Device controller, device equipped with such device controller, and device control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device control unit (2), comprising: at least one control device (5) for at least one automation component (3, 4) of a device (1); and at least one mobile terminal (7) for communicating with the at least one control device (5). The invention further relates to a corresponding device control method and to a device (1) having at least one automation component (3, 4) and such a device controller (2).

Description

Equipment controller, equipment equipped with such equipment controller, and equipment control method Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device controller, a device equipped with such a device controller, and a device control method. Background Technology

[0002] Such equipment (especially industrial equipment) is known in the prior art. These devices typically have equipment controllers and corresponding equipment control methods. Generally, these devices include automated components, such as entire machines or individual machine parts, controlled by a central control unit (e.g., a programmable logic controller). Furthermore, fixed operating terminals are usually provided, which communicate with the control unit using signal technology, allowing users to control and monitor the equipment through these fixed terminals. In large equipment with multiple equipment areas and automated components, controlling and / or monitoring the equipment through a single fixed operating terminal can be very confusing for users. Furthermore, erroneous inputs may occur that users cannot inspect or detect on-site. Therefore, in such large equipment, multiple fixed operating terminals are currently used, located near each equipment area or automated component. The disadvantage here is that multiple fixed operating terminals equipped with all functions make equipment control very complex and costly overall. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a device controller that is economical and efficient, and enables simple, flexible, and safe operation of the device. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a device having this device controller and a device control method having the same advantages.

[0004] The above-mentioned objectives are achieved by the device controller according to claim 1, the device according to claim 11, and the device control method according to claim 12. Advantageous further designs are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the present invention, the equipment controller includes at least one control device for at least one automated component of the equipment and at least one mobile terminal for communicating with the at least one control device. Preferably, the equipment controller has multiple such control devices and / or multiple such mobile terminals.

[0006] For the purposes of this invention, communication can be understood as either bidirectional communication between corresponding components or unidirectional communication between them in any direction. For communication between at least one mobile terminal and at least one control device, both wireless and physical or wired signal transmission devices can be used.

[0007] By using at least one mobile terminal, it is no longer necessary to set up fixed operating terminals near each equipment area or each automated component. Specifically, users can carry at least one mobile terminal and move freely relative to the equipment, directly controlling and monitoring various automated components on-site. Ultimately, this reduces equipment control costs. Furthermore, it enables users to operate the equipment simply, flexibly, and safely.

[0008] Advantageously, the device controller has at least one positioning device, wherein at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device are designed to be connected using signal technology for locating the position of at least one mobile terminal relative to the device. Preferably, the device controller has multiple such positioning devices.

[0009] In the context of this invention, "signal technology connection" should be interpreted broadly. Therefore, all solutions capable of achieving bidirectional signal transmission or unidirectional signal transmission in any direction between corresponding components are considered. Both wireless and physical / wired connections can be used.

[0010] At least one positioning device can locate the position of at least one mobile terminal relative to equipment, equipment area, or automated component. This ensures that a user carrying at least one mobile terminal is near a specific equipment area or an automated component to be controlled and / or monitored. Furthermore, the user can be provided with targeted information and operational functions related to the corresponding equipment area or automated component on the at least one mobile terminal. This improves safety and allows the user to easily operate the equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one positioning device is designed separately from the at least one control device.

[0011] Furthermore, the signal technology connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device is a detachable physical connection. Preferably, the detachable physical connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device is a detachable wired connection and / or a detachable USB connection.

[0012] This physical connection enables highly precise location tracking of at least one mobile terminal. Furthermore, it ensures secure signal transmission between at least one positioning device and at least one mobile terminal. Additionally, this physical connection provides high bandwidth for data transmission between the two devices. USB connectivity offers a particularly simple, universal, and cost-effective solution because USB technology is mature and widely used in mobile terminals.

[0013] In an advantageous further design, at least one positioning device or at least one mobile terminal has a signal technology port for signal technology connection between the at least one positioning device and the at least one mobile terminal. The at least one positioning device and the at least one mobile terminal may each include such a signal technology port. Preferably, the signal technology port is a USB port.

[0014] Preferably, at least one positioning device has a memory containing location information that can be accessed by at least one mobile terminal for locating the position of at least one mobile terminal. The memory is preferably a USB device. Particularly preferably, the memory is a USB flash drive or a microcontroller with a USB interface.

[0015] Utilizing retrievable location information is a simple and secure method for locating the position of at least one mobile terminal. The location information is preferably stored in encoded form on memory. Furthermore, the location information can be easily adjusted and updated via memory. Another advantage is that the mobile terminal can retrieve large amounts of data from at least one positioning device via memory. In addition to location information, at least one mobile terminal can also read other information related to controlling and / or monitoring devices from memory. USB devices (such as USB flash drives or microcontrollers with USB interfaces) provide a particularly simple, versatile, and cost-effective solution because USB technology is mature and widely used. Moreover, using a microcontroller allows access to the memory via a web browser without the need for special software.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one positioning device has a housing to protect the memory.

[0017] This enclosure, in particular, ensures that unauthorized access to the memory cannot be prevented. This prevents tampering with the memory or the information stored on it. This enhances the security of device control. Furthermore, the enclosure protects the memory from damage.

[0018] Preferably, at least one control device is connected to at least one positioning device using signal technology, wherein the at least one positioning device is configured such that when the at least one positioning device is connected to at least one mobile terminal using signal technology, the at least one control device is also connected to at least one mobile terminal using signal technology. The signal technology connection between the at least one control device and the at least one positioning device is preferably a physical connection, wherein the physical connection between the at least one control device and the at least one positioning device is preferably a wired connection and / or an Ethernet connection. Advantageously, at least one positioning device is designed such that when the at least one positioning device is connected to at least one mobile terminal using signal technology, the at least one control device is connected to at least one mobile terminal via the at least one positioning device using signal technology.

[0019] This design allows for a simultaneous signal technology connection between at least one positioning device and at least one mobile terminal, as well as between at least one control device and at least one mobile terminal. Therefore, communication can be achieved without establishing a further signal technology connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one control device. This simplifies the design of device control. Furthermore, the physical connection provides high bandwidth for data transmission between the two devices. Ethernet connections can span exceptionally long distances with high bandwidth. Ethernet technology is widely used, offering a cost-effective and convenient solution for signal technology connections. If the signal technology connection between at least one control device and at least one positioning device is an Ethernet connection, while the signal technology connection between at least one positioning device and at least one mobile terminal is a detachable USB connection, then at least one positioning device can, for example, have an Ethernet-USB adapter to establish the signal technology connection between at least one control device and at least one mobile terminal. Another security advantage is that if the signal technology connection between at least one positioning device and at least one mobile terminal is interrupted, the signal technology connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one control device will also be interrupted, and data exchange will cease.

[0020] Advantageously, the equipment controller has at least one operating unit for communicating with at least one control device. Preferably, the at least one operating unit is fixed. Preferably, the equipment controller has multiple such operating units.

[0021] The equipment controller provides another possibility for communicating with at least one control device through at least one operating unit. If the at least one operating unit is fixed in design, it can be located specifically near a certain equipment area, or near the corresponding automated component to be controlled and / or monitored. This allows the user to, for example, directly influence the operation of the equipment or display information on-site. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one operating unit is designed separately from the at least one control device.

[0022] Furthermore, at least one operating unit has a control device, wherein at least one control device is designed to execute functions for controlling the device, invoked by at least one mobile terminal, only when the control device is operated. The control device is preferably a button.

[0023] This further enhances the safety of operating the equipment. Because a further confirmation signal from the operating device is required before a function invoked by at least one mobile terminal (e.g., a control command) can be executed. In particular, if at least one operating unit is located in the field near the corresponding equipment area or the corresponding automated component to be controlled, it ensures that the user is directly nearby and can monitor the equipment's operation.

[0024] Preferably, at least one control device is designed such that when the operating device is no longer operated, the invoked function for controlling the device stops executing.

[0025] This ensures that the user is always on-site while at least one control device is performing the invoked function and can monitor the corresponding behavior of the equipment.

[0026] Advantageously, at least one operating unit has an emergency stop device, wherein the emergency stop device is preferably an emergency stop switch or an emergency stop button.

[0027] Emergency stop devices allow users to stop equipment or corresponding automated components at any time. This improves safety.

[0028] Preferably, at least one operating unit includes at least one positioning device.

[0029] This simplifies the design of device control. Furthermore, after a user connects at least one positioning device to at least one mobile terminal using signal technology (particularly via a physical connection), the user can directly access at least one operating unit.

[0030] According to the invention, the device includes at least one automated component and a device controller as described above. Preferably, the device has multiple such automated components. Preferably, the device is industrial equipment. The advantages of the features of the device controller described above apply accordingly to this device.

[0031] According to the present invention, a device control method preferably used for the above-mentioned device controller is also provided, wherein the device control method includes the following steps: providing at least one mobile terminal for communicating with at least one control device of the device controller, wherein the at least one control device is configured for at least one automation component of the device.

[0032] By providing at least one mobile terminal, users can operate the device cost-effectively. Furthermore, operation of the device can be flexible, secure, and convenient.

[0033] Preferably, the device control method includes the following steps: positioning at least one mobile terminal relative to the device using at least one positioning device of the device controller.

[0034] This makes it possible to operate the equipment in a particularly safe and convenient way.

[0035] Preferably, in order to locate the position of at least one mobile terminal, the at least one mobile terminal is connected to at least one positioning device using signal technology. More preferably, the at least one positioning device is connected to the at least one mobile terminal using signal technology, and at least one control device is also connected to the at least one mobile terminal using signal technology. More advantageously, the at least one positioning device is connected to the at least one mobile terminal using signal technology, and at least one control device is also connected to the at least one mobile terminal using signal technology via the at least one positioning device.

[0036] A simple and safe device control method is provided by simultaneously connecting at least one positioning device with at least one mobile terminal and at least one control device with at least one mobile terminal using signal technology.

[0037] Preferably, in order to achieve a signal technology connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device, at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device are physically connected. Preferably, in order to achieve a physical connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device, at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device are connected via cable and / or USB connection.

[0038] Through this physical connection, at least one mobile terminal communicates with at least one positioning device at high bandwidth. Furthermore, a particularly reliable signal connection is established between the two components.

[0039] Advantageously, in order to locate the position of at least one mobile terminal, the at least one mobile terminal calls upon and processes the location information stored in the memory of at least one positioning device. This memory is preferably a USB device. Particularly preferably, the memory is a USB flash drive or a microcontroller with a USB interface.

[0040] Retrieving location information from memory and having it processed by at least one mobile terminal provides a particularly simple and secure solution for locating the position of at least one mobile terminal.

[0041] Preferably, the device control method includes the following steps: displaying information related to the location of at least one mobile terminal, and / or enabling at least one function related to the location of at least one mobile terminal, so as to control and / or monitor the device on at least one mobile terminal; preferably, when the signal technology connection between at least one mobile terminal and at least one positioning device is interrupted, deleting the information and / or disabling at least one function for controlling and / or monitoring the device on at least one mobile terminal.

[0042] This allows for targeted display of location-related information to users, or the enabling of control and / or monitoring functions, only when necessary. This simplifies operation and improves security.

[0043] The device control method preferably includes the following steps: at least one mobile terminal invokes a function for controlling the device; the control device of at least one operating unit of the device controller is manipulated, wherein the at least one operating unit is configured to communicate with at least one control device; and, the at least one control device executes the function for controlling the device invoked by the at least one mobile terminal only when the control device is manipulated, wherein the at least one operating unit is preferably designed to be fixed.

[0044] Therefore, in order to execute a function invoked on at least one mobile terminal, a further confirmation signal triggered by the operating device is always required. This enables the device to be operated in a particularly secure manner.

[0045] In an advantageous further design, the device control method includes the following steps: when the operating device is no longer operated, at least one control device stops performing the invoked function for controlling the device.

[0046] In summary, this invention provides an economical and efficient equipment controller that enables flexible, convenient, and safe operation of equipment. Both the equipment and the equipment control method of this invention share the same advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described schematically below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 illustrates a device with a device controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 illustrates the functional design of the positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 is a front view of a fixing operation unit with a positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0051] Figure 4 illustrates a device with a device controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The same components in different implementations are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0053] Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 with a device controller 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 1 is designed as an industrial device. In this embodiment, device 1 has a first automation component 3 and a second automation component 4. Automation components 3 and 4 are, for example, industrial machines for conveying and / or processing workpieces to be manufactured. However, automation components 3 and 4 may also be individual machine parts of the respective machines. Of course, device 1 may also have more than two automation components.

[0054] The equipment controller 2 has a central control unit 5, which is connected to two automation components 3 and 4 via Ethernet cable 6 using signal technology. The control unit 5 is, for example, a programmable logic controller.

[0055] To control and / or monitor device 1 and / or the two automated components 3 and 4, device controller 2 has a mobile terminal 7. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 7 is designed to communicate with control device 5. In this example, mobile terminal 7 is a toughbook. However, it is also possible to use a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. If needed, device controller 2 may also have multiple such mobile terminals 7.

[0056] Furthermore, the device controller 2 also includes a first fixed operation unit 8 and a second fixed operation unit 9, respectively assigned to automation components 3 and 4, for communicating with the control device 5. Therefore, the first fixed operation unit 8 is assigned to the first automation component 3 and positioned accordingly. The second fixed operation unit 9 is assigned to the second automation component 4 and positioned accordingly. Both fixed operation units 8 and 9 are connected to the control device 5 via Ethernet cables 10 and 11 using signal technology.

[0057] Furthermore, the device controller 2 also has a first positioning device 12 and a second positioning device 13 for locating the position of the mobile terminal 7 relative to the device 1. Similar to the fixed operating units 8 and 9, the two positioning devices 12 and 13 are also assigned to the automation components 3 and 4, respectively. Therefore, the first positioning device 12 is located near the first automation component 3, and the second positioning device 13 is located near the second automation component 4. In this example, the first fixed operating unit 8 includes the first positioning device 12. Therefore, the first positioning device 12 is connected to the control device 5 via Ethernet cable 10 using signal technology. The second fixed operating unit 9 includes the second positioning device 13. Therefore, the second positioning device 13 is connected to the control device 5 via Ethernet cable 11 using signal technology.

[0058] Figure 2 illustrates, exemplarily, the functional design of a positioning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. A first positioning device 12 and a second positioning device 13 are designed accordingly. For clarity, only the first positioning device 12 will be referred to below. However, these descriptions apply accordingly to the second positioning device 13.

[0059] The first positioning device 12 includes a housing 14, a memory 15, and an Ethernet-USB adapter 16. The memory 15 and the Ethernet-USB adapter 16 are disposed inside the housing 14. An Ethernet cable 10 is connected to the Ethernet-USB adapter 16, thereby enabling the first positioning device 12 to connect to the control device 5 using signal technology.

[0060] The first positioning device 12 is also designed to connect to the mobile terminal 7 using signal technology. For this purpose, the first positioning device 12 has a port in the form of a USB port 17. The USB port 17 is connected to the Ethernet-USB adapter 16 via a USB cable 18. Furthermore, the memory 15 is a USB device and is connected to the Ethernet-USB adapter 16 via a USB cable 19. Therefore, the memory 15 can be accessed through the USB port 17. A signal technology connection from the control device 5 to the USB port 17 is also achieved through the Ethernet-USB adapter 16. Thus, when the mobile terminal 7 connects to the first positioning device 12 via the USB port 17 using signal technology, a signal technology connection is simultaneously established between the mobile terminal 7 and the control device 5 through the first positioning device 12. This signal technology connection enables communication between the mobile terminal 7 and the control device 5.

[0061] In this embodiment, the memory 15 is designed as a USB flash drive. However, the memory 15 can also be designed as a microcontroller with a USB interface. In one embodiment, the microcontroller, in addition to a processor, includes at least one volatile and / or non-volatile memory unit to fulfill the corresponding storage function. Location information is stored in the memory 15, which can be retrieved to locate the position of the mobile terminal 7. In addition to the location information, other information for controlling and / or monitoring the device 1 or the automation component 3 can also be stored in the memory 15.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a front view of a fixed operating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fixed operating units 8 and 9 are designed accordingly. For ease of explanation, only the first fixed operating unit 8 will be mentioned below. However, these descriptions apply accordingly to the second fixed operating unit 9.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the first fixed operating unit 8 is designed as a fixed control tower. Here, the first positioning device 12 is located in the upper region of the first fixed operating unit 8. The housing 14 of the first positioning device 12 has an openable flip cover 20 on its side, and the USB port 17 is located below the flip cover. Furthermore, the first fixed operating unit 8 also has multiple operating devices 21 and an emergency stop device 22. In this embodiment, a total of four operating devices 21 are provided, all of which are designed as buttons. The emergency stop device 22 is designed as an emergency stop switch. However, the emergency stop device could also be designed as an emergency stop button, for example. In this case, both the emergency stop device 22 and the operating devices 21 are located on the housing 14 of the first positioning device 12. In addition, the first fixed operating unit 8 also includes a storage compartment 23 for the mobile terminal 7.

[0064] The following describes how the device controller 2 can be used. As can be seen in Figure 1, a user might want to control and / or monitor the first automated component 3 first. To do this, the user connects the mobile terminal 7 to the first positioning device 12 using signal technology. To connect the mobile terminal 7 to the first positioning device 12 using signal technology, the user can use, for example, a USB cable 24. The USB cable 24 connects to the USB port 17 of the first positioning device 12 and the corresponding USB port on the mobile terminal 7. Alternatively, a magnetic connector can be used for the USB connection, which provides basic protection against unauthorized access to the device controller 2.

[0065] The mobile terminal 7 is connected to the first positioning device 12 using signal technology, while a signal connection is established between the control device 5 and the mobile terminal 7. In this way, a high-bandwidth communication channel is provided between the mobile terminal 7 and the first positioning device 12 through the use of signal technology.

[0066] The positioning process is triggered when the mobile terminal 7 connects to the first positioning device 12 via signal technology. Software installed on the mobile terminal 7 recognizes the connection between the mobile terminal 7 and the memory 15 via signal technology. The mobile terminal 7 then retrieves and evaluates the location information from the memory 15, thereby determining its position relative to the device 1. The memory 15 also contains information in the form of link targets for communication with the control device 5, which is also retrieved and processed by the mobile terminal 7. If the memory 15 is designed as a microcontroller, the mobile terminal 7 can also access it via a web browser.

[0067] By locating the mobile terminal 7, its position near the first automated component 3 can be determined. Accordingly, after location is established, relevant information, such as the type of the first automated component 3 and its key performance indicators, will be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 7. Furthermore, based on the location, functions for controlling and / or monitoring the first automated component 3 will be enabled on the mobile terminal 7. For example, various functions may be optionally displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 7. The user can then access these various functions for controlling and / or monitoring the first automated component 3 through the mobile terminal 7.

[0068] To ensure that the function invoked by the mobile terminal 7 for controlling the first automated component 3 is actually executed, the device controller 2 according to the invention provides a further safeguard. Specifically, the control device 5 is designed such that the control function invoked on the mobile terminal 7 can only be executed when one of the operating devices 21 of the first fixed operating unit 8 is operated. This ensures that the user is present and able to monitor the process while controlling the first automated component 3. In short, the user thus invokes the control function on the mobile terminal 7 and then operates the corresponding operating device 21, thereby the control device 5 executes the function and controls the first automated component 3 accordingly. Once the user stops operating the corresponding operating device 21, the control device 5 stops executing the invoked function. If necessary, the user can stop the device 1 or the automated component 3 at any time via the emergency stop device 22.

[0069] After a user has finished operating the first automated component 3, for example, they may subsequently wish to continue operating the second automated component 4. To do this, the user disconnects the signal technology connection between the mobile terminal 7 and the first positioning device 12. This is recognized by the mobile terminal 7, and the displayed information about the first automated component 3 is deleted from the screen of the mobile terminal 7. Furthermore, any functions used to control and / or monitor the first automated component 3 are disabled. The user can then use signal technology to connect the mobile terminal 7 to the second positioning device 13 to control and / or monitor the second automated component 4. The above description regarding the combined use of the first automated component 3 with the control device 5, the first fixed operation unit 8, and the first positioning device 12 is correspondingly applicable to the case where the second automated component 4 is used with the control device 5, the second fixed operation unit 9, and the second positioning device 13.

[0070] Figure 4 shows a device 1 with a device controller 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Instead of a central control device 5, each automation component 3 and 4 has its own control device 5. The above description of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 applies accordingly to the second embodiment.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the numerals “first” and “second” used do not specify a desired order, but are only used to conceptually distinguish similar features and elements in this invention.

[0072] List of reference numerals

[0073] 1 device

[0074] 2. Device Controller

[0075] 3 First Automation Component

[0076] 4. Second Automation Component

[0077] 5 Control devices

[0078] 6 Ethernet cables

[0079] 7 mobile terminals

[0080] 8 First Fixed Operation Unit

[0081] 9 Second fixed operating unit

[0082] 10 Ethernet cables

[0083] 11 Ethernet cable

[0084] 12 First Positioning Device

[0085] 13 Second positioning device

[0086] 14 shell

[0087] 15 Memory

[0088] 16 Ethernet-USB-Adapter

[0089] 17 USB ports

[0090] 18 USB cable

[0091] 19 USB cables

[0092] 20 Flip

[0093] 21 Control Device

[0094] 22 Emergency Stop Device

[0095] 23 storage compartments

[0096] 24 USB cable.

Claims

1. A device controller (2), comprising: At least one control device (5) for at least one automated component (3, 4) of the device (1); and at least one mobile terminal (7) for communicating with the at least one control device (5).

2. The device controller (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The device controller (2) has at least one positioning device (12, 13), wherein the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) are designed to be connected using signal technology for locating the position of the at least one mobile terminal (7) relative to the device (1).

3. The device controller (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The signal technology connection between the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is a detachable physical connection, wherein the detachable physical connection between the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is preferably a detachable wired connection and / or a detachable USB connection.

4. The device controller (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The at least one positioning device (12, 13) has a memory (15), wherein the memory (15) has location information that can be called by the at least one mobile terminal (7) for locating the position of the at least one mobile terminal (7), wherein the memory (15) is preferably a USB device, particularly preferably a USB flash drive or a microcontroller with a USB interface.

5. The device controller (2) according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one positioning device (12, 13) has a housing (14) for protecting the memory (15).

6. The device controller (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The at least one control device (5) is connected to the at least one positioning device (12, 13) using signal technology, and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is designed such that when the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is connected to the at least one mobile terminal (7) using signal technology, the at least one control device (5) is also connected to the at least one mobile terminal (7) using signal technology. The signal technology connection between the at least one control device (5) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is preferably a physical connection. The physical connection between the at least one control device (5) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is preferably a wired connection and / or an Ethernet connection.

7. The device controller (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The device controller (2) has at least one operating unit (8, 9) for communicating with the at least one control device (5), wherein the at least one operating unit (8, 9) is preferably designed to be fixed.

8. The device controller (2) according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one operating unit (8, 9) has a control device (21), wherein the at least one control device (5) is designed to be a function for controlling the device (1) called by the at least one mobile terminal (7), which can only be executed when the control device (21) is manipulated, wherein the control device (21) is preferably a button.

9. The device controller (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The at least one operating unit (8, 9) has an emergency stop device (22), wherein the emergency stop device (22) is preferably an emergency stop switch or an emergency stop button.

10. The device controller (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least claims 2 and 7, wherein, The at least one operating unit (8, 9) includes the at least one positioning device (12, 13).

11. A device (1) comprising at least one automation component (3, 4) and a device controller (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A device control method preferably used for a device controller (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The device control method includes the following steps: providing at least one mobile terminal (7) for communicating with at least one control device (5) of the device controller (2), wherein the at least one control device (5) is configured for at least one automation component (3, 4) of the device (1).

13. The equipment control method according to claim 12, wherein, The device control method includes the following steps: positioning the position of at least one mobile terminal (7) relative to the device (1) by at least one positioning device (12, 13) of the device controller (2).

14. The equipment control method according to claim 13, wherein, In order to locate the position of the at least one mobile terminal (7), the at least one mobile terminal (7) is connected to the at least one positioning device (12, 13) using signal technology; wherein preferably, the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is connected to the at least one mobile terminal (7) using signal technology, and the at least one control device (5) is also connected to the at least one mobile terminal (7) using signal technology.

15. The equipment control method according to claim 14, wherein, In order to enable the at least one mobile terminal (7) to connect with the at least one positioning device (12, 13) via signal technology, the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) are physically connected; wherein preferably, in order to enable the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) to connect physically, the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) are connected via cable and / or USB connection.

16. The equipment control method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, In order to locate the position of the at least one mobile terminal (7), the at least one mobile terminal (7) calls the location information in the memory (15) of the at least one positioning device (12, 13) and processes the location information, wherein the memory (15) is preferably a USB device, particularly preferably a USB flash drive or a microcontroller with a USB interface.

17. The equipment control method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein, The device control method includes the following steps: displaying information related to the location of the at least one mobile terminal (7), and / or enabling at least one function related to the location of the at least one mobile terminal (7) to control and / or monitor the device (1) on the at least one mobile terminal (7); preferably, when the signal technology connection between the at least one mobile terminal (7) and the at least one positioning device (12, 13) is interrupted, deleting the information on the at least one mobile terminal (7) and / or disabling at least one function for controlling and / or monitoring the device (1).

18. The equipment control method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein, The device control method includes the following steps: calling a function for controlling the device (1) via the at least one mobile terminal (7); manipulating the operating device (21) of at least one operating unit (8, 9) of the device controller (2), wherein the at least one operating unit (8, 9) is configured to communicate with the at least one control device (5); and executing the function for controlling the device (1) called by the at least one mobile terminal (7) via the at least one control device (5) only when the operating device (21) is manipulated, wherein the at least one operating unit (8, 9) is preferably fixedly designed.

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