Method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology

• US 8,250,174 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Seger, Andrea, Von Stein, Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Kenny
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taha, Shaq
• Application Number:
  US10/522,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20060120316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,322 Days
• Field of Search: 709/218
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23295 Load program and data for multiple processors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A method for updating device descriptions for field devices in process automation technology by loading the required descriptions from an external server (S), by means of an application program, into a controller (for example, PC1; PC2).

Claims

1. A method for updating device descriptions for different field devices, sensors or actuators for determining, and influencing process variables during process activity in process automation technology, comprising the steps of:

connecting the field devices, sensors or actuators via a field bus;

in each case describing the functionality of a device description of the corresponding field device, sensor or actuator by way of a device description;

employing a control unit and an external server whereby from the control unit the process activity is controlled or monitored and from which direct access to individual field devices is possible, wherein data transfer between the field devices and the control unit is carried out according to an international standard for field buses, storing preconfigured device descriptions for specific applications of the field devices on a central server connected to the field bus via the internet;

storing and running an application program in the control unit for servicing, configuring, parameterizing, or troubleshooting the field device, which application program requires device descriptions for field devices for its operation; and

downloading from the central server via the internet, by the application program in the control unit, the preconfigured device description of the corresponding field device to be serviced in the case that the preconfigured version of the device description of the field device is not available in the control unit;

wherein;

the application program queries the external server, in regular intervals, as to whether new device descriptions are available.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the device descriptions are device descriptions DDs.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the device descriptions in the external server are saved in respective national languages.