Method for Checking for the Presence of a Current Firmware Version

• US 20150277903A1
• Filed: 03/26/2015
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft Fur Mess- Und Regeltechnik Mbh + Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser GmbH+Co (ENDRESS)
• Inventors: Wentland, Dietrich
• Application Number:
  US14/669,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20150277903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management

Abstract

A method for checking for the presence of a current firmware version of a sensor by a measurement transmitter, wherein in the measurement transmitter a table is stored, the table contains at least one firmware version number and associated information concerning the presence of a current firmware version. The method comprises the steps of: connecting the sensor to the measurement transmitter; ascertaining a firmware version number of the sensor by the measurement transmitter; comparing the firmware version number of the sensor with the at least one firmware version number in the table; ascertaining the information concerning the presence of a current firmware version based on the at least one firmware version number in the table; and producing a report, which displays the information concerning the presence of a current firmware version.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A method for checking for the presence of a current firmware version of a sensor by a measurement transmitter, wherein in the measurement transmitter a table is stored, which contains at least one firmware version number and associated information concerning the presence of a current firmware version, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the sensor to the measurement transmitter;

ascertaining a firmware version number of the sensor by the measurement transmitter;

comparing the firmware version number of the sensor with the at least one firmware version number in the table;

ascertaining the information concerning the presence of a current firmware version based on the at least one firmware version number in the table; and

producing a report, which displays the information concerning the presence of a current firmware version.

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

the table is updated via an interface.

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

the table provides information for a certain firmware version number as follows;

no current firmware version of the sensor exists,

current firmware version is available,

firmware version of the sensor is the current firmware version.

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

the report contains at least three options for the user, a first option includes the performing of the updating of the firmware, a second option includes time shifting of the producing of the report, and a third option includes ignoring the report.

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

the performing of the updating of the firmware occurs manually or automatically.

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

the sensor includes hardware with a hardware version, the at least one firmware version number is associated in the table with a hardware version number;

the measurement transmitter ascertains a hardware version number of the sensor and compares such with the hardware version number in the table and references the comparison for ascertaining information concerning the presence of a current firmware version.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the interface confirms an SD card.

14. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the interface comprises Ethernet.