Abstract: The present invention comprises a network platform that couples field devices to a TCP-IP based enterprise network having a control engine containing control logic for monitoring and controlling the field devices. In one embodiment, the network platform couples the field devices to the enterprise network through a network switch. Signals flowing through the network switch to and from the field devices may be assigned varying levels of priority wherein the network switch resolves resource conflicts by granting priority to the signal possessing the highest priority. Alternatively, signals flowing through the network switch to and from the field devices may be classified according to the type of signal transmission and the network switch reserves a portion of switch resources exclusively for certain types of signals.

Abstract: Computer-based industrial control systems and methods employing object oriented hardware elements. An object oriented hardware element may comprise a processor core coupled one side to a universal real-world interface circuit, and on the other side to an open bus interface. In a preferred embodiment, the open bus interface provides downloading software programming objects to the microprocessor core. A computer-based control system in accordance with the present invention may comprise a personal computer or central processing unit coupled to a communications network, at least one zone interface module coupled to the communications network and to an open bus, at least one zone device module coupled to the open bus and, if required, one or more zone processor modules coupled to the open bus. Software object may be downloaded from the personal computer or central processing unit to the various modules to achieve modular, exception-based, distributively intelligent (MEDI) I/O control within the system.