Abstract: Techniques for previewing an operator display of a process section in a process plant include presenting a process section on a user interface device, where the process section includes a user control for presenting and/or displaying another process section on the process plant display. In response to receiving user input indicative of a request to display a preview of the other process section via the user control, the user interface device presents the other process section while simultaneously presenting the process section in a preview mode. The process sections in the preview mode may be presented side-by-side, above and below each other, in separate display windows, etc.

Abstract: An example method to identify a hazardous process control type associated with a process control device includes automatically detecting that a process control device is coupled to a port on a controller, detecting information associated with the process control device via the port, identifying a hazardous process condition type of the process control device based on the detected information, and sending information to a computing device to cause a display to include visual indication of the identified hazardous process condition type in association with the process control device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify hazardous process conditions associated with devices in a process control system are disclosed. An example method to identify a hazardous process control type associated with a process control device includes automatically detecting that a process control device is coupled to a port on a controller, detecting information associated with the process control device via the port, identifying a hazardous process condition type of the process control device based on the detected information, and sending information to a computing device to cause a display to include visual indication of the identified hazardous process condition type in association with the process control device.

Abstract: A process control system within a process plant and, in particular, different devices and applications within the process control system such as field devices, controllers, user interfaces, alarm applications, diagnostics applications, etc. create, store and make data generated therein available using a really simple syndication (RSS) XML communication format, thereby making this data easily retrievable from the plant and useable for various purposes both within and outside of the plant. The RSS data communications may provide RSS data for use in control of the plant or for use in other applications not directly associated with the control of the plant, including third party applications run on devices outside of the plant, such as personal data assistants, pagers, phones, laptop computers, etc.

Abstract: An appendable system includes a plurality of appendable devices that are adapted to interoperate with each other and/or a workstation via a communication network to monitor and/or control a process. Each of the appendable devices can communicate with one or more sensors and/or control outputs and includes a housing that facilitates mounting of the appendable device to a surface.

Abstract: A process control system uses an asset utilization expert to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the business systems functional areas. This data and information is manipulated in a coordinated manner by tools, such as optimization and modeling tools and is redistributed to other areas or tools where it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem.

Abstract: An alarm display and interface tool for use in a process control system receives and displays different categories of alarms, including for example, device alarms and hardware alarms as well as traditional process alarms, on a single display to enable an operator or other user to view and have access to these different categories of alarms. The display and interface tool may be used to filter the alarms that are displayed according to any number of categories, including the category of the alarm, the priority of the alarm, the status of the alarm, etc. so as to alternatively segregate or combine the tasks typically associated with operator, maintenance and engineer personnel. The tool may also be used to access each of the displayed alarms to obtain more information about any individual alarm.