Method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology

• US 20060120316A1
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Seger, Andrea, Von Stein, Bert
• Granted Patent: US 8,250,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/315
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23295 Load program and data for multiple processors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology by loading the required descriptions from an external server (S), by means of an application programme, into a controller (for example, PC1; PC2).

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology, where a control unit and an external server are employed, comprising the step of:

downloading device descriptions for the field devices from the external server utilizing an application program in the control unit.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the application program queries the server, in regular intervals, as to whether new device descriptions are available.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the device descriptions are device descriptions DDs.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

preconfigured device descriptions are stored in the server.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the device descriptions in the server are saved in respective national languages.

12. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

the control unit and the server are connected with one another via the Internet.