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 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.