HANDHELD FIELD MAINTENANCE TOOL WITH SIMULATION OF FIELD DEVICE FOR INSTRUCTION OR QUALIFICATION

• US 20120040316A1
• 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: Mathiowetz, Brad N., Kantzes, Christopher P., Toepke, Todd M., Yang, Kun, Lund, Adam E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,268,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/219
• 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 includes a training mode. The handheld field maintenance tool has a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device, a user interface, and a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface. The controller is configured to interact with a user through the user interface, and is configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.

Claims

1. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device;

a user interface; and

a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface, the controller being configured to interact with a user through the user interface, the controller also being configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.

2. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to store user input during the simulation function.

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

4. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, and further comprising a wireless communication protocol module coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to interact with a remote wireless device to provide an indication relative to the simulation function.

5. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 4, wherein the indication is a real-time indication.

6. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to receive a command from the remote wireless device to alter the simulation function.

7. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the process communication module is a wired process communication module.

8. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the process communication module is a wireless process communication module.

9. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the field device is a simulated field device.

10. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 9, wherein the simulated field device is a simulated wireless field device.

11. A training module for a handheld field maintenance tool, the training module comprising:

a first pair of terminals coupleable to a corresponding pair of terminals of a handheld field maintenance tool;

a second pair of terminals coupleable to a field device;

a process communication media access unit;

a switch having a first mode, wherein the first and second pair of terminals are coupled together, and a second mode where the first pair of terminals is coupled to the process communication media access unit; and

a controller coupled to the switch and the process communication media access unit, the controller being configured to control the switch to selectively simulate the field device.

12. The training module of claim 11, and further comprising a wireless media access unit coupled to the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote wireless device.

13. The training module of claim 11, and further comprising a programming port coupled to the controller.

14. The training module of claim 13, wherein the programming port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

15. A method of training a process technician, the method comprising:

providing a handheld field maintenance tool;

causing the handheld field maintenance tool to enter a simulation mode;

receiving a number of inputs on the handheld field maintenance tool from the technician; and

evaluating the inputs from the technician.

16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising causing the handheld field maintenance tool to execute a training scenario.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of handheld field maintenance tools execute the training scenario, and wherein evaluating the inputs is executed at a training workstation.

18. The method of claim 15, and further comprising causing the technician to couple the handheld field maintenance tool to a field device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool provides at least some interaction with the field device, and some interaction that appears to the technician to be from the field device, but is instead from the handheld field maintenance tool.

20. The method of claim 19, and further comprising providing an indication relative to a simulation.