Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to computer hardware and software for managing a field device (e.g., a transmitter, an actuator, a valve, a switch, a sensor, a power supply, a meter, or the like, used in one or more pieces of equipment that process one or more input chemicals to create one or more products in a chemical plant, a petrochemical plant, a refinery, or the like) by using an interactive automation/self-learning program module installed in a computing device (e.g., a mobile device). Some aspects of the disclosure provide techniques that may enable a computing device to connect to a field device; automatically identify the field device; provide guidance to manage the connected field device; receive input corresponding to the guidance; and/or manage the field device based on the input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a field device on a network can involve detecting, at a processing device, a connection of the field device in an industrial process control and automation system, receiving data, from the field device, including payload information related to the field device in the industrial process control and automation system, determining, at the processing device, whether the field device uses a specific protocol based on the data, and responsive to determining that the field device uses the specific protocol, generating, at the processing device, a soft modem instance. The method and apparatus can also involve termination of soft modem instance if the field device becomes disconnected. The method and apparatus can also involve demodulating and extracting, using the soft modem instance, the payload information from the data.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to computer hardware and software for managing a field device (e.g., a transmitter, an actuator, a valve, a switch, a sensor, a power supply, a meter, or the like, used in one or more pieces of equipment that process one or more input chemicals to create one or more products in a chemical plant, a petrochemical plant, a refinery, or the like) by using an interactive automation/self-learning program module installed in a computing device (e.g., a mobile device). Some aspects of the disclosure provide techniques that may enable a computing device to connect to a field device; automatically identify the field device; provide guidance to manage the connected field device; receive input corresponding to the guidance; and/or manage the field device based on the input.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and connecting to field devices in an industrial plant. In an example embodiment, steps or operations can be implemented for providing credentials associated with a user through Li-Fi wireless communications, detecting a light pattern associated with the Li-Fi Wireless communications with a light sensor attached to a field device, transmitting a signal from the light sensor to a controller, which decodes the credentials associated with the user, and if the credentials are authorized, allowing the user to obtain device data associated with the field device wherein said data includes a location of said field device within said industrial plant. Such data can be obtained from a control room and/or a server through a wireless data communications network (e.g., wireless bidirectional communications).

Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure provide a method and apparatus for managing a field device on a network. The method includes detecting, at a processing device, a connection of the field device in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes receiving data, from the field device, including payload information related to the field device in the industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes determining, at the processing device, whether the field device uses a specific protocol based on the data. The method also includes responsive to determining that the field device uses the specific protocol, generating, at the processing device, a soft modem instance. This method also includes termination of soft modem instance if the field device gets disconnected. The method also includes demodulating and extracting, using the soft modem instance, the payload information from the data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring process equipment such as field devices. A QR code can be associated with a field device, wherein the QR code contains data that identifies the field device, and also includes process data regarding the field device, the location of the field device, and maintenance information, installation information and fault information associated with the field device. The QR code can then be scanned and decoded in order to retrieve the data for use in in monitoring and maintaining field devices in the context of a connected plant.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sustaining process temperature measurement with respect to a lead wire break. A resistance temperature device can include a group of lead wire arms including lead wire arms of a first lead wire type and a second lead wire type. An operation can occur to automatically switch from a first lead wire type configuration to a second lead wire type configuration in the resistance temperature device having the plurality of lead wire arms including the first lead wire type and the second lead wire type, if one or more wire breaks occurs in one or more the lead wire arms.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various ways to enable a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication capability for a field instrument. An apparatus is configured to perform a method for providing BLE communication capability to a legacy field instrument in an industrial control system. The method includes receiving, by a BLE adapter coupled to the field instrument, information from the field instrument according to a protocol that is native to the field instrument. The method includes converting, by the BLE adapter, the information into a BLE communication protocol. The method includes transmitting, by the BLE adapter, the converted information to an external device over a BLE communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and connecting to field devices in an industrial plant. In an example embodiment, steps or operations can be implemented for providing credentials associated with a user through Li-Fi wireless communications, detecting a light pattern associated with the Li-Fi Wireless communications with a light sensor attached to a field device, transmitting a signal from the light sensor to a controller, which decodes the credentials associated with the user, and if the credentials are authorized, allowing the user to obtain device data associated with the field device wherein said data includes a location of said field device within said industrial plant. Such data can be obtained from a control room and/or a server through a wireless data communications network (e.g., wireless bidirectional communications).

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring process equipment such as field devices. A QR code can be associated with a field device, wherein the QR code contains data that identifies the field device, and also includes process data regarding the field device, the location of the field device, and maintenance information, installation information and fault information associated with the field device. The QR code can then be scanned and decoded in order to retrieve the data for use in in monitoring and maintaining field devices in the context of a connected plant.

Abstract: A transmitter with universal terminals supports flexible connection of an RTD sensor. The transmitter includes a plurality of terminals, a first switch, a second switch, and a microcontroller. The first switch is coupled to the plurality of terminals and a current source. The second switch is coupled to the plurality of terminals and a sink resistor. The microcontroller receives an indication that a sensor is connected to an undetermined number of the terminals. The microcontroller transmits control signals to the first switch and the second switch to test a voltage differential between each of a plurality of combinations of the terminals. The microcontroller determines which of the terminals are coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller sets the determined terminals as inputs received from the sensor.

Abstract: A transmitter with universal terminals supports flexible connection of an RTD sensor. The transmitter includes a plurality of terminals, a first switch, a second switch, and a microcontroller. The first switch is coupled to the plurality of terminals and a current source. The second switch is coupled to the plurality of terminals and a sink resistor. The microcontroller receives an indication that a sensor is connected to an undetermined number of the terminals. The microcontroller transmits control signals to the first switch and the second switch to test a voltage differential between each of a plurality of combinations of the terminals. The microcontroller determines which of the terminals are coupled to the sensor. The microcontroller sets the determined terminals as inputs received from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and a processing device. The memory element is configured to store a plurality of configurations for different sensors in an industrial process and control system. The processing device is configured to identify at least one wired connection to a sensor in the industrial process and control system. The processing device is also configured to detect a type of the sensor based on the at least one wired connection. The processing device is also configured to identify a configuration of the plurality of configurations based on the type of the sensor.

Abstract: A building control system includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units servicing the building. In some instances, a discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between a sleep mode and an active mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may also be configured to transmit over a mesh network in the active mode and to not transmit over the mesh network in the sleep mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep mode and the active mode according to a schedule dictated by the central coordinator. Alternatively, or in addition, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep and active modes in accordance with a beacon signal received from the central coordinator.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and a processing device. The memory element is configured to store a plurality of configurations for different sensors in an industrial process and control system. The processing device is configured to identify at least one wired connection to a sensor in the industrial process and control system. The processing device is also configured to detect a type of the sensor based on the at least one wired connection. The processing device is also configured to identify a configuration of the plurality of configurations based on the type of the sensor.

Abstract: A method includes communicating using a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication link with a plurality of field instruments in an industrial process and control system. The method also includes receiving operating parameters from each of the field instruments. The method further includes displaying an identifier of each field instrument and at least one operating parameter from each field instrument on a single screen or window of a wireless mobile device. The method also includes receiving a user input associated one or more operating parameters. In addition, the method includes transmitting data to or receiving information from a first field instrument based on the user input. In some embodiments, the method can also include receiving one or more voice or gesture commands related to operation of the field instruments, translating the voice or gesture commands to command data, and sending the command data to the field instruments.

Abstract: A building control system that includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units. The discrete air conditioner controller may include a wireless I/O block for receiving signals in a first signal format from the central coordinator and for transmitting signals to the one or more discrete air conditioner units in a second signal format. In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to wirelessly transmit a signal to at least one discrete air conditioner unit in response to receiving a signal from the central coordinator. This configuration may provide a measure of distributed control of the building control system in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing an access request from a server. The method includes receiving, from the server, a request for accessing a field device of a plurality of field devices in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes sending, to the server, a response acknowledging that the request is received. The method also includes determining whether the field device is sleeping. The method also includes, responsive to the field device being asleep, holding the request in a queue.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various ways to enable a BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE) communication capability for a field instrument. An apparatus is configured to perform a method for providing BLE communication capability to a legacy field instrument in an industrial control system. The method includes receiving, by a BLE adapter coupled to the field instrument, information from the field instrument according to a protocol that is native to the field instrument. The method includes converting, by the BLE adapter, the information into a BLE communication protocol. The method includes transmitting, by the BLE adapter, the converted information to an external device over a BLE communication link.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sustaining process temperature measurement with respect to a lead wire break. A resistance temperature device can include a group of lead wire arms including lead wire arms of a first lead wire type and a second lead wire type. An operation can occur to automatically switch from a first lead wire type configuration to a second lead wire type configuration in the resistance temperature device having the plurality of lead wire arms including the first lead wire type and the second lead wire type, if one or more wire breaks occurs in one or more the lead wire arms.