Method for identifying a field device to be operated in automation technology

Abstract

The invention comprises a method for identifying a field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) to be operated in automation technology, comprising: - Providing an operating unit (BE) wherein at least one order ticket (AT1, AT2) is present on the operating unit (BE), wherein the order ticket (AT1, AT2) has access authorization for at least one of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3); - Searching for reachable field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) using the control unit (CE) with a wireless communication protocol; - Perform the following steps for each of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) reachable from the control unit (CU): i. Establishing a temporary communication link (tKV) between the control unit (CE) and the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) using a wireless communication protocol; ii. Transmitting the order ticket (AT1, AT2) to the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3); iii. Checking the validity of the access authorization using the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3); - Signaling (SG) of those field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) which were able to successfully perform the verification of the validity of the access authorization.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for identifying a field device to be operated in automation technology.

[0002] Field devices used in industrial plants are already known from the state of the art. Field devices are widely used in process automation technology as well as in manufacturing automation technology. Field devices essentially refer to all devices used close to the process and that provide or process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH measurement, level measurement, etc. and record the corresponding process variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, flow, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables.These include, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a fluid in a pipe or the fill level in a container. In addition to the previously mentioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I / Os, wireless adapters, and generally devices located at the field level.

[0003] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0004] In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually connected via communication networks such as fieldbuses (Profibus ® , Foundation ® Fieldbus, HART ®, etc.) are connected to higher-level units. These higher-level units are typically control systems (DCS) or control units, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller). These higher-level units are used, among other things, for process control, process visualization, process monitoring, and commissioning of field devices.

[0005] The measured values ​​recorded by the field devices, especially sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level units. In addition, data transmission from the higher-level unit to the field devices via the bus system is also required, particularly for configuring and parameterizing field devices and controlling actuators.

[0006] Mobile control units can also be used to operate field devices. For example, there are control units that are connected to the fieldbus network. However, the control unit can also communicate with the field devices via a wireless communication connection, particularly based on a Bluetooth standard. The applicant produces and sells devices known as Bluetooth gateways that allow the control units to be coupled to the field devices. The field device is connected to a Bluetooth gateway via a wired connection, particularly using the HART or CDI communication standards, with the gateway establishing the wireless connection to the mobile control unit. Alternatively, the field devices themselves have their own Bluetooth interface for direct connection to the control unit.

[0007] If a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, is used as a control unit for wireless communication with field devices, application programs, known as apps, are available. These provide the control functions for the field device to the mobile device. To establish a connection between the field device and the mobile device, the application program displays those field devices that can be detected wirelessly in the vicinity of the mobile device. If multiple field devices are accessible, they can be listed by name or sorted by the received signal strength.

[0008] DE 10 2018 1026 08 A1 discloses the provision of a digital job ticket, which is transmitted from a server to the mobile device and contains the access rights and authorized tasks for the field device. This job ticket is transmitted when the connection to the field device is established. If authorization is present, the tasks contained in the job ticket, such as parameterization actions or performing functional tests, can be processed with the field device.

[0009] If a large number of field devices are located in close proximity to the control unit, the user is presented with a long list of field devices with similar signal strengths. Selecting the desired field device is a time-consuming process involving manually searching for the correct name of the field device to be controlled. If an error occurs during this process, it will only be detected after selecting the field device, if the access rights for the selected field device are not available, and the field device will reject the connection.

[0010] Based on this problem, the invention is based on the object of simplifying and accelerating the selection or locating of a field device for the purpose of subsequent operation.

[0011] The task is solved by a method for identifying a field device of automation technology to be operated, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: - Providing an operating unit, wherein at least one order ticket is present on the operating unit, wherein the order ticket has an access authorization for at least one of the field devices; - Searching for accessible field devices via the control unit using a wireless communication protocol; - Perform the following steps for each of the field devices accessible from the control unit: i. Establishing a temporary communication connection between the control unit and the respective field device using a wireless communication protocol; ii. Transmitting the order ticket to the respective field device; iii. Checking the access authorization for validity by the respective field device; - Signaling those field devices that were able to successfully check the validity of the access authorization.

[0012] The core of the method according to the invention is the use of digital job tickets to quickly locate the desired field device(s). A job ticket contains access rights, which are used sequentially for each field device accessible to the control unit for a login attempt. If the access rights are successfully verified by a field device, a signal is generated. "Signaling" means that a field device is identified, for example, in the control unit or in another way. This allows the desired field device(s) to be located much more quickly.

[0013] Examples of field devices mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention have already been listed in the introductory part of the description.

[0014] The control unit is a mobile device that is not stationary and can be carried, for example, by a service technician. In particular, the control unit is a laptop, a control unit such as the "Field Xperts" distributed by the applicant, or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, with a corresponding app.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment of the method provides that the steps of establishing the temporary communication connection, transmitting the job ticket, and checking the access authorization for validity are repeated for each of the job tickets present on the control unit. Those field devices that successfully complete this respective validity check are also signaled. Thus, the required field devices for multiple work orders can be identified in a single pass.

[0016] In a first variant of the method, the signaling is performed by the control unit. The control unit creates a list of all field devices found, with the control unit marking each of the field devices in the list that successfully completed the access authorization check as a signal. It can be provided to assign the signaled field devices to the respective order tickets on the control unit by means of different visual highlighting, for example, by using different colors. In addition to the signaling, the sorting of the field devices in the list can also be adjusted so that suitable field devices that successfully completed the access authorization check are moved up in the list.

[0017] In a second variant of the method, the signaling is performed by each of the field devices that successfully completed the check. Thus, each of the field devices can emit an acoustic and / or visual signal as part of the signaling. For example, the display or a light on the housing of such a field device can be illuminated or flashing.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the control unit logs on to one of the field devices that successfully completed the access authorization check using the order ticket and establishes a complete communication connection. Logging on occurs, in particular, immediately or only after user interaction.

[0019] One embodiment of the method provides that the order ticket contains at least one operating action permitted for the control unit, whereby the field device enables the operating actions contained in the order ticket for the control unit after logging in. The operating action can be, for example, a parameterization or configuration action, the initiation of a device (self-)test, or the output of data, e.g., parameter data or a report.

[0020] According to a further development of the method, the control unit retrieves location information from the field device after logging on to the field device and navigates an operator to the field device's location. For this purpose, the control unit uses a navigation system, e.g., GPS or triangulation using, for example, a Wi-Fi signal from multiple routers located in the system. The control unit may also use topographical data, such as a map, or other system data for navigation. For example, this data can be retrieved from a server before navigation.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figure. It shows Fig. 1: an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0022] In Fig.Figure 1 shows a process flow of the method according to the invention, comprising process steps 1 to 7. Several field devices FG1, FG2, and FG3 are present in a system. A control unit BE in the form of a mobile device, more precisely a smartphone, is used for operation. Alternatively, other suitable types of control units BE can be used.

[0023] In this exemplary embodiment, the software of the control unit BE carries two job tickets AT1, AT2, each containing access authorizations and work orders for one or more field devices. The job tickets AT1, AT2 are sent, for example, from a job server to the control unit BE. In an upstream process step, the control unit searches for field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 that can be found in the surrounding area using a wireless standard, for example, Bluetooth LE.

[0024] A connection is then attempted with each of the field devices found using the first job ticket AT1. This happens in the background, without requiring any user action.

[0025] To do this, the control unit BE establishes a temporary communication connection (tKV) with the field device FG1 in process step 1. A temporary communication connection allows the exchange of defined data between the control unit BE and the field device FG1, but not full access of the control unit BE to the field device FG1. The order ticket AT1 is then transferred to the field device FG1, and its access authorizations are checked for validity.

[0026] If the access authorizations are valid, access can be granted. The confirmation regarding the validity occurs in process step 2. If the validity check is successful, a signal is sent from field device FG1. This means that field device FG1 is identified, for example, by a display on the BE control unit or by the field device FG1 itself. In this case, the confirmation is negative; the access data cannot be successfully checked for validity by field device FG1.

[0027] Subsequently, the control unit BE establishes a temporary communication connection (tKV) with the field device FG2 in process step 3. The order ticket AT1 is then transferred to the field device FG2, and its access authorizations are checked for validity.

[0028] The feedback regarding validity is provided in process step 4. In this case, the feedback is positive; the access data can be successfully checked for validity by the field device FG2. The field device FG2 performs the SG signal, and a light on the field device housing flashes – this command is sent from the control unit BE to the field device FG2. In addition, the field device FG2 is displayed at the top of a list LI displayed by the control unit BE.

[0029] Subsequently, the control unit BE establishes a temporary communication connection (tKV) with the field device FG3 in process step 5. The order ticket AT1 is then transferred to the field device FG3, and its access authorizations are checked for validity.

[0030] The feedback regarding validity is provided in process step 6. In this case, the feedback is negative; the access data cannot be successfully checked for validity by the field device FG3.

[0031] The described process steps 1.) to 6.) are repeated for order ticket AT2. In this example, however, no suitable field device can be found for order ticket AT2.

[0032] The user then selects the field device FG2 from the LI list. In process step 7, the control unit BE establishes a complete communication connection (vKV) with the field device FG2 and allows operation based on the work orders contained in the job ticket AT1, which define permitted operating actions on the field device FG2, such as parameterization. After operation, the control unit BE creates a confirmation ticket, which is sent back to the job server.

[0033] In case the field device FG2 is far away from the control unit BE and only provides a weak signal, the control unit can request the location of the field device FG2 and navigate the user to the field device FG2.

[0034] This process allows the user to easily identify a desired field device and display it in a list (LI) on the control unit (BE). By signaling the field device itself, the user can immediately identify where the field device is located in their environment, allowing them to perform planned and authorized work on the field device. List of reference symbols AT1, AT2 order ticket BE control unit FG1, FG2, FG3 field device LI List SG Signaling tKV temporary communication connection vKV complete communication connection 1.), 2.), ..., 7.) Procedural steps QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 1026 08 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Method for identifying a field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) of automation technology to be operated, comprising: - Providing an operating unit (BE), wherein at least one order ticket (AT1, AT2) is present on the operating unit (BE), wherein the order ticket (AT1, AT2) has an access authorization for at least one of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3); - Searching for accessible field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) by means of the control unit (BE) using a wireless communication protocol; - Carry out the following steps for each of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) accessible from the control unit (BE): i. Establishing a temporary communication connection (tKV) between the control unit (BE) and the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) using a wireless communication protocol; ii. Transmitting the order ticket (AT1, AT2) to the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3); iii. Checking the access authorization for validity by the respective field device (FG1, FG2, FG3); - Signaling (SG) of those field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) that were able to successfully perform the check for the validity of the access authorization. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of establishing the temporary communication connection (tKV), transmitting the order ticket (AT1, AT2) and checking the access authorization for validity are repeated for each of the order tickets (AT1, AT2) present on the operating unit (BE), and wherein those field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) which were able to successfully carry out this respective validity check are also signaled. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signaling (SG) is carried out by the operating unit (BE). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit (BE) creates a list of all field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) found, and wherein the operating unit (BE) marks as a signal each of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) in the list which were able to successfully carry out the check for the validity of the access authorization. [5] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signaling (SG) is carried out by each of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) which were able to successfully perform the check. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein each of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) outputs an acoustic and / or optical signal as part of the signaling (SG). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating unit (BE) logs on to one of the field devices (FG1, FG2, FG3) which were able to successfully carry out the check for the validity of the access authorization, by means of the order ticket (AT1, AT2) and establishes a complete communication connection (vKV). [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the order ticket (AT1, AT2) contains at least one operating action permitted for the operating unit (BE), wherein the field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) enables the operating actions contained in the order ticket (AT1, AT2) for the operating unit (BE) after logging in. [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the operating unit (BE) retrieves location information of the field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) after logging on to the field device (FG1, FG2, FG3) and navigates an operator to the location of the field device (FG1, FG2, FG3).

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