Device and process for operation of automation components

• US 7,043,310 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Wagner, Peter, Kiesel, Martin, Polz, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US09/965,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,685 Days
• Field of Search: 710/15, 710/17, 710/18, 710/19, 710/73, 700/66, 700/108, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/825, 340/870.01, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 700/66
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23161 Hand held terminal PDA displays machine control program when user is near that machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio

Abstract

The operation of automation components is to be configured conveniently. Consequently, use is made of generally available IT units, for example PDA or mobile radio telephones, as simple HMI (Human Machine Interface). In this case, the nearest automation component can be displayed visually to the operator. The processing of conversion processes or service routines can be controlled by workflows. Furthermore, personalized or unit-specific access rights can be awarded.

Claims

1. A system for operating and/or observing automation components, comprising a plurality of automation components each comprising a wireless transceiver, and a device for wireless data communication with the transceivers of the automation components including a data processing device for processing data received and to be transmitted, wherein the data processing device identifies all automation components with which communication has been established and determines a spatial distance of said automation components from a location of the device for wireless data communication, wherein a nearest automation component is detected, and wherein the system further comprises a graphics display for visualizing the location of the identified automation components which are in data communication with the apparatus using symbols uniquely assigned to the automation components, wherein the nearest automation component is visualized by predetermined symbols or highlighting.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein multimedia messages can be processed and transmitted via the data processing device.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an authorization device for acquiring operator identification information from an operator to establish authorization to operate the automation components.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the authorization device can send operator unit identification information to the automation components and/or to external servers.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the operator identification information can be acquired from a password, a PIN, a dongle, a memory card and/or a fingerprint.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is used to call up and/or process work-flows for commissioning, converting and/or servicing the automation components and/or an external server.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising a display device for optically guiding an operator when processing a workflow.

8. The system according to claim 6, further comprising an input/output device for controlling and/or processing a workflow by the operator.

9. A method for operating and/or observing a system of automation components comprising the steps of:

wirelessly communicating data to the automation components by a mobile device,

processing the data received and to be transmitted to the automation components,

evaluating the data received from the automation components thereby identifying all automation components with which communication has been established and determining a spatial distance of each automation component from an operating location and identifying a automation component nearest to said operation location;

visualizing the location of said automation components with which data communication exists via uniquely assigned symbols or texts on a display, and

visualizing the nearest automation component by predetermined symbols or highlighting.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the data are for communicating and processing multimedia messages.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising acquiring operator identification information from an operator to establish authorization to operate the automation components.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein communication comprises sending operator unit identification information to the automation components and/or to external servers such that the automation components and/or the external servers can check the authorization to operate.

13. The method according to claim 11, in which operator identification information is acquired from a password, a PIN, a dongle, a memory card and/or a fingerprint.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising calling up and/or processing workflows for commissioning, converting and/or servicing the automation components and/or an external server.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising optically guiding an operator when processing a workflow.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein workflows are controlled and/or processed by an operator.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising login the work steps carried out by operator.

18. A system for operating and/or observing automation components, comprising a plurality of automation components each comprising a wireless transceiver, and a device for wireless data communication with the transceivers of the automation components including a data processing device for processing data received and to be transmitted, wherein the data processing device identifies all automation components with which communication has been established and determines a spatial distance of said automation components from a location of the device for wireless data communication, wherein a nearest automation component is detected, and wherein the system further comprises a display for displaying the identified automation components which are in data communication with the apparatus using symbols or text uniquely assigned to the automation components, wherein the nearest automation component is visualized by predetermined symbols or highlighting.