Abstract: An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool includes a controller, a process communication module, and a display. The process communication module is configured to communicate with a field device using a process communication protocol. The display is coupled to the controller. A user interface module is also coupled to the controller and is configured to receive user input. The controller is configured to detect a user input help request and provide a video output on the display in response to the user input help request.

Abstract: Techniques for performing two-factor authentication in a process plant include receiving, at a user interface device, a first type of identification information for a user from an identification device or a physical trait of the user. The user interface device also receives a second type of identification information for the user from knowledge-based information provided by the user. The user interface device then determines that each type of identification information corresponds to the same authorized user within the process plant. When both types of identification information are for the same authorized user, the user is granted access to the user interface device. Accordingly, the user may execute functions on the user interface device to perform operations on a plant asset which is connected to the user interface device.

Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool includes a training mode. The handheld field maintenance tool has a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device, a user interface, and a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface. The controller is configured to interact with a user through the user interface, and is configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool is provided with a removable memory module. The module is preferably adapted to be removable in the presence of a hazardous environment. Further, the handheld field maintenance tool is adapted, via hardware, software, or both to automatically detect the presence of the removable memory module and to copy, or otherwise install, data from the module to the tool. Data can be placed on a removable memory module in any suitable manner including flashing flash memory within the removable memory module, or, in embodiments where the removable memory module includes both storage and input/output capability, transmitting software and/or data to the storage media through the input/output capability.

Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.

Abstract: A system for providing help content to an industrial portable device includes a computer network within a plant with a help server. The industrial portable device includes a computer processor with a help application that provides help content regarding the use of the industrial portable device and/or other control applications on the industrial portable device. The help server can modify the help content in the help application, for example with help updates. The help application is separate and independent of the other control applications and can be modified independently of the other control applications. The industrial portable device may be a portable field device communicator and/or intrinsically safe.

Abstract: Techniques for performing two-factor authentication in a process plant include receiving, at a user interface device, a first type of identification information for a user from an identification device or a physical trait of the user. The user interface device also receives a second type of identification information for the user from knowledge-based information provided by the user. The user interface device then determines that each type of identification information corresponds to the same authorized user within the process plant. When both types of identification information are for the same authorized user, the user is granted access to the user interface device. Accordingly, the user may execute functions on the user interface device to perform operations on a plant asset which is connected to the user interface device.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device in accordance with a process industry communication protocol. A controller is coupled to the process communication module and is configured to provide at least one function related to maintenance of the field device. Program instructions embodied on a computer readable medium coupled to the controller, the program instructions causing the controller, when executed by the controller, to provide operator rounds functionality, CMMS/EAM functionality and/or ERP functionality.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling plant assets in a process plant include assigning permissions to users and user interface devices within the process plant, where the permissions specify a level of access to a plant asset. The permissions are then provided to the user interface devices. When a user connects a user interface device to a plant asset, the user interface device determines which operations the user may perform on the connected plant asset based on the permissions granted to the user.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool with improved diagnostic functions is provided. The tool includes a process communication module configured to interact with a field device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module. The controller is configured to execute a number of improved diagnostic functions relative to the field device. The controller may obtain contextual information relative to a current field maintenance operation and preload at least one resource relative to a next field operation step. The controller may obtain process alarm information through a wireless communication module, and field device alert information through the process communication module and provide an indication on a display relative to both process alarm information and field device alert information. The controller may execute a sequence of field device maintenance operations on the field device in response to a signal from a user input device.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device. The handheld field maintenance tool also includes a display and a user input device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module, the user input device and the display and is configured to generate a listing of task-based field maintenance operations on the display and receive a user input selecting a task-based field maintenance operation. The controller is configured to automatically traverse a menu of the field device using a fast-key sequence relative to the selected task. A method of creating a task-based field maintenance operation is provided. A method of interacting with a field device menu is also provided.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool includes a controller, a process communication module, and a display. The process communication module is configured to communicate with a field device using a process communication protocol. The display is coupled to the controller. A user interface module is also coupled to the controller and is configured to receive user input. The controller is configured to detect a user input help request and provide a video output on the display in response to the user input help request.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured communicatively couple to a field device. A camera is configured to obtain at least one image relative to the field device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module and operably coupled to the camera. The controller is configured to store the at least one image relative to the field device. The handheld field maintenance tool may also include or employ an audio input device to capture audio files.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The tool includes, among other things, a wireless process communication protocol module configured to communicate in accordance with a wireless process communication protocol. The tool also includes a display and an input device. A controller is coupled to the wireless process communication protocol module, the display, and the input device. The controller is configured to generate a map on the display indicating a position of the handheld field maintenance device relative to at least one asset, such as a field device. The controller is further configured to determine a position of the handheld field maintenance device by triangulating using wireless process communication with a number of known, fixed-position wireless field devices.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device in accordance with a process industry communication protocol. A controller is coupled to the process communication module and is configured to provide at least one function related to maintenance of the field device. Program instructions embodied on a computer readable medium coupled to the controller, the program instructions causing the controller, when executed by the controller, to provide operator rounds functionality, CMMS/EAM functionality and/or ERP functionality.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device. The handheld field maintenance tool also includes a display and a user input device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module, the user input device and the display and is configured to generate a listing of task-based field maintenance operations on the display and receive a user input selecting a task-based field maintenance operation. The controller is configured to automatically traverse a menu of the field device using a fast-key sequence relative to the selected task. A method of creating a task-based field maintenance operation is provided. A method of interacting with a field device menu is also provided.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool with improved diagnostic functions is provided. The tool includes a process communication module configured to interact with a field device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module. The controller is configured to execute a number of improved diagnostic functions relative to the field device. The controller may obtain contextual information relative to a current field maintenance operation and preload at least one resource relative to a next field operation step. The controller may obtain process alarm information through a wireless communication module, and field device alert information through the process communication module and provide an indication on a display relative to both process alarm information and field device alert information. The controller may execute a sequence of field device maintenance operations on the field device in response to a signal from a user input device.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool includes a training mode. The handheld field maintenance tool has a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device, a user interface, and a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface. The controller is configured to interact with a user through the user interface, and is configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.

Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool and associated method are provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate in accordance with a process industry communication standard. A controller is coupled to the process communication module and is configured to access a device description relative to a selected simulated field device. A user interface is configured to receive a user input relative to a parameter of the simulated field device. The controller generates communication through the process communication module to simulate the selected field device based on the user input.