Field Device Signal Indicator Color Mapping for Fast Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices in process automation often require customized signaling adaptations that do not align with standard settings, necessitating complex reprogramming or dismantling, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and operating device that allow users to individually adapt the signaling of field devices by determining and assigning color tones to display elements, transmitting control signals to adjust the signaling without requiring device dismantling or reprogramming, using a portable or mobile operating device for wireless or wired communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If field device signaling is customized to meet specific customer requirements, then signaling adaptability is improved, but device complexity and reprogramming effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the signal display and extracts color information from the image to determine the color tone. This copying approach allows the operating device to acquire signaling parameters without complex reprogramming of the field device, resolving the contradiction by simplifying the customization process while maintaining signaling adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual reprogramming and physical configuration with automated image processing and color analysis. The camera-based system automatically determines color tones and generates control signals, eliminating the need for labor-intensive reprogramming and reducing device complexity while maintaining full signaling customization capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If field device signaling is adapted through reprogramming or dismantling, then signaling customization is achieved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the signal display state through image copying and automatically extracts color information. This allows rapid determination of color tones without time-consuming manual configuration or device dismantling, achieving signaling customization while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary color tone determination through image analysis before generating control signals. By pre-processing the visual information and automatically identifying color parameters, the system eliminates time-consuming manual reprogramming steps while maintaining full signaling customization capability
3Ease of operation
If standard signal display settings are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but user control and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera-based image copying approach allows users to easily capture and analyze the current signal display state. The automatic color extraction from images provides intuitive user control without requiring complex configuration procedures, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and configuration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining color tones from captured images and generating appropriate control signals without requiring manual reprogramming. This enhances user control and flexibility while maintaining device simplicity, as the field device autonomously processes the signaling adaptation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a control unit (10) for adjusting signalling of a field device (100) which can be displayed via a signal indicator (102) of the field device (100). To this end, a control unit (10) is used to specify a hue of at least one display element (104) of the signal indicator (102) of the field device (100), an attribute is assigned to the specified hue of the at least one display element (104) of the signal indicator (102), the attribute representing a significance of the specified hue for displaying a status of the field device (100), and a control signal is transmitted from the control unit (10) to the field device (100), the control signal containing information regarding the specified hue and regarding the attribute assigned to the specified hue.