Method for transmitting data from a field device to a user device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting data from a field device (10) to a user device (20), having the steps of: - providing the field device (10) with a display (11), a data storage device (12), and an input unit (13), - providing the user device (20) with a camera (21) for a reading application (22) and with a buffer storage device (23), - selecting a data set in the data storage device (12) via the input unit (13) on the field device (10) by means of the user (30), - displaying the data set on the display (11) of the field device (10), wherein the display (11) has at least one first display part (A) and a second display part (B), and the data set comprises at least one first data matrix code (QR1) with at least one first matrix part (a), a second matrix part (b), and a third matrix part (c), said matrix parts (a, b, c) being displayed sequentially on the first display part (A) and second display part (B) so that the data set is seamlessly depicted on the display (11), - aligning the camera (21) of the user device (20) with the display (11) of the field device (10) by means of the user (30), - reading the data sets onto the user device (20) by means of the reading application (22), said reading application (22) reading the data sets via the camera (21) and storing same in the buffer storage device (23), and - analyzing the data sets by means of the reading application (22).

Description

[0001] Method for transferring data from a field device to a user device

[0002] The invention relates to a method for transmitting data from a field device to a user device.

[0003] 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 are 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.

[0004] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0005] 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 (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 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.

[0006] Mobile operating devices are often used to operate field devices (e.g., parameterize or retrieve data). These are connected to a field device either wired (e.g., via a service interface) or wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth). Examples of operating devices include laptops, mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, or central asset management stations.

[0007] To operate the field devices, appropriate operating programs (operating tools) are required. These programs run either independently on the higher-level units or on the mobile operating devices (Endress+Hauser FieldCare, PACTware, AMS Fisher-Rosemount, PDM Siemens) or are integrated into control center applications (Siemens PCS7, ABB Symphony, Emerson Delta V). The term "operating" includes, among other things, parameterizing the field device, updating the field device, and / or querying and visualizing process data and / or diagnostic data from the field device.

[0008] Field devices are integrated into such operating programs via device drivers or device descriptions. The device functionality can also be described by the field device itself, e.g., using OPC UA; in this case, no driver is required. These are provided by the device manufacturers so that the higher-level units, or the operating programs running on these higher-level units, can recognize and interpret the meaning of the information provided by the field devices. Such an operating program, into which the device descriptions or device drivers are loaded, is also referred to as a frame application.

[0009] By using common device integration concepts (e.g. FDT ("Field Device

[0010] Tool”), FDI (“Field Device Integration”), EDDL (“Electronic Device Description

[0011] Language"), OPC-UA, etc.), the above requirements can be implemented. Typically, the results from the heartbeat protocols and / or the measuring point documentation are saved on a data storage device of a computing unit on which the device integration software is running (e.g., a PC in the plant's control center). However, the problem can arise from the fact that external access to a plant's file system is not permitted during ongoing operation. Likewise, network connections from the plant, or from the plant's control center, to a higher-level IT infrastructure are often blocked.

[0012] Alternative transmission methods, such as connecting the field devices via suitable wireless communication connections, for example Bluetooth or WLAN connections using applications running on mobile devices, such as the SmartBlue app offered by the applicant, or similar, may also be prohibited for security reasons at the customer's site.

[0013] A method for transmitting data is known, for example, from DE 10 2019 134 895 A1. A disadvantage of this method, however, is that a communications network is required for data transmission. However, if data is to be read from a field device that is not connected to a communications network, this method cannot be used.

[0014] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a method which makes it possible to reliably read data from a field device.

[0015] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for transmitting data from a field device to a user device according to claim 1.

[0016] The method according to the invention comprises:

[0017] Providing the field device with a display, a data storage device and an input unit,

[0018] Providing the user device with a camera, a reading application and a buffer memory,

[0019] Selecting a data record in the data memory via the input unit on the field device by the user, Displaying the data record on the display of the field device, wherein the display has at least a first display part and a second display part, wherein the data record comprises at least a first data matrix code with at least a first matrix part, a second matrix part and a third matrix part, wherein the matrix parts are displayed sequentially on the first display part and a second display part, so that the data record is shown fluently on the display,

[0020] Aligning the camera of the user device to the display of the field device by the user,

[0021] Reading the data records by the reading application onto the user device, whereby the reading application reads the data records via the camera and stores them in the buffer memory,

[0022] Evaluation of the data records by the reading application.

[0023] The method according to the invention enables energy-efficient data transmission from a field device, even if the field device lacks wireless communication means or network connections. This minimizes energy consumption for data transmission, which is particularly relevant for field devices used in potentially explosive environments. Furthermore, data transmission via continuous text ensures secure and fast data transmission. Thanks to continuous text, it is even possible for display errors to have no impact on data quality, up to a certain extent, since the "flowing" of the QR code across the display creates redundancy.For example, if an LED display is used and one LED is faulty, a dot of the QR code will not be displayed correctly on that LED. However, due to the "flow" of the QR code, the dot of the QR code will be displayed correctly on the LED next to the faulty LED. This significantly improves transmission reliability.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least first display part and the second display part are arranged along a horizontal axis, and the matrix parts are displayed sequentially, first on the second display part and then on the first display part. According to a further embodiment of the invention, each matrix part represents a data packet of the data set.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, each matrix part has a position indication which enables a unique position in the first data matrix code.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first matrix part of the first data matrix code comprises an indication of the data volume of the data set.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the display duration of a matrix part per display part is at least 2 / 30 seconds and a recording speed of the camera is at least 30 images per second.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the last matrix part of the data matrix code of the data record has an indication of the end of the data record and the reading application 22 outputs this indication.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reading application creates a device report about the field device based on the data set transmitted to the user device.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the display is a color display and the at least first data matrix code has colored elements.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least first data matrix code passes through all display parts of the display at least twice.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following description of the figures. They show:

[0033] - Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of a field device and a user device for the method according to the invention,

[0034] - Fig. 2: an exemplary schematic representation of the interactions between the field device and the user device,

[0035] - Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the method according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a field device 10 and a user device 20 for carrying out a method for transmitting data from the field device 10 to the user device 20. The field device 10 has a display 11, a data memory 12 and an input unit 13.

[0037] The display 11 is, for example, a monochrome display. According to an alternative embodiment, the display 11 is a color display. The display 11 is, for example, an LED, LCD, or TFT display. The display 11 has at least a first display part A and a second display part B. As shown in Figure 1, the display 11 has, for example, a first display part A, a second display part B, a third display part C, and a fourth display part D. Of course, it is also possible for the display 11 to have a plurality of display parts. A display part comprises at least one or more columns or rows of pixels. If the display 11 is a tactile display 11 with a display area and a touch area or input area, the display parts are arranged in the display area.

[0038] The data storage 12 comprises, for example, a non-volatile memory in which data records are stored. The data records include, for example, measurement data, serial numbers, parameter settings, device data, EDD / DTM / FDIX data, or heartbeat information such as the remaining operating times of a sensor connected to the field device 10.

[0039] The input unit 13 comprises, for example, a selection wheel, as shown in Figure 1. Of course, it is possible for the input unit 13 to have push buttons in addition to or as an alternative to the selection wheel. If the display 11 is a tactile display 11 and has a dedicated touch area or input area, the input unit 13 is of course part of the display 11.

[0040] The user device 20 has a camera 21, a reading application 22 and a buffer memory 23.

[0041] The camera 21 is suitable for recording videos. The frame rate, also referred to here as the recording speed, is at least 30 fps. The camera 21 is preferably suitable for perceiving color. The reading application 22 is suitable for storing and evaluating images or videos recorded by the camera 21 in the buffer memory 23. The reading application 22 is suitable for controlling the access and function of the camera 21, as well as storing and evaluating the information captured by the camera 21 in the buffer memory 23. In particular, the reading application 22 is suitable for filtering the images captured by the camera 21 so that only relevant information, in particular data matrix codes or parts thereof, are stored in the buffer memory 23. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessarily filling the buffer memory 23 with irrelevant data. The reading application 22 is further suitable for evaluating, i.e., decoding, the captured data matrix codes.

[0042] Buffer memory 23 is, for example, a volatile or non-volatile memory. Buffer memory 23 preferably comprises a RAM memory in which the captured data matrix codes are stored until the end of the capture of a data set and until the end of decoding. Buffer memory 23 preferably comprises a ROM memory in which the data of the decoded data matrix code are stored.

[0043] The method according to the invention for transmitting data from the field device 10 to the user device 20 is described below.

[0044] First, the field device 10 and user device 20 described above are deployed. This means, for example, that both devices are unlocked if a user lock is used for security.

[0045] The user 30 then selects a data set in the data storage 12 via the input unit 13 on the field device 10. To do so, the user 30 navigates to the data set to be transferred via the input unit 13 and starts the transfer. In Figure 1, the user 30 is represented by the two gloves.

[0046] Next, the data set is displayed on the display 11 of the field device 10. The matrix parts a, b, and c described above are displayed sequentially on the first display part A and the second display part B described above, so that the data set is shown continuously on the display 11. This means that the first data matrix code QR1 scrolls across the display 11. This display is preferably repeated until the user 30 interrupts the display, for example, by pressing a button on the selection wheel 13. The first data matrix code QR1 continuously scrolls through the existing display parts A, B, C, and D according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle. The data set is preferably displayed in colored data matrix codes. This means that the first data matrix code QR1 has colored elements.

[0047] Preferably, at least the first display part A and the second display part B are arranged along a horizontal axis X, and the matrix parts a, b, and c sequentially pass first through the second display part B and then through the first display part A. This results in a character flow from right to left, as shown in Figure 1 by the arrow in the display 11. Of course, it is also possible to generate a character flow in other directions.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, each matrix part a, b, c represents a data packet of the data set. Since each display part A, B, C, D is large enough to represent a matrix part, either the data packets must be selected to be small enough, or the display parts must be selected to be large enough, ie, with sufficient pixels.

[0049] Preferably, each matrix part a, b, c has a position indication which enables a unique position in the first data matrix code QR1.

[0050] Preferably, the first matrix part a of the first data matrix code QR1 comprises an indication of the data volume of the data set.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, which is compatible with all embodiments, the display duration of a matrix part a, b, c per display part A, B is at least 2 / 30 of a second. This means that a matrix part is displayed for 2 / 30 of a second, for example, on the fourth display part D, then for 2 / 30 of a second on the third display part C, and so on, until the matrix part has passed through all display parts. In the example shown in Figure 1, the first data matrix code QR1 has three matrix parts a, b, c. However, if the display 11, as shown in Figure 1, has four display parts, a first matrix part a' of a second data matrix code QR2 is already displayed on the fourth display part D. If no further data matrix code were present, the first matrix part a of the first data matrix code QR1 would preferably appear again in the fourth display part D, since the data set is preferably displayed continuously on the display 11.

[0052] Preferably, the last matrix part of the data matrix code of the data record contains an indication of the end of the data record. In this case, the reading application 22 outputs this indication. For example, a message is then displayed on the user device 20 indicating that the complete data record has been received by the user device 20 and evaluated by the reading application 22.

[0053] Next, the user 30 aligns the camera 21 of the user device 20 to the display 11 of the field device 10. Preferably, the camera 21 is aligned to the display 11 such that the largest part of the captured image is visible on the display 11. This facilitates the processing of the captured image by the reading application 22 and simultaneously increases transmission reliability.

[0054] The data records are then read into the user device 20 by the reading application 22. The reading application 22 reads the data records via the camera 21 and stores them in the buffer memory 23.

[0055] The data sets are then evaluated by the reading application 22. The evaluation involves assigning matrix parts a, b, and c to a first data matrix code QR1. The evaluation also includes decoding all data matrix codes QR1, QR2 captured by the camera 21.

[0056] Preferably, a plausibility test or redundancy test is also performed between the transmitted data sets. For this purpose, the various images, in which the matrix parts are displayed on different parts of the display, are compared with each other. Of course, a matrix part that moves across the display 11, i.e. is displayed on different parts of the display, must always have the same "value" or data content. Due to the redundancy of the data transmission, i.e. the fact that each matrix part is visible at least twice on the display 11 and thus transmitted at least twice to the user device 20, errors in the transmission can be reliably detected and corrected. In particular, display errors, i.e. pixel errors, can also be overcome or corrected in this way. For correction, for example, the "value" or data content that occurs most frequently is deemed to be the correct one.For this reason, it is sensible for each data matrix code to run at least twice across the display 11. Each data matrix code therefore preferably runs through all display parts at least twice.

[0057] As a further optional step, the reading application 22 creates a device report 24 about the field device 10 based on the data set transmitted to the user device 20. The device report 24 is, for example, a PDF with a so-called heartbeat report, i.e., a status report of the field device 10 and / or all components and sensors of the field device 10.

[0058] Displaying the data set directly on the display 11 of the field device 10 has the advantage that the field device 10 consumes less energy than if the field device 10 were equipped with a separate, wireless communication unit, for example. Furthermore, there is the advantage that communication does not require an additional cable or radio module for data transmission, which would increase the complexity of the field device 10 and require special approvals from the relevant safety authorities. Likewise, using the display 11 reduces the work involved during commissioning, as special cabling, for example, for networks, is eliminated.

[0059] List of reference symbols

[0060] 10 field device

[0061] 11 Display

[0062] 12 data storage

[0063] 13 Input unit

[0064] 20 user devices

[0065] 21 Camera

[0066] 22 Reading application

[0067] 24 Device report

[0068] 30 users

[0069] QR1 first data matrix code

[0070] QR2 second data matrix code

[0071] A first display part

[0072] B second display part

[0073] C third display part

[0074] D fourth display part a, a' first matrix part b second matrix part c third matrix part

[0075] X horizontal axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for transmitting data from a field device (10) to a user device (20), comprising: - Providing the field device (10) with a display (11), a data memory (12) and an input unit (13), - providing the user device (20) with a camera (21), a reading application (22) and a buffer memory (23), - Selecting a data record in the data memory (12) via the input unit (13) on the field device (10) by the user (30), - Displaying the data set on the display (11) of the field device (10), wherein the display (11) has at least a first display part (A) and a second display part (B), wherein the data set comprises at least a first data matrix code (QR1) with at least a first matrix part (a), a second matrix part (b) and a third matrix part (c), wherein the matrix parts (a, b, c) are displayed sequentially on the first display part (A) and a second display part (B), so that the data set is shown fluently on the display (11), - Aligning the camera (21) of the user device (20) to the display (11) of the field device (10) by the user (30), - reading the data records by the reading application (22) onto the user device (20), whereby the reading application (22) reads the data records via the camera (21) and stores them in the buffer memory (23), - Evaluation of the data records by the reading application (22).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least first display part (A) and the second display part (B) are arranged along a horizontal axis (X) and the matrix parts (a, b, c) are displayed sequentially first on the second display part (B) and then on the first display part (A).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each matrix part (a, b, c) represents a data packet of the data set.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each matrix part (a, b, c) has a position indication which enables a unique position in the first data matrix code (QR1).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first matrix part (a) of the first data matrix code (QR1) comprises an indication of the data volume of the data set.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display duration of a matrix part (a, b, c) per display part (A, B) is at least 2 / 30 seconds and a recording speed of the camera (21) is at least 30 images per second.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the last matrix part of the data matrix code (QR1, QR2) of the data record has an indication of the end of the data record and the reading application (22) outputs this indication.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the reading application (22) creates a device report (24) about the field device (10) based on the data set transmitted to the user device (20).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (11) is a color display and the at least first data matrix code (QR1) has colored elements.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least first data matrix code (QR1) passes through all display parts (A, B) of the display (11) at least twice.

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