METHOD FOR EXTENDING THE OPERATING FUNCTIONALITY OF AN AUTOMATION FIELD DEVICE FROM ONE OPERATING DEVICE TO AT LEAST ONE FURTHER OPERATING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for extending the operating functionality of a field device in automation technology from one operating device to at least one further operating device.

[0002] Field devices used in industrial plants are already known from the state of the art. Field devices are widely used in process automation technology as well as in manufacturing automation technology. Field devices essentially refer to all devices used close to the process and that provide or process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH measurement, level measurement, etc. and record the corresponding process variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, flow, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables.These include, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a fluid in a pipe or the fill level in a container. In addition to the previously mentioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I / Os, wireless adapters, and generally 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 to higher-level units via communication networks such as field buses (Profibus ®< , Foundation ®< Fieldbus, HART ®< , etc.). These higher-level units are usually control systems 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 for commissioning the field devices. The measured values ​​recorded by the field devices, in particular by sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level units. In addition, data transmission from the higher-level unit to the field devices via the bus system is also required, in particular for the configuration and parameterization of field devices and for controlling actuators.

[0005] A field device can be operated using suitable control devices or via the control system via the fieldbus. Modern field devices also feature a wireless interface, which allows the field devices to be operated using mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) or wearables such as smart glasses, for example, via the Bluetooth LE wireless protocol or via Wi-Fi. For this purpose, an app is installed on the mobile devices or wearables, allowing the user to operate the device. Such an app is published by the applicant under the name "SmartBlue."

[0006] The app displays elements on mobile devices. Such display elements include, for example, control surfaces, menu structures, or buttons for operator input, or graphs that visualize data from field devices, such as measured values ​​or status information. Due to the structural size of the displays on such mobile devices, particularly smartphones, it may not be possible to display all of the display elements relevant to the user, requiring them to scroll across multiple screens or constantly rearrange display elements. Using a larger device, such as a tablet with a large display, is not practical in all applications due to its size and weight.

[0007] It is also known to operate a field device using data glasses, where the display elements are displayed in the field of vision and the execution of operating functions, for example control via gestures, takes place in the field of vision.

[0008] The disadvantage here is the correct positioning of the gesture as well as the selection, for example, under difficult lighting conditions in the system or the position of the user.

[0009] The document DE 10 2014 103426 A1 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of presenting a method which allows simple and reliable operation of field devices using control devices with limited display sizes and / or under difficult environmental conditions.

[0011] The problem is solved by a method according to claim 1.

[0012] The advantage of the method according to the invention is that a portion of the display elements and / or operating functions provided by the operating program can be transferred or transmitted to another operating device that also executes the operating program. In other words, two operating devices can be used, each of which displays a portion of the display elements or can be used to execute a portion of the operating functions.

[0013] For this purpose, an additional operating device connects to the operating device via a wireless communication connection. The display elements or operating functions are transmitted to the additional operating device for each type of detected device to be connected. This means that the operating software knows which and how many display elements can and should be transmitted to the additional operating device for display on it, and which operating functions the additional device can actually perform. If there are more display elements available for transmission than the additional operating device can display, a list of all display elements available for transmission can be presented to the user for selection.

[0014] The term "operate" should be interpreted broadly here. Operation includes configuring a field device, setting the field device's measurement modes, navigating through menus, and selecting field device data to be displayed, such as measured values ​​or status / diagnostic information.

[0015] Field devices mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention have already been listed as examples in the introductory part of the description.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a Bluetooth LE protocol or a Wi-Fi protocol is used for the wireless communication connection between the operating device and the field device and / or between the operating device and the further operating device and / or for the search process. However, other suitable wireless protocols can also be used.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, if two or more further operating devices known to the operating device have been found, the user can use the operating device to select one or more further operating devices to be used for the subsequent method steps. The user can carry several devices with them depending on the purpose. After the search, the operating program displays a list which shows the found and compatible operating devices for selection. It can also be provided that the operating device transmits display elements and / or operating functionalities to two or more suitable further operating devices. For this purpose, it can be provided that each of the further operating devices is transmitted its own display elements or operating functions, so that a display element or operating function is not present on multiple operating devices after transmission.

[0018] According to the method according to the invention, if at least one additional operating device unknown to the operating device is found, the operating device carries out a suitability test of the additional operating device. During the suitability test, the type of the additional operating device and the operating program running on the additional operating device are determined. If these two factors are compatible with the operating device or the operating program, a check is carried out to determine which of the display elements or operating functions can be transferred to the additional operating device. For this purpose, for example, an online query is sent from the operating device to a database of the manufacturer of the operating program and the results are retrieved. Alternatively, the operating program of the additional operating device is queried for this information.In both cases, the result of the query is saved in the operating program of the operating device, along with the name of the additional operating device. The additional operating device is then available for the method according to the invention. If the additional operating device is intended solely for displaying display elements, it may be necessary for no operating program or only an operating program with a reduced scope to be available.

[0019] According to an advantageous first variant of the method according to the invention, it is provided that a mobile terminal is used as the operating device and as the further operating device, wherein the operating device and the further operating device each have a touchscreen.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first variant of the method according to the invention, one or more display elements are visualized using the touchscreen of the first operating device, and one or more transferred display elements, in particular measured value curves of the field device, menu elements, and / or buttons, are visualized using the touchscreen of the further operating device. In this way, the screen area used to display the display elements can be enlarged or expanded.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first variant of the method according to the invention, one or more transferred operating functions, in particular the selection of menu elements and / or buttons displayed on the touchscreen, are executed using the touchscreen of the additional operating device. Thus, not only can buttons or menu elements be displayed on the additional operating device, but these buttons or menu elements can also be operated. For this purpose, the additional operating device does not require its own communication connection with the field device. Operation is carried out via the operating device, which receives the operating commands from the additional operating device and forwards them to the field device.

[0022] According to an advantageous second variant of the method according to the invention, data glasses are used as the operating device, and a mechanical input element, in particular with at least one acceleration sensor, e.g., a data glove, a gamepad, or a touch / motion-sensitive piece of clothing, is used as the further operating device. Any suitable VR ("Virtual Reality"), e.g., the Oculus "Rift," or AR ("Augmented Reality") / MR ("Mixed Reality") data glasses, e.g., the Microsoft "Hololens" or Google "Glass," can be used as data glasses. Data helmets also fall under this term. The data glove is an input device in the form of a glove with multiple position sensors, e.g., designed for gesture control, and a plurality of operating elements, e.g., operating elements in the fingers that are activated by a finger movement.A gamepad has a variety of controls in the form of buttons and joysticks and a variety of accelerometers.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second variant of the method according to the invention, one or more display elements are visualized using the data glasses, and at least one transferred operating function is executed using the data glove. Since data glasses only allow limited operability depending on the type, the operating functions are outsourced to the data glove.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second variant of the method according to the invention, navigation through display elements visualized on the data glasses is used as the transferred operating function. Navigation is carried out, for example, by gesture control using the data glove.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. Fig. 1 : an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and Fig. 2 : a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0026] In both embodiments, a field device FG is operated. In this case, this is a level measuring device that uses radar technology, for example, to determine the level of a measuring medium in a container, such as a tank or silo. However, it can alternatively be a field device of any type. Examples of this are listed in the introductory part of the description.

[0027] In both embodiments, operation is carried out via an operating device BG1. This has a first communication interface KS1, via which the operating device BG1 establishes a communication connection with the field device FG, in particular via Bluetooth LE. An operating program is executed on the operating device BG1, via which a user BE can operate the field device.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the operating device BG2 is a mobile device, in this case a smartphone. The operating program is an app, for example, the "SmartBlue" app published by the applicant. Using this app, the field device FG can be operated after a communication connection has been established. For this purpose, display elements AE1 are visualized on the user interface, and operating functions BE are also displayed in the form of buttons. By entering parameter values ​​into the buttons, the operating functions BE trigger a parameter change in the field device FG. Furthermore, the visualization associated with the parameter value is displayed as display element AE1, e.g., for the "Full" parameter, a maximum value of the fill level in the container, or for "Empty," a minimum value of the fill level, as well as for "Block," a block distance from which an envelope curve is recorded.

[0029] Since the BG1 operating unit only has a small display, the buttons and the AE1 display elements must be constantly moved to display additional operating functions and display elements. To increase operating convenience, the BG1 operating unit starts a search for additional operating units via a second communication interface, in particular via Bluetooth LE. During the search, the BG2 operating unit, also a mobile device such as a tablet or another smartphone, is found. Since the additional BG2 operating unit is already known to the operating program of the BG1 operating unit, the latter automatically connects to the BG1 operating unit via its KS3 communication interface.

[0030] The display element AE2 is then transferred to the additional control unit BG2 and visualized there. This is an envelope curve recorded by the field device FG, which changes during parameterization using the first control unit BG1.

[0031] In Fig. 2 A second embodiment is shown. The operating device BG1 is a pair of data glasses, for example, the Microsoft "HoloLens." These visualize display elements, such as menus or buttons. To operate the field device, the operating device BG1 is coupled to a data glove, which represents the additional operating device BG2. After coupling, operating functions are transferred to the data glove, which enable operation of the field device, for example, selecting entries in the menus visualized in the data glasses using gesture control with the data glove. As an alternative to the data glove, a gamepad or a touch / motion-sensitive piece of clothing, e.g., a fabric glove with proximity sensors and / or position sensors, can be used.

[0032] For both embodiments, several additional operating devices can also be coupled to the operating device BG1, so that display elements AE1, AE2 and / or operating functions are transferred to several additional operating devices. If another operating device is found that is not known to the operating device BG1, a suitability check is performed. After a successful suitability check, the identification information of the additional operating device is stored in the operating program of the operating device BG1. List of reference symbols

[0033] AE1, AE2Display elements BEUser BFOperating function BG1Operating device BG2Additional operating device FGField device KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4Communication interfaces

Claims

1. Method for extending the operating functionality of a field device (FG) of the automation technology from one operating device (BG1) to at least one other Control unit (BG2), comprising - Establishing a wireless communication link between the operating device (BG1) and the field device (FG) via a first communication interface (KS1) of the operating device (BG1), wherein the Operating device (BG1) at least one operating program with a large number of display elements (AE1, AE2) and operating functions (BF), via which the field device (FG) is operated; - Initiate a search for objects in the surrounding area and the control unit (BG1) via the first control unit (BG1). communication interface (KS1) or a second Communication interface (KS2); - In the event that at least one further operating device (BG2), which is assigned to the operating device (BG1) has been found, setting up a wireless Communication connection between the operating device (BG1) and the additional operating device (BG2) via the first communication interface (KS1), or the second communication interface (KS2), whereby on the another operating device (BG2) runs another operating program; - Transfer of at least one part of the display elements (AE1, AE2) and / or operating functions (BF) to the other operating program of the additional operating device (BG2); and - Operating the field device (FG) using the additional operating device (BG2) via the display elements transferred to the other operating program (AE1, AE2) or operating functions (BF), wherein, in the event that at least one further operating device (BG2) not known to the operating device (BG1) is found, the operating device (BG1) sends a Suitability test of the additional operating device (BG2) is carried out, whereby the suitability test checks which of the display elements (AE1, AE2) or the operating functions (BF) can be transferred to the additional operating device (BG2).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein for the wireless communication link between the operating device (BG1) and the field device (FG) and / or between the operating device (BG1) and the further operating device (BG2) and / or for the search run a Bluetooth LE protocol or a WiFi protocol is used.

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the event that two or more further operating devices (BG2) known to the operating device (BG1) have been found, the user is given a choice of one or more operating devices (BG2) suitable for the operating device (BG1). The control unit (BG1) is used to make the selection of the further control units (BG2) to be used in the subsequent process steps.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a mobile terminal device is used as operating device (BG1) and as further operating device (BG2) in each case the operating device (BG1) and the other operating device (BG2) each having a touchscreen.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein one or more display elements (AE1, AE2) are visualized by means of the touch screen of the first operating device (BG1). whereby one or more transferred display elements (AE1, AE2), in particular measured value curves of the field device (FG), menu elements and / or buttons, are visualized by means of the touchscreen of the additional operating device (BG2).

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein by means of the touch screen of the further The operating device (BG2) is used to execute one or more transferred operating functions (BF), in particular the selection of menu elements and / or buttons visualized on the touchscreen.

7. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating device is (BG1) is used and wherein a mechanical input element, in particular with at least one acceleration sensor, e.g. a data glove, a gamepad or a touch / motion-sensitive item of clothing, is used as a further operating device (BG2).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein a data glove is used as a further operating device (BG2), wherein one or more display elements (AE1, AE2) are visualized by means of the data goggles and wherein one or more display elements (AE1, AE2) are visualized by means of the data glove. data glove at least one transferred operating function,9. Method according to claim 8, wherein navigation by means of display elements (AE1, AE2) visualized on the data goggles is used as the transferred operating function (BF).