Device for communicating with a system

• US 8,063,733 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Rieger, Gottfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal
• Application Number:
  US10/571,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20070030114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,643 Days
• Field of Search: 340/3.1, 340/5.6, 340/4.11, 340/4.42, 340/4.61, 340/5.1, 710/5
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• 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: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A device for communicating with a system, especially for operating and monitoring an automated industrial manufacturing system is described. The device contains a mobile communication device for wireless exchange of data with the system. Further, the device also includes a fixed installed connection for the communication device and a sensor recognizing whether the communication device is connected to the fixed installed connection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communicating with a system, comprising:

a mobile communication device for wirelessly exchanging data with the system;

a stationary connection interface for accommodating and connecting the mobile communication device to the system;

a sensor for detecting whether the mobile communication device is connected to the stationary connection interface; and

a system control unit, wherein the system control unit is connected to the sensor for analyzing the detecting by the sensor,

wherein a functionality of the mobile communication device is changed when the mobile communication device is connected to the stationary connection interface such that the functionality of the mobile communication device chances from a setup mode or a correction mode into a normal mode deactivating the setup-specific functionality, the setup mode or correction mode being used for wirelessly configuring or adjusting the system.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is an operating and monitoring system of an automation system used in industrial manufacturing.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device includes an interface cable, and the stationary connection interface includes a cable connection interface for accommodating the interface cable.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection interface includes a storage location for accommodating the mobile communication device.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is fixed to the stationary connection interface using a detachable lock.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a switch configured to interact with the mobile communication device.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensor is a switch configured to interact with the interface cable.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a data connection interface for establishing a wire-based data exchange between the system and the mobile communication device; and

a selector unit for changing over between wireless and wire-based data exchange.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor is configured to interact with the selector unit such that the changing over to wire-based data exchange is executed if the mobile communication device is connected to the stationary connection interface.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary connection interface includes a power supply for supplying the mobile communication device when connected to the connection interface.