Computer-implemented method for selecting a field device for automation technology from a large number of proposals

Abstract

The invention comprises a computer-implemented method for selecting a field device (FG1, FG2) for automation technology from a plurality of proposals (Vo1), in particular for the purpose of designing and / or ordering the field device (FG1, FG2), wherein a plurality of filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) are provided to reduce the number of proposals (Vo1), each of the filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) relating to application information, a field device type, a property of the field device (FG1, FG2) and / or a property of a subcomponent, in particular at least one sensor unit, at least one transmitter, a fitting unit, a housing, at least one communication interface and / or at least one cable, of a field device (FG1, FG2), comprising: - Calculate, for each filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3), a current number of suggestions (Vo2, VO3) to which the multitude of suggestions (Vo1) would be reduced after applying the corresponding filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3), and display the respective number; - Prioritizing all filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) according to their respective number, in particular where the priority increases with increasing number; and - Prompts to a user asking whether the highest priority filter should be applied, as well as a computer program product.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for selecting a field device for automation technology from a plurality of proposals, particularly for the purpose of designing and / or ordering the field device, wherein a plurality of filters are provided for reducing the number of proposals, each of which relates to application information, a field device type, a property of the field device and / or a property of a subcomponent, in particular at least one sensor unit, at least one transmitter, a fitting unit, a housing, at least one communication interface and / or at least one cable, of a field device. The invention further relates to a computer program product.

[0002] Field devices are already known from the state of the art and are used in industrial plants. They are widely employed in process automation as well as in manufacturing automation. In principle, field devices are defined as all devices used close to the process that provide or process process-relevant information. Thus, field devices are used to acquire and / or influence process variables. Measuring instruments or sensors are used to acquire process variables. These are used, for example, for measuring pressure and temperature, conductivity, flow rate, pH, level, etc., and acquire the corresponding process variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, and flow rate. Actuators are used to influence process variables.These include, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the fill level in a container. In addition to the aforementioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I / Os, radio adapters, and generally any devices located at the field level.

[0003] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0004] In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually connected via communication networks such as fieldbuses (Profibus). ® Foundation ® Fieldbus, HART ®, etc.) are connected to higher-level units. These higher-level units are typically control systems (DCS) or control units, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller). The higher-level units are used, among other things, for process control, process visualization, process monitoring, and commissioning of the field devices. The measured values ​​acquired by the field devices, especially sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit(s). Data transmission from the higher-level unit to the field devices via the bus system is also necessary, particularly for configuring and parameterizing field devices and for controlling actuators.

[0005] The complexity of systems in process automation is constantly increasing. More and more system components and field devices are being interconnected to form measuring points. Measuring points can consist of a single field device, such as a flow meter, or be composed of several products. The field devices themselves are also increasing in complexity and software options (especially ordering options and / or activation codes for functions). This means that field devices often consist of a multitude of subcomponents.

[0006] For example, a measuring point intended for pH measurement consists of one or more sensors installed in a fitting. A cable runs to each sensor, which, depending on the application and fitting, must have a certain minimum length to connect the sensors to a transmitter. A calibration or storage solution is required for each sensor.

[0007] All of this leads to the customer having a large number of combinations and options available, which can quickly become very confusing.

[0008] It is common practice in today's online shops to restrict a set of available products based on predefined attributes. For example, an electronics store might display all televisions with a satellite connection to the customer. These can then be further refined. Similar concepts exist in process automation, where, for instance, a measurement method (such as Coriolis) is first selected, and the resulting set of results is further reduced based on a desired measurement accuracy or an attribute (such as "explosion protection").

[0009] The problem with these concepts, however, is that such filters are always applied equally to the result set. A user has a multitude of filter options without any assessment of the strength of the resulting restriction.

[0010] Based on this problem, the invention aims to present a method that simplifies the selection of a suitable field device during an ordering process.

[0011] The task is solved by a computer-implemented method which serves to select a field device for automation technology from a large number of proposals, in particular for the purpose of designing and / or ordering the field device, wherein a large number of filters are provided to reduce the number of proposals, wherein each of the filters relates to application information, a field device type, a property of the field device and / or a property of a subcomponent, in particular at least one sensor unit, at least one transmitter, a fitting unit, a housing, at least one communication interface and / or at least one cable, of a field device, comprising: - Calculate, for each filter, a current number of suggestions to which the multitude of suggestions would be reduced after applying the corresponding filter, and display the respective number; - Prioritizing all filters according to their respective number, in particular where the priority increases with increasing number; and - Prompts to a user asking whether the highest priority filter should be applied.

[0012] The method according to the invention enables prioritized filtering of products. The user is shown how much selecting a filter would restrict the result set. The user is presented with the filter that would produce the strongest restriction of the result set. This greatly simplifies the user's selection of a field device, as the available options are quickly reduced to a manageable number of relevant results.

[0013] Field devices which are mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention have already been listed by way of example in the introductory part of the description.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the procedure, if the highest-priority filter is not to be applied, the user is prompted to apply the next highest-priority filter. This prompt continues until the user confirms its application or no further filters of the next highest priority are available. It is possible that the highest-priority filter would restrict the result set in a way that is not useful to the user. For example, restricting the results to a specific flow measurement principle (e.g., Coriolis instead of magnetic-inductive) would significantly reduce the number of results. The user may not want to commit to a specific flow measurement principle, whereas the next highest-priority filter (e.g., a material, such as "316L") is more important to them.The user can accept or reject suggestions from prioritized filters as desired.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the procedure, it is provided that if the highest priority filter, or the corresponding next-highest priority filter, is to be applied, the multitude of proposals will be reduced to a smaller number of proposals in accordance with the highest priority filter, or the corresponding next-highest priority filter.

[0016] Specifically, the process is designed to be repeated from the calculation step onwards for the reduced set of suggestions, and in particular, until no filters remain. After accepting or rejecting the suggested filters, or a large portion of them, the user receives a customized, relevant results list of field devices or options.

[0017] One embodiment of the procedure provides that if the user applies non-suggested filters and the reduced set of suggestions is zero, a calculation is performed for each of the applied filters to determine whether removing the respective applied filter increases the reduced set of suggestions to greater than or equal to 1, with those filters to which this condition applies being prioritized, and the user being asked whether one or more of the prioritized filters should be removed.

[0018] A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, if the user applies non-suggested filters and the reduced set of suggestions is zero, the user is prompted for one or more preference filters, and the system calculates and displays to the user those filters which must be removed when preference filters are applied so that the result set increases to greater than or equal to 1. In particular, it is provided that if no filter is found which must be removed when preference filters are applied so that the result set increases to greater than or equal to 1, the user is given a notification to refrain from applying one or more preference filters.

[0019] The user is not bound by the suggested filters and can add further filters as desired. However, if such a combination yields no results, the user is offered the option to deselect one or more filters in order to obtain a non-empty result set. Additionally or alternatively, the user can specify which of the selected options (properties, application information, etc.) is essential (preference filter). The user is then shown which preference filters they would have to remove, contrary to their preferences, in order to obtain a result set and thus at least one selectable field device.

[0020] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed on a computer device, cause the computer device to execute the method according to the invention.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figure. It shows Fig. 1: an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of measuring point MS in plant A of the process automation system. Measuring point MS is currently in the planning phase and is intended to be part of plant A. During the planning phase, the planning personnel define specific requirements for measuring point MS, which are then used to design the measuring point. For example, it is specified that measuring point MS relates to an application in which a measuring medium is provided, the chemical and physical properties of which are to be checked.

[0023] The field devices FG1 and FG2 are designed according to the requirements and receive a specific configuration and parameterization during the ordering process to fulfill the measurement tasks. After production and delivery of the field devices FG1 and FG2, they are installed at the measuring point and commissioned.

[0024] Each of the field devices FG1 and FG2 should communicate with a higher-level PLC via a 4-20 mA current loop or, alternatively, a fieldbus. The PLC queries the measured values ​​of the field devices FG1 and FG2 and transmits them to the control center (LS) of the plant via another network segment. The entirety of all network segments (the 4-20 mA current loops or the fieldbus, and the other network segment) is referred to below as the communication network (CN).

[0025] The method according to the invention deals with the aspect of the design of the measuring point: The field device FG1, as the first component KO1, is intended to determine the pH value of a measuring medium. The field device FG1 has a field device type, several properties, and several subcomponents. These subcomponents are a sensor and a fitting.

[0026] To select and order the FG1 field device, the user accesses the field device manufacturer's online shop using a computer unit RE. The online shop is designed, for example, as an application AP on a cloud-based platform CP.

[0027] The online shop offers users a wide selection of field devices, each with numerous variations. These available options / variants are referred to below as the online shop's "suggestions."

[0028] The inventive method, according to which the user receives a manageable and relevant number of Vo3 suggestions, is exemplified in Fig. 2 shown.

[0029] At the start of the process, the user is presented with an unfiltered number of field devices. This initial suggestion contains 522 different field devices.

[0030] In the first step of the process (1), the available filters Fi1, Fi2, and Fi3 are analyzed. Here, it is calculated to what extent selecting one of the filters Fi1, Fi2, or Fi3 would reduce the result set of suggestion Vo1. The filters Fi1, Fi2, and Fi3 are then prioritized, with the priority increasing with each filter's number. The user is then presented with the highest-priority filter, Fi1. In this case, filter Fi1 restricts the search to a specific pH measurement principle. Selecting this filter would reduce the number of suggestions to 122. However, the selection of the specific measurement principle is not important to the user. They want to keep other options open that might otherwise be eliminated and therefore reject the application of filter Fi1 in step 2.

[0031] The user is then presented with the next higher filter, Fi2. This filter addresses a specific measurement accuracy and would reduce the number of suggestions to 284. The user applies this filter, Fi2, in step 3, thereby reducing the number of suggestions, Vo2, to 284. The corresponding field devices are then displayed to the user.

[0032] In process step 4), the remaining filters are reprioritized. The highest-priority filter, Fi3, is then presented to the user. In this case, filter Fi1 relates to the restriction to a hygienic housing. Selecting this filter would reduce the number of suggestions to 15. This selection is important for the user. The user applies this filter, Fi3, in process step 5), thereby reducing the number of suggestions, Vo3, to 15. The corresponding field devices are then displayed to the user.

[0033] Based on the remaining selection, the user can choose the appropriate field device FG1.

[0034] The user can also continue the process and repeat it, for example, until no additional filters are available.

[0035] The process is greatly simplified here. In reality, the number of proposals is significantly larger. Likewise, the number of available filters is considerably greater. Furthermore, the process will involve more iterations.

[0036] It can also be intended that filters do not affect all subcomponents. For example, filters that define a communication standard, such as "HART," might affect a connecting cable but not the fitting. When the filter is applied, changes to the irrelevant attributes are then ignored.

[0037] The user may encounter several "error scenarios." For example, the user might select additional filters that were not suggested. This could result in no suitable field devices matching the criteria being found. For each applied filter, the system calculates whether removing that filter would increase the number of suggestions to greater than or equal to 1. Prioritization can also be applied here, so that only those filters that meet this condition are displayed.

[0038] It's also possible that no field devices matching the filter are found, but the user already has a preferred product from the previously displayed suggestions (for example, because they are already familiar with it or it's defined as the standard in their company). In such a case, the product characteristics of the preferred product can be compared with the filters. The filters that match the product characteristics of the preferred product are called preference filters. The user is then shown which of the selected filters (but not the preference filters) they would need to remove for the preferred product to be suitable for the application. These filters are presented to the user for selection. Only if this is unsuccessful (i.e., the result set remains zero) is the user offered the option to remove one or more of the preference filters. Reference symbol list A facility AP Application CP Cloud-based platform FG1, FG2 field devices, components Fi1, Fi2, Fi3 Filter KN Communication Network LS control center of the facility MS measuring station PLC control unit Vo1, Vo2, Vo3 suggestions 1), 2), ..., 5) Procedural steps

Claims

[1] A computer-implemented method for selecting a field device (FG1, FG2) for automation technology from a multitude of proposals (Vo1), in particular for the purpose of designing and / or ordering the field device (FG1, FG2), wherein a multitude of filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) are provided to reduce the number of proposals (Vo1), wherein each of the filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) relates to application information, a field device type, a property of the field device (FG1, FG2) and / or a property of a subcomponent, in particular at least one sensor unit, at least one transmitter, a fitting unit, a housing, at least one communication interface and / or at least one cable, of a field device (FG1, FG2), comprising: - Calculate, for each filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3), a current number of suggestions (Vo2, VO3) to which the multitude of suggestions (Vo1) would be reduced after applying the corresponding filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3), and display the respective number; - Prioritizing all filters (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) according to their respective number, in particular where the priority increases with increasing number; and - Prompts to a user asking whether the highest priority filter should be applied. [2] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event that the highest priority filter is not to be applied, a query is made to the user as to whether the next highest priority filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) should be applied. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein a query regarding the application of the respective next highest priority filter is performed until an application is confirmed or no next highest priority filter is available. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the case that the highest priority filter, or the corresponding next highest priority filter, is to be applied, the plurality of proposals (Vo1) is restricted to a reduced set of proposals (Vo2, Vo3) according to the highest priority filter, or the corresponding next highest priority filter. [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the method is repeated from the step of calculating for the reduced set of proposals (Vo2, Vo3), in particular until no filter (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) remains. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event that the user applies non-suggested filters and the reduced set of suggestions (Vo2, Vo3) is zero, it is calculated for each of the applied filters whether removing the respective applied filter increases the reduced set of suggestions (Vo2, Vo3) to greater than or equal to 1, wherein those filters to which this condition applies are prioritized, and wherein the user is asked whether one or more of the prioritized filters should be removed. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event that the user applies non-suggested filters and the reduced set of suggestions (Vo2, Vo3) is zero, the user is asked about one or more preference filters, wherein those filters are calculated and displayed to the user which must be removed when preference filters are applied in order to increase the result set to greater than or equal to 1. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein, in the event that no (Fi1, Fi2, Fi3) filter is found which must be removed when preference filters are applied in order to increase the result set to greater than or equal to 1, the user is given a notification to refrain from using one or more preference filters. [9] Computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed on a computer device, cause the computer device to execute a method according to any of the preceding claims.

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