Field device with long-term firmware compatability
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A field device having at least one memory and at least two replaceable modules, each of which has hardware and firmware associated with the hardware. In such case, firmware version information of a compatible firmware version combination of the modules of the field device is stored in the at least one memory or such is storable therein at a first-time start-up of the field device. Furthermore, the field device is embodied in such a manner that a comparison in the case of at least one module of its firmware version with the firmware version information stored in the memory is automatically performable and that the module is automatically switchable to the firmware version as claimed in the firmware version information, in case the comparison shows a deviation of the firmware version of the module from the firmware version of the firmware version information stored for the corresponding module.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1-14. -14. (canceled)
-
15. A field device, especially a sensor and/or an actuator, comprising:
-
at least one memory; and at least two replaceable modules, each of which has hardware and firmware associated with the hardware, wherein; firmware version information of a compatible firmware version combination of said modules of the field device is stored in said at least one memory or such is storable therein at a first-time start-up of the field device; the field device is embodied in such a manner that a comparison in the case of at least one module of the field device of its firmware version with the firmware version information stored in said at least one memory is automatically performable; and the module is automatically switchable to the firmware version according to the firmware version information, in case the comparison shows a deviation of the firmware version of the module from the firmware version of the firmware version information stored for the corresponding module. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A method for long-term maintenance of firmware compatibility of a field device, especially a sensor and/or an actuator, which field device includes at least one memory and at least two replaceable modules, each of which has hardware and firmware associated with the hardware, comprising the steps of:
-
storing firmware version information of a compatible firmware version combination of the modules of the field device in the at least one memory; automated performing of a comparison in the case of at least one module of the field device of its firmware version with the firmware version information stored in the memory; and automated switching of the module to the firmware version of the firmware version information, in case the comparison shows a deviation of the firmware version of the module from the firmware version of the firmware version information stored for the corresponding module. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
Specification