System and method for extending function of a first transmitter
By establishing a wireless communication connection between transmitters, the problem of limited sensor connections and large infrastructure requirements in multi-point measurement environments is solved, and wireless data sharing and remote sensor data access are realized between multiple transmitters.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411434571.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-18
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-18
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, sensors can only be limitedly connected to the transmitter, and the physical interface of the transmitter is limited, making it impossible to realize wireless data sharing between multiple transmitters, resulting in the need to lay long cables in a multi-point measurement environment, increasing configuration workload and infrastructure requirements.
By designing a wireless communication connection between the first transmitter and the second transmitter, two or more transmitters are allowed to be seamless and wirelessly linked to each other, thereby sharing measurements across transmitters without the presence of a control center.
Wireless data sharing between multiple transmitters is realized, allowing users to access sensor data remotely, reducing dependence on physical interfaces and long cables, and simplifying system configuration and infrastructure requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN119853712A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising a first transmitter and a second transmitter, wherein one or more first sensors are connected to the first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is designed to receive and process first data from the first sensor, wherein one or more second sensors are connected to the second transmitter, wherein the second transmitter is designed to receive and process second data from the second sensor, wherein the first transmitter and the second transmitter are wirelessly communicatively connected to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for extending the functionality of a first transmitter, wherein one or more first sensors are connected to the first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is designed to receive and process first data from the first sensor. Background Art
[0002] In process control engineering, sensors are positioned in the environment to measure its physical and / or chemical properties. Sensors are, for example, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, turbidity sensors, oxygen sensors, etc. In the area of the sensor, a transmitter (also called a measuring transducer) is located, which converts and processes the sensor signal. Sensor and transmitter form a measuring chain, which in conjunction with the present invention is understood to mean a transmission path of the main sensor signal to a unit downstream of the sensor, which depends on the parameter to be measured, wherein the downstream unit receives the sensor signal or the processed sensor signal in order to further process it or react to it. The analyzer, as a special form of a transmitter, is designed to determine a value by means of an extraction method.
[0003] Transmitters in the liquid analysis environment can read sensor values, forward them to a control center and display them. With the help of transmitters, measured values can be ascertained at various points in the process. Transmitters are placed close to the measuring sensors so that the sensors can be connected to the corresponding transmitters. The values collected by multiple transmitters are then combined at the control center. Applications running on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets can also present control center functions. The applicant provides an application named "SmartBlue" that can display and process data transmitted by transmitters to mobile devices via Bluetooth.
[0004] Only a limited number of sensors can be connected to the transmitter.
[0005] Furthermore, the transmitter is limited in the physical interface to the sensor, the control center and the operating / display elements such as menus, HMI or GUI. Furthermore, the sensor can only be physically connected to the transmitter. Therefore, there are only fixed contents and, for example, raw sensor values. In addition, these sensor readings are only available to one transmitter at a time. If the sensors are located at long distances, long cables need to be laid. The contents of multiple transmitters are only available in the control center, which requires a high configuration effort and infrastructure such as network technology (fieldbus). Summary of the invention
[0006] In view of this problem, the invention is based on the object of providing a method which allows combining the functionality of multiple transmitters.
[0007] The object is achieved by a system comprising a first transmitter and a second transmitter, wherein one or more first sensors are connected to the first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is designed to receive and process first data from the first sensors, wherein one or more second sensors are connected to the second transmitter, wherein the second transmitter is designed to receive and process second data from the second sensors, wherein the first transmitter and the second transmitter communicate with each other wirelessly. To this end, data between the first transmitter and the second transmitter is explicitly transferred digitally.
[0008] According to the invention, it is provided that the first transmitter is designed to transmit at least part of the first data to the second transmitter via the communication connection, wherein the second transmitter is designed to output and / or process the transmitted first data, and / or
[0009] The second transmitter is designed to communicate at least a portion of the second data to the first transmitter via the communication connection, wherein the first transmitter is designed to output and / or process the communicated second data.
[0010] The system according to the invention is characterized in that two or more transmitters are seamlessly and wirelessly linked to each other in order to share measurements across the transmitters without the presence of a control center.
[0011] First sensors connected to a first transmitter appear as if they were directly connected to a second transmitter and vice versa. Thus, one transmitter forwards the measurements of its sensor to the other transmitter, enabling the user to also access the data of the remote sensor and ideally not notice that the remote sensor connected to the other transmitter is not directly connected to the transmitter operated by the user.
[0012] Even if the connection is lost, each transmitter can be used independently with all the advantages such as recording etc. and continue to operate.
[0013] Suitable sensors include sensor modules that measure physical or chemical measurements of the process, such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, oxygen, etc.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the system, provision is made that the communication connection established between the transmitters is based on a wireless radio frequency standard, in particular WiFi, Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE. Other suitable wireless standards are also conceivable, provided that they meet certain requirements in terms of range and stability.
[0015] Advantageously, it is provided that the first data and / or the second data are measured values of the respective first sensor or second sensor, in particular primary measured values, secondary measured values or measured values of an environmental sensor assigned to the first sensor or second sensor. The environmental sensor is an additional sensor directly integrated into the housing of the first or second sensor or a separate unit which acquires an environmental measurement of a measuring point of the respective first or second sensor. The measured values from the environmental sensor are, for example, values of brightness, temperature, etc.
[0016] An advantageous further development of the system provides that the first transmitter or the second transmitter comprises a display unit, wherein the display unit of the first transmitter or the second transmitter is designed to output the corresponding transmitted first data or second data via the display unit. The display unit is a display, in particular an LCD or LED display. In particular, it is provided that the display unit is designed to provide a display area according to the first sensor or the second sensor, via which the corresponding data from the respective first sensor or the second sensor are output, wherein the display unit is designed to provide a further display area, via which the transmitted data are output.
[0017] The sensors connected to the transmitter are usually displayed on the display unit as so-called "sensor channels". This means that each sensor is assigned such a channel that the channel displays information about the sensor, such as its name and the current measured values of the sensor. The respective sensor channels are shown in a separate display area of the display unit. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to scroll through different views (in each case with one or more sensor channels).
[0018] Now, it is provided that the first sensor is also displayed as a sensor channel on the display unit of the second emitter, or the second sensor is also displayed as a sensor channel on the display unit of the first emitter. For the user, the sensor of the respective other emitter acts like the sensor connected to the emitter, whose display unit the user is viewing.
[0019] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for extending the functionality of a first transmitter, wherein one or more first sensors are connected to the first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is designed to receive and process first data from the first sensors, characterized in that the method comprises:
[0020] - Provide a second transmitter;
[0021] - establishing a wireless communication connection with a second transmitter;
[0022] - transferring at least a portion of the first data from the first transmitter to the second transmitter; and
[0023] - Processing and / or outputting the transmitted first data by the second transmitter, in particular outputting the transmitted first data by a display unit of the second transmitter.
[0024] The first transmitter thus acts as a "sender" that transmits first data from one or more of the first sensors connected to the first transmitter. The second transmitter thus acts as a "listener" or "receiver" that receives data from the first transmitter.
[0025] "Processing" means, for example, that the transmitter converts raw measurements from a sensor into measurements (eg, via the use of a linearization table), or performs statistical operations on the data, such as averaging.
[0026] Advantageously, provision is made to establish the wireless communication connection in a secure manner, in particular in an encrypted manner. For this purpose, encryption information (eg keys) is exchanged between the transmitters during the process of establishing the communication connection, or, for example, a challenge-response process is performed.
[0027] An advantageous embodiment of the method provides that part of the second data is additionally transferred from the second transmitter to the first transmitter and the transferred first data is output and / or processed by the second transmitter. As a result, a bidirectional transfer is established. This means that in each case both transmitters transmit data to the other transmitter in each case.
[0028] According to one embodiment of the method, provision is made that during the establishment of the communication connection, the user selects which transmitter will pass the first data or the second data to the corresponding other transmitter. The selection of which transmitter will act as sender and which will act as "listener" is made directly during the establishment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, which are shown below:
[0030] Figure 1 : A first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The system consists of a first transmitter TR1, a second transmitter TR2 and a third transmitter TR3. The transmitters TR1, TR2, TR3 are arranged at a certain distance from each other. The first transmitter TR1 is arranged at a position far away from the second transmitter TR2, for example at a body of water.
[0032] Three first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 are arranged on a first transmitter TR1. The first sensors SE1, SE2 are connected to the first transmitter TR1 by means of a cable connection and measure, for example, the pH value (sensor SE1) and the conductivity (sensor SE2) of the medium. The first transmitter comprises a display unit AE, in which the individual first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 are visualized as sensor channels. In particular, provision is made for each sensor channel to be assigned its own individual display area on the display unit AE. The display of the sensor channels comprises, for example, the display of the names of the first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 and their current measured values.
[0033] The second transmitter TR2 is for example positioned in the system close to the user. The transmitter TR2 is a so-called analyzer, which comprises in its housing a plurality of second sensors SE1', SE2', which detect physical or biological measurement values of a sample, for example a water or food sample. The second transmitter also comprises a display unit AE', the individual second sensors SE1', SE2' being visualized as sensor channels. In particular, it is provided that each sensor channel is assigned its own individual display area on the display unit AE'. The display of the sensor channels comprises for example the display of the names of the second sensors SE1', SE2' and their current measurement values.
[0034] A communication connection KV is established between the two transmitters TR1, TR2, so that the values of the first sensor SE1, SE2, SE3 connected to the first transmitter TR1 are available to the user even when approaching the system. For example, the "pairing" mode is selected via corresponding operating elements on both transmitters TR1, TR2. The two transmitters TR1 and TR2 are brought into contact with each other via a suitable wireless standard (e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi or via a mobile phone connection) and the communication connection KV is established. Within this framework, the transmitters TR1, TR2 are able to exchange cryptographic information (e.g. keys) in order to establish a secure communication connection KV.
[0035] After or during the establishment of the communication connection KV, the user is asked (e.g. via a display unit AE, AE' on one or both of the transmitters TR1, TR2) which of the two transmitters TR1, TR2 acts as sender and which of the two transmitters TR2 acts as receiver or "listener". The user makes an input about his choice at one or both of the transmitters TR1, TR2. It can also be provided that both transmitters TR1 and TR2 are sender and receiver at the same time.
[0036] In this case, the user selects the first transmitter TR1 as sender and the second transmitter TR2 as receiver. The user then selects which data are to be transferred from the first transmitter TR1 to the second transmitter. In this example, the user selects that the current measurement values of the first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 are to be periodically transmitted to the second transmitter TR2. These data are described below as "first data".
[0037] From now on, the first transmitter TR1 regularly transmits first data to the second transmitter TR2. The second transmitter TR2 receives these first data and interprets them. It recognizes that these are measurement data from a plurality of sensors and treats these measurement values like measurement values from its own second sensors SE1 ', SE2'. This means that it generates a sensor channel for each of the first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 and also visualizes these new sensor channels on the display unit AE'. The values of the first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 can also be processed and for example offset relative to each other (and also relative to the measurement values from the second sensors SE1 ', SE2'). For the user, the first sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 on the second transmitter TR2 appear as sensors directly connected to the second transmitter TR2.
[0038] It can be provided that “sensors remote from the evaluation” can also be used according to the invention, which, for example, detect measurements such as pressure, radiation or temperature.
[0039] If the second transmitter TR2 is also selected as sender - and thus the first transmitter TR1 as receiver - transmission of data from the second sensor SE1 'SE2' is effected and display of the data from the second sensor SE1 'SE2' is effected in a similar manner on the display unit AE of the first transmitter TR1 .
[0040] It can also be provided that more than two transmitters TR1, TR2 are provided in the system and that one transmitter transmits its data to more than one other transmitter, or that one transmitter receives and outputs data from more than one other transmitter.
[0041] exist Figure 1 In the present exemplary embodiment shown, a third transmitter TR3 is provided for this purpose, which is located remote from the other two transmitters TR1, TR2, for example at a body of water. A sensor SE1 ″ is assigned to the third transmitter TR3, which detects, for example, the turbidity value of the water. The third transmitter TR3 and its sensor SE1 ″ are supplied with the electrical energy required for operation by means of a solar module or a rechargeable battery. The solar module can also be designed to charge the battery.
[0042] Analogously to the connection between the first transmitter TR1 and the second transmitter TR2 according to the invention, another communication connection KV' is established between the third transmitter TR3 and the first transmitter TR1. Analogously to the above example, the third transmitter TR3 is now able to transmit data, in particular data from its sensor SE1'', to the first transmitter T1 (and vice versa).
[0043] Reference numerals list
[0044] AE First Transmitter Display Unit
[0045] AE' Display unit of the second emitter
[0046] AE'' Display unit for the third emitter
[0047] Communication connection between KV, KV' transmitters
[0048] SE1, SE2, SE3 are connected to the sensors of the first transmitter
[0049] SE1', SE2' Sensors connected to the second transmitter
[0050] SE1'' Sensor connected to the third transmitter
[0051] TR1 First Transmitter
[0052] TR2 Second Transmitter
[0053] TR3 Third Transmitter
Claims
1. A system comprising a first transmitter (TR1) and a second transmitter (TR2, TR3), wherein one or more first sensors (SE1, SE2) are connected to the first transmitter (TR1), wherein the first transmitter (TR1) is designed to receive and process first data from the first sensors (SE1, SE2), wherein one or more second sensors (SE1', SE2', SE1'') are connected to the second transmitter (TR2, TR3), wherein the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) is designed to receive and process second data from the second sensors (SE1', SE2', SE1''), wherein the first transmitter (TR1) and the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) are wirelessly communicatively connected to each other (KV, KV'), Features The first transmitter (TR1) is designed to transmit at least a part of the first data to the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) via the communication connection (KV, KV'), wherein the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) is designed to output and / or process the transmitted first data, and / or The second transmitter (TR2, TR3) is designed to transmit at least a part of the second data to the first transmitter (TR1) via the communication connection (KV, KV'), wherein the first transmitter (TR1) is designed to output and / or process the transmitted second data.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The communication connection (KV) is based on a wireless radio standard, in particular WiFi, Bluetooth LE or Bluetooth Classic.
3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: The first data and / or the second data are measured values of the corresponding first sensor (SE1, SE2) or second sensor (SE1', SE2', SE1"), in particular primary measured values, secondary measured values or measured values of an environmental sensor assigned to the first sensor (SE1, SE2) or the second sensor (SE1', SE2', SE1") .
4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first transmitter (TR1) or the second transmitter (TR2) comprises a display unit (AE, AE', AE''), wherein the display unit (AE, AE', AE'') of the first transmitter (TR1) or the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) is designed to output the corresponding transmitted first data or second data.
5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The display unit (AE, AE', AE'') is designed to provide a display area according to the first sensor (SE1, SE2) or the second sensor (SE1', SE2', SE1''), via which corresponding data of the corresponding first sensor (SE1, SE2) or the second sensor (SE1', SE2', SE1'') is output, wherein the display unit (AE, AE', AE'') is designed to provide another display area, via which the transmitted data is output.
6. A method for extending the functionality of a first transmitter (TR1), wherein: One or more first sensors (SE1, SE2) are connected to the first transmitter (TR1), wherein the first transmitter (TR1) is configured to receive and process first data from the first sensors (SE1, SE2), characterized in that the method comprises: - Provide a second transmitter (TR2, TR3); - establishing a wireless communication connection (KV, KV') with the second transmitter (TR2, TR3); - transferring at least part of said first data from said first transmitter (TR1) to said second transmitter (TR2, TR3); and - processing and / or outputting the transmitted first data by the second transmitter (TR2, TR3), in particular outputting the transmitted first data by a display unit (AE', AE'') of the second transmitter (TR2, TR3).
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The wireless communication connection (KV) is established in a secure manner, in particular in an encrypted manner.
8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: A portion of the second data is additionally transferred from the second transmitter (TR2, TR3) to the first transmitter (TR1), and the transferred first data is output and / or processed by the second transmitter (TR2, TR3).
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that During the process of establishing the communication connection (KV), the user selects which of the transmitters (TR1, TR2, TR3) is to transmit the first data or the second data to the corresponding other transmitter (TR2, TR1, TR3).