HANDHELD FIELD MAINTENANCE TOOL WITH IMPROVED DIAGNOSTICS

• US 20120038458A1
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Toepke, Todd M., Kantzes, Christopher P., Mathiowetz, Brad N., Yang, Kun, Lund, Adam E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,709,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/6.1
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/1518 one step being the formation of initial mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen for synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4068 Verifying part programme on screen, by drawing or other means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23018 Enter parameters by combinations of keys and duration of actuation of keys
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23054 Simulate response on entered parameters and display, quicker response
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23126 Display tree structure of whole system or relevant info after function selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23163 Display enlarged, zoomed detail and small overall schematic, plan
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23445 Real time simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23446 HIL hardware in the loop, simulates equipment to which a control module is fixed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24001 Maintenance, repair
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24012 Use camera of handheld device, head mounted display
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24028 Explosion free control, intrinsically safe
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24056 Portable, detachable module to input test signals, read test results
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25062 Detect physical location of field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31121 Fielddevice, field controller, interface connected to fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31197 Near field communication nfc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31475 : Zoom or pan display for flexible access to information
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32007 : Operator is assisted by expert system for advice and delegation of tasks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32144 : Define device description using dd files
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32226 : Computer assisted repair, maintenance of system components
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33331 : Test, diagnostic of field device for correct device, correct parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35422 : Unit freely movable in space, detect its position, orientation by triangulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35429 : Enter code number directly for function, no use of function keys
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36122 : Operator menu with submenu for each item
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36128 : Function menu, switches, keys replaced by menu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50193 : Safety in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 : Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 : comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 : Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications

Abstract

A handheld field maintenance tool with improved diagnostic functions is provided. The tool includes a process communication module configured to interact with a field device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module. The controller is configured to execute a number of improved diagnostic functions relative to the field device. The controller may obtain contextual information relative to a current field maintenance operation and preload at least one resource relative to a next field operation step. The controller may obtain process alarm information through a wireless communication module, and field device alert information through the process communication module and provide an indication on a display relative to both process alarm information and field device alert information. The controller may execute a sequence of field device maintenance operations on the field device in response to a signal from a user input device. The controller may obtain snapshot information in response to a signal from a user input device.

Claims

1. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module configured to interact with a field device; and

a controller coupled to the process communication module, the controller being configured to obtain contextual information relative to a current field maintenance operation and preload at least one resource relative to a next field operation step.

2. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool is intrinsically-safe.

3. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, and further comprising a wireless communication module coupled to the controller, and wherein at least some contextual information is obtained from a remote device through the wireless communication module.

4. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to provide help information relative to the field device.

5. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, and further comprising a display coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to provide in indication of overall field device health on the display.

6. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module configured to interact with a field device;

a display;

a wireless communication module; and

a controller coupled to the process communication module, the display and the wireless communication module, the controller being configured to obtain process alarm information through the wireless communication module, and field device alert information through the process communication module and provide an indication on the display relative to both process alarm information and field device alert information.

7. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 6, wherein the display is configured to provide the process alarm information and the field device alert information simultaneously.

8. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 6, wherein the process alarm information is obtained by communication with a process controller system located remotely from the field device.

9. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module configured to interact with a field device;

at least one user input device; and

a controller coupled to the process communication module, and the user input device, the controller being configured to execute a sequence of field device maintenance operations on the field device in response to a signal from the user input device.

10. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, wherein the sequence of field device maintenance operations include a plurality of test scripts.

11. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to parse an EDD file related to the field device to automatically obtain the sequence of field device maintenance operations.

12. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 11, wherein the EDD file is stored locally on the handheld field maintenance tool.

13. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to obtain field device identification information, and query a remote system using the field device identification information to obtain the EDD file.

14. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, wherein the signal is generated after a single keypress.

15. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, wherein the at least one user input device includes a function-dedicated button.

16. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, and further comprising a display coupled to the controller, the display being configured to provide an indication of results of the sequence of field operations.

17. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module configured to interact with a field device;

at least one user input device; and

a controller coupled to the process communication module, and the user input device, the controller being configured to obtain snapshot information in response to a signal from the user input device.

18. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 17, and further comprising a wireless communication module coupled to the controller, the wireless communication module being configured to transmit the snapshot information to a remote support entity.

19. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to receive a script in response to the snapshot information and execute the script relative to the field device.

20. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 19, wherein the script is a test script.

21. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 19, wherein the script is a repair script.