Field Diagnostic Scripts for Automated Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diagnosing multiple field devices is labor-intensive and prone to human errors, especially when parameters need to be changed for operational adjustments or functionality enabling/disabling.

Innovation Solution

A field device equipped with a storage unit and processor that executes a diagnostic script received through field communication, allowing automated diagnosis and parameter changes without direct user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual diagnosis and parameter changes are performed on multiple field devices, then diagnostic coverage is complete, but user workload increases and human errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiduser workload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The field device performs self-diagnosis by automatically executing diagnostic scripts stored in its memory. The processor reads the script and carries out the diagnostic process without requiring continuous user intervention, enabling the device to service itself while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Diagnostic scripts are prepared and stored in the field device's memory in advance. These scripts contain pre-defined diagnostic sequences and parameter change instructions that are executed automatically when triggered, eliminating the need for manual step-by-step operations during actual diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If repeated manual operations are performed for each parameter reading, then complete parameter extraction is achieved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter extraction completenessVSAvoiddiagnosis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic script stored in memory contains pre-defined sequences for reading all necessary parameters. When the processor executes this script, it automatically retrieves all required parameter values in a single operation sequence, rather than requiring repeated manual requests for each parameter individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple parameter reading operations that were previously performed separately are merged into a single automated diagnostic script execution. The processor sequentially reads multiple parameters through one unified process, combining what were previously separate manual operations into one efficient automated routine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual parameter changes are performed for operational adjustments, then field device functionality is updated, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield device configurabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Parameter change instructions are prepared in advance as part of the diagnostic script stored in memory. When execution is required, the processor automatically applies these pre-configured parameter changes without requiring the user to manually navigate through complex configuration menus or calculate appropriate parameter values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic script acts as an intermediary between the user's diagnostic intent and the field device's parameter settings. Instead of directly manipulating device parameters, the user triggers script execution, which then mediates the parameter changes automatically based on the stored instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4571438A1Field device and diagnostic method
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4571438A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4571438A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4571438A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a field device (20) capable of performing field communication, a diagnostic script received using the field communication is stored in a storage unit (211), the diagnostic script describing a sequence of a diagnostic process to be executed at the field device (20), and a processor (212) makes a diagnosis on the field device (20) by executing the diagnostic script stored in the storage unit (211). For example, by executing the diagnostic script, the processor (212) acquires information on an alarm that has occurred at the field device (20), updates firmware of the field device (20), acquires an internal variable of the field device (20), or performs zero point adjustment of the field device (20).