Railway track system having interface device and method for operating same
By designing an additional connection between the first interface device and the second field element in the railway equipment, a redundant path is provided instead of the faulty interface device, the system interruption problem caused by interface failure is solved, and the continuous operation and communication path of the equipment are realized. stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410784338.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-18
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
AI Technical Summary
Railway equipment cannot continue to operate when an interface device fails, resulting in system interruption.
Additional connections between the first interface device and the second field element are designed to provide a redundant path instead of the failed second interface device, implemented by an additional transmission line, and extended functions in software to ensure stability of the communication path.
It realizes system redundant operation when the interface device fails, ensures the continuous operation of railway equipment and the retention of communication paths, and simplifies equipment construction and installation.
Smart Images
Figure CN119160249A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a railway equipment, which has a first field element and a second field element. The first field element is connected to a central device via a separately assigned first interface device, and the central device can be, for example, a centralized control station. The second field element is connected to the central device via a separately assigned second interface device. Background Art
[0002] In railway equipment, known field elements, such as switch machines, switch position sensors or track lock key springs, are connected to a centralized control station. The field elements are connected via individually assigned interface devices, which are referred to as field element controllers in the technical terminology.
[0003] Due to the different tasks of the field elements, the field element controllers are each functionally adapted to the corresponding field element. Summary of the invention
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a railway equipment which can continue to operate even when one of the interface devices fails.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a railway system having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the railway system according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.
[0006] Accordingly, it is provided according to the invention that the first connecting device is also connected to the second field element and that the central device is designed to cooperate with the second field element with switching over by the first connecting device if the second connecting device fails.
[0007] The main advantage of the railway installation according to the invention is that by additionally connecting the first interface device to the second field element, the first interface device can perform a dual function and can replace the second interface device if the second interface device fails. Thus, by additionally connecting the first interface device to the second field element, a redundant path is retained for the case that the normal communication path between the second interface device and the second field element fails.
[0008] Another major advantage of the railway system according to the invention is that this additional connection of the first interface device to the second field element can be realized by means of only one additional transmission line. This additional transmission line can already be provided during the construction of the system or can at least be retrofitted very simply. The transmission line can be a data transmission line and / or a signal transmission line, which is preferably matched to the respectively connected field element.
[0009] Another essential advantage of the railway system according to the invention is that the functional expansion of the first interface device can be realized essentially in software.
[0010] The connection of the first interface device to the second field element is preferably based on an additional separate transmission line which directly connects the first interface device to the second field element.
[0011] The first interface device preferably has a first operating module for cooperating with the first field element and a second operating module for cooperating with the second field element.
[0012] The central device is preferably designed to cooperate with the second field element under the switching of the second interface device during normal operation, and to prevent the second operating module of the first interface device from being used as long as the second interface device is operational, and to cooperate with the second field element under the switching of the second operating module of the first interface device if the second interface device fails.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment variant, it is provided that the second interface device is also connected to the first field element and that the central device is designed to cooperate with the first field element with the second interface device switching over if the first interface device fails.
[0014] The last-mentioned embodiment variant can also be referred to as a crossover variant, since the interface devices can replace one another. A particular advantage of this embodiment variant is that the transmission line used for this purpose, for connecting the first interface device to the second field element in order to replace a defective second interface device, and the transmission line used for this purpose, for connecting the second interface device to the first field element in order to replace a defective first interface device, extend in parallel, so that both transmission lines can be installed or retrofitted in a single working step.
[0015] The connection of the second interface device to the first field element is therefore preferably based on an additional separate transmission line which directly connects the second interface device to the first field element.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment variant, it is considered advantageous if the second interface device has a first operating module for cooperating with the second field element and a second operating module for cooperating with the first field element. The central device preferably cooperates with the first field element in normal operation under the control of the first operating module of the first interface device and does not use the second operating module of the second interface device as long as the first interface device is operational. If the first interface device fails, the central device preferably cooperates with the first field element under the control of the second operating module of the second interface device.
[0017] It is also considered advantageous if the third interface device is connected to the first field element and the central device is designed to cooperate with the first field element with the third interface device switching over if the first interface device fails. The connection of the third interface device to the first field element is preferably based on an additional separate transmission line, which directly connects the third interface device to the first field element.
[0018] In the last-mentioned variant, it is advantageous if the third interface device has a first operating module for operation with the third field element and a second operating module for operation with the first field element. The central device preferably cooperates with the first field element in normal operation under the control of the first interface device and does not use the second operating module of the third interface device as long as the first interface device is operational. If the first interface device fails, the central device cooperates under the control of the second operating module of the third interface device, provided that other interface devices connected to the first field element are not considered as replacements.
[0019] The operating module of the interface device is preferably a software module or at least also includes such a software module.
[0020] The first operating module of the first interface device and the second operating module of the second interface device are preferably identical or at least functionally identical.
[0021] The second operating module of the first interface device and the first operating module of the second interface device are preferably identical or at least functionally identical.
[0022] The second operating module of the third interface device and the first operating module of the first interface device are preferably identical or at least functionally identical.
[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the railway equipment has a plurality of field elements, which are each connected to a central device via an individually assigned interface device and cooperate with the central device via the individually assigned interface devices during normal operation, wherein the interface devices are each operated via another interface device in the event of failure of the individually assigned interface device, which simultaneously operates the field element assigned to it.
[0024] The central device is preferably a centralized control station.
[0025] At least one of the field elements is preferably a switch machine, a switch position sensor, a track clearing indicator, a signal light or a track lock key spring.
[0026] The interface device is preferably a field element controller.
[0027] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a railway installation, in particular a railway installation as described above, wherein in the method, during normal operation, a central device cooperates with a first field element via a separately assigned first interface device, and in the event of a fault in which the first interface device fails, the central device cooperates with the first field element alternatively via a second interface device, wherein in the event of a fault, the central device uses the second interface device both for cooperation with the first field element and for cooperation with the second field element.
[0028] With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the above-described embodiments in conjunction with the railway system according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.
[0029] Advantageously, at least one of the field elements has a control element and the cooperation between this field element and the central device comprises the transmission of control commands.
[0030] Advantageously, at least one of the field elements has a detection device and the cooperation between this field element and the central device comprises the transmission of a detection signal.
[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an interface device for a railway system, the interface device having a first operating module for cooperating with a first field element. According to the present invention, it is provided that the interface device has a second operating module for cooperating with a second field element and a control device, and that the second operating module is activated in addition to the first operating module according to an activation command of the central device, and that thus not only the cooperation between the central device and the first field element but also the cooperation between the central device and the second field element can be realized.
[0032] With regard to the advantages of the interface device according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the interface device according to the invention, reference is made to the above-described embodiments in conjunction with the railway system according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.
[0033] Advantageously, the interface device comprises a computing device and a memory, and a computer program product is stored in the memory, the computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to operate as the first interface device as described above.
[0034] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product for an interface device, in particular an interface device as described above. According to the invention, it is provided that the computer program product comprises: a first software module, which forms a first operating module when executed by a computing device of the interface device and allows cooperation between a central device and a first field element; a control module, which forms a second operating module when executed by the computing device and allows cooperation between the central device and a second field element; and a control device, which forms a control device when executed by the computing device and, in accordance with an activation instruction of the central device, activates the second software module in addition to the first software module and enables cooperation between the central device and the first field element as well as cooperation between the central device and the second field element in parallel.
[0035] With regard to the advantages of the computer program product according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the computer program product according to the invention, reference is made to the above-described embodiments in conjunction with the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment; here it is shown by way of example:
[0037] Figure 1-Figure 4 In each case a part of an exemplary embodiment of a railway system according to the invention is shown, with the aid of which exemplary embodiments of a method according to the invention and of an exemplary embodiment of an interface device according to the invention are explained by way of example, and
[0038] Figure 5 In more detail, the Figures 1 to 4 The preferred structure of the interface device of railway equipment.
[0039] In the drawings, for the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers are used throughout for the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Figure 1 The components of a first exemplary embodiment of a railway installation EGA according to the invention are shown.
[0041] The railway system EGA comprises a first field element 10 which is connected via a transmission line VL10 to an individually assigned first interface device 11 and via the first interface device and a data transmission device 50 to a central device 100 .
[0042] The first field element 10 may be, for example, a switch machine, which responds to and executes the adjustment command SB transmitted to the first field element by the central device 100; the first interface device 11 assigned to the first field element 10 may be formed, for example, by a field element controller in the form of a switch machine. The central device 100 is preferably a centralized control station. The data transmission device 50 preferably includes a communication network for data packets, for example in the form of an Ethernet network.
[0043] The second field element 20 of the railway system EGA is connected to a separately assigned second interface device 21 via a transmission line VL20 and is also connected to the central device 100 via the second interface device and the data transmission device 50. The second field element 20 can be, for example, a switch position sensor or a track lock key spring, which generates a detection signal DS and sends the detection signal DS in the direction of the central device 100; the second interface device 21 assigned to the second field element 20 can be formed, for example, by a field element controller in the form of a switch position controller or a track lock key spring.
[0044] If the mentioned components are ready for operation, they can be operated in normal operation: In normal operation, the central device 100 cooperates with the first field element 10 by switching of the first interface device 11 and cooperates with the second field element 20 by switching of the second interface device 21 .
[0045] For normal operation, the first interface device 11 comprises a first operating module 11a which is designed or configured to cooperate with the first field element 10. The second interface device 21 comprises a first operating module 21a which is designed or configured to cooperate with the second field element 20 in a corresponding manner.
[0046] In some cases, the interface device may fail. In order to provide redundancy in the railway equipment EGA, for example, for the case where the second interface device 21 fails, Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , it is provided that the first interface device 11 is also connected to the second field element 20 via a transmission line VL12 .
[0047] In order to also be able to cooperate with the second field element 20 , the first interface device 11 comprises, in addition to the first operating module 11 a for cooperating with the first field element 10 , a second operating module 11 b which is configured for cooperating with the second field element 20 .
[0048] When the second interface device 21 is operational, the first interface device 11 is operated in normal operation by the central device 100. In normal operation, the central device 100 cooperates with the second field element 20 under the switching of the second interface device 21 and using the transmission line VL20, so that the second operating module 11b of the first interface device 11 remains unused.
[0049] If, on the other hand, the second interface device 21 fails, the central device 100 disconnects the communication path via the second interface device 21 and activates a new communication path to the second field element 20 by activating the second operating module 11b of the first interface device 10. The central device 100 then cooperates with the second field element 20 under the switching of the second operating module 11b of the first interface device 10 and using the transmission line VL12.
[0050] The operating modules 11a and 11b are preferably activated and deactivated by the control device STE of the interface device 11. It is preferably provided that the control device STE permanently activates the first operating module 11a and deactivates the second operating module 11b during normal operation.
[0051] If the control device STE receives an activation command AB from the central device 100 for activating the second operating module 11 b , it switches from normal operation to redundant operation and also activates the second operating module 11 b so that the two operating modules 11 a and 11 b can operate in parallel as described.
[0052] Figure 2 The components of a second exemplary embodiment of a railway installation EGA according to the invention are shown.
[0053] according to Figure 2 The second embodiment corresponds to the Figure 1 The first exemplary embodiment differs from that of the embodiment of the present invention in that the second interface device 21 is also connected to the first field element 10 , more precisely via an additional transmission line VL21 .
[0054] By means of this additional transmission line VL21 , redundancy is also provided in the railway system EGA with respect to the first interface device 11 and in the event of a possible failure of the first interface device 11 .
[0055] In order to also be able to cooperate with the first field element 10 , the second interface device 21 comprises, in addition to the first operating module 21 a for cooperating with the second field element 20 , a second operating module 21 b which is configured for cooperating with the first field element 10 .
[0056] When the first interface device 11 is operational, the first interface device 11 is operated in normal operation by the central device 100. In normal operation, the central device 100 only cooperates with the first field element 10 under switching of the first interface device 11 and using the transmission line VL10, so that the second operating module 21b of the second interface device 21 and the transmission line VL21 remain unused.
[0057] If, on the other hand, the first interface device 11 fails, the central device 100 disconnects the communication path via the first interface device 11 and activates a new communication path to the first field element 10 by activating the second operating module 21b of the second interface device 20, including the control device STE. The central device 100 then cooperates with the first field element 10 under the switching of the second operating module 21b of the second interface device 20 and using the transmission line VL21.
[0058] If the first interface device 11 is functional and the second interface device 21 is defective, then the above embodiment combined with Figure 1 In this case, the central device 100 cooperates with the second field element 20 under switching of the second operating module 11 b of the first interface device 10 and using the transmission line VL12 .
[0059] Figure 3 The components of a third exemplary embodiment of a railway installation EGA according to the invention are shown.
[0060] according to Figure 3 The third embodiment corresponds to Figure 1 The first exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the third interface device 31 is connected to the first field element 10 , more precisely via an additional transmission line VL31 .
[0061] By means of this additional transmission line VL31 , redundancy in the railway installation EGA is achieved with respect to the first interface device 11 via the third interface device, and redundancy is provided for the event that the first interface device 11 should fail.
[0062] In order to also be able to cooperate with the first field element 10 , the third interface device 31 comprises, in addition to the first operating module 31 a for cooperating with the third field element 30 , a second operating module 31 b which is configured for cooperating with the first field element 10 .
[0063] When the first interface device 11 is operational, the first interface device 11 is operated in normal operation by the central device 100. In normal operation, the central device 100 cooperates with the first field element 10 by switching the first interface device 11 and including the transmission line VL10, so that the second operating module 31b of the third interface device 31 remains unused.
[0064] If, on the other hand, the first interface device 11 fails, the central device 100 disconnects the communication path via the first interface device 11 and activates a new communication path to the first field element 10 by activating the second operating module 31b of the third interface device 30. The central device 100 then cooperates with the first field element 10 under the switching of the second operating module 31b of the third interface device 31 and using the transmission line VL31.
[0065] Figure 4 The components of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a railway installation EGA according to the invention are shown.
[0066] according to Figure 4 The fourth embodiment corresponds to the Figure 2 The second embodiment is different in that according to Figure 3 The third interface device 31 is also connected to the first field element 10 , to be more precise via an additional transmission line VL31 .
[0067] By means of the additional transmission line VL31 , additional redundancy is provided in the railway system EGA via the third interface device 31 on the first interface device 11 and for the situation in which the first interface device 11 and the second interface device 21 may fail and the continued operation of the first field element 10 must nevertheless be ensured.
[0068] In normal operation, ie when the first interface device 11 is operational, the central device 100 cooperates with the first field element 10 under the switching of the first interface device 11 , so that the second operating modules 21 b and 31 b of the second and third interface devices 21 and 31 remain unused.
[0069] If, on the other hand, the first interface device 11 fails, the central device 100 switches to the communication path of the first field element 10 by activating either the second operating module 21b of the second interface device 21 or the second operating module 31b of the third interface device 31. From then on, the central device 100 cooperates with the first field element 10 under the control of the second operating module 21b of the second interface device 21 or the second operating module 31b of the third interface device 31.
[0070] In the event of a fault not only in the first connecting device 11 but also in addition in the second or third connecting device, the first field element 10 can be operated via the last of the three still functional connecting devices.
[0071] Figure 5 An embodiment of an interface device 500 is shown, which can be used according to Figures 1 to 4 The railway equipment EGA is used as the first interface device 11. Although the following embodiments specifically relate to the first interface device 11, they are applicable to the second and third interface devices 21 or 31 accordingly.
[0072] according to Figure 5 The interface device 500 can be designed as a controller and includes a computing device 510 and a memory 520. Other peripheral input and output components of the controller may generally be included, such as an A / D converter, a D / A converter, a power supply component, etc. For the sake of clarity, Figure 5 Not explicitly shown.
[0073] A computer program product CPP is stored in the memory 520, which contains program instructions which, when executed by the computing device 510, cause the above-mentioned combination to be executed. Figures 1 to 4 Description of how it works.
[0074] Computer program products CPP in accordance with Figure 5 In the embodiment of the invention, a first software module SW1 is included, which forms a first operating module 11a when executed by the computing device 510. For this purpose, the first software module SW1 includes program instructions which enable cooperation between the central device 100 and the first field element 10 and are therefore programmed or configured precisely for this special interface function. If the first field element 10 is, for example, a switch machine, the first software module SW1 is designed specifically for the interface operation for cooperation between the central device 100 and the switch machine.
[0075] The computer program product CPP also comprises a second software module SW2 which, when executed by the computing device 510, forms a second operating module 11b. The second software module SW2 thus comprises program instructions which enable the cooperation between the central device 100 and the second field element 20 and which are therefore programmed or configured precisely for this special interface function. If the second field element 20 is, for example, a switch position sensor, the second software module SW2 is designed specifically for the interface function of the cooperation between the central device 100 and precisely this switch position sensor.
[0076] The computer program product CPP further comprises a third software module SW3 which, when executed by the computing device 510, forms the control device STE and can therefore also be referred to as a control module. The third software module SW3 comprises program instructions which enable normal operation and redundant operation.
[0077] During normal operation, the third software module SW3 activates the first software module SW1 and deactivates the second software module SW2 .
[0078] If the control device STE receives an activation command AB from the central device 100 for activating the second operating module 11 b , the control device STE switches to redundant operation and also activates the second software module SW2 via the control command B, so that the two software modules SW1 and SW2 can operate in parallel.
[0079] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the above-described exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another in any desired manner in order to form further exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0080] All features of the dependent claims can also be combined individually with each parallel claim, to be specific individually or in any combination with one or more other dependent claims to give rise to further embodiments.
[0081] Reference numerals list
[0082] 10First Field Element
[0083] 11. First interface device
[0084] 11a First operation module
[0085] 11b Second operation module
[0086] 20 Second field element
[0087] 21 Second interface device
[0088] 21a First operation module
[0089] 21b Second operation module
[0090] 30Third field element
[0091] 31 Third interface device
[0092] 31a First operation module
[0093] 31b Second operation module
[0094] 50Data transmission device
[0095] 100 Central Devices
[0096] 500 interface device
[0097] 510 computing device
[0098] 520 memory
[0099] AB activation command
[0100] B control instructions
[0101] CPP Computer Program Product
[0102] DS detection signal
[0103] EGA Railway Equipment
[0104] SB adjustment instructions
[0105] STE Controls
[0106] SW1 first software module
[0107] SW2 Second Software Module
[0108] SW3 Third Software Module
[0109] VL10 transmission line
[0110] VL12 transmission line
[0111] VL20 transmission line
[0112] VL21 transmission line
[0113] VL31 transmission line
Claims
1. A railway equipment (EGA) having: - a first field element (10) which is connected to the central device (100) via an individually assigned first interface device (11), and - a second field element (20) which is connected to the central device (100) via a separately assigned second interface device (21), -in, In normal operation, the central device (100) cooperates with the first field element (10) under the switching of the first interface device (11), and cooperates with the second field element (20) under the switching of the second interface device (21). It is characterized in that - Furthermore, the first interface device (11) is connected to the second field element (20), and The central device (100) is designed to cooperate with the second field element (20) under the switching of the first interface device (11) when the second interface device (21) fails.
2. Railway equipment (EGA) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that the first interface device (11) has a first operating module (11a) for cooperating with the first field element (10) and a second operating module (11b) for cooperating with the second field element (20), - wherein the central device (100) is designed to cooperate with the second field element (20) under the control of the second interface device (21) during normal operation, and to disable the second operating module (11b) of the first interface device (11) as long as the second interface device (21) is operational, and - wherein the central device (100) is designed to cooperate with the second field element (20) under the switching of the second operating module (11b) of the first interface device (11) when the second interface device (21) fails.
3. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - Furthermore, the second interface device (21) is connected to the first field element (10), and The central device (100) is designed to cooperate with the first field element (10) under the switching of the second interface device (21) when the first interface device (11) fails.
4. Railway equipment (EGA) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that the second interface device (21) has a first operating module (21a) for cooperating with the second field element (20) and a second operating module (21b) for cooperating with the first field element (10), - wherein the central device (100) cooperates with the first field element (10) in normal operation under the control of the first operating module (11a) of the first interface device (11), and the second operating module (21b) of the second interface device (21) is not used as long as the first interface device (11) is operational, and - wherein, when the first interface device (11) fails, the central device (100) and the first field element (10) cooperate under the switching of the second operating module (21b) of the second interface device (21).
5. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - a third interface device (31) is connected to said first field element (10), and The central device (100) is designed to cooperate with the first field element (10) under the switching of the third interface device (31) when the first interface device (11) fails.
6. Railway installation (EGA) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that the third interface device (31) comprises a first operating module (31a) for operating together with the third field element (30) and a second operating module (31b) for operating together with the first field element (10), - wherein the central device (100) cooperates with the first field element (10) in normal operation under the control of the first interface device (11), and the second operating module (31b) of the third interface device (31) is not used as long as the first interface device (11) is operational, and - Wherein, when the first interface device (11) fails, the central device (100) and the first field element (10) cooperate under the switching of the second operating module (31b) of the third interface device (31).
7. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, It is characterized in that The operating module of the interface device is a software module (SW1, SW2) or at least also includes the software module (SW1, SW2).
8. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, It is characterized in that - the first operating module (11a) of the first interface device (11) and the second operating module (21b) of the second interface device (21) are identical or at least functionally identical, and / or - the second operating module (11b) of the first interface device (11) and the first operating module (21a) of the second interface device (21) are identical or at least have the same functions, and / or The second operating module (31b) of the third interface device (31) is identical to the first operating module (11a) of the first interface device (11) or at least has the same functions.
9. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The railway equipment (EGA) has a plurality of field elements (10, 20, 30), which are connected to the central device (100) via individually assigned interface devices (11, 21, 31) and cooperate with the central device (100) via the individually assigned interface devices in normal operation, wherein the interface devices are operated via another interface device in the event of failure of the individually assigned interface device, which simultaneously operates the field element assigned to it.
10. Railway equipment (EGA) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - the central device (100) is a centralized control station, - at least one of the field elements is a switch machine, a switch position sensor, track clearing indicator, signal light or track lock key spring, and - The interface device is a field element controller.
11. A method for operating a railway installation (EGA), in particular a railway installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: In the method, - in normal operation, the central device (100) cooperates with the first field element (10) via the individually assigned first interface device (11), and - in the event of a fault in which the first interface device (11) fails, the central device (100) cooperates with the first field element (10) alternatively via the second interface device (21), wherein the central device (100) uses the second interface device (21) in the event of a fault both for cooperation with the first field element (10) and for cooperation with the second field element (20).
12. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that - at least one of the field elements has a regulating element, and the cooperation between this field element and the central device (100) comprises the transmission of regulating instructions (SB), and / or At least one of the field elements has a detection device, and the cooperation between this field element and the central device (100) comprises the transmission of a detection signal (DS).
13. An interface device (11) for a railway system, comprising a first operating module (11a) for cooperating with a first field element (10), It is characterized in that The interface device (11) has a second operating module (11b) for cooperating with a second field element (20) and a control device (STE), and according to an activation instruction (AB) of the central device (100), in addition to activating the first operating module (11a), the second operating module (11b) is also activated, thereby enabling not only cooperation between the central device (100) and the first field element (10) but also cooperation between the central device (100) and the second field element (20).
14. The interface device (500) according to claim 13, It is characterized in that - the interface device (500) comprises a computing device (510) and a memory (520), and A computer program product (CPP) is stored in the memory, the computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by the computing device (510), cause the computing device (510) to operate as a first interface device (11) within the scope of the method according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 12.
15. A computer program product (CPP) for an interface device (11, 21, 31, 500), in particular an interface device according to claim 14, It is characterized in that The computer program product (CPP) comprises a first software module (SW1) which, when executed by the computing device of the interface device, forms a first operating module and allows cooperation between the central device (100) and the first field element (10), a second software module (SW2) which, when executed by the computing device, forms a second operating module and allows cooperation between the central device (100) and a second field element (20), and - a control module (SW3) which, when executed by the computing device, forms a control device and, according to an activation instruction (AB) of the central device (100), activates the second software module (SW2) in addition to the first software module (SW1) and in parallel enables not only a collaboration between the central device (100) and the first field element (10), but also a collaboration between the central device (100) and the second field element (20).