Field device and system comprising field device

Abstract

The invention relates to a field device and a system including the same. The automation field device has a display unit with a user interface or is designed to make the user interface available to network participants via a communication connection, and the field device is designed to carry out a plurality of different processes or to carry out a plurality of different process steps within the processes. The field device is designed to output first information about a current first process or a first process step and second information about at least one second process or a second process step following the first process or the first process step via the user interface, the first information comprises a name and / or description of the first process or process step, and a first indicator of a remaining first time period until the first process or process step is completed, and the second information includes a name and / or description of the second process or process step, and a second indicator of a remaining second time period until the second process or process step is performed.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to field devices. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising a field device according to the present invention. Background Art

[0002] Field devices used in industrial facilities are already known from the prior art. Field devices are generally used in process automation technology as well as in manufacturing automation technology. In principle, all devices that are process-oriented and supply or process process-related information are referred to as field devices. Thus, field devices are used to detect and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to detect process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurements, conductivity measurements, flow measurements, pH measurements, fill level measurements, etc., and detect the corresponding process variables of pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, fill level, flow rate, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a fluid in a pipe or the fill level in a tank. In addition to the above-mentioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices are also understood to include remote I / Os, radio adapters or devices generally arranged at the field level.

[0003] A plurality of such field devices are produced and sold by the Endress+Hauser group.

[0004] In process control engineering, sensors are located in the environment in order to measure their physical and / or chemical properties. Sensors are, for example, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, turbidity sensors, oxygen sensors, etc. A transmitter (also referred to as a measuring transducer) is located in the area of the sensor, which converts and processes the sensor signal. The sensor and the transmitter form a measurement chain, which in the context of the present invention is understood to mean the transmission path of the main sensor signal to the unit downstream of the sensor, the main sensor signal depending on the parameter to be measured, where the downstream unit receives the sensor signal or the processed sensor signal in order to further process it or react to it. This measurement chain or the transmitter itself is also referred to as a field device in connection with the present invention.

[0005] Analyzers or samplers, which are a special form of transmitter, are designed to ascertain values by means of digestion methods. Analyzers are used to analyze or examine samples, for example water samples. An analyzer comprises a housing, measurement electronics, one or more sample holders and a plurality of sensors for recording physical, chemical or biological parameters of the sample are arranged in the housing. These analyses are carried out as so-called "processes". Such processes consist of one or more process steps. In the case of the process of analyzing a sample, the process steps can be, for example, introducing the sample, forwarding the sample, measuring the sample, etc. Cleaning and calibration are also processes carried out on the analyzer or sampler.

[0006] Available analyzers or samplers today have a display unit that shows which process is currently being executed or when the next process will start if no process is currently in progress. If a process is already in progress, the user cannot see what will be processed next. This makes it difficult for the user to plan and execute further processes, such as maintenance tasks.

[0007] Modern devices are also capable of performing more complex and unscheduled tasks, e.g., due to measurement errors or external activation (e.g., via a fieldbus network). At the same time, the scheduled tasks also have very different intervals (e.g., a measurement is usually performed every two hours, while a calibration is usually performed every four days), which means that even an experienced user cannot always intuitively clearly know which process or process step will occur next, or exactly when it will be executed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Starting from this problem, the object of the present invention is to present a field device that allows for easier scheduling of processes.

[0009] This object is achieved by an automated field device having a display unit with a user interface or designed to make the user interface available to network participants via a communication connection, wherein the field device is designed to execute a plurality of different processes or perform a plurality of different process steps within such a process, the field device is designed to output, via the user interface, information about the current first process or first process step and information about at least one second process or second process step after the first process or first process step, wherein the information about the first process or first process step includes the name and / or description of the first process or process step, and a first indicator of the remaining first time period until the completion of the first process or first process step, and wherein the information about the second process or second process step includes the name and / or description of the second process or process step, and a second indicator of the remaining second time period until the execution of the second process or second process step.

[0010] According to the present invention, information about how much time is left for the current process or current process step and the length of time until the start of the next process step is thus provided to the user in a simple manner. Thus, it is ensured that the user knows what the device is currently doing and how, when, or if they must safely intervene.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the field device, it is provided that the first time period and / or the second time period is calculated based on one or more simulations. For this purpose, a knowledge base and / or a trained algorithm is assigned to the field device, which contains the associations between different applications, processes, or process steps and their average durations.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first time period and / or the second time period are calculated based on historical values. For this purpose, the field device has a database for the past real first and second time periods, which is accessed by an algorithm for calculating the first time period and / or the second time period. For example, the historical values contain information about the average duration of measurements in the past week. If simulations are also used for calculation purposes, the algorithm can use a combination of historical values and simulations. Thus, the results of the simulations can be improved. For example, if, for example, the sample supply line deteriorates and thus there is not always enough sample available to perform the measurement, the real historical values may deviate significantly from the simulated values.

[0013] Advantageously, it can be provided that the first information about the first process or the first process step includes a first symbol, and that the second information about the second process or the second process step includes a second symbol. For example, symbols, which are pictograms, are selected to match the corresponding process or process step and are visualized on the user interface.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device, it is provided that the first indicator is designed as an arc, where the arc increases or decreases in proportion to the progress of the first process or the first process step. Thus, the arc directly depends on the remaining first time period. For example, if the first process has just started, the arc is almost completely present or filled. As the remaining first time period decreases, the arc is increasingly reduced. The opposite can also be provided, such that as the first time period decreases, the arc is increasingly established.

[0015] It can be provided that the arc is arranged as the first indicator around the first symbol. This means that the user can immediately see which process or process step is currently being executed and how far the first process or the first process step has progressed.

[0016] An embodiment of the field device provides that the second indicator is designed as a bar, the length of which is proportional to the progress of the second time period. In particular, it is provided that as the second time period decreases, i.e., as the time until the start of the second process or the second process step decreases, the length of the bar decreases.

[0017] Advantageously, as the second indicator, the bar connects the first symbol to the second symbol. As the second time period decreases, the second symbol moves closer to the first symbol. Thus, the user can intuitively determine the time until the next process or process step.

[0018] Advantageously, the field device is designed to switch a first process or a first process step to a second process or a second process step after completion, such that the second process or the second process step becomes the current first process or process step. It can also be provided that information is displayed not for two processes but for three or more processes. For each of these processes, the current time period remaining until the corresponding process is then executed is accordingly visualized.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the field device, it is provided that the field device is an analyzer having measurement electronics, a sample holder, and a plurality of sensors for recording physical, chemical, or biological parameters of a sample. It can then further be provided that the process is one of the following:

[0020] - Recording physical, chemical, or biological parameters of a sample;

[0021] - Cleaning the sample holder and / or the sensors;

[0022] - Maintenance mode;

[0023] - Checking the measurement deviation of the field device to check for measurement deviation (also referred to as "reference sample check");

[0024] - Calibrating the analyzer.

[0025] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that other processes not listed here can also be used within the scope of the present invention, such as the "grab sample" process (measuring a sample from a beaker), which provides a manual confirmation step by the user.

[0026] Then, each of these processes contains at least one process step. To complete the process, all process steps of the process must be executed continuously. To calibrate the analyzer, the individual process steps can be, for example, performing one or more measurements and adjusting the analyzer based on a comparison between the measured value and a reference value.

[0027] Furthermore, this object is achieved by a system comprising a field device according to the invention and a network participant, wherein the field device and the network participant are connected to communicate via a communication network, and the field device is designed to make a user interface available to the network participant via a communication connection.

[0028] For example, the system can be designed such that the user interface runs as a first web server on a Linux system, which is connected to the backend via LVDS or Ethernet, whereby the user receives access to a second web server and thus receives access to the user interface via a second network participant.

[0029] For example, the system can also be designed such that a computing unit (e.g., a PC, laptop or mobile device, especially a smartphone or tablet) is provided as an additional network participant. The field device wirelessly (especially via Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi) sends information related to the user interface to the additional network participant, and then the additional network participant makes the user interface available to the user via a display unit.

[0030] For example, the system can also be designed such that a cloud-based platform is provided as a network participant on which one or more applications are executed. Such an application can be a digital twin of the field device. The field device sends data related to the user interface to its digital twin on the cloud-based platform via a communication connection (especially the Internet). The user can now access the digital twin with their computing unit (e.g., a PC or mobile device) and display the current user interface.

[0031] The network participant is, for example, a PC or a laptop computer, but can also be designed as another field device. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. In the figures:

[0033] Figure 1 : shows an embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 : shows a representation of the principle of the user interface when the first process or the first process step is running;

[0035] Figure 3 : shows a representation of the principle of the user interface when the first process or the first process step is inactive;

[0036] Figure 4 : shows a representation of the user interface of a first example application of the field device; and

[0037] Figure 5 : shows a representation of the user interface of a second example application of the field device. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0038] Figure 1An embodiment of a system according to the present invention is shown. The system includes a field device FG and a network participant, which is connected to communicate with the field device FG via a communication network KN. In this case, the field device FG is a so-called analyzer, which includes a plurality of sensors SE1, SE2 in a housing, and these sensors record physical or biological measurement values of a sample (such as a water or food sample). The second transmitter has a display unit AE, in particular a liquid crystal display or an LED display, which can display a user interface GUI of an operating procedure. For example, when a measurement process is executed, the individual sensors SE1, SE2 are visualized as sensor channels on the user interface. In particular, it is provided that each sensor channel is assigned its own separate display area on the display unit AE. The display of the sensor channels includes, for example, displaying the names of the sensors SE1, SE2 and their current measurement values.

[0039] The user interface GUI can alternatively (for example, if the field device FG does not have a display unit AE) or additionally be sent to the network participant NT, and the network participant NT then displays the user interface GUI. In this case, the network participant NT is, for example, a laptop or a mobile device, in particular a smart phone, a tablet or smart glasses, and the communication network KN is a wired network, such as an Ethernet network or a wireless network, in particular based on Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi.

[0040] According to the present invention, it is provided that the current first process and the second process after the first process are displayed in an abstract manner on the user interface GUI.

[0041] For this purpose, Figures 2 to 5 An embodiment of the user interface GUI is shown. Figure 2 A general representation of the user interface GUI is shown, where the first process is currently being executed, and where the second process is scheduled and intended to be executed subsequently. Figure 4 This example is concretized, and specific first and second processes are named, or specific information about the processes and their durations is given.

[0042] Figure 3 A general representation of the user interface GUI is shown, where currently no first process is being executed or scheduled, but where the second process is scheduled and intended to be executed after a specific period of time has elapsed. Figure 5 This example is concretized, and a specific second process is named, and specific information about the second process and the period of time until the second process is executed is given.

[0043] The following description of the user interface is for Figures 2 to 5All embodiments of the user interface GUI shown are generally valid. First information IN1 of a first process is displayed on the user interface GUI. The first information includes, for example, the name of the first process, its description, a first symbol SY1 of the first process, information about the remaining execution time of the first process, any process steps included in the first process, and a first indicator ID1.

[0044] The first indicator ID1 is designed as a circle or an arc, which is arranged on the user interface such that it encloses the first symbol SY1. The first indicator ID1 refers to the remaining first time period until the first process is completed. The first indicator ID1 is designed such that the degree to which the arc or the circumference is filled decreases proportionally as the first time period progresses and decreases. This means that the arc forms a complete circumference at the start of the first process and then gradually decreases and no longer exists at the end of the first process (i.e., when the first time period has elapsed). In Figure 4 the embodiment shown, it is also stipulated that the expired part of the arc is displayed in grey.

[0045] Furthermore, for a second process, second information IN1 is displayed on the user interface GUI. The second information includes, for example, the name of the second process, its description, a second symbol SY2 of the second process, information about the remaining time until the second process is executed, any process steps included in the second process, and a second indicator ID2.

[0046] The second indicator ID2 is designed as a bar, which is arranged on the user interface such that it connects the first symbol SY1 to the second symbol SY2. The second indicator ID2 refers to the remaining second time period until the second process is executed. The second indicator ID2 is designed such that the length of the bar decreases proportionally as the second time period decreases and brings the second symbol SY2 closer to the first symbol SY1. This means that the length of the bar and thus the distance from the second symbol SY2 to the first symbol SY1 is at its maximum at the start and then gradually decreases. In particular, it is stipulated that only the position of the second symbol SY2 on the user interface GUI changes, and the position of the first symbol SY1 on the user interface always remains the same.

[0047] After the second time period has elapsed, the second symbol SY2 replaces the first symbol SY1. Then the method can be repeated accordingly. It can also be stipulated to represent more than two processes in this way.

[0048] The user interface GUI receives process-related information IN1, IN2 from the computing unit of the field device FG. In particular, regarding the first time period and the second time period, it can be stipulated that the field device FG simulates these time periods and / or calculates them specifically based on its own historical values.

[0049] According to the present invention, information about how much time is left for the current process or the current process step and the length of time until the start of the next process step is thus provided to the user in a simple manner. Thereby, it is ensured that the user knows what the device is currently doing and how, when or when they must safely intervene.

[0050] List of reference signs

[0051] AE display unit

[0052] FG automation field device

[0053] GUI user interface

[0054] ID1 First indicator

[0055] ID2 Second indicator

[0056] IN1 First information

[0057] IN2 Second information

[0058] KN communication network

[0059] NT network participant

[0060] SE1, SE2 Sensors

[0061] SY1, SY2 Symbols

Claims

1. An automation field device (FG), which has a display unit (AE) with a user interface (GUI) or is designed to make the user interface (GUI) available to a network participant (NT) via a communication connection, wherein: The field device (FG) is designed to execute a plurality of different processes or to execute a plurality of different process steps within the process, wherein the field device (FG) is designed to output, via the user interface (GUI), first information (IN1) about a current first process or a first process step and second information (IN2) about at least one second process or a second process step after the first process or the first process step, wherein the first information (IN1) includes a name and / or a description of the first process or the process step, and a first indicator (ID1) of a remaining first time period until the first process or the first process step is completed, and wherein the second information (IN2) includes a name and / or a description of the second process or the process step, and a second indicator (ID2) of a remaining second time period until the second process or the process step is executed.

2. The field device according to claim 1, wherein: The first time period and / or the second time period are calculated based on one or more simulations.

3. A field device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first time period and / or the second time period are calculated based on historical values.

4. The field device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first information (IN1) comprises a first symbol (SY1), and wherein the second information (IN2) comprises a second symbol (SY2).

5. The field device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first indicator (ID1) is designed as a circular arc, wherein the circular arc increases or decreases in proportion to the progress of the first process or first process step.

6. Field device according to claims 4 and 5, wherein The circular arc is arranged to surround a first indicator (ID1) of the first symbol.

7. The field device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The second indicator (ID2) is designed as a bar, the length of which is proportional to the progress of the second process or second process step.

8. The field device according to claim 4 and 7, wherein: As a second indicator (ID2), the bar connects the first symbol (SY1) to the second symbol (SY2).

9. The field device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The field device (FG) is designed to switch the first process or first process step to the second process or second process step after completion, so that the second process or second process step becomes the current first process or process step.

10. The field device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The field device (FG) is an analyzer having measurement electronics, a sample holder and a plurality of sensors for recording physical, chemical or biological parameters of the sample.

11. The field device according to claim 10, wherein: The process is one of the following: - recording the physical, chemical or biological parameters of the sample; - Clean the sample holder and / or sensor; - Maintenance mode; - Check measurement deviation; -Calibrate the analyzer.

12. A system comprising a field device (FG) and a network participant (NT) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The field device (FG) and the network participant (NT) are connected for communication via a communication network (KN), wherein the field device (FG) is designed to make the user interface (GUI) available to the network participant (NT) via the communication connection.

Images