Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to real-time proximity-based contextual information for an industrial asset. In this regard, a request to establish a remote collaboration environment associated with an industrial asset in an industrial environment is received. The request includes an asset identifier provided by a mobile computing device proximate to the industrial asset. The request also includes location data associated with the industrial asset. In response to the request, contextual data for an industrial task associated with the industrial asset is determined based on the asset identifier and the location data. Furthermore, one or more interactive media elements associated with the industrial task is generated based on the contextual data. The one or more interactive media elements are communicated via the remote collaboration environment.

Abstract: A method of creating and/or modifying a video for use in a head-mounted display while a user of the head-mounted display is carrying out a task that is illustrated by the video. The method may include processing an initial video to automatically determine when the initial video does not cover key aspects of the task and thus when video mashing is desired. When video mashing is desired, a supporting video is obtained to cover the missing key aspects, and the initial video and the supporting video are automatically mashed, result in a composite video for subsequent display on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for the secure access to field instruments. An interface device that includes a built-in firewall, is communicatively coupled between the device manager of an industrial automation process control system and a network of field instruments. The interface device includes at least one processor configured to execute instructions that provides a firewall for the one or more field instruments by blocking one or more user selected commands from being sent to the field instruments from the device manager.

Abstract: A method of creating and/or modifying a video for use in a head-mounted display while a user of the head-mounted display is carrying out a task that is illustrated by the video. The method may include processing an initial video to automatically determine when the initial video does not cover key aspects of the task and thus when video mashing is desired. When video mashing is desired, a supporting video is obtained to cover the missing key aspects, and the initial video and the supporting video are automatically mashed, result in a composite video for subsequent display on the head-mounted display.

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: An apparatus and method is disclosed for the secure access to field instruments. An interface device that includes a built-in firewall, is communicatively coupled between the device manager of an industrial automation process control system and a network of field instruments. The interface device includes at least one processor configured to execute instructions that provides a firewall for the one or more field instruments by blocking one or more user selected commands from being sent to the field instruments from the device manager.

Abstract: A field device firewall includes a processor that runs a cyber-protection algorithm, and a memory storing a list of device types, requests and commands. The field device firewall is adapted for use in a communications network between a field network communication interface coupled to a field device and a process controller. The field device firewall does not support any native communications with the field device and also lacks an IP address. The cyber-protection algorithm implements comparing information in a received packet to the stored list, allowing transmission of the received packet to the field device if the comparing determines the information is on the stored list, and blocking transmission of the received packet to the field device if the comparing determines the information is not on the stored list.

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 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 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: 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 field device firewall includes a processor that runs a cyber-protection algorithm, and a memory storing a list of device types, requests and commands. The field device firewall is adapted for use in a communications network between a field network communication interface coupled to a field device and a process controller. The field device firewall does not support any native communications with the field device and also lacks an IP address. The cyber-protection algorithm implements comparing information in a received packet to the stored list, allowing transmission of the received packet to the field device if the comparing determines the information is on the stored list, and blocking transmission of the received packet to the field. device if the comparing determines the information is not on the stored list.

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: 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 software application architecture based on object oriented concepts. According to an aspect, upgrading the application to support newer versions of a standard describing device description is simplified. According to another aspect, the application is designed to be tolerant to changes (additions or modifications) introduced by future/later versions not yet supported by the application. In an embodiment, the approaches are applied in the context of a parser designed to parse device descriptions of different versions.

Abstract: A software application architecture based on object oriented concepts. According to an aspect, upgrading the application to support newer versions of a standard describing device description is simplified. According to another aspect, the application is designed to be tolerant to changes (additions or modifications) introduced by future/later versions not yet supported by the application. In an embodiment, the approaches are applied in the context of a parser designed to parse device descriptions of different versions.