Abstract: A system includes a first database configured to store one or more workflow templates associated with one or more workflows, where each workflow is used to implement at least one change in at least one control system of an industrial plant. The system also includes a second database configured to document each of the one or more workflows. In addition, the system includes at least one processor configured to communicate with at least one user equipment and to provide at least one user interface to the at least one user equipment. The at least one user interface is configured to provide the one or more workflow templates and to receive definitions of the one or more workflows. The at least one user interface is also configured to provide the one or more workflows for implementation of the at least one change in the at least one control system.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first data defining first user actions associated with a first augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) space. The method also includes translating the first user actions into first commands associated with first visual objects in the first AR/VR space. The method further includes aggregating the first commands into at least one first record and transmitting the at least one first record. The method also includes receiving at least one second record containing second commands associated with second visual objects in a second AR/VR space. The method further includes translating the second commands into second user actions. In addition, the method includes creating or causing a user device to create a replica of the second AR/VR space based on the second user actions.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining interconnections between control and instrumentation (C&I) systems within an industrial facility (IF). A data collection system including a data collection algorithm that provides a data collection block and a data agents block is coupled to the IF which has C&I systems collectively utilizing different data formats each including C&I devices, where the C&I systems are coupled to field devices coupled to processing equipment configured for implementing an industrial process. A data collection process is initiated using respective data formats for obtaining engineering configuration data used in the C&I systems stored therein. The engineering configuration data from each C&I system is used to determine connections within and interconnections between the C&I systems. The format of the engineering configuration data can be converted to common format engineering configuration data and then be stored.

Abstract: A system and method of engineering configuration data (ECD) collection for an industrial facility having a first control and instrumentation (C&I) system with first ECD using a first file format and a second C&I system with second ECD data using a second file format, and a data collection server. A first data agent has collection information regarding the first C&I system and a second data agent has collection information regarding the second C&I system. The first data agent collects the first ECD and the second data agent collects the second ECD. The first ECD and the second ECD are translated into one common generic data format. The first ECD and the second ECD are stored after being translated.

Abstract: A method of detecting and tracking changes in engineering configuration data (ECD) for control and instrumentation (C&I) systems an industrial facility. First ECD in a first data format used in a first C&I system and second ECD in a second data format used in a second C&I system are converted into a common format. The first and second ECD are stored together as reference snapshot data with a timestamp in a single information source. At a second time, after the first time reflected in the timestamp, the first and second ECD are obtained. The first ECD and the second ECD obtained at the second time are converted into the common format that collectively provides updated snapshot data. Changes are detected between the first ECD and the second ECD by comparing the reference snapshot data to the updated snapshot data.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more records containing commands, an association of the commands with visual objects in an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) space, and an AR/VR environment setup. The commands correspond to user actions taken in the AR/VR space. The method also includes analyzing the user actions based on the one or more records and assessing the user actions based on the analysis. The one or more records could have a portable file format. The commands could correspond to one or more gestures made by a user, one or more voice commands or voice annotations spoken by the user, one or more textual messages provided by the user, and/or one or more pointing actions taken by the user using at least one pointing device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data defining user actions associated with an AR/VR space. The method also includes translating the user actions into associated commands and identifying associations of the commands with visual objects in the AR/VR space. The method further includes aggregating the commands, the associations of the commands with the visual objects, and an AR/VR environment setup into at least one file and transmitting or storing the file(s). Another method includes receiving at least one file containing commands, associations of the commands with visual objects in an AR/VR space, and an AR/VR environment setup. The other method also includes translating the commands into associated user actions and recreating or causing a user device to recreate (i) the AR/VR space containing the visual objects based on the AR/VR environment setup and (ii) the user actions in the AR/VR space based on the associations of the commands with the visual objects.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first data defining first user actions associated with a first augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) space. The method also includes translating the first user actions into first commands associated with first visual objects in the first AR/VR space. The method further includes aggregating the first commands into at least one first record and transmitting the at least one first record. The method also includes receiving at least one second record containing second commands associated with second visual objects in a second AR/VR space. The method further includes translating the second commands into second user actions. In addition, the method includes creating or causing a user device to create a replica of the second AR/VR space based on the second user actions.

Abstract: A method of automatic network topology determination for at least one Control & Instrumentation (C&I) system in an industrial facility. A network type, and all nodes and interconnecting networking devices including switches in the C&I system(s) are discovered. Additional connectivity information including a connection of the nodes to a specific port is collected. The network relationships of the nodes and interconnecting networking devices in the C&I system are determined. A network topology diagram of the C&I system is automatically generated from the nodes and interconnecting networking devices, additional connectivity information, and network relationships.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and one or more processors operably connected to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive data collected from a process facility system, detect anomalies for field device or process failures associated with the process facility system that are not monitored by alarms, detect leading indicators for field device or process failures that are monitored by alarms, and monitor the process facility system to detect further anomalies and leading indicators before failures occur.

Abstract: A method of maintenance training simulation includes providing an at least partially virtual reality trainee console having training software, a simulated control and safety system of a plant represented as a data model of simulated hardware devices including a process controller, and a mapping block for interfacing the trainee console to the data model. The mapping block converts an injected hardware fault involving a simulated hardware device to make a change to the data model which changes a current operating state of the simulated system. A response of the process controller is displayed showing changes to the current operating state to the trainee. The mapping block converts an action of the trainee to the changes to the current operating state to generate a further change in the data model. A response of the process controller is displayed showing the further changes in the current operating state to the trainee.

Abstract: A system includes a first database configured to store one or more workflow templates associated with one or more workflows, where each workflow is used to implement at least one change in at least one control system of an industrial plant. The system also includes a second database configured to document each of the one or more workflows. In addition, the system includes at least one processor configured to communicate with at least one user equipment and to provide at least one user interface to the at least one user equipment. The at least one user interface is configured to provide the one or more workflow templates and to receive definitions of the one or more workflows. The at least one user interface is also configured to provide the one or more workflows for implementation of the at least one change in the at least one control system.

Abstract: A method includes identifying input/output (I/O) channels in a control and instrumentation system associated with an industrial plant. The method also includes identifying which of the I/O channels are not in use by the control and instrumentation system. The method further includes generating a graphical user interface identifying the I/O channels not in use by the control and instrumentation system. An indication that at least one I/O channel not in use by the control and instrumentation system is being reserved for use could be received, and the at least one I/O channel can be reserved. An indication that at least one I/O channel in use by the control and instrumentation system is now not in use by the control and instrumentation system could also be received, and the at least one I/O channel could be released so the at least one I/O channel is available for reservation or other use.

Abstract: A method includes applying a defect rule to engineering configurations in an industrial process control and automation system. This includes extracting query logic from the defect rule defining a defect. This also includes executing the extracted query logic on the engineering configurations. This further includes storing results of the executed query logic as an identified defect. The method could also include reconciling the identified defect by comparing the results of the executed query logic for a current iteration with results of the executed query logic from previous iterations and determining a current state of the identified defect based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining interconnections between control and instrumentation (C&I) systems within an industrial facility (IF). A data collection system including a data collection algorithm that provides a data collection block and a data agents block is coupled to the IF which has C&I systems collectively utilizing different data formats each including C&I devices, where the C&I systems are coupled to field devices coupled to processing equipment configured for implementing an industrial process. A data collection process is initiated using respective data formats for obtaining engineering configuration data used in the C&I systems stored therein. The engineering configuration data from each C&I system is used to determine connections within and interconnections between the C&I systems. The format of the engineering configuration data can be converted to common format engineering configuration data and then be stored.

Abstract: A system and method of engineering configuration data (ECD) collection for an industrial facility having a first control and instrumentation (C&I) system with first ECD using a first file format and a second C&I system with second ECD data using a second file format, and a data collection server. A first data agent has collection information regarding the first C&I system and a second data agent has collection information regarding the second C&I system. The first data agent collects the first ECD and the second data agent collects the second ECD. The first ECD and the second ECD are translated into one common generic data format. The first ECD and the second ECD are stored after being translated.

Abstract: A method of detecting and tracking changes in engineering configuration data (ECD) for control and instrumentation (C&I) systems an industrial facility. First ECD in a first data format used in a first C&I system and second ECD in a second data format used in a second C&I system are converted into a common format. The first and second ECD are stored together as reference snapshot data with a timestamp in a single information source. At a second time, after the first time reflected in the timestamp, the first and second ECD are obtained. The first ECD and the second ECD obtained at the second time are converted into the common format that collectively provides updated snapshot data. Changes are detected between the first ECD and the second ECD by comparing the reference snapshot data to the updated snapshot data.

Abstract: A method of automatic network topology determination for at least one Control & Instrumentation (C&I) system in an industrial facility. A network type, and all nodes and interconnecting networking devices including switches in the C&I system(s) are discovered. Additional connectivity information including a connection of the nodes to a specific port is collected. The network relationships of the nodes and interconnecting networking devices in the C&I system are determined. A network topology diagram of the C&I system is automatically generated from the nodes and interconnecting networking devices, additional connectivity information, and network relationships.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and one or more processors operably connected to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive data collected from a process facility system, detect anomalies for field device or process failures associated with the process facility system that are not monitored by alarms, detect leading indicators for field device or process failures that are monitored by alarms, and monitor the process facility system to detect further anomalies and leading indicators before failures occur.