Field transmitter

• US 20020004370A1
• Filed: 07/06/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser GmbH+Co (ENDRESS)
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser GmbH+Co (ENDRESS)
• Inventors: Krause, Michael, Stengele, Florian, de Groot, Vincent, Lutke, Wolfram
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25186 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/02 in which the signal transmitted is magnitude of current or voltage G08C19/36, G08C19/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks

Abstract

For a field transmitter F, the control device B is in the form of a separately portable unit linked to the field transmitter S1 by radio over short ranges. This eliminates the need to make a direct visit to an inaccessible field transmitter S1 for control purposes. In addition, one control device B can be used to control a plurality of field transmitters S1, S2, S3, A1, A2 by radio. In situ control, which is normally permanently integrated into the field transmitters S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, can be dispensed with.

Claims

1. A field transmitter for process automation having a

control device for data input and display, wherein the

control device B is in the form of a separately portable unit, and control device B and field transmitter S1 are linked by radio,

the radio link being limited to the local area surrounding the field transmitter S1.

2. The field transmitter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio link is effected on the basis of the Bluetooth standard.

3. The field transmitter as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the field transmitter S1 has a microprocessor P connected to a Bluetooth chipset SE, and wherein the control device B likewise has a microprocessor P1 which is connected to a corresponding Bluetooth chipset SE1.

4. The field transmitter as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein an antenna connection is provided on the housing of the field transmitter S1.

5. The field transmitter as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the field transmitter S1 is used for recording a process variable.

6. The field transmitter as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the field transmitter S1 is connected to a central control unit PLS by means of a field bus FB.

7. The field transmitter as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission rate between field transmitter S1 and control device B is approximately 1 Mbit/sec.

8. The field transmitter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control device B is a portable computer (laptop).

9. The field transmitter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control device B is a portable miniature computer (palmtop).

10. The field transmitter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control device B is a portable handheld appliance.

11. The field transmitter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control device B is a portable radio telephone (mobile).

12. A method for controlling a field transmitter as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the control device is used to transmit software changes (updates/upgrades) to the field transmitter S1.

13. A method for controlling a field transmitter as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the control device B is used to initiate a recurrent test on the field transmitter S1.

14. A method for controlling a field transmitter as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the control device B is used to make a status query for the purpose of predictive maintenance of the field transmitter S1.