Abstract: A method for transmitting messages between a communications controller and devices in a factory process control system, wherein each device has an associated identification number which is unique to that device. A message to be transmitted is compiled, and then based on the criticality of the message, one of a standard, secure, or critical message protocols is chosen for the message; each protocol being defined to generate a message checksum for the message in a manner different from the other protocols. The generated checksum is then included in the message. Using the secure and critical protocols, a message checksum is generated from the message to be transmitted and the identification number of the intended recipient device. In the secure protocol, the message checksum is included in the message, but the identification number is not included in the message; in the critical protocol, both the message checksum and the identification number are included in the message.

Abstract: An I/O device powered by its computer interface is interfaced to a computer through a PC Card. A dongle is included with a cable assembly between the PC Card and the I/O device. Power for the I/O device is supplied thereto by an external power supply connected to the dongle. Using a power status input, the PC card can detect whether the external power supply is operational and connected, and accordingly, the PC Card manages operations with the I/O device.

Abstract: A system and machine readable data storage medium for managing computer services having different operational parameters are described. The managed services provide an ordered, multi-phased startup of processes started by the services. The processes started by the services include background processes and interactive processes. The services are assigned operational parameters that define the environment for processes executed under a particular service. The system can further include apparatus and methods for monitoring the execution status of processes and for acting upon the processes as a function of their execution status. The system also includes synchronization flags to aid in providing an ordered startup of processes.

Abstract: A system and method for generating operating system specific kernel level code from one or more data structures that are portable to and compatible with multiple, different operating systems. These data structures are suitable for use with a number of different operating systems without customization. The data structures can contain a plurality of sub-structures, e.g., definitions, function calls and constants and/or a plurality of defines, e.g., system services or function calls, for a plurality of different operating systems.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card includes a processor and a dual-ported memory thereon. The PCMCIA card is plugged into a host, such that both the PCMCIA card's processor and the host have access to the dual-ported memory. Upon initialization, the host will load the dual-ported memory will a boot sequence for the processor on the PCMCIA card. The processor on the PCMCIA card is then released from a reset state, and proceeds to boot from the boot sequence loaded by the host. The processor on the PCMCIA card is released from reset by the host accessing a predetermined location within the address space of the PCMCIA card.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter has a tube for supporting fluid flow and a circuit for indicating when the tube is empty. The circuit includes an amplifier connected to two electrodes in the tube and a variable resistor. The amplifier produces an oscillating signal when the tube is empty.The circuit is calibrated for a particular fluid by finding a range of resistances for the variable resistor at which the circuit provides an accurate indication that the tube is empty, and storing information in the processor indicating a resistance in the range for the fluid.

Abstract: A system for detecting certain improperly soldered electrical component connections to a printed circuit board includes methods and apparatus providing an automated means for detecting unsoldered component leads is disclosed. A connection pad divided into two portions, or land areas is bridged by the component lead when soldered. A test pad connected to one of the land areas provides a test point for detecting the presence or absence of an open circuit condition through the lead of an electrical component to a point in the circuit to which it is to be electrically connected.

Abstract: A configurable distributed control processor card for use in an industrial process control system is described. The configurable distributed control processor card includes configuration determination logic for designating a particular intended distributed control processor card configuration based upon a signal, originating from an external bus, sensed on one or more input pins to the configurable card. The configuration determination logic specifies one of a set of distributed control processor card configurations based upon the sensed signal.A configurable distributed control processor card also includes card configuration logic. Based upon the specified configuration, a control program is selected from a set of control programs associated with the distinct ones of the set of distributed control processor card configurations.

Abstract: A vortex mass flowmeter includes a body for placement in a flow path of a fluid and four capacitive sensors. The body has a sleeve and a rod positioned within a chamber in the sleeve. Two of the capacitive sensors are mounted to sense lateral deflection of the sleeve relative to the rod and two of the capacitive sensors are mounted to sense axial deflection of the sleeve relative to the rod, thereby providing frequency signals related to shedding and drag, respectively. The shedding signal is dependent on the flow velocity, and the drag signal is dependent on the flow velocity and the fluid density.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical filter for a portabe gas analyzer includes a filter assembly having a first opening and multiple additional openings. The first opening has a linearly variable filter disposed therein, while the additional openings have discrete filters disposed therein. The filters are linearly aligned, such that filter selection is facilitated by using the filter assembly with a linear positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A sensor for provides a measurement and information about the validity of the measurement. The sensor includes a transducer for generating a data signal related to the value of a variable and a transmitter for receiving the data signal and generating output signals. The transmitter generates a first output signal related to the value of the variable. The transmitter also generates a second output signal based on a dynamic uncertainty analysis of the first output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for compressing a stream of data for storage, transmission or display while preserving maximum, minimum, and other valuable data features. The method and apparatus utilize a first and a second pair of error boundary lines to generate best fit trend segments of the data stream. The first and second pair of error boundary lines are modified as data samples of the data stream are received such that all of the data samples are either on one of the first and second pair of error boundary lines or in an area between the first and second pair of error boundary lines. The first and second pair of error boundary lines are then used to generate the best fit trend segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an on-line replacement of an industrial process control processor module via loop-by-loop transfer of control blocks is described. After replacing a backup control processor module in a redundant processor configuration with a first upgrade control processor module, the first upgrade control processor module is placed in a partially operable mode enabling reading of control values from a control data storage. However, the partially operable upgrade control processor module cannot write values to the control data storage. Thereafter, control loops for an industrial control process are transferred, one loop at a time, from a primary control processor to the first upgrade control processor. After each loop is transferred, the capabilities of the first upgrade control processor are expanded to include write access to the control data storage associated with the transferred control loop.

Abstract: A wet scrubber control system is configured with a pH sensor and a conductivity sensor in the return solution, and with a conductivity sensor in the feed solution. Concentration of the scrubbing agent within the feed solution is determined using the conductivity of the feed solution, corrected by subtracting a bias therefrom. The bias is established by first measuring the concentration of scrubbing agent in the return solution using the pH sensor. An expected conductivity of the return solution is then looked-up. The bias is set as the difference between the expected conductivity of the return solution and a measured conductivity of the return solution.

Abstract: A power conditioning circuit for use in a power supply includes a power input and a power output. The circuit also includes a series connected RFI-EMI filter, rectifier, and SCR between the power input and the power output. The SCR has a control input for switching the SCR on and off, thereby interrupting current flow between the power input and the power output. An energy storage circuit is connected across the power output. Furthermore, the circuit includes a control circuit coupled to the control input of the SCR for switching the SCR on and off to maintain a regulated voltage at said power output in response to an AC input. A conditioned DC output is produced in response to a DC input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training and optimizing a neural network for use in controlling multivariable nonlinear processes. The neural network can be used as a controller generating manipulated variables for directly controlling the process or as part of a controller structure generating predicted process outputs. The neural network is trained and optimized off-line with historical values of the process inputs, outputs, and their rates of change. The determination of the manipulated variables or the predicted process outputs are based on an optimum prediction time which represents the effective response time of the process output to the setpoint such that the greatest change to the process output occurs as a result of a small change made to its paired manipulated variable.

Abstract: A polycrystalline pressure sensor is formed by depositing polycrystalline silicon piezoresistors on a polycrystalline sensing diaphragm. The piezoresistors are arranged in a wheatstone bridge configuration. During operation, an alternating differential signal is applied across the input of the wheatstone bridge. A measured voltage difference between the output terminals of the wheatstone bridge is used to detect imbalance in the electrical piezoresistors that corresponds to pressure applied to the sensor. Pressure is thereby measured.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor is attached to a process via a high and a low pressure impulse line. An absolute pressure sensor is also attached to each impulse line. To determine if an impulse line is blocked, a noise signal is acquired from the corresponding absolute pressure sensor. A variance of the noise signal is determined and compared to a threshold. If the variance is less than the threshold, an impulse line blockage is indicated.