A method is provided of configuring a field device for monitoring and/or controlling an operation(s) of a process or plant. The method includes conducting web-based communication between a networked computer device and the field device over an Ethernet-APL to allow the networked computer device to access and interact with a web page(s) or program(s) that is hosted on a web server running on the field device. The method also includes configuring at the field device an operation parameter(s) and/or setting(s) of the field device based on user input received across the Ethernet-APL by the field device from user interaction with the web page(s) or program(s) through the networked computer device.

A vehicle wash component at a vehicle wash location includes a processor for controlling an operational status of the vehicle wash component, an actuator communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to operate the vehicle wash component, and a power source electrically coupled to the processor and the actuator. The processor receives a signal from a car wash controller located at the vehicle wash location, the signal for commanding control of the vehicle wash component, and upon receipt of the signal, the processor interprets the signal, generates a separate signal, and transmits the generated signal to the actuator. The actuator receives the signal from the processor for controlling the operational status of the vehicle wash component based thereon. The power source provides power to the actuator for operating the vehicle wash component based on the operational status of the vehicle wash component.

A vehicle wash component at a vehicle wash location includes a processor for controlling an operational status of the vehicle wash component, an actuator communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to operate the vehicle wash component, and a power source electrically coupled to the processor and the actuator. The processor receives a signal from a car wash controller located at the vehicle wash location, the signal for commanding control of the vehicle wash component, and upon receipt of the signal, the processor interprets the signal, generates a separate signal, and transmits the generated signal to the actuator. The actuator receives the signal from the processor for controlling the operational status of the vehicle wash component based thereon. The power source provides power to the actuator for operating the vehicle wash component based on the operational status of the vehicle wash component.

A plant asset management system and method for managing field devices in a plant are implemented by association between control loop and plant asset value. One or more control loop configurations are extracted from one or more control system definitions of a process control system. One or more device configurations are extracted from one or more device management system definitions of a device management system. There is automatically determined whether one or more control loops and one or more devices are respectively associated with each other, based on the one or more loop configurations and the one or more device configurations.

A method and apparatus for parameterizing a device with parameters from a parameter list, wherein in an event of a match occurring between an external parameter token calculated externally based on the parameter list, and an internal parameter token calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on the parameter list, an external device token input into the device is compared with an internal device token, which is calculated internally by the device to be parameterized based on a device ID for the device and the internal parameter token to validate the parameter list such that fast and reliable parameterization of a device, particularly a safety critical device, which is provided in an industrial installation or a vehicle, is achieved.

A connecting unit to transmit process data of an automation process of an automation system to an external data infrastructure, configured as a field device for arrangement on a field level of the automation system. The connecting unit comprises a field bus module, network module and interface module. The field bus module is configured to interchange the process data via the field bus with a signal unit connected to the automation process via a field connection. The network module is configured to interchange the process data with the external data infrastructure, use the data network to transmit input process data to the external data infrastructure, and retrieve output process data from the external data infrastructure. The interface module is configured to interchange the process data between the field bus module and the network module. The interface module prompts interchange of the process data autonomously.

A recorder includes a wireless gateway unit built in the recorder, the wireless gateway unit being configured to wirelessly communicate with a field device, the wireless gateway unit converting between an internal communication protocol used for the internal communication of the recorder and a protocol used for the wireless communication. The recorder may further include a control unit that processes data from the field device. The wireless gateway unit is configured to internally communicate with the control unit. The wireless gateway unit collects the data from the field device to transmit to the control unit.

A motor control system is provided that includes a communication gateway that facilitates connection of components, such as a motor starter, an operator interface, and a terminal block, through a digital communication link. The communication gateway includes control logic designed to discover interface and operational components connected to the digital communication link upon start-up of the motor control system. The control logic may then set up an operational profile for the motor control system based on the discovered components. For example, the control logic may retrieve and load an operational profile that corresponds to the set of discovered components from a storage of the communication gateway. The operational profile can then be used during operation of the motor control system to govern the functionality of the motor control system.

A method for retrieving process, operation or maintenance relevant data of a process plant by way of a field monitor, wherein multiple wireless field device networks are present in the process plant. Data from the field devices from different field device networks are gathered by way of the field monitor. Plant information from the field devices belonging to different field device networks are displayed on a display of the field monitor to a user regardless of the respective field device network they belong to.

A vehicle wash component at a vehicle wash location includes a processor for controlling an operational status of the vehicle wash component, an actuator communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to operate the vehicle wash component, and a power source electrically coupled to the processor and the actuator. The processor receives a signal from a car wash controller located at the vehicle wash location, the signal for commanding control of the vehicle wash component, and upon receipt of the signal, the processor interprets the signal, generates a separate signal, and transmits the generated signal to the actuator. The actuator receives the signal from the processor for controlling the operational status of the vehicle wash component based thereon. The power source provides power to the actuator for operating the vehicle wash component based on the operational status of the vehicle wash component.