Unified Interface for Industrial Field Device Configuration and Wireless Provisioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial control and automation systems face complexity and cost inefficiencies due to the need for separate provisioning tools in addition to conventional configuration and monitoring tools for field devices in wireless networks, such as ISA100.11a protocols.

Innovation Solution

A unified interface and method for a user device to configure and provision industrial field devices, supporting both configuration and provisioning operations, allowing for out-of-band communication and integration with existing protocols like HART, enabling local configuration, monitoring, and wireless network provisioning without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate provisioning tool is used in addition to conventional configuration and monitoring tools, then provisioning data can be transferred to the field device, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning capabilityVSAvoidtool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the provisioning tool functionality with the conventional configuration and monitoring tool into a single unified application. This allows the same user interface and software to handle both provisioning data transfer and traditional device configuration, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration and monitoring tool is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can now both provision field devices with wireless network credentials and perform traditional configuration and monitoring tasks. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for specialized provisioning tools while maintaining all original capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate provisioning tool is used, then provisioning data can be transferred to the field device, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the provisioning tool functionality with the conventional configuration and monitoring tool into a single unified application. This allows the same user interface and software to handle both provisioning data transfer and traditional device configuration, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration and monitoring tool is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can now both provision field devices with wireless network credentials and perform traditional configuration and monitoring tasks. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for specialized provisioning tools while maintaining all original capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional configuration tools are used, then device configuration can be performed, but provisioning onto wireless networks is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidprovisioning support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration and monitoring tool is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can now both provision field devices with wireless network credentials and perform traditional configuration and monitoring tasks. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for specialized provisioning tools while maintaining all original capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9405285B2Interface for local configuration and monitoring of an industrial field device with support for provisioning onto an industrial wireless network and related system and method

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method includes communicatively coupling a user device to a field device in an industrial control system in order to configure and provision the field device. The method also includes selecting an operating mode of the user device. The method further includes, in response to selecting a first operating mode, providing configuration data from the user device to the field device in order to configure the field device. In addition, the method includes, in response to selecting a second operating mode, providing provisioning data from the user device to the field device in order to provision the field device onto a wireless network. Providing the configuration data and the provisioning data could include communicating the provisioning data and the configuration data to the field device through an out-of-band communication interface. The out-of-band communication interface may include a direct wired interface or infrared interface.