Automation system with a connected sensor or actuator

• US 7,657,338 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Opaterny, Thilo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS R
• Application Number:
  US11/602,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20070124001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 700/11, 700108-110, 700115-116, 700/225, 700/226, 340/3.1, 340/3.2, 340/3.43, 340/3.6, 702/85, 702/90, 702/91, 702/104
• US Class Current: 700/116
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/66 Structural association with built-in electrical component coupling devices having concentrically or coaxially-arranged contacts H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The invention relates to an automation system with a control unit, to which at least one sensor or actuator is connected. To connect it to the control unit, the sensor or actuator is connected to the connector which features an RFID chip with relevant data of the sensor or actuator. The data for use in the control unit can be read out by means of a reader.

Claims

1. An automation system, comprising:

a control unit;

a sensor or an actuator external to the control unit;

a cable connected to the sensor or actuator for sense and/or control signaling between the control unit and the sensor or actuator, wherein the cable is external to both the control unit and to the sensor or actuator;

a connector on a distal end of the cable relative to the sensor or actuator, wherein the connector is a plug or socket connector for connecting the cable to the control unit;

a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip physically attached to the connector;

the RFID chip containing characteristic curve data of the sensor or actuator;

an RFID chip reader connected to the control unit, wherein the RFID chip reader reads the characteristic curve data of the RFID chip; and

wherein a module in the control unit automatically adapts to the sensor or actuator by obtaining the characteristic curve data from the RFID chip via the RFID chip reader when the connector is plugged into a terminal of the control unit;

wherein the RFID chip contains the characteristic curve data in encrypted form to authenticate that an original component is present.

2. The automation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID chip reader is directly physically attached to the control unit adjacent the terminal.

3. The automation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the sensor or actuator that insures a correct sensor or actuator is connected to the control unit.

4. The automation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the sensor or actuator for automatic parameterization of the sensor or actuator when the sensor or actuator is connected to the control unit.

5. The automation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cable is permanently connected to the sensor or actuator.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the RFID chip reader is a component of the module in the control unit.

7. The automation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID chip reader is external to and separate from the control unit, wherein the connector is plugged into the RFID chip reader, and the RFID chip reader is plugged into the terminal of the control unit by a second cable via a second plug or socket connector, wherein the RFID chip reader reads the RFID chip on the connector and forwards the characteristic curve data to the control unit through the second cable.

8. The automation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the RFID chip contains the characteristic curve data in encrypted form for certification of the sensor or actuator.

9. The automation system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the sensor or actuator that insures a correct sensor or actuator is connected to the control unit.

10. The automation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the sensor or actuator for automatic parameterization of the sensor or actuator when the sensor or actuator is connected to the control unit.

11. The automation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cable is permanently connected to the sensor or actuator.

12. An automation system for physical process control, comprising:

a control unit;

an actuator external to the control unit;

a cable connected to the actuator for control signaling between the control unit and the actuator, wherein the cable is external to both the control unit and to the actuator;

a connector on a distal end of the cable relative to the actuator, wherein the connector is a plug or socket connector for connecting the cable to the control unit;

a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip physically attached to the connector;

the RFID chip containing characteristic curve data of the actuator;

an RFID chip reader connected to the control unit, wherein the RFID chip reader reads the characteristic curve data; and

wherein a module in the control unit automatically adapts to the actuator by obtaining the characteristic curve data from the RFID chip via the RFID chip reader when the connector is plugged into a terminal of the control unit.

13. The automation system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the RFID chip contains the characteristic curve data in encrypted form to authenticate the actuator.

14. The automation system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the actuator that insures a correct actuator is connected to the control unit.

15. The automation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the RFID chip contains relevant information of the actuator for automatic parameterization of the actuator when the actuator is connected to the control unit.

16. The automation system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cable is permanently connected to the actuator.

17. The automation system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the RFID chip reader is external to and separate from the control unit, wherein the connector is plugged into the RFID chip reader, and the RFID chip reader is plugged into the terminal of the control unit by a second cable via a second plug or socket connector, wherein the RFID chip reader reads the RFID chip on the connector and forwards the characteristic curve data to the control unit via the second cable.