Method for generating a twin sensor by parameter inheritance

Abstract

A method for generating a twin sensor by parameter inheritance is presented, wherein the twin sensor is adapted to replace a sensor (110), the method comprising the steps of: connecting a mobile terminal (120) to the sensor (110) for transmitting a signal; configuring the sensor (110) by the mobile terminal (120), wherein the configuring is based on configuration parameters transmitted to the sensor (110) by the mobile terminal (120); generating, by a generation module, a unique generation code for inheriting parameters based on the configuration parameters; providing, by the generation module, the generation code for generating the twin sensor by inheritance of the parameters, wherein the inheritance of the parameters is based on the generation code.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] In manufacturing industries, production processes comprise the processing of raw materials, such as mixing, heating, etc. Batch processes divide the production process into batches and are usually specified in the form of a recipe, which documents the steps for performing the processing using plant equipment. These production processes are usually monitored by industrial sensors for determining process characteristics such as pressure or flow. SUMMARY

[0002] Since the respective sensors are particularly relevant to the actual production process, they should be quickly and easily replaceable in case of a malfunction or as a precautionary measure taken according to a maintenance interval. Sensors are manifold in mechanical, functional and configurable features, so it is desirable to be able to easily classify and configure a specific sensor used in a production plant in order to be able to generate a replacement sensor.

[0003] Throughout the description of the present invention, the order of the method steps is introduced in a way that facilitates the understanding of the method. However, the skilled person will recognize that many of the method steps can also be performed in a different order and lead to the same or a corresponding result. In this sense, the order of the method steps can be changed accordingly. Some features are provided with a count word to improve readability or make the association clearer, but this does not mean the presence of a particular feature.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for generating a twin sensor by parameter inheritance is presented, wherein the twin sensor is adapted to replace a sensor. The method comprises the following steps: In a step, a mobile terminal is connected with the sensor for transmitting a signal. In a further step, the sensor is configured by the mobile terminal, wherein the configuration is based on configuration parameters transmitted to the sensor by the mobile terminal. In a further step, a one-to-one generation code for inheriting parameters is generated by a generation module based on the configuration parameters. In a further step, the generation code is provided by the generation module for generating the twin sensor by inheritance of the parameters, wherein the inheritance of the parameters is based on the generation code.

[0005] According to an aspect, the sensor can be a sensor in operation or a sensor under test, which has mechanical and functional characteristics for a specific function and has been specifically configured for sensor operation.

[0006] The one-to-one generation code can correspond to an order number (Bestellnummer) which serves to characterize the one-to-one technical specification of a device (for example, in particular a sensor) including all device-specific properties or characteristics of mechanical and electrical properties and, for example, the corresponding parameterization for software. Advantageously, the generation code can be written by online connection in one or more servers into a human-readable code corresponding to the order number, unlike a HASH code which is usually very long (for example, 126 characters).

[0007] Advantageously, by this method, the customer does not have to manually transfer his sensor settings which he has made, for example, when commissioning the sensor, to the manufacturer of the twin sensor. When the customer installs his device (for example, a sensor) in a production plant and commissions it according to his requirements, all configuration parameters have already been defined. The customer can then transfer the configuration parameters and / or the generation code between the sensor or the twin sensor and the mobile terminal by means of a mobile terminal (i.e., an operating tool with a corresponding APP, such as a smartphone). This transfer can take place by wireless connection, for example, using a Bluetooth method for transmission in a closer environment or by a LoRa method or alternatively by a wired connection or by a Pactware DTM at a greater distance.

[0008] To this end, the mobile terminal can establish a connection to the configuration server and can transfer the one-to-one generation code generated by the sensor for generating a twin sensor to the configuration server or the corresponding mechanical and electrical characteristics and the configuration parameters set for the device software to the configuration server, which generates the one-to-one generation code for generating a twin sensor from these data. Alternatively or additionally, the customer can also use the generation code to manually order a twin sensor for a sensor that has already been commissioned.

[0009] By this method, the customer can advantageously obtain the same device or the same twin sensor which is suitable for replacing a sensor that has already been commissioned. The twin sensor has, in particular, the corresponding configuration parameters so as to be able to replace the sensor directly.

[0010] Here, the term "configuration server" is to be understood broadly and also includes a combination of a plurality of servers.

[0011] The term "generation code" is to be understood broadly and includes any one-to-one representation for defining electrical and / or mechanical characteristics and configuration parameters of a sensor or a twin sensor. In particular, the term "generation code" includes a large number of codes which can in particular have different syntaxes.

[0012] According to an aspect, the one-to-one generation code for generating the twin sensor can be stored in a storage area of the sensor in order to read out such a value for generating the twin sensor and to transmit it to a configuration server and / or a manufacturing server.

[0013] According to an aspect, the provision of the generation code by the module can be carried out in several steps, for example in an iterative manner.

[0014] According to an aspect, the sensor and / or the configuration server configured and structured in signal connection with the sensor comprise a generation module, and the sensor or the configuration server provides the generation code accordingly. If the generation module is part of the configuration server, the sensor can have a simpler design. If the generation module is part of the sensor, the entire system can have a simpler design.

[0015] According to an aspect, the configuration server is configured to be in signal connection with the sensor by means of a mobile terminal. If the signal connection of the sensor with the configuration server is carried out by means of a mobile terminal, the energy consumption of the sensor for transmission, in particular when transmitting the configuration parameters to the configuration server, can advantageously be reduced since the mobile terminal can be in the proximity of the sensor.

[0016] According to an aspect, the generation module is configured to be in signal connection with the twin sensor by means of an interface in order to transmit the generation code to the twin sensor. Such an interface can be a wired interface or an interface by means of which the signal can be transmitted wirelessly to the twin sensor. In particular, if the generation code has been transmitted from the generation module of the sensor and / or the generation module of the configuration server to the mobile terminal, the generation code can be transmitted to the twin sensor by means of the mobile terminal.

[0017] According to an aspect, the generation module is configured to be in signal connection with the twin sensor by means of an interface and a mobile terminal in order to transmit the configuration parameters to the twin sensor on the basis of the generation code.

[0018] According to an aspect, the generation code is transmitted from the configuration server to the mobile terminal in order to be transmitted to the twin sensor in order to generate the twin sensor. For this purpose, in particular, the mobile terminal can be in signal connection with the configuration server in order to transmit the configuration parameters of the sensor from the configuration server to the twin sensor by means of the mobile terminal using the generation code.

[0019] According to an aspect, when configuring the sensor by means of the mobile terminal, an identification code of the sensor is transmitted from the sensor to the mobile terminal, and the configuration parameters are transmitted to the sensor by means of the mobile terminal in order to commission the sensor. Advantageously, when configuring the sensor, the identification code of the sensor can be used to take into account specific mechanical and / or electrical properties of the sensor. That is, in other words, the configuration of the sensor can be carried out in dependence on the identification code.

[0020] According to an aspect, in addition to the configuration parameters, an identification code of the sensor is transmitted from the sensor to the generation module in order to generate the generation code on the basis of the configuration parameters and the identification code. Thus, it can be advantageously possible to take into account specific mechanical and / or electrical properties of the sensor at the time of configuration.

[0021] According to an aspect, the generation code is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the twin sensor and is stored in a storage area of the sensor. Thus, it can be advantageously possible to take into account not only the configuration parameters but also mechanical and / or electrical properties of the sensor at the time of generating the twin sensor.

[0022] According to an aspect, the generation code is transmitted from the generation module of the sensor and / or the generation module of the configuration server to the manufacturing server by means of the mobile terminal for generating the twin sensor.

[0023] According to an aspect, the configuration server and the manufacturing server can be the same server, i.e. a server having both the functions of the configuration server and the manufacturing server.

[0024] According to an aspect, on the basis of the generation code, a parts list is created by means of the manufacturing server for generating the twin sensor and / or the configuration parameters are transmitted to the twin sensor for the generation. Advantageously, the electrical and / or mechanical properties of the twin sensor can be defined by means of the parts list.

[0025] According to an aspect, the respective signal-based connection is performed by means of a wireless communication method. Advantageously, the signal-based connection can be easily established with the wireless communication method.

[0026] According to an aspect, the respective wireless communication method comprises a Bluetooth method and / or a LoRa method.

[0027] According to an aspect, the generation module of the sensor or the generation module of the configuration server is configured and arranged to compare the identification code and / or the configuration parameters transmitted by the mobile terminal with the respective entries in the configuration database and, if the identification code and / or the configuration parameters and / or the combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters does not exist in the configuration database, to generate and provide a new generation code for generating the twin sensor. Alternatively, if the identification code and / or the configuration parameters and / or the combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters are stored in the configuration database, the generation module can provide the stored generation code for generating the twin sensor in order to provide a one-to-one generation code.

[0028] According to an aspect, the generation code is an alphanumeric code and characterizes, in particular one-to-one, the type of the sensor and / or the configuration of the sensor. Here, the type of the sensor can characterize the mechanical and electrical properties of the sensor. Advantageously, the correctness of the generation code as an alphanumeric code can be checked manually in order to be able to carry out simple troubleshooting or to be able to carry out at least parts of the method manually.

[0029] A sensor is proposed, which comprises an interface for a signal connection of the sensor with a mobile terminal and a storage unit for storing configuration parameters. The sensor can preferably comprise a generation module. Here, the sensor, the interface, the storage unit and the preferably present generation module are constructed and configured according to one of the above-mentioned methods. That is, in other words, the sensor is constructed and configured to be usable for the above-mentioned methods.

[0030] A mobile terminal is proposed, which comprises a processing unit and a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for a signal connection of the processing unit with a sensor. Furthermore, the mobile terminal comprises a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for a signal connection of the processing unit with a configuration server and / or a manufacturing server and an interface unit, which is in signal connection with the processing unit and is used for the manual input and output of values for the configuration of the sensor. For this purpose, the processing unit is constructed and configured to carry out the respective steps of the above-mentioned methods. That is, in other words, the mobile terminal is constructed, built or configured for the above-mentioned methods.

[0031] A system for generating a twin sensor according to one of the above-mentioned methods is proposed, which comprises:

[0032] - a configuration server, which comprises a configuration database and a generation module for generating a one-to-one generation code;

[0033] - a manufacturing server for generating a parts list, and

[0034] - a mobile terminal as described above.

[0035] Here, the configuration server and / or the manufacturing server comprise a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for a signal connection with the mobile terminal. Advantageously, with this system, a configured twin sensor can be generated in a simple manner and method, which can easily replace a sensor configured during commissioning.

[0036] The use of the above-mentioned system for generating a twin sensor by one of the above-mentioned methods is proposed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be explained with reference to Figure 1 and explained in more detail in the following.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for generating a twin sensor is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a system for generating a twin sensor is shown, wherein the twin sensor is suitable for replacing a sensor which has been put into operation, for example, with configuration parameters. Here, the system comprises a configuration server 130 with a configuration database 135 and a generation module which is part of the configuration server 130 and serves to generate a one-to-one generation code for inheriting the parameters used, for example, at the time of putting the sensor 110 into operation. Furthermore, a manufacturing server 140 for generating a parts list 145 and a mobile terminal 120 are part of the system. Here, the configuration server 130 and / or the manufacturing server 140 are configured to be connected to the mobile terminal 120 by a wireless and / or wired signal connection. Such a signal connection can be realized via the Internet or a cloud 150 and a corresponding local transmission method for the transmission to the server connected to the Internet or the cloud 150. For this purpose, a wireless transmission method 125 can be used in order to signal the mobile terminal 120 to the configuration server 130 and / or the manufacturing server 140, in particular via the cloud 150.

[0040] In a method for generating a twin sensor of a sensor 110 using parameter inheritance, in one step, a signal connection is made between a mobile terminal 120 and the sensor 110. In a further step, the sensor 110 is configured by the mobile terminal 120, wherein the configuration is based on configuration parameters transmitted to the sensor 110 by the mobile terminal 120. This configuration can be performed, for example, to put the sensor 110 into operation. In a further step, a one-to-one generation code for inheriting the parameters to the twin sensor is generated based on the configuration parameters by a generation module (which is, for example, part of a configuration server). In a further step, a generation code is provided by the generation module for generating a twin sensor by inheritance of parameters, wherein the inheritance of parameters is based on the generation code. Here, the generation module of the configuration server 130 can compare the identification code and / or configuration parameters transmitted from the mobile terminal 120 by (e.g., wireless) transmission method 125 and by the cloud 150 with the corresponding entries in the configuration database 135. If the identification code, configuration parameters and / or the combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters do not exist in the configuration database, the configuration server 130 generates and provides a new generation code for generating the twin sensor through the generation module. However, if the identification code, configuration parameters and / or the combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters are stored in the configuration database 135, the configuration server 130 provides the stored generation code for generating the twin sensor through the generation module, so the generation code is one-to-one. Alternatively, the generation code provided by the generation module of the sensor 110 can be transmitted to the manufacturing server 140 via the cloud 150 through the mobile terminal 120, and the manufacturing server 140 uses the generation code to generate a parts list 145 for generating the twin sensor and / or enables the twin sensor to inherit the configuration parameters of the sensor 110 by transmitting the configuration parameters of the sensor 110 to the memory of the twin sensor.

Claims

1. A method for providing a generation code for generating a twin sensor by parameter inheritance, wherein: The twin sensor is adapted to replace a first sensor (110), and the method comprises: connecting a mobile terminal (120) to the first sensor (110) to transmit a signal; configuring the first sensor (110) via the mobile terminal (120), wherein the configuration is based on configuration parameters transmitted to the first sensor (110) via the mobile terminal (120), wherein the configuration parameters are transmitted to the first sensor (110) for commissioning the first sensor (110); generating a one-to-one generated code for inheriting the configuration parameters based on the configuration parameters by a generation module; wherein the first sensor (110) and / or a configuration server (130) adapted for and configured to be signal-connected to the first sensor (110) includes the generation module; Accordingly, the generation code is provided by the first sensor (110) or the configuration server (130) with the aid of the generation module for generating the twin sensor by inheritance of the configuration parameters, wherein the inheritance of the configuration parameters is based on the generation code; and wherein the generation module is configured to be signal-connected to the twin sensor via an interface for transmitting the generation code to the twin sensor.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration server (130) is configured to be signal-connected to the first sensor (110) through the mobile terminal (120).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The generation module is configured to be signal-connected to the twin sensor via the interface and the mobile terminal (120) to transmit the configuration parameters to the twin sensor based on the generation code.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein When the first sensor (110) is configured by the mobile terminal (120), an identification code of the first sensor is transmitted from the first sensor (110) to the mobile terminal (120).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein In addition to the configuration parameters, the identification code of the first sensor is also transmitted from the first sensor (110) to the generation module to generate the generation code based on the configuration parameters and the identification code.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The generated code is transmitted from the generation module of the first sensor and / or from the generation module of the configuration server to a manufacturing server (140) via the mobile terminal (120) for generating the twin sensor.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Based on the generated code, a parts list (145) is created by the manufacturing server (140) for generating the twin sensor, and / or the configuration parameters are transmitted to the twin sensor for generation.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The corresponding signal connection is performed via wireless communication methods.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The generation module of the first sensor or the generation module of the configuration server comparing the identification code and / or the configuration parameters transmitted by the mobile terminal (120) with corresponding entries in a configuration database (135) arranged externally to the first sensor; and If the identification code, the configuration parameters, and / or the combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters do not exist in the configuration database, generating and providing a new generation code for generating the twin sensor; and If the identification code, the configuration parameters and / or a combination of the identification code and the configuration parameters are stored in the configuration database, the stored generation code for generating the twin sensor is provided to provide a one-to-one generation code.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The generated code is an alphanumeric code.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein The generated code represents the type of the first sensor and / or the configuration of the first sensor (110) on a one-to-one basis.

12. A first sensor (110), comprising: an interface for signal connection between the first sensor and the mobile terminal; A storage unit for storing configuration parameters; wherein the first sensor is configured to execute a method for providing a generation code for generating a twin sensor by parameter inheritance, wherein the twin sensor is configured to replace the first sensor (110), and wherein the method comprises the following steps: connecting a mobile terminal (120) to the first sensor (110) to transmit a signal; configuring the first sensor (110) via the mobile terminal (120), wherein the configuration is based on configuration parameters transmitted to the first sensor (110) via the mobile terminal (120); generating a one-to-one generated code for inheriting the configuration parameters based on the configuration parameters by a generation module; wherein the first sensor (110) and / or a configuration server (130) adapted for and configured to be signal-connected to the first sensor (110) includes the generation module; Accordingly, the first sensor (110) or the configuration server (130) provides the generation code with the aid of the generation module for generating the twin sensor by inheriting the configuration parameters, wherein the inheritance of the configuration parameters is based on the generation code.

13. The first sensor according to claim 12, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 11.

14. A mobile terminal (120), comprising: processing unit; a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for signal connection between the processing unit and the first sensor (110); a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for signal connection between the processing unit and the configuration server (130) and / or the manufacturing server (140); as well as an interface unit, signal-connected to the processing unit, for manually inputting and outputting values ​​for configuring the first sensor (110); The mobile terminal is configured according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and is configured to perform corresponding steps.

15. A system for generating a twin sensor using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: A configuration server (130) comprising a configuration database (135) and a generation module for generating a one-to-one generated code; The mobile terminal (120) according to claim 14; and A manufacturing server (140) for generating a parts list (145), and in, The configuration server (130) and / or the manufacturing server (140) includes a wireless and / or wired transmission unit for signal connection with the mobile terminal (120).

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