Lloyd B Adams

US Patent:

6978294, Dec 20, 2005

Filed:

Mar 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/531597

Inventors:

Lloyd B. Adams - Bristol RI, US
Alexander P. Johnson - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Invensys Systems, Inc. - Foxboro MA

International Classification:

G06F015/16
G06F015/173

US Classification:

709217, 709221, 709222, 709223, 709224, 709225, 709226

Abstract:

Device configurations are stored in a system including at least two intelligent field devices (IFDs) connected by a communications connection. A configuration for a first IFD is stored in the first IFD, and a backup of the configuration for the first IFD is stored in at least one other IFD. Storing a configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD request a configuration from at least one other IFD using the communications connection, an IFD having a stored backup of the configuration for the first IFD transmitting the backup to the first IFD using the communications connection, and the first IFD receiving the transmitted backup and storing the received backup in the first IFD as the configuration for the first IFD. Storing a backup of the configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD transmit a backup of the configuration for the first IFD to at least one other IFD using the communications connection, and having the at least one other IFD receive and store the backup of the configuration.

US Patent:

7610354, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Aug 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/207816

Inventors:

Lloyd B. Adams - Bristol RI, US
Alexander P. Johnson - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Invensys Systems, Inc. - Foxboro MA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709217, 709220, 709221, 709222, 709223, 709224, 709225, 709226

Abstract:

Device configurations are stored in a system including at least two intelligent field devices (IFDs) connected by a communications connection. A configuration for a first IFD is stored in the first IFD, and a backup of the configuration for the first IFD is stored in at least one other IFD. Storing a configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD request a configuration from at least one other IFD using the communications connection, an IFD having a stored backup of the configuration for the first IFD transmitting the backup to the first IFD using the communications connection, and the first IFD receiving the transmitted backup and storing the received backup in the first IFD as the configuration for the first IFD. Storing a backup of the configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD transmit a backup of the configuration for the first IFD to at least one other IFD using the communications connection, and having the at least one other IFD receive and store the backup of the configuration.