HANDHELD FIELD MAINTENANCE DEVICE WITH IMPROVED USER INTERFACE

• US 20120038548A1
• 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 9,703,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 is provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device. The handheld field maintenance tool also includes a display and a user input device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module, the user input device and the display and is configured to generate a listing of task-based field maintenance operations on the display and receive a user input selecting a task-based field maintenance operation. The controller is configured to automatically traverse a menu of the field device using a fast-key sequence relative to the selected task. A method of creating a task-based field maintenance operation is provided. A method of interacting with a field device menu is also provided.

Claims

1. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

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

a display;

a user input device;

a controller coupled to the process communication module, the user input device and the display the controller being configured to generate a listing of task-based field maintenance operations on the display and receive a user input selecting a task-based field maintenance operation; and

wherein the controller is configured to automatically traverse a menu of the field device using a fast-key sequence relative to the selected task.

2. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the controller stores a listing of task-based field maintenance operations and associated fast-key sequences for the field device.

3. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 2, wherein the controller stores a listing of task-based field maintenance operations and associated fast-key sequences for at least one additional field device.

4. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to generate an icon on the display indicating that task-based field maintenance is enabled.

5. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to facilitate selection of a task-based field maintenance operation.

6. A computer-implemented method for creating a task-based field maintenance operation using a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

receiving a user input to create a task-based field maintenance operation on a handheld field maintenance tool;

receiving a label relative to the task-based field maintenance operation;

receiving a plurality of keystrokes on the handheld field maintenance tool; and

storing information indicative of the label and the plurality of keystrokes.

7. The method of claim 6, and further comprising coupling the handheld field maintenance tool to a field device, obtaining a device type for the field device, and associating the task-based field maintenance operation with the device type.

8. The method of claim 6, and further comprising uploading the stored information indicative of the label and the plurality of keystrokes to another device.

9. The method of claim 6, and further comprising:

coupling the handheld field maintenance tool to a field device;

receiving user input selecting the task-based field maintenance operation; and

generating a series of signals to the field device corresponding with the stored plurality of keystrokes.

10. A method of providing a menu map on a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

communicatively coupling the handheld field maintenance tool to a field device;

determining if a menu map view is enabled for the field device and indicating such enablement on a display of the handheld field maintenance tool;

receiving a user input selecting a menu map view; and

displaying a substantially pictorial indication of a menu structure relative to the field device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool is intrinsically-safe.

12. The method of claim 10, and further comprising receiving user input relative to the substantially pictorial indication of the menu structure.

13. The method of claim 12, and further comprising responsively modifying the substantially pictorial indication.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein modifying includes zooming the substantially pictorial indication.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein modifying includes translating the substantially pictorial indication in at least one direction.

16. The method of claim 12, and further comprising displaying a menu view on the handheld field maintenance tool at a location that corresponds to the user input relative to the substantially pictorial indication of the menu structure.