Abstract: A method includes receiving a first proposed value or attribute for a parameter associated with a field device. The field device is or will be used in a process control system. The method also includes determining whether the first proposed value or attribute is valid using a device description associated with the field device. The method further includes, if the first proposed value or attribute is not valid, receiving a second proposed value or attribute for the parameter associated with the field device and determining whether the second proposed value or attribute is valid. The determinations of whether the first and second proposed values or attributes are valid could occur when the field device is offline in the process control system. The method could further include receiving a configuration having multiple values or attributes for multiple parameters associated with the field device and validating at least some of those values or attributes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first proposed value or attribute for a parameter associated with a field device. The field device is or will be used in a process control system. The method also includes determining whether the first proposed value or attribute is valid using a device description associated with the field device. The method further includes, if the first proposed value or attribute is not valid, receiving a second proposed value or attribute for the parameter associated with the field device and determining whether the second proposed value or attribute is valid. The determinations of whether the first and second proposed values or attributes are valid could occur when the field device is offline in the process control system. The method could further include receiving a configuration having multiple values or attributes for multiple parameters associated with the field device and validating at least some of those values or attributes.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention enables administrators to specify custom entry points, which facilitate a user to access desired information quickly. In an embodiment, such administrator specified entry points are also displayed in a home page, which is displayed when a user requests management of a corresponding field device. The administrator may specify the specific information and form (e.g., graph, chart, field/value combination, etc.) to be displayed for each entry point, and the corresponding information is retrieved and displayed upon selection of the entry point.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, device descriptions of different DD specifications are converted (represented) into a single format. In an embodiment, the single format corresponds to extended markup language (XML). The device description in the single format is then examined to provide a user interface for management of the corresponding field devices. Due to such use of a common format, integration of field devices (into a management system) having device description defined according to a new DD specification, may be simplified.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a device description is pre-processed to determine the values of various fields of objects needed while providing the user interface. The values are then stored in an intermediate file according to a pre-specified order such that the objects can be loaded quickly when needed (without substantial parsing of the content of the intermediate file).