Field Device Operator Unit with Cross-OS App Emulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current field devices lack a standard application software for operation and maintenance, requiring separate software for each device type and often necessitating a second device for service technicians, even when smartphone apps are used, due to compatibility issues and lack of synchronization.
Innovation Solution
An operator control unit with an application program and emulation algorithm that allows execution of application software from a different operating system, providing access to hardware interfaces and communication protocols, enabling operation and maintenance of field devices with a single device, and optionally including a generic communication driver for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate operating programs are used for different field device types, then device-specific functionality is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring multiple software installations and management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal operating program that can operate multiple different field device types through a standardized interface. The system uses a common communication protocol and unified software architecture that adapts to various device types, eliminating the need for separate operating programs for each device while maintaining device-specific functionality through configuration rather than separate software installations.
2Reliability
If a second device is used for service technician operations, then access to field devices is maintained, but loss of time and productivity worsen due to carrying and synchronizing multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of multiple separate devices into a single integrated operating program that runs on one device. The system merges the capabilities of multiple device-specific operating programs into a unified platform, allowing service technicians to access and operate all field devices using a single device without the need for carrying multiple devices or performing synchronization operations.
3Ease of operation
If smartphone apps are used for field device operation, then ease of operation improves, but reliability worsens due to compatibility issues and lack of synchronization with central systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized communication protocol and interface layer that acts as an intermediary between smartphone applications and field devices. This intermediary layer ensures compatibility across different platforms while maintaining reliable data synchronization with central control systems, allowing the benefits of smartphone usability without sacrificing system reliability or synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator control unit for a field device used in automation technology includes a first operating system that includes an application program executable on the first operating system, and an emulation algorithm designed to execute, on the application program, application software executed on a second operating system. The application software has at least one communication protocol for coding/decoding telegrams transmitted to/from the field device and is designed to operate the field device, in particular to read, display and modify parameters of the field device, and/or to read and display measured values of the field device.