Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating data from field devices to data acquisition systems. In at least some exemplary embodiments, a remote process or field controller may obtain data, and send the data to a data cache only if the data has changed from previously sent data. The data acquisition system may poll the data cache for data. Having the remote process controller send only data that has changed allows the communication channel between the data caching system and the remote process controller to have a bandwidth or throughput lower than what may be needed to support the polling of the data acquisition system.

Abstract: Determining a hierarchical structure, possibly for delivery to an asset management system. Some exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising receiving a message originated by a data acquisition system and destined for a remote process controller (the receiving by a message router), using content of the message to determine a hierarchical structure of a system between the data acquisition system and the remote process controller, forwarding the message by the message router, and passing information related to the hierarchical structure to an asset management system.

Abstract: The specification discloses a controller housing that utilizes card guides that may be installed and removed without the use of tools. Various arrangements of the controller housing with and without the card guides allows for the controller housing to accept electronic circuit cards of varying sizes. Thus, if a manufacturer desires to increase the number of points on an input/output card, for example, those additional points need not necessarily be contained in a card having the same form factor. Instead, the manufacturer may provide a larger form factor card and that card may be inserted into the controller housing by appropriately adjusting the location of the card guide within the particular opening into which the new card is to be inserted.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and related method for limiting, or selectively authorizing, use of software in embedded microcontroller based systems. Licenses are provided on hardware keys, made up of serial EEPROMs, which may be moved from system to system and which may be also upgraded to increase the quantity or to change the expiration date of a licensed software program.

Abstract: The specification discloses a controller housing that utilizes card guides that may be installed and removed without the use of tools. Various arrangements of the controller housing with and without the card guides allows for the controller housing to accept electronic circuit cards of varying sizes. Thus, if a manufacturer desires to increase the number of points on an input/output card, for example, those additional points need not necessarily be contained in a card having the same form factor. Instead, the manufacturer may provide a larger form factor card and that card may be inserted into the controller housing by appropriately adjusting the location of the card guide within the particular opening into which the new card is to be inserted.