Method for detecting properties of a field device type

Abstract

Method for detecting statistical properties of a field device type (G) by means of a superordinate unit (ÜE) connected to a network (N), a field device (FG) of the field device type (G) having state descriptions (ZB), an identification (ID) and a display element (AE), comprising at least the following steps: generating machine-readable information (MI) by way of the field device (FG), the information (MI) comprising the identification (ID), state descriptions (ZB) and digital address (DA) of the superordinate unit (ÜE) in the network (N); displaying the information (MI) by means of a display element (AE); reading out the information (MI) using a mobile device (MG); unpacking the identification (MI), state descriptions (ZB) and digital address (DA) from the information (MI); connecting the mobile device (MG) to the network (N); transmitting the identification (ID) and state descriptions (ZB) to the superordinate unit (ÜE) by way of the mobile device (MG) on the basis of the digital address (DA); storing the identification (ID) and state descriptions (ZB) in a database (DB); creating statistics (S) for the field device type (G).

Description

[0001] Method for recording the properties of a field device type

[0002] The invention relates to a method for recording statistical properties of a field device type in process and automation technology by means of a higher-level unit and a mobile device.

[0003] In automation systems, particularly process automation systems, field devices are frequently used to detect and / or control process variables. Sensors, such as those integrated into level gauges, flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges, pH and redox potential meters, conductivity meters, etc., are used to detect process variables, measuring levels, flow rates, pressure, temperature, pH, and conductivity. Actuators, such as valves or pumps, are used to control process variables, changing the flow rate of a liquid in a pipe section or the fill level in a container. In principle, all devices used close to the process that provide or process process-relevant information are considered field devices.In the context of the invention, field devices are also understood to include remote I / Os, radio adapters, or generally devices that are arranged at the field level. A large number of such field devices are manufactured and distributed by Endress+Hauser.

[0004] In automation technology, each field device is assigned unique identification information. For example, each field device is assigned a unique serial number for unambiguous identification. Displays assigned to the field device are known from the prior art. These displays show a static—that is, unchanged over time—optically readable code that serves to uniquely identify the field device. This code can be read visually by the operator or automatically using a suitable reading and / or operating tool, such as a barcode reader. Furthermore, it is known that information from sources available on a network, such as the internet, is provided to the operator during the commissioning or maintenance of a field device. This information is suitable for simplifying the commissioning or maintenance of the field device on site.

[0005] Document WO2018108375A1 teaches a method for commissioning or maintaining a field device in which unique device information, including information relating to the identification and / or diagnosis of the field device, is displayed via a machine-readable code in a display unit of the field device and read out using a read and / or operate tool. This device information is transmitted to a cloud-based service platform, which retrieves the diagnostic information, in particular the device- and application-specific information for resolving events affecting the field device, from a database. The diagnostic information is transmitted to the read and operate tool in accordance with the state of the art to enable a user to manage or eliminate the events or their effects using this diagnostic information.

[0006] The problem with the state-of-the-art method is that the information transmitted by the reading and / or operating tool is unsuitable for creating a database as a basis for statistical evaluation.

[0007] The invention therefore aims to provide a method with which the statistical properties of field device types can be determined.

[0008] The invention solves the problem by means of a method according to independent claim 1.

[0009] The inventive method for acquiring statistical properties of a field device type by means of a higher-level unit, wherein the higher-level unit is connected to a network, wherein a field device of the field device type has at least one state description, and wherein the field device has an identification and a display element, comprises at least the following steps: generating machine-readable information by the field device, wherein the information comprises the identification and the at least one state description of the field device; wherein the information comprises a digital address of the higher-level unit in the network; displaying the information on the display element; reading the information with a mobile device; unpacking the identification, the at least one state description, and the digital address from the information by the mobile device; connecting the mobile device to the network;Transmitting the identification and at least one status description from the mobile device to the higher-level unit using the digital address; storing the identification and at least one status description in a database of the higher-level unit; creating statistics for the field device type based on the stored status descriptions.

[0010] In a further development of the method according to the invention, each of the state descriptions, in particular the stored ones, has a timestamp.

[0011] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the statistics comprise, in particular defined by timestamps, frequencies of the at least one state description of a field device type; wherein the statistics enable a quantitative representation of the frequencies of the at least one state description.

[0012] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the machine-readable information comprises a static code and a variable code.

[0013] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the static code comprises the identification of the field device and the digital address of the higher-level unit.

[0014] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the variable code includes the state of the field device.

[0015] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the at least one state description of the field device comprises stored diagnostic information; wherein the diagnostic information relates to at least one current and / or a past event that can be attributed to the field device.

[0016] In a further development of the inventive method, an event can be a specific type of error, a false alarm, an initial or recommissioning, or a reset.

[0017] In a further development of the inventive method, the static code comprises a Data Matrix code, a QR code, or a barcode.

[0018] In a further development of the inventive method, the variable code comprises a flicker code or a 2D flicker code.

[0019] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the mobile device comprises a handheld device, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a special device for operating field devices.

[0020] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the higher-level unit is a cloud-based service platform.

[0021] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the higher-level unit generates a diagnosis for the field device based on at least one state description and the statistics; the higher-level unit transmits the diagnosis to the mobile device via a network. In a further development of the method according to the invention, the diagnosis includes an instruction and / or a guide.

[0022] The invention has the advantage that the mobile device can be, among other things, a standard smartphone, enabling each user to transmit relevant information to the database whenever a status information-generating event occurs. Furthermore, the cloud-based database can be made available to users worldwide. Another advantage is that the statistics according to the invention can reveal whether external influences exist that affect the susceptibility to failure of field device types. Finally, the statistics allow for the identification of correlations between status information-generating events and diagnoses, repair instructions, and maintenance information for field devices. These identified correlations can then be used to improve the quality of diagnoses, repair instructions, and maintenance information when further status information-generating events occur.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. These show:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a system carrying out the procedure.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the process steps.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows one configuration of the database.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows one way of presenting the statistics.

[0028] The schematic embodiment of a system for carrying out the method according to the invention, shown in Fig. 1, depicts the field device FG with the display unit AE, on which the machine-readable information Ml is displayed. The machine-readable information Ml comprises a static code SC and a variable code, which in this embodiment are optoelectronically readable structures with lines or dots of varying widths and spaces with the highest possible contrast, and can be, for example, QR code, DataMatrix, MaxiCode, Aztec code, JAB code, Han Xin code, or high-capacity color barcode. In this embodiment, the static code SC comprises an identification ID of the field device FG, which identification ID can, for example, be a serial number, and a digital address DA in a network N.In this implementation, the digital address DA can be, for example, an IP address, a website, or an email address of a higher-level entity (TRE) on the internet, where the TRE can be a cloud-based service platform. The mutable code VC comprises state descriptions (ZB) that relate to the field device (FG) and to at least one current and / or past event attributable to the field device (FG), including specific error types, false alarms, initial or recommissioning, resets, and / or a timestamp, and are stored in the field device (FG).

[0029] In this representation, the machine-readable information Ml is read by a mobile device MG, which is an electronic device with a camera for reading optoelectronic codes, a network unit for connecting to a network N, and a microprocessor for processing digital information. Examples include a handheld device, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a special device for operating field devices FG. The mobile device MG unpacks the machine-readable information Ml and then, by connecting to a network N, transmits the status descriptions ZB and the identification ID, based on the digital address DA, via the network N to the higher-level unit ÜE.

[0030] The higher-level unit (TRU), which, as mentioned above, could be a cloud-based service platform, receives the transmitted status descriptions (ZB) and the identification from the mobile device (MG) and stores them in a database (DB). If the status descriptions (ZB) do not have a timestamp (t), a timestamp can be generated during storage, either by the higher-level unit (TRU) or obtained from the network (N), and stored together with the status descriptions (ZB) in the database (DB). The status descriptions (ZB) are then assigned to a field device type based on the identification ID (ID) of the field device (FG). Using the status descriptions (ZB) stored in the database (DB) and assigned to the field device types, the higher-level unit (TRU) creates a statistic (S).This statistic S can, for example, include frequencies of certain events from field devices FG of a field device type, in particular error messages and / or malfunctions, and thus capture the statistical properties of a field device type. In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the higher-level unit ÜE determines a diagnosis D based on the transmitted identification ID and status descriptions ZB, which diagnosis D is transmitted to the mobile device MG. The diagnosis D can include instructions and / or directions, wherein instructions are, for example, useful for repairing or replacing a defective component of the field device, and instructions and / or specific information on a procedure, which information can include text, images, videos, and / or internet links.The diagnostic function D can help a user eliminate the effects of events on the field device FG. These events are described by at least one state description ZB and can impair the functionality of the field device FG. Figure 2 shows one implementation of the process steps performed by the field device FG, the mobile unit MG, and the higher-level unit ÜE. The field device has state descriptions ZB and an identification ID that describe events affecting the field device FG. These state descriptions ZB and identification ID are combined with a digital address DA to generate machine-readable information Ml. The machine-readable information Ml is displayed on a display element AE of the field device FG, in this implementation as an opto-electronically readable 2D code.

[0031] In this configuration, the mobile device MG has a camera to read the displayed machine-readable information Ml. The mobile device also has a processor that unpacks the read machine-readable information Ml, allowing the identification ID, the status descriptions ZB, and the digital address DA to be processed individually. The mobile device MG connects to a network N, for example via Bluetooth or WiFi, and transmits the status descriptions ZB and the identification ID to the higher-level unit ÜE using the digital address.

[0032] The higher-level unit (TR) receives the identification ID and the status descriptions (ZB) from the mobile device (MG) and stores the status descriptions (ZB) in a database (DB). The status descriptions are assigned to a device type based on the identification ID and may include a timestamp (t). Using the status descriptions (ZB) assigned to the field device types stored in the database (DB), the higher-level unit (TR) creates a statistic (S) that records the statistical properties of the field device types.

[0033] The configuration of the database DB according to the invention, shown in tabular form in Fig. 3, comprises the following columns: identification ID, state description ZB, field device type G, and origin U. In this specific example, a row of the table comprises data transmitted by means of a connection V from a mobile device MG, which data includes a state description Zij of a field device FG with identification I Di, wherein the index i numbers a specific identification ID of a field device FG, for example, i=1,2,3 corresponds to a field device FG with a first, second, third identification ID1, ID2, ID3, wherein the index j further numbers the state descriptions ZB assigned to a field device FG with a specific identification ID in ascending order, so that, for example, a first state description ZB of a field device FG with identification I Di is designated as ZBi1.In this configuration, the information in the columns Field Device Type G and Origin U is generated by combining the information in the Identification ID column with information from another database. This other database can, for example, be a register in which a device identification ID is linked to a field device type G of a field device FG and a location, whereby, for example, a field device FG with a first identification ID1 is assigned a first field device type G1, a field device FG with a second identification ID2 is assigned a second device type, and a field device FG with a third identification ID3 is assigned a third field device type G3.The information in the Origin U column can include, for example, a timestamp t, a location, a region, or a user, which are assigned to the field device FG that generated the data underlying the row and transmitted by the mobile device MG.

[0034] The database DB can contain additional columns, indicated by the column labeled "...". These additional columns can, for example, contain information created and / or derived from combinations of entries in the columns Identification ID, Status Description ZB, Field Device Type G, together with information from other databases.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the statistics S according to the invention. In this specific example, the statistics are a bar chart for a particular field device type G with errors numbered from 1 to 4. Errors are defined as events that cause condition descriptions, which can be assigned to a field device FG of field device type G and include, for example, certain error types and false alarms.

[0036] In this diagram, two horizontal bars are assigned to each error, corresponding to a first origin U1 and a second origin U2. The length of each bar correlates with the frequency of the error at origin U, which can be expressed as absolute values ​​or percentages. The statistic S is generated from the database DB and can include further data filters, such as a selection of timestamp t, location, region, or user. The statistic S reveals the relationship between errors and origins U. In this specific case, the statistic S can be interpreted to mean that field devices FG of a field device type G with a first origin U1 are more prone to errors than similar field devices FG of field device type G with a second origin U2, particularly for error 1 and error 2. Reference symbol list.

[0037] G Field device type

[0038] Gi, i=1 -3 first, second, third field device type

[0039] ÜE (superordinate unit)

[0040] N network

[0041] FG Field Device

[0042] ZB Condition description

[0043] ID Identification

[0044] IDi, i=1 -3 first, second, third identification

[0045] ZB ij state description for i=1 -3, j=1 ,2

[0046] AE display element

[0047] ml machine-readable information

[0048] DA digital address

[0049] MG mobile device

[0050] DB database

[0051] S Statistics t Timestamp

[0052] SC static code

[0053] VC mutable code

[0054] Z condition

[0055] Diagnosis

[0056] U origin

[0057] Ui, i=1 -3 first, second, third origin

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for acquiring statistical properties of a field device type (G) by means of a higher-level unit (TRU), wherein the higher-level unit (TRU) is connected to a network (N), wherein a field device (FD) of field device type (G) has at least one state description (ZB), wherein the field device (FD) has an identification (ID) and a display element (AE), comprising at least the following steps: Generating machine-readable information (Ml) by the field device (FG), o Where the information (Ml) includes the identification (ID) and at least one state description (ZB) of the field device (FG); o Where the information (Ml) includes a digital address (DA) of the higher-level unit (ÜE) in the network (N); - Displaying the information (ML) on the display element (AE); - Reading the information (ML) with a mobile device (MG); Unpacking the identification (ML), the at least one state description (ZB) and the digital address (DA) from the information (ML) by the mobile device (MG); - Connecting the mobile device (MG) to the network (N); Transmission of the identification (ID) and at least one status description (ZB) by the mobile device (MG) to the higher-level unit (ÜE) using the digital address (DA); Storing the identification (ID) and at least one status description (ZB) in a database (DB) of the superior unit (ÜE); Creating a statistic (S) for the field device type (G) based on the stored state descriptions (ZB).

2. Method according to claim 1 , - wherein each of the state descriptions (ZB), in particular those stored, has a timestamp (t).

3. Method according to claim 2, - wherein the statistics (S), in particular defined by timestamps (t), comprise frequencies of at least one state description (ZB) of a field device type (G); - where the statistics (S) provide a quantitative representation of the frequencies of at least one state description (ZB).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, - where the machine-readable information (ML) comprises a static code (SC) and a variable code (VC).

5. Method according to claim 4, - where the static code (SC) includes the identification (ID) of the field device (FG) and the digital address (DA) of the higher-level unit (ÜE).

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, - where the variable code (VC) includes the state (Z) of the field device (FG).

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, - wherein at least one status description (ZB) of the field device (FG) includes stored diagnostic information; - where the diagnostic information relates to at least one current and / or past event attributable to the field device (FG).

8. Method according to claim 7, - where an event can be a specific type of error, a false alarm, an initial or re-startup, or a reset.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - where the static code (SC) includes a Data Matrix code, a QR code, or a barcode.

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - where the variable code (VC) includes a FlickerCode or a 2D Flicker Code.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, - wherein the mobile device (MG) includes a handheld device, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a special device for operating field equipment (FG).

12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, - where the overarching unit (UU) is a cloud-based service platform.

13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - wherein the higher-level unit (TR) creates a diagnosis (D) for the field device (FD) based on at least one status description (ZB) and statistics (S); - wherein the higher-level unit (TRU) transmits the diagnosis (D) to the mobile device (MG) via network (N).

14. Method according to claim 13, - where the diagnosis (D) contains an instruction and / or a guide.

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