Portable Device Resource Links for Process Control Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-way paging systems in process control systems are limited in their capabilities and flexibility, unable to provide comprehensive monitoring of conditions and events across an enterprise-wide basis, and often restrict responses to simple text or numeric values, which hinders effective diagnosis and correction of issues such as failed field devices or problematic control loops.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that transmit process control information to portable communication devices with associated resource links and session identifiers, allowing users to initiate communication links for receiving video, audio, or software application information, enabling interactive two-way communication and collaboration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two-way paging systems are used in process control, then operators can receive alarm information remotely, but the systems are limited in capabilities and restrict responses to simple text or numeric values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling portable communication devices to perform multiple functions: receiving alarm information, displaying process control information, providing resource links to additional resources, and accepting various types of responses (text, numeric, resource link selection). This transforms a simple paging system into a multi-functional communication tool that can both monitor and interact with the process control system comprehensively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces resource links as an intermediary element that mediates between the portable communication device and additional process control resources. When an operator selects a resource link, it serves as a mediator to establish communication with supplementary resources such as detailed process data, diagnostic tools, or control functions, thereby expanding the system's versatility without requiring direct integration between all components.
2Loss of information
If enterprise-wide monitoring is implemented, then comprehensive oversight of conditions and events is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing enterprise-wide monitoring into discrete, manageable units: individual alarm messages, separate resource links for different resources, and modular response options. Each alarm and its associated resources are treated as independent segments that can be accessed and responded to individually through portable devices, making comprehensive monitoring manageable through distributed, modular interactions rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to monitoring by incorporating resource links that provide access to additional resources beyond the basic alarm message. This creates a multi-layered information architecture where operators can navigate from simple alarm notifications to detailed process data, diagnostics, and control functions through the same portable interface, expanding monitoring capabilities without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If simple text responses are used for alarm acknowledgment, then system operation is straightforward, but effective diagnosis and correction of issues is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the response capability adaptive and flexible. Instead of fixed simple text responses, the system dynamically provides multiple response modalities including text responses, numeric responses, and resource link selections. The appropriate response type can be dynamically chosen based on the situation, allowing operators to provide rich diagnostic information when needed while maintaining simple text response capability for straightforward acknowledgments.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of transmitting process control information to a portable communication device associate a resource link with the process control information and transmit the process control information and the resource link to the portable communication device. A session identifier is associated with the process control information and the session identifier and the resource link are transmitted to the portable communication device. A message and the resource link associated with the process control information are provided at the portable communication device. A user selects the resource link to initiate a communication link between the portable communication device and a wireless communication service. The portable communication device may receive one of video information, audio information, still image information, and software application information in response to initiation of the communication link between the wireless communication service and the portable communication device.