Thomas C Boyd

US Patent:

7453834, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961104

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

A wireless bridge device disposed within a process control system provides wireless communication between multiple devices within the process control system, such as between field devices, control units, user terminals, controllers, etc. In one embodiment, a process control system disposed within an industrial process environment includes a first process control device, a bridge device, a plurality of field devices disposed within the industrial process environment and a hardwired communication link disposed between the bridge device and each of the plurality of field devices. A wireless communication network including a first wireless transceiver located at the first process control device and a second wireless transceiver disposed at the bridge device enables the bridge device to operate to relay signals sent over the hardwired communication link from any of the plurality of field devices to the first process control device using the wireless communication network and to operate to relay signals sent over the wireless communication network from the first process control device to one or more of the plurality of field devices using the hardwired communication link.

US Patent:

7519012, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Mar 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/805124

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

An apparatus provides redundant wireless to access field devices in a distributed control system having primary access to the field devices provided by hard-wired media that couples the field devices to the control room. The field devices are coupled to a Fieldbus control network. In a first embodiment, each field device is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that is accessible by a wireless terminal. In a second embodiment, each Fieldbus control network is provided with a field module having a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all devices connected to the Fieldbus control network to be accessed by a wireless terminal. In a third embodiment, an H2-to-H1 Fieldbus bridge (which may service a plurality of H1 control networks) is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all Fieldbus devices connected to H1 control networks serviced by the H2-to-H1 bridge to be accessed by a wireless handheld unit of a wireless terminal. The redundant wireless access provided by the present invention allows a control room operator to access field devices in the event of failure or unavailability of the hard-wired media that provides primary access to the field devices.

US Patent:

7602741, Oct 13, 2009

Filed:

Oct 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961848

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

An apparatus provides wireless communication between multiple devices within a process control system, such as between field devices, control units, user terminals, controllers, etc. , using a wireless bus protocol. In one embodiment, a process control system for use within a process control environment includes a plurality of process control field devices that operate within the process environment, and a control device adapted to receive a sense signal from or to provide a control signal to one or more of the plurality of process control field devices. First and second wireless transceivers are communicatively connected to different ones of the process control field devices and the control device and communicate with one another using a bus protocol, to thereby provide wireless communications within the process control system.

US Patent:

7609660, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961171

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

A pair of wireless transceivers is disposed within a process control system to enable wireless communications between multiple devices within the process control system, such as between field devices, control units, user terminals, controllers, etc. In one embodiment, a process control system within an industrial process environment includes a process control field device that operates within the industrial process environment, a control unit adapted to provide control signals to the process control field device and a wireless transceiver pair including a first wireless transceiver connected to the process control field device and a second wireless transceiver connected to the control unit. The wireless transceiver pair wirelessly communicates one or more signals between the control unit and the process control field device to thereby provide wireless communications within the process environment.

US Patent:

7623479, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961172

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

Field devices or other devices within a process control system are provided with both hardwired and wireless communication ports to enable communications to be performed within the process control system using one or both of hardwired and wireless communications. In particular, a field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment includes a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals, a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link and a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver.

US Patent:

8184562, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Nov 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/625122

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX, US
Thomas A. Boyd - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

370310, 370225, 340 31, 34082523

Abstract:

Field devices or other devices within a process control system are provided with both hardwired and wireless communication ports to enable communications to be performed within the process control system using one or both of hardwired and wireless communications. In particular, a field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment includes a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals, a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link and a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver.

US Patent:

56824769, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

Jan 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/782513

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX
Thomas Andrew Boyd - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

A06F 1300

US Classification:

39520005

Abstract:

An apparatus provides redundant wireless to access field devices in a distributed control system having primary access to the field devices provided by hard-wired media that couples the field devices to the control room. The field devices are coupled to a Fieldbus control network. In a first embodiment, each field device is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that is accessible by a wireless terminal. In a second embodiment, each Fieldbus control network is provided with a field module having a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all devices connected to the Fieldbus control network to be accessed by a wireless terminal. In a third embodiment, an H2-to-H1 Fieldbus bridge (which may service a plurality of H1 control networks) is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all Fieldbus devices connected to H1 control networks serviced by the H2-to-H1 bridge to be accessed by a wireless handheld unit of a wireless terminal. The redundant wireless access provided by the present invention allows a control room operator to access field devices in the event of failure or unavailability of the hard-wired media that provides primary access to the field devices.

US Patent:

62363344, May 22, 2001

Filed:

May 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/864750

Inventors:

Gary Tapperson - Austin TX
Thomas Andrew Boyd - Austin TX

Assignee:

Fischer-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05B 1902
G08B 522
H04B 710

US Classification:

34082537

Abstract:

An apparatus provides redundant wireless to access field devices in a distributed control system having primary access to the field devices provided by hard-wired media that couples the field devices to the control room. The field devices are coupled to a Fieldbus control network. In a first embodiment, each field device is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that is accessible by a wireless terminal. In a second embodiment, each Fieldbus control network is provided with a field module having a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all devices connected to the Fieldbus control network to be accessed by a wireless terminal. In a third embodiment, an H2-to-H1 Fieldbus bridge (which may service a plurality of H1 control networks) is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all Fieldbus devices connected to H1 control networks serviced by the H2-to-H1 bridge to be accessed by a wireless handheld unit of a wireless terminal. The redundant wireless access provided by the present invention allows a control room operator to access field devices in the event of failure or unavailability of the hard-wired media that provides primary access to the field devices.