Method for verifying the hardware configuration of a real-world control system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for checking the hardware configuration of a real control system, which can be used in particular in industrial or building automation technology.

[0002] Control and / or data transmission systems are known that have a modular design and, in addition to a control and / or evaluation module, comprise several I / O modules that are mechanically connected to one another when assembled, forming a detachable unit. Such a control and / or data transmission system is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 006 830 A1 or DE 10 2015 111 370 A1.

[0003] Due to the physically identical connection geometry of the connection devices or terminals of the control and / or evaluation module, it is currently technically impossible to determine which connection device or terminal of the control and / or evaluation module is connected to which I / O module. Incorrect configuration can lead to malfunctions for the user.

[0004] From 10 2017 103 553 A1, a method for creating a digital wiring protocol for an automation system is known, which has several I / O modules connected to a control device via a transmission medium. The known method is characterized in that a) using a predetermined wiring list, an information carrier is assigned to predetermined terminal points of the I / O modules contained in the automation system, which information carrier contains, as configuration and / or parameterization information, a first piece of information which identifies the respective I / O module, and / or a second piece of information which identifies a predetermined terminal point of the respective I / O module as the start or destination terminal point of a wiring and / or a third piece of information which identifies a predetermined terminal point of another I / O module as a brick orState terminal point of the respective wiring is characterized in that b) by means of a mobile and portable reading device, the configuration and / or parameterization information is read out from the information carriers which have been assigned to the predetermined terminal points in step (a), and that c) in the reading device or in a separate computer device, a digital wiring protocol for further use is created from the read-in configuration and / or parameterization information.

[0005] The invention is now based on the object of providing a method for checking the hardware configuration of a real control system, which has a control module and several I / O modules mechanically detachably connected to the control module, which method enables a user to check the hardware configuration of a real control system easily, quickly and reliably.

[0006] A core idea of the invention can be seen in the fact that a mobile device containing a camera, in particular a digital camera, is used to record a digital image of a real control system and to compare the recorded image with a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the control system stored in the mobile device by evaluating optical markings that are present at predetermined locations on the real control system.

[0007] The above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the method steps of claim 1.

[0008] Accordingly, a method is provided for checking the hardware configuration of a real control system using a mobile device containing a camera and a storage device in which a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the real control system is stored, wherein the real control system has a control module with a plurality of connection devices, wherein an I / O module is connected to each connection device such that the control module is mechanically detachably coupled to the I / O modules, wherein an optical marking for uniquely identifying the control module and at least one optical marking for uniquely identifying the respective I / O module is attached to the control module, comprising the following steps: a) capturing, with the camera of the mobile device, a digital image of the actual control system; and b) checking the hardware configuration of the actual control system in the mobile device by comparing the digital representation stored in the mobile device with the digital image captured in step a), taking into account the optical markings.

[0009] The mobile device is preferably a so-called handheld device, which is in particular a portable communications device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, or the like. Each of the optical markings expediently encodes individual identification information, with which the control module and each of the I / O modules can be uniquely identified.

[0010] The I / O modules can, for example, contain relays or optocouplers with connections for digital or analog signal processing, or simply provide simple pass-through modules for passing input or output signals. The I / O modules can be designed as PLC terminal blocks (PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller).

[0011] Thanks to the mechanically detachable coupling between the control module and the I / O modules, it is ensured that the optical markers assume essentially fixed positions relative to each other when the control system is assembled. This creates a rigid pattern of optical markers that reflects the hardware design of the actual control system.

[0012] These measures enable a user to check in a simple and quick way whether the actual control system has been correctly constructed, ie in particular whether it has been correctly configured.

[0013] Advantageous further training is the subject of the subclaims.

[0014] To increase the quality and reliability of the verification carried out in step b), the optical markings are applied at predetermined locations on the control module and the I / O modules, with step a) comprising the following further steps: Extracting the optical markings contained in the recorded digital image and arranging the extracted optical markings in each case in a field of a first 2-dimensional matrix, wherein the digital representation of the desired hardware configuration of the control system stored in the mobile device contains a second 2-dimensional matrix, wherein predetermined fields of the second matrix each contain a unique identifier for identifying the control module and the I / O modules, and wherein in step b) the contents of the corresponding fields of the first and second matrix are compared with one another.

[0015] According to an advantageous further development, the mobile device can detect a faulty hardware configuration in the actually constructed control system in response to the comparison carried out in step b) and determine the location within the faulty hardware configuration.

[0016] In order to be able to further improve the quality of the comparison result, it is provided that at least two reference markings arranged at a distance from one another are attached to the control module and / or to at least one of the I / O modules of the actually constructed control system, which reference markings are evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

[0017] The optical markings are preferably barcodes and / or QR codes.

[0018] Conveniently, the QR codes and / or barcodes may contain at least two reference markings which can be evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

[0019] According to an advantageous development, a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system is stored in the mobile device, in which a connecting line is connected to at least one of the I / O modules, and in that in step a) a digital image of the actually constructed control system is recorded, in which a connecting line is connected to at least one of the I / O modules, wherein an optical marking is attached to each connecting line for the unique identification of the respective connecting line.

[0020] In order to avoid electronic damage or malfunctions of the control system due to incorrect assembly of the control module, the control module is not activated if it has been determined in step b) of claim 1 that the hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system is faulty.

[0021] The above-mentioned technical problem is also addressed by a computer program. The computer program contains a plurality of instructions that can be stored in a mobile device containing a camera. When executed by a control unit of the mobile device, the instructions execute the method according to one of claims 1 to 8. The computer program can be an app.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows an exemplary control system comprising a control module and several I / O modules, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the Figure 1 shown exemplary control system, where each of the Figure 1shown I / O modules are each connected to a line leading out of a cable, and Figure 3 shows an exemplary 2-dimensional digital matrix into which the Fig. 2 shown optical markings are inserted.

[0023] Figure 1 shows an exemplary control system 10, which can be snapped onto a mounting rail 50, for example, which can be arranged in a control cabinet. The exemplary control system 10 can preferably be used in industrial or device automation technology and thus be a component of an automation system. Such a control system 10 is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 006 830 A1.

[0024] The control system 10 has several I / O modules, which can each be designed as a terminal block, for example, and can be snapped onto the mounting rail 50. In the present example, eight I / O modules 20 to 27 are shown. As in Figure 1 As shown, the eight I / O modules 20 to 27 are arranged adjacent to one another on the mounting rail 50. Furthermore, the exemplary control system 10 includes a control module 30, which can be, for example, a small-scale controller or a programmable logic controller (PLC). The I / O modules 20-27 can be designed, for example, as empty terminals, relays, or optocouplers with connections for digital or analog signal processing, or simply as simple pass-through modules for passing a signal.

[0025] The control module 30 is designed to be detachably connected electrically and mechanically to a predetermined number of I / O modules. The control module 30 shown as an example is designed to be connected to the eight I / O modules 20 to 27.

[0026] In Figure 1 Reference numerals 40 and 40a denote connections of the control module 30, which may be designed as plug contacts that can be inserted into corresponding socket contacts of the respective I / O modules 20 to 27. Figure 1shows the assembled state of the control system 10, in which the I / O modules 20 to 27 are mechanically and electrically detachably connected to the control module 30. An ejection device 32 can be provided to separate the control module 30 from the I / O modules 20 to 27. Field devices, such as actuators or sensors, can be connected to the I / O modules 20 to 27 via electrical cables in a conventional manner. Figure 1 Electrical connections 61 and 62 of the I / O module 27 are shown as examples, to which, for example, a field device can be connected via an electrical line 77, as in Fig. 2 shown, can be connected.

[0027] It is common practice for the digital inputs and outputs and the analog inputs and outputs of the control module 30 to be programmed in advance using a software tool in a conventional manner prior to the assembly and commissioning of the control device 10. The program that defines the pin assignment of the control module 30 is then loaded into the control module 30 in a conventional manner, for example, via a USB connection. The actual assembly—that is, connecting the correct I / O modules to the correct ports of the control module 30 and the subsequent commissioning—is then carried out on-site, for example, in a control cabinet.

[0028] For example, the connections of control module 30 are specified or programmed as follows: The connection assigned to an internal channel CH7 is programmed as a digital output, and the connection assigned to an internal channel CH6 is programmed as a digital input of control module 30, to which I / O modules 20 and 21, respectively, are to be connected, each containing a solid-state relay. The connection of control module 30 assigned to an internal channel CH5 is not required. Therefore, according to the exemplary programming, I / O module 22, which represents a blank terminal, can be correctly connected to this connection. The connections of control module 30 assigned to internal channels CH4 and CH3 are specified as analog input and analog output, respectively, to which I / O modules 23 and 24, respectively, can be connected.The connection of the control module 30 assigned to an internal channel CH2 can, for example, be programmed as an analog connection to which the I / O module 25, which contains, for example, a PT 100 temperature sensor, is to be connected. The connections of the control module 30 assigned to the internal channels CH1 and CH0 have been programmed as an analog input or analog output for relays, to which the I / O module 26 and the I / O module 27, each containing an electromagnetic relay, are to be connected. Figure 2 shows a correct hardware configuration according to the programming, ie the assembly of the control system 10.

[0029] As from Figure 2As can also be seen, a cable is connected to each of the terminals of I / O modules 20 to 27. The individual cables are designated by reference numerals 70 to 77 and are combined, for example, in a cable 80. Field devices such as sensors and actuators can be connected to I / O modules 20 to 27 via cable 80.

[0030] In order to be able to determine in a reliable and simple manner whether the control module 30 has been correctly equipped according to its programming, i.e. whether the I / O modules 20 to 27 have also been connected to the correspondingly programmed ports of the control module 30, optical markings are applied to the control module 30, the I / O modules 20 to 27, and, if present, to the lines 70 to 77 and the end of the cable 80, which enable a clear identification of the control module 30, each of the I / O modules 20 to 27, each of the lines 70 to 77 and the cable 80. The optical markings are applied in such a way that they are easily accessible for the mobile device 90 and can thus be easily recorded with a camera 91 of the mobile device 90.

[0031] The mobile device 90 is preferably a portable communications device, which may be, for example, a smartphone, a PDA, or the like. The mobile device 90 has, for example, the camera 91, which may in particular be a digital camera, a storage device 92, a display 94, and a control unit 93, which may be embodied as a microcontroller. The control unit 93 primarily serves to control and monitor the functions of the mobile device 90. An image processing and / or image analysis algorithm may be stored in the storage device 92 or a separate storage device of the mobile device 90. The control unit 93 is designed, for example, to project optical markings recorded by the camera 91 into fields of a virtual 2-dimensional matrix while executing the image processing and / or image analysis algorithm, and to interpret or evaluate them.

[0032] The optical markings are preferably each attached to the top of the control module 30, the I / O modules 20 to 27, the lines 70 to 77, and the cable end of the cable 80. The optical markings can be designed, for example, as a barcode or QR code, each encoding individual identification information. In the exemplary control system 10, the optical markings are each implemented as a QR code. In any case, the optical markings are arranged on the control system 10 such that they can be captured in a single image by the camera 91 of the mobile device 90.

[0033] As in Figure 2As can be seen, an optical marking 31 is arranged on the top side of the control module 30, which encodes identification information for the unique identification of the control module 30. Similarly, an optical marking can be arranged on the top side of each of the I / O modules 20 to 27, which encodes identification information for the unique identification of the respective I / O module. The optical markings arranged on the I / O modules 20 to 27 bear the reference numerals 100 to 107 in sequence. The optical markings 100 to 107 are expediently located on a first imaginary line parallel to the Y-axis of the Figure 2drawn coordinate system and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the control system 10, which runs parallel to the x-axis. In addition, each of the I / O modules 20 to 27 can have a further optical marking which, for example, uniquely identifies the technical implementation and function of the respective I / O module. Thus, the I / O modules 20 and 21 each have a further marking 110 or 111, which uniquely identifies the respective I / O module as a semiconductor relay. Similarly, the I / O modules 26 and 27 each have a second optical marking 112 or 113, which uniquely identify the respective I / O module 26 or 27 as an electromagnetic relay. The second optical markings 110 to 113 lie on a second imaginary line which is parallel to the y-axis of the Figure 2 shown coordinate system, but is offset to the right compared to the first imaginary line.

[0034] In addition, an optical marking 121 can be attached to the line 71, an optical marking 123 to the line 73, an optical marking 125 to the line 75 and an optical marking 127 to the line 77. In order to increase the resolution with regard to the optical markings 120 to 127, the optical markings 121, 123, 125 and 127 can be arranged, for example, along a third imaginary line on the lines 71, 73, 75 and 77, wherein the third imaginary line is parallel to the Y-axis of the Figure 2shown coordinate system, but is offset to the right with respect to the second imaginary line. Similarly, the line 70 can carry an optical marking 120, the line 72 an optical marking 122, the line 74 an optical marking 124 and the line 76 an optical marking 126. The markings 120, 122, 124 and 126 can be arranged on a fourth imaginary line that runs parallel to the Y-axis but is offset to the right with respect to the third imaginary line. At the cable end of the cable 80, an optical marking 130 can be applied, which has been shifted even further to the right with respect to the X-axis. The optical markings 120 to 127 can encode individual identification information that specifies, for example, the line length and the line cross-section of the respective line.

[0035] In order for the mobile device 90 or the control unit 93 to be able to perform image positioning, at least two reference markers must be attached to the control system 10 at a minimum distance. An example of the arrangement of two reference markers 140 and 141, which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other on the top side of the control module 30, is shown in Figure 2 to see.

[0036] With the help of the image processing and / or image analysis algorithm stored in the mobile device 90, the control unit 93 is able to use the two markings 140 and 141 to generate a recorded digital image of the Figure 2 illustrated control system 30, for example, in such a way that the optical markings can be projected into corresponding fields of a virtual matrix.

[0037] The Figure 2The arrangement of the optical markings shown as an example enables the optical markings to be projected by the control unit 93 into corresponding fields of a virtual matrix, as shown in Figure 3 is shown as an example.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the result of the evaluation of a digital image of the Figure 2 shown, which was recorded with the digital camera 91 of the mobile device 90. With the help of the image processing and / or image analysis algorithm stored, for example, in the memory device 92, the control unit 93 is able to extract the optical markings from the recorded digital image and enter or project them into the fields of a virtual 8 × 8 matrix. The exemplary matrix has eight rows, numbered 0-7, and eight columns, labeled with the letters A to H. Figure 3The representation shown can be displayed on the display 94 of the mobile device 90.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows the exemplary result of an image evaluation, according to which the control unit 93 projects the two reference markings 140 and 141 into the fields A0 and A6, the optical marking 31 into the field A3, the optical markings 100 to 107 into the fields C0 to C7, the optical markings 110 and 111 into the fields D0 and D1, the optical markings 112 and 113 into the fields D6 and D7, the optical markings 121, 123, 125 and 127 into the fields F1, F3, F5 and F7, respectively, the optical markings 120, 122, 124 and 126 into the fields G0, G2, G4 and G6, respectively, and the optical marking 130 into the field H3.

[0040] With the help of the reference markings 140 and 141, the control unit 93 can align the recorded image and thus the optical markings so that they can be projected onto the virtual matrix.

[0041] In other words: The QR code, ie . The optical marking 31 in field A3 references the uniqueness of the control module 30 to precisely this point. This also defines the positions of fields C0 to C7 and specifies the position of the I / O modules 20 to 27. Fields D0 to D7 identify the specific configurations of the I / O modules. In other words, I / O modules 20 and 21, for example, are identified as solid-state relays, while I / O modules 26 and 27 are identified as electromagnetic relays in fields D6 and D7.

[0042] Since, according to the programming example, the connectors of control module 30 assigned to the internal channels CH2 to CH5 are not to be populated, PLC empty terminals or I / O modules can be connected to these connectors, but they do not contain the corresponding component (REL, SSR, etc.). Consequently, I / O modules 22 to 25 do not contain the corresponding, function-defining optical markings. Fields D2 to D5 in the matrix are therefore empty.

[0043] It is conceivable, for example, that a third marker for position determination could be arranged on the control module 30, which would additionally enable the angle determination of a captured image. Alternatively, the QR codes themselves can also be used, since each QR code contains at least two spatially separated reference markers.

[0044] In order to be able to check whether the equipment in Figure 2Once the actual control system 10 shown has been properly configured, a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the control system 10 is created, for example, on a PC based on the programming of the connections of the control module 30 assigned to the internal channels CH0 to CR7 and loaded into the mobile device 90, for example, via a Bluetooth connection or a wired connection. The digital representation is then used as the reference or target hardware configuration of the control system 10.

[0045] According to an advantageous implementation, the digital representation of the desired hardware configuration of the control system 10 is realized by a matrix representation, which corresponds to the Figure 3shown matrix representation. In other words, the digital representation contains an 8 × 8 matrix, in which, according to the programming, predetermined fields contain, for example, identification information for the unique identification of the control module 30, the I / O modules 20 to 27, if necessary for the unique identification of their functions, for the unique identification of the lines and a unique identification of the cable used. The digital representation, which is exemplified by an 8 × 8 matrix, can preferably be stored in the form of a lookup table in the memory device 92 of the mobile device 90, in which the matrix fields are each assigned a memory address that corresponds to the respective row and column designation. This ensures that the fields of the matrix that are assigned to the digital representation correspond to the fields of the Figure 3correspond to the matrix shown.

[0046] To check the hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system 10 using the mobile device 90, the digital representation of the desired hardware configuration of the control system 10 stored in the mobile device 90 is now compared with the recorded digital image of the Figure 2 shown real constructed control system 10 taking into account or evaluating the optical markings, in the present example these are the markings 31, 100 to 107, 110 to 113, 120 to 127 and 130.

[0047] According to an exemplary implementation, the control unit 93 now reads the QR codes that are stored in the corresponding fields of the Fig. 3shown virtual matrix, interprets them, and compares them, for example, with the entries of the lookup table stored in the mobile device 90, which reflects the digital representation of the desired hardware configuration of the control system 10. In other words: The contents of the matrix fields of the Figure 3 The matrix shown is compared with the contents of the matrix fields that represent the digital representation. If all information matches, this means that the Figure 2 The actual control system 10 shown corresponds to the desired hardware configuration of the control system and the components are assembled without errors.

[0048] If, however, incorrect assembly has occurred, for example, if the I / O module 20 specified according to the previously programmed configuration has not been connected to the port assigned to the internal channel CH7 of the control module 30, the comparison result indicates that there is no content match in field C0. In other words: With the aid of the verification method according to the invention, not only can it be determined whether assembly is correct or incorrect, but the location of an incorrect assembly can also be identified. The comparison result can be output acoustically and / or visually, for example on the display of the mobile device 90, and / or transmitted from the mobile device 90 to a control computer for further action.

[0049] If the comparison result indicates incorrect assembly, the mobile device 90 can respond to this by transmitting a control signal to the control module 30, for example, via a Bluetooth connection. This requires that both the mobile device 90 and the control module 30 each have a corresponding Bluetooth interface. In response to the received control signal, the control module 30 or a microcontroller of the control module 30 then causes the hardware components and the associated control program, in particular, to be deactivated. This prevents the control system 10 from being damaged or malfunctioning in the event of incorrect assembly.

[0050] The control module 30 is preferably only armed when the mobile device 90 signals error-free assembly.

[0051] The previously described verification and signaling method can be stored in the form of a computer program, for example, an app, in the memory device 92 of the mobile device 90. In this respect, it is sufficient to call up the app via the mobile device 90, which then automatically guides the user through the application by first prompting them to record the physically configured control system 10. The app is then automatically executed under the control of the microcontroller 93 of the mobile device 90.

[0052] Advantageous embodiments and features of the invention are summarized again in general terms below.

[0053] Preferably, a method for checking the hardware configuration of a real-world control system 10 using a mobile device 90 is provided.The mobile device 90, which may be a portable communication device, contains in particular a camera 91 and a storage device 92 in which a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the physically constructed control system 10 is stored. The physically constructed control system 10 has a control module 30 with a plurality of connection devices 40-47, with an I / O module connected to each connection device such that the control module 30 is mechanically detachably coupled to the I / O modules 20-27. An optical marking 31 for uniquely identifying the control module 30 is attached to the control module 30, and at least one optical marking 100-107 for uniquely identifying the respective I / O module is attached to each of the I / O modules 20-27. The method comprises in particular the following steps: . a) Capturing, with the camera 91 of the mobile device 90, a digital image of the physically constructed control system 10; b) Checking the hardware configuration of the physically constructed control system 10 in the mobile device 90 by comparing the digital representation stored in the mobile device 90 with the digital image captured in step a), taking into account or evaluating the optical markings 31 and 100 to 107. For this purpose, a control unit 93 of the mobile device 90 can execute an image processing and / or image analysis algorithm stored in the mobile device 90.

[0054] The optical markings 31 and 100 to 107 are preferably applied at predetermined locations on the control module 30 and the I / O modules 20-27, wherein step a) can comprise the following further steps: extracting the optical markings 31 and 100 to 107 contained in the recorded digital image and arranging the extracted optical markings in each case in a field of a first 2-dimensional matrix, wherein the representation of the desired hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system 10 stored in the mobile device 90 contains a second 2-dimensional matrix, wherein predetermined fields of the second matrix each contain a unique identifier for identifying the control module 30 and the I / O modules 20-27, and wherein in step b) the contents of the corresponding fields of the first and second matrix are compared with one another.

[0055] The steps of extracting the optical markers and arranging them in a first 2-dimensional matrix are preferably performed by control unit 93 using the image processing and / or image analysis algorithm. The second 2-dimensional matrix, which reflects the digital representation, can be stored as a lookup table in mobile device 90.

[0056] In response to the comparison performed in step b), the mobile device 90 can detect a faulty hardware configuration in the real control system 10 and determine the location within the faulty hardware configuration.

[0057] Conveniently, at least two reference markings 140, 141 arranged at a distance from one another can be attached to the control module 30 and / or to at least one of the I / O modules 20-27 of the actually constructed control system, which reference markings are evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

[0058] Preferably, the optical markings 31, 100-107, 110-113 and 130 are barcodes and / or QR codes, each encoding individual identification information that can be interpreted in particular by the control unit 93.

[0059] Preferably, the QR codes and / or barcodes can contain at least two reference markings which are evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

[0060] An advantageous embodiment provides that a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system 10 is stored in the mobile device 90, in which a connecting line 70-77 is to be connected to at least one of the I / O modules 20-27, and that in step a) a digital image of the actually constructed control system (10) is recorded, in which a connecting line 70-77 is connected to at least one of the I / O modules 20-27, wherein an optical marking 120-127 is attached to each connecting line 70-77 for the unique identification of the respective connecting line.

[0061] The comparison result provided in step b) can be transmitted from the mobile device 90 to the control module 30. If it is determined in step b) that the hardware configuration of the actual control system 10 is faulty, the control module 30 is not activated.

[0062] Furthermore, a computer program can be provided which contains a plurality of instructions which can be stored in a mobile device 90 which has at least one camera 91 and preferably at least one control unit 93 and a storage device 92, wherein the instructions, when processed by the control unit 93 of the mobile device 90, carry out the above-mentioned method steps.

[0063] Thanks to the invention, the hardware configuration of the actually constructed control system 10 can be tested virtually and electronically in the mobile device 90 and, if necessary, the test result can be transmitted from the mobile device 90 to the control module 30.

Claims

1. A method for checking the hardware configuration of an actually built control system (10) using a mobile device (90) that comprises a camera (91) and a storage device (92) in which a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the actually built control system (10) is stored, wherein the actually built control system comprises a control module (30) with a plurality of connection devices (40-47), wherein an I / O module is connected to each connection device in such a way that the control module (30) is coupled to the I / O modules (20-27) in a mechanically detachable manner, wherein there is provided on the control module (30) an optical mark (31) for unambiguous identification of the control module (30) and on each of the I / O modules (20-27) at least one optical mark (100-107; 110-113) for unambiguous identification of the respective I / O module, and wherein the optical marks (31, 100-107; 110, 113) are arranged at predetermined locations on the control module (30) and the I / O modules (20-27), comprising the following steps: a) capturing, with the mobile device (90), a digital image of the actually built control system (10) and extracting the optical marks (31; 100-107; 110-113) comprised in the captured digital image and respectively arranging the extracted optical marks in one of the fields of a first two-dimensional matrix, wherein the representation of the desired hardware configuration of the actually built control system (10), stored in the mobile device (90), comprises a second two-dimensional matrix, wherein predetermined fields of the second matrix each comprise a unique identifier for identifying the control module (30) and the I / O modules (20-27); b) checking the hardware configuration of the actually built control system (10) in the mobile device (90) by comparing the digital representation stored in the mobile device (90) with the digital image captured in step a) by evaluating the optical marks (31, 100-107; 110-113), wherein the contents of the corresponding fields of the first and second matrices are compared with each other, and wherein the mobile device (90), in response to the comparison performed in step b), can detect a faulty hardware configuration in the actually built control system (10) and determine the location within the faulty hardware configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two reference marks (140, 141) arranged at a distance from each other are provided on the control module (30) and / or on at least one of the I / O modules (20-27) of the actually built control system, which are evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical marks (31; 100-107; 110-113) are barcodes and / or QR codes.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the QR codes and / or barcodes comprise at least two reference marks which are evaluated in step a) for image positioning.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a digital representation of a desired hardware configuration of the actually built control system (10) is stored in the mobile device (90), in which a connection line (70-77) is connected to at least one of the I / O modules (20-27), and in that in step a) a digital image of the actually built control system (10) is captured, in which a connection line (70-77) is connected to at least one of the I / O modules (20-27), wherein an optical mark (120-127) is provided on each connection line (70-77) for the unambiguous identification of the respective connection line.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portable communication device is used as the mobile device (90).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control module (30) is not activated if it is determined in step b) that the hardware configuration of the actually built control system (10) is faulty.

8. A computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which can be stored in a mobile device (90) having a camera (91), wherein the instructions, when processed by a control unit of the mobile device (90), execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.