US20170131696A1 - Methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device are disclosed herein. An example method includes acquiring first information via a first sensor of a first output device. The first information is related to an industrial process. The example method also includes communicating the first information from the first output device to a controller and receiving second information in the first output device from the controller. The second information is based on the first information. The example method also includes displaying the second information via a display of the first output device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This patent is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/889,040 entitled “Methods and Apparatus to Display Information via a Process Control Device,” which was filed on May 7, 2013, and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, this patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/644,950, entitled “Methods and Apparatus to Display Information via a Process Control Device,” which was filed on May 9, 2012, and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
• This disclosure relates generally to process control devices and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus to display information via a process control device.
BACKGROUND
• Generally, output devices (e.g., thermometers, pressure gauges, concentration gauges, fluid level meters, flow meters, vapor sensors, valve positioners, etc.) in a process control system are used to monitor and/or control an industrial process. The output devices often include one or more sensors to acquire information related to the process. The information is typically transmitted to a controller. The information acquired by output devices may be analyzed via the controller and used to control input devices (e.g., valves, pumps, fans, heaters, coolers, mixers, etc.) to control the process.
SUMMARY
• An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first sensor to acquire first information related to an industrial process. The example method also includes a processor in communication with a controller. The processor is to communicate the first information to the controller and receive second information from the controller. The second information includes a value of a process parameter calculated based on the first information. The example apparatus also includes a display to display the second information.
• An example method includes acquiring first information via a first sensor of a first output device. The first information is related to an industrial process. The example method also includes communicating the first information from the first output device to a controller and receiving second information in the first output device from the controller. The second information is based on the first information. The example method also includes displaying the second information via a display of the first output device.
• Another example method disclosed herein receiving first information related to an industrial process from a first output device. The first information is acquired via a first sensor of the first output device. The example method also includes determining a first value of a first process parameter based on the first information and communicating the first value to the first output device. The first value is to be displayed via the first output device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example process control environment that may be used to implement the example methods disclosed herein.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example output device disclosed herein.
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart representative of an example method disclosed herein.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart representative of another example method disclosed herein.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example processor platform that may be used to implement the example methods and apparatus disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Example apparatus and methods disclosed herein include an output device including a sensor and a display. The output device may be communicatively coupled to a controller and/or a portable field device. In some examples, the controller is communicatively coupled to a control device via a network (e.g., the internet). The output device acquires first information via the sensors. The first information is related to an industrial process. For example, the first information may include a differential pressure of a fluid, a static pressure of a fluid, a temperature of a fluid, etc. The example output device transmits the first information to the controller, the control device, and/or the portable field device. In some examples, the output device receives second information the controller, the control device, and/or the portable field device and displays the first information and/or the second information via the display. In some examples, the second information includes values calculated based on the first information. In some examples, the second information includes information acquired via another output device and/or a value calculated based on the information acquired via the other output device. Thus, the example apparatus and methods disclosed herein enable an output device to display information related to a plurality of process control devices, process conditions, portions of the industrial process, etc.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an exampleprocess control system100 that may be used to implement the example apparatus and methods disclosed herein. The exampleprocess control system100 includes a process control environment102 including any number of process control devices such as, for example,input devices104 and106 and/oroutput devices108,110 and112. In some examples, theinput devices104 and106 include valves, pumps, fans, heaters, coolers, mixers, and/or other devices, and theoutput devices108,110 and112 include thermometers, pressure gauges, concentration gauges, fluid level meters, flow meters, vapor sensors, valve positioners, and/or any other suitable devices that acquire, generate, store, analyze, process, and/or transmit information. In the illustrated example, theoutput devices108,110 and112 includesensors114,116 and118 to acquire information (e.g., measured process information, environmental information, and/or input device information, etc.) related to an industrial process.
• Theexample input devices104 and106 and theexample output devices108,110 and112 are communicatively coupled to a controller120 (e.g., a DeltaV™ controller, a flow computer, a host, and/or any other controller) via a data bus (e.g., Standard Asynchronous/Synchronous Protocol (BSAP), Highway Addressable Remote Transducer Protocol (HART®), 3095 Modbus®, MVS205 Modbus®, etc.) or local area network (LAN). In some examples, theinput devices104 and106 and/or theoutput devices108,110 and112 are wirelessly communicatively coupled to thecontroller120.
• In the illustrated example, a control device122 (e.g., a computer, a host, a handheld wireless device, a supervisory control system, and/or any other suitable control device) is communicatively coupled to theoutput devices108,110 and112 via thecontroller120. In the illustrated example, thecontroller120 is communicatively coupled to thecontrol device122 via a network124 (e.g., the internet). In some examples, thecontrol device122 is communicatively coupled directly to theexample output devices108,110 and112. In some examples, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 generates notifications, alert messages, and/or other information.
• Theexample controller120 and/or theexample control device122 transmit instructions to theinput devices104 and106 to control the process. In the illustrated example, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 transmit instructions, commands, and/or information to theoutput devices108,110 and112 and/or receive information transmitted by theoutput devices108,110 and112. In some examples, the information transmitted by thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 to theoutput devices108,110 and112 includes information such as, for example, input device information (e.g., pump characteristics, valve characteristics, etc.), output device information (e.g., sensor characteristics, the location of the output device, type of output device, name of the output device (e.g., a serial number), damping information, filtering information, etc.), ambient environment information (e.g., temperatures, etc.), process fluid information, flow passageway parameters and/or characteristics, the process control environment location, a process facility name and/or location, notifications, alarm information, and/or any other information.
• In some examples, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 analyze the information received from theoutput devices108,110 and112. In the illustrated example, one or more of theoutput devices108,110 and112 acquires information such as, for example, a differential pressure, a static pressure, a temperature of a process fluid, and/or any other information. Based on the information, theexample controller120 and/or theexample control device122 determines (e.g., calculates) values such as fluid density, fluid velocity, fluid viscosity, beta ratio, gas expansion, discharge coefficient, velocity of approach, Reynolds Number, mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, energy flow rate, totalized flow rate, etc. In other examples, theoutput devices108,110 and112 acquire other information and/or thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 determines other values.
• Although onecontroller120 and onecontrol device122 are shown in the example ofFIG. 1, one or more additional controllers and/or control devices may be included in the exampleprocess control system100 without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. In the illustrated example, thecontroller120 is located in the process control environment102 (e.g., in a workstation, a control room, and/or any other suitable location in the process control environment102), and thecontrol device122 is located outside of the process control environment102 (e.g., in another process control facility, on a remote worker's person, at an offsite facility, etc.). However, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 may be located within or outside the example process control environment102.
• In the illustrated example, one of theexample output devices108 is communicatively coupled to a portable field device126 (e.g., a Fisher® 475 Field Communicator, a laptop computer, a smartphone, etc.). In the illustrated example, theoutput device108 is communicatively coupled to theportable field device126 via any suitable protocol (e.g., BSAP, HART®, 3095 Modbus®, MVS205 Modbus®, etc.). In some examples, theportable field device126 is used to calibrate theexample output device108 and/or transmit information (e.g., input device information (e.g., pump characteristics, valve characteristics, etc.), output device information (e.g., sensor characteristics, the location of the output device, type of output device, name of the output device (e.g., a serial number), damping information, filtering information, etc.), ambient environment information (e.g., temperatures, etc.), process fluid information, flow passageway parameters and/or characteristics, the process control environment location, the process facility name and/or location, notifications, alarm information, and/or any other information) to theexample output device108. In some examples, theportable field device126 receives and stores (e.g., via nonvolatile memory) the information transmitted by theexample output device108.
• Theexample output devices108,110 and112 acquire the information related to the industrial process and transmit the information to theexample controller120, theexample control device122, and/or the exampleportable field device126. In some examples, theoutput devices108,110 and112 acquire information regarding the same process condition and/or parameter. In other examples, theoutput devices108,110 and112 acquire information regarding different process conditions and/or parameters. Theexample output devices108,110 and112 may be disposed in different locations within the example process control environment102.
• In the illustrated example, some of theexample output devices108 and110 include adisplay128 and130 and some of theoutput devices112 do not include a display. As described in greater detail below, information acquired by theoutput devices108,110 and112, information from theportable field device126, information from thecontroller120, information from thecontrol device122, values determined by thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122, and/or any other suitable information may be displayed on one or more of the example displays128 and130 of theoutput devices108 and110.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of theexample output device108 ofFIG. 1. In the illustrated example, theoutput device108 includes afirst port202, asecond port204, adata manager206, adatabase208, thesensors114, which includes afirst sensor210, asecond sensor212 and athird sensor214, and thedisplay128.
• Theexample output device108 is communicatively coupled to thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 via thefirst port202, and theexample output device108 is communicatively coupled to theportable field device126 via thesecond port204. In some examples, an operator manually communicatively couples theportable field device126 to the output device108 (e.g., via a connector). In other examples, theportable field device126 is wirelessly communicatively coupled to theoutput device108.
• Theexample sensors114,210,212 and214 acquire information related to the industrial process. In some examples, thesensors114,210,212 and214 are pressure gauges, temperature sensors, resistance temperature detectors, and/or any other suitable sensors. In some such examples, thesensors114,210,212 and214 acquire information such as, for example, fluid differential pressure, static fluid pressure, and/or fluid temperature.
• Theexample data manager206 ofFIG. 2 analyzes, processes, organizes and/or stores information. In the illustrated example, thedata manager206 analyzes, processes, organizes, and/or stores the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214 and/or received from thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126. In some examples, based on the information acquired via one or more of theexample sensors114,210,212 and214, thedata manager206 determines if thesensors114,210,212 and214 are working properly. If theexample sensors114,210,212 and214 are not working properly, thedata manager206 generates a notification, an alert, and/or an alarm. Theexample data manager206 generates other notifications, alerts, and/or alarms in response to other events.
• In some examples, thedata manager206 converts units of a value received from thecontroller120 and/or acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214. In some examples, thedata manager206 organizes the information by generating one or more tables in thedatabase208, replacing information stored in thedatabase208 with other information, tagging the information (e.g., with an identifier, time, location, etc.), and/or performing any other desired action.
• Theexample data manager206 responds to requests, instructions, and/or commands from theportable field device126, thecontroller120, and/or thecontrol device122. In some examples, theportable field device126, thecontroller120, and/or thecontrol device122 sends commands to thedata manager206 to transmit information acquired via one or more of thesensors114,210,212 and214. In response to the commands, thedata manager206 transmits the information to theportable field device126, thecontroller120, and/or thecontrol device122. In some examples, thedata manager206 transmits information to thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 without receiving a command from thelocal controller120 and/or the control device122 (i.e., automatically).
• Theexample database208 may be used to store the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214; received from theportable field device126, thecontroller120, and/or thecontrol device122; analyzed by thedata manager206; generated by thedata manager206; and/or any other information. In some examples, thedatabase208 segregates a portion of the information (e.g., dynamic information such as, for example, information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214, ambient environment conditions, values calculated based on the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214, etc.) from another portion of the information (e.g., static information such as, for example, fluid characteristics, output device location, output device filtering information, output device damping information, sensor material information, etc.).
• Any of the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214; received from thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126; processed and/or generated by thedata manager206; and/or stored in thedatabase208 may be displayed via thedisplay128. In some examples, thedisplay128 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Thedata manager206, thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126 determine which information is displayed via thedisplay128. In the illustrated example, thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126 send a command to thedata manager206 to display information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214 such as, for example, a pressure differential of a fluid, a static pressure of the fluid, and/or a temperature of the fluid. As a result, the pressure differential, the static pressure, and the temperature are displayed via thedisplay128, thereby enabling an operator located at or near theexample output device108 to visually monitor the process. In other examples, thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126 send other commands to display other information. In some examples, thedata manager206 causes the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214 to be displayed without receiving a command from thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126.
• In some examples, information received from thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126 is displayed via thedisplay128. In the illustrated example, values calculated by thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 based on the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214 are displayed. In some examples, the calculated values are displayed alongside the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214. Thus, an operator located at or near theoutput device108, an operator located at the controller120 (e.g., in a control room), and/or an operator located at the control device122 (e.g., in another process control facility) may monitor the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214 and the values calculated by thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 based on the information acquired via thesensors114,210,212 and214.
• In some examples, information from theother output devices110 and112 is displayed via thedisplay128 of theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2. In the illustrated example, information acquired by theoutput devices108,110 and112 is transmitted to thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122. In some examples, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 analyzes the information from theoutput devices108,110 and112 by, for example, calculating flow rates of a process fluid. In some such examples, thecontroller120 and/or thecontrol device122 transmits the flow rates to theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2, and theoutput device108 displays the flow rates via thedisplay128. Thus, theexample output device108 displays information acquired and/or derived from a plurality of theoutput devices108,110 and112. As a result, an operator located at or near theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2 can monitor and/or compare process conditions at multiple locations in a process control environment (e.g., the example process control environment102 ofFIG. 1) via thedisplay128 of theexample output device108. In some such examples, theoutput device108 displays information acquired from an output device that does not include a display such as, for example, theexample output device112 ofFIG. 1.
• While anexample output device108 has been illustrated inFIG. 2, one or more of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated inFIG. 2 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further the examplefirst port202, thesecond port204, thedata manager206, thesensors114, which includes thefirst sensor210, thesecond sensor212 and thethird sensor214, thedatabase208, thefield device126, and/or, more generally, theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the examplefirst port202, thesecond port204, thedata manager206, thesensors114, which includes thefirst sensor210, thesecond sensor212 and thethird sensor214, thedatabase208, thefield device126, and/or, more generally, theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2 could be implemented by one or more circuit(s), programmable processor(s), ASIC(s), PLD(s) and/or FPLD(s), etc. When any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the examplefirst port202, thesecond port204, thedata manager206, thesensors114, which includes thefirst sensor210, thesecond sensor212 and thethird sensor214, thedatabase208, thefield device126, and/or theexample output device108 are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible computer readable medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc. storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2 may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated inFIG. 2, and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.
• Flowcharts representative of example processes or methods that may be implemented by the examplefirst port202, thesecond port204, thedata manager206, thesensors114, which includes thefirst sensor210, thesecond sensor212 and thethird sensor214, thedatabase208, thefield device126, and/or, more generally, theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2 are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. In these examples, the example methods may comprise a program for execution by a processor such as theprocessor512 shown in theexample processor platform500 discussed below in connection withFIG. 5. The program may be embodied in software stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with theprocessor512, but the entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than theprocessor512 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, many other methods of implementing theexample output device108 may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.
• As mentioned above, the example methods or operations ofFIGS. 3 and/or 4 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (“ROM”), a CD, a DVD, a cache, a random-access memory (“RAM”) and/or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes ofFIGS. 3 and/or 4 be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.
• Theexample method300 ofFIG. 3 begins atblock302 by the sensor of theoutput device108 acquiring first information related to an industrial process. In the illustrated example, thesensors114,210,212 and214 determine a pressure differential, a static pressure, and/or a temperature of a fluid flowing through a fluid flow passageway. Atblock304, thedata manager206 of theoutput device108 transmits the first information to thecontroller120. Theoutput device108 and thecontroller120 may be communicatively coupled via any suitable protocol such as, for example, BSAP, 3095 Modbus®, MVS205 Modbus®, etc.
• Atblock306, thedata manager206 receives second information from thecontroller120. In some examples, the second information is a value of a process parameter that is calculated based on the first information. In the illustrated example, based on the first information, thecontroller120 determines (e.g., calculates) values such as fluid density, fluid velocity, fluid viscosity, beta ratio, gas expansion, discharge coefficient, velocity of approach, Reynolds Number, mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, energy flow rate, totalized flow rate, etc. In some examples, the second information is information transmitted to thecontroller120 by theother output devices110 and112 and/or values calculated based on information acquired via theother output devices110 and112.
• In some examples, the second information includes information such as, for example, input device information (e.g., pump characteristics, valve characteristics, etc.), output device information (e.g., sensor characteristics, a location of the output device, type of output device, a name of the output device (e.g., a serial number), damping information, output device filtering information, etc.), ambient environment information (e.g., temperatures, etc.), process fluid information, flow passageway parameters and/or characteristics, a process control environment location, a process facility name and/or location, notifications, alarm information and/or any other information.
• Atblock308, thedisplay128 of theoutput device108 displays the first information and the second information. In some examples, the first information is displayed alongside the second information. In some examples, tags are displayed adjacent the first information and/or the second information to label and/or identify the first information and/or the second information. In some examples, the tags include third information such as, for example, a process parameter name, units of the process parameter, name of the output device, location of the output device, and/or any other suitable information and/or identifier. In some examples, the tags are stored in thedatabase208 and/or received from thecontroller120.
• Although the example instructions ofFIG. 3 are discussed in conjunction with theexample controller120, other example instructions are implemented in conjunction with thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126.
• FIG. 4 illustrates anotherexample method400 disclosed herein. Theexample method400 ofFIG. 4 begins atblock402 by thecontroller120 receiving first information from one ormore output devices108,110 and112. In some examples, the first information is acquired via thesensors114,116 and118 of theoutput devices108,110 and112 and includes information relating to an industrial process such as, for example, static pressures, differential pressures, and/or temperatures of a fluid.
• Atblock404, second information is transmitted to one of theoutput devices108. In some examples, the second information includes information such as, for example, input device information (e.g., pump characteristics, valve characteristics, etc.), output device information (e.g., sensor characteristics, a location of the output device, type of output device, a name of the output device (e.g., a serial number), damping information, output device filtering information, etc.), ambient environment information (e.g., temperatures, etc.), process fluid information, flow passageway parameters and/or characteristics, a process control environment location, a process facility name and/or location, notifications, alarm information and/or any other information.
• In some examples, the second information includes information transmitted to thecontroller120 by theother output devices110 and112. In some examples, the second information includes values of process parameters (e.g., fluid flow rates) calculated based on the information received from the one or more of theoutput devices108,110 and112. In some examples, based on the first information, thecontroller120 determines (e.g., calculates) values such as fluid density, fluid velocity, fluid viscosity, beta ratio, gas expansion, discharge coefficient, velocity of approach, Reynolds Number, mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate, energy flow rate, totalized flow rate, etc. In other examples, thecontroller120 determines other values.
• Atblock406, thecontroller120 instructs thedata manager206 of theoutput device108 to display the first information and the second information. In some examples, thecontroller120 instructs thedata manager206 to display the first information alongside the second information.
• Although the example instructions ofFIG. 4 are discussed in conjunction with theexample controller120, other example instructions are implemented in conjunction with thecontroller120, thecontrol device122, and/or theportable field device126.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of anexample processor platform500 capable of executing the methods ofFIG. 3 and/or 4 to implement theexample controller120, thecontrol device122, theportable field device126, and/or thefirst port202, thesecond port204, thedata manager206, thesensor214, thesensor210, thesensor212, thedatabase208, thefield device126, and/or, more generally, theexample output device108 ofFIG. 2. Theprocessor platform500 can be a computer, a server or any other type of computing device.
• Theprocessor platform500 of the instant example includes aprocessor512. For example, theprocessor512 can be implemented by one or more microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. Theprocessor512 includes a local memory513 (e.g., a cache) and is in communication with a main memory including avolatile memory514 and anon-volatile memory516 via abus518. Thevolatile memory514 may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device. Thenon-volatile memory516 may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to themain memory514,516 is controlled by a memory controller.
• Theprocessor platform500 also includes aninterface circuit520. Theinterface circuit520 may be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), a protocol port interface, and/or a PCI express interface.
• One ormore input devices522 are connected to theinterface circuit520. The input device(s)522 permit a user to enter data and commands into theprocessor512. The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.
• One ormore output devices524 are also connected to theinterface circuit520. Theoutput devices524 can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), etc.). Theinterface circuit520, thus, typically includes a graphics driver card.
• Theinterface circuit520 also includes a communication device such as a modem or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data with external computers via the network124 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).
• Theprocessor platform500 also includes one or moremass storage devices528 for storing software and data. Examples of suchmass storage devices528 include floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drives and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. Themass storage device528 may implement a local storage device.
• Coded instructions532 to implement the methods ofFIG. 3 and/or 4 may be stored in themass storage device528, in thelocal memory513, in thevolatile memory514, in thenon-volatile memory516, and/or on a removable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.
• Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. An output device, comprising:

a first sensor to acquire first information related to an industrial process at a first location in a process control environment;

a processor to communicate the first information to a controller and to receive second information from the controller, the second information generated at a separate device external to the output device at a second location in the process control environment different than the first location; and

a display to display the first information and the second information to enable monitoring of the industrial process at the first location.

2. The output device ofclaim 1, wherein the output device is a first output device and the separate device is a second output device, the second output device providing the second information to the controller for communication to the first output device.

3. The output device ofclaim 2, wherein the display is to display tags indicating the first information is associated with the first output device and the second information is associated with the second output device.

4. The output device ofclaim 1, wherein the separate device is a portable field device.

5. The output device ofclaim 1, wherein the separate device is the controller.

6. The output device ofclaim 5, wherein the second information is calculated by the controller based on the first information.

7. The output device ofclaim 5, wherein the second information is calculated by the controller based on third information received from a different output device in a third location in the process control environment.

8. The output device ofclaim 1, wherein the display is to display the first information alongside the second information.

9. A method comprising:

acquiring, via a sensor of an output device, first information related to an industrial process at a first location in a process control environment;

communicating, via a processor of the output device, the first information to a controller;

receiving, via the processor, second information from the controller, the second information generated at a separate device external to the output device at a second location in the process control environment different than the first location; and

displaying the first information and the second information via a display of the output device to enable monitoring of the industrial process at the first location.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the output device is a first output device and the separate device is a second output device, the second output device providing the second information to the controller for communication to the first output device.

11. The method ofclaim 10, further including displaying tags indicating the first information is associated with the first output device and the second information is associated with the second output device.

12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the separate device is the controller.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the second information is calculated by the controller based on the first information.

14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the second information is calculated by the controller based on third information received from a different output device in a third location in the process control environment.

15. A tangible computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an output device to at least:

communicate first information to a controller, the first information acquired via a sensor of the output device, the first information related to the industrial process at the first location in the process control environment;

receive second information from the controller, the second information generated at a separate device external to the output device at a second location in the process control environment different than the first location; and

display the first information and the second information to enable monitoring of the industrial process at the first location.

16. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the output device is a first output device and the separate device is a second output device, the second output device providing the second information to the controller for communication to the first output device.

17. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the separate device is the controller.

18. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 17, wherein the second information is tangible computer readable medium by the controller based on the first information.

19. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 17, wherein the second information is calculated by the controller based on third information received from a different output device in a third location in the process control environment.

20. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the output device to display tags indicating the first information is associated with the output device and the second information is associated with the different output device.

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