning a timeout indicator to the client if the timeout object fails to receive the information within the amount of time.