SYSTEM, METHOD, AND DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A FIELD DEVICE

1 - 40 . (canceled)

41 . A system for communicating with a field device, the system comprising:

a single communication device separate and distinct from each of the field device and a plurality of clients of data of the field device, and configured to communicate with each of the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device,

wherein the single communication device is configured to be positioned in a communication path between the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device and between the plurality of clients of data of the field device to facilitate bi-directional communication between the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device and facilitate bi-directional communication between the plurality of clients of data of the field device, and

wherein the single communication device selectively allows the plurality of clients of data of the field device to control the field device in response to data received from the field device.

42 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the single communication device is configured to replicate data received from the field device and, after replication of the data, separately filter the data for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

43 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the single communication device is configured to convert a format of data received from the field device to a format compatible with each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

44 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the single communication device is configured to prioritize data received from the field device for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

45 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the field device comprises one of a sensor, a transmitter, and an actuator.

46 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include a device controller for the field device.

47 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include an application.

48 . A method of communicating with a field device, the method comprising:

positioning a single communication device in a communication path between each of the field device and a plurality of clients of data of the field device; and

establishing separate and independent communications between the single communication device and each of the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device, including bi-directionally communicating between the field device and one of the plurality of clients of data of the field device via the single communication device, bi-directionally communicating between the field device and another of the plurality of clients of data of the field device via the single communication device, and bi-directionally communicating between the plurality of clients of data of the field device via the single communication device; and

receiving data from the field device at the single communication device,

wherein the single communication device selectively allows the plurality of clients of data of the field device to control the field device in response to data received from the field device.

49 . The method of claim 48 , further comprising:

replicating data received from the field device with the single communication device, and, after replicating the data, separately filtering the data for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

50 . The method of claim 48 , further comprising:

converting a format of data received from the field device to a format compatible with each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

51 . The method of claim 48 , further comprising:

prioritizing data received from the field device for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

52 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the field device comprises one of a sensor, a transmitter, and an actuator.

53 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include a controller for the field device.

54 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include an application.

55 . A communication device for communicating with a field device, the communication device comprising:

a first interface configured to communicate with the field device, and a second interface configured to communicate with a plurality of clients of data of the field device, wherein the communication device is configured to be positioned in a communication path between the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device and between the plurality of clients of data of the field device, and the first interface and the second interface are configured to facilitate bi-directional communication between the field device and the plurality of clients of data of the field device through the communication device, and the second interface is configured to facilitate bi-directional communication between the plurality of clients of data of the field device through the communication device;

a packetizer coupled to the first interface and configured to replicate data received from the field device for the plurality of clients of data of the field device;

a protocol converter configured to filter the data for one of the plurality of clients of data of the field device after replication of the data by the packetizer and communicate the data with the one of the plurality of clients of data of the field device via the second interface; and

an embedded application configured to filter the data for another of the plurality of clients of data of the field device after replication of the data by the packetizer and communicate the data with the another of the plurality of clients of data of the field device via the second interface,

wherein the single communication device allows different control of the field device for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device in response to data received from the field device.

56 . The communication device of claim 55 , wherein the communication device is configured to prioritize data received from the field device for each of the plurality of clients of data of the field device.

57 . The communication device of claim 55 , wherein the first interface comprises at least one of a serial interface and an Ethernet interface, and wherein the second interface comprises at least one of a serial interface and an Ethernet interface.

58 . The communication device of claim 55 , wherein the field device comprises one of a sensor, a transmitter, and an actuator.

59 . The communication device of claim 55 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include a device controller for the field device.

60 . The communication device of claim 55 , wherein the plurality of clients of data of the field device include an application.