Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, a supply of ribbon, and a supply circuit. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure and a take-up spool enclosure. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The supply of ribbon extends from the supply spool to the take-up spool. The supply circuit includes a memory containing supply information relating to the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A two-wire field-mounted process device with multiple isolated channels includes a channel that can be an input channel or an output channel. The given input or output channel can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device is wholly powered by the two-wire process control loop. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input channel and to control actuators coupled to an output channel. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands. The process device also includes a loop communicator that is adapted to communicate over the two-wire loop.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a distributed operational system having a field device, a field processing module coupled to the field device, a bitbus, a fieldbus, and an auxiliary processing module communicating with the bitbus and the fieldbus. The method includes generating a field operating characteristic at the field device, processing the field operating characteristic at the field processing module, and generating field operating data including a field diagnostic parameter as a function of the field operating characteristic. The method also includes communicating the field operating data including the field diagnostic parameter over the bitbus from the field processing module to the auxiliary processing module. The method further includes generating at the auxiliary processing module auxiliary field data as a function of the received field operating data and communicating the auxiliary field data over the fieldbus.

Abstract: A temperature sensing and diagnostics system having a temperature sensor for generating a temperature characteristic and a bitbus includes a field processing module and an auxiliary processing module. The field processing module is adapted for coupling to the temperature sensor and for receiving the temperature characteristic from the temperature sensor. The field processing module includes a field diagnostic component and a field communication component configured for communication over the bitbus and is adapted to generate field operating data including a temperature diagnostic parameter as a function of the temperature characteristic. The auxiliary processing module is configured for communicating with the bitbus and for receiving the field operating data and includes an auxiliary diagnostic component and an auxiliary communication component having a fieldbus interface and a gateway component.

Abstract: A distributed operations system having integrated diagnostics, a bitbus and a fieldbus and includes a field device for generating a field operating characteristic and a field processing module for receiving the field operating characteristic from the field device. The field processing module includes a field diagnostic component and a field communication component configured for communication over the bitbus. The field processing module is configured for generating field operating data including a field diagnostic parameter as a function of the field operating characteristic. An auxiliary processing module is configured for communicating with the bitbus and receiving the field operating data. The auxiliary processing module includes an auxiliary diagnostic component and an auxiliary communication component having a fieldbus interface and a gateway component.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a temperature sensing system having a temperature sensor, a field processing module coupled to the temperature sensor, a bitbus, a fieldbus, and an auxiliary processing module communicating with the bitbus and the fieldbus. The method includes generating a temperature characteristic at the temperature sensor, processing the temperature characteristic at the field processing module, and generating field operating data including a temperature diagnostic parameter as a function of the temperature characteristic. The method also includes communicating the field operating data including the temperature diagnostic parameter over the bitbus from the field processing module to the auxiliary processing module, generating at the auxiliary processing module auxiliary field data as a function of the received field operating data, and communicating the auxiliary field data over the fieldbus.

Abstract: A printer includes a substrate input, a substrate transport, a printhead, a removable ribbon cartridge, a ribbon cartridge receiver, and a substrate output. The substrate transport is configured to feed a substrate from the substrate input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the substrate. The ribbon cartridge is received in the ribbon cartridge receiver and contains a supply of print ribbon that extends between supply and take-up spools and over the printhead. The substrate can then be discharged through the substrate output.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an identification card personalization device used to create identification cards. The identification card personalization device includes a network adapter that is connectable to a network and either a print mechanism for printing onto a card, a laminating mechanism for laminating a printed card, or both printing and laminating mechanisms. In one aspect of the invention, the identification card personalization device includes a web server for serving data over the network. In another aspect of the invention, the identification card personalization device includes a web client for subscribing to data on the network.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.

Abstract: Transmitter in a process control system includes a resistance sensor sensing a process variable and providing a sensor output. Sensor monitoring circuitry coupled to the sensor provides a secondary signal related to the sensor. Analog-to-digital conversion circuitry coupled to the sensor output and the sensor monitoring circuitry provides a digitized sensor output and a digitized secondary signal. Output circuitry coupled to a process control loop transmits a residual life estimate related to residual life of the sensor. A memory stores a set of expected results related to the secondary signal and to the sensor. Diagnostic circuitry provides the residual life estimate as a function of the expected results stored in the memory, the digitized sensor output and the digitized secondary signal.

Abstract: A temperature transmitter and a process control system includes a sensor input for coupling to a temperature sensor having a temperature dependent resistance. The resistance measuring circuitry couples to the sensor input and provides a resistance output related to resistance of the temperature dependent resistance. Analog to digital conversion circuitry couples to the sensor input and provides a digital output related to AC signals across the sensor input. Digital signal processing circuitry isolates a Johnson noise component of the AC signals and provides a digitized Johnson noise output. Temperature measurement circuitry provides a calibrated temperature output based upon the resistance output and the digitized Johnson noise output. Output circuitry transmits the calibrated temperature output over the process control loop.