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

• US 9,106,532 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• 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): Patel, Hitesh
• Application Number:
  US13/552,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20120284377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 709221-227
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 in process automation technology, whereby the field devices are connected via a field bus,

whereby in each case a device description describes the functionality of the corresponding field device in a standardized language and

whereby a control unit and an external server are employed, and

whereby from the control unit a 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, comprising the steps:

storing preconfigured device descriptions for specific applications of the field devices on a central server connected to the field bus via 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;

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;

wherein following a query of the device type of the field device corresponding device information for servicing the field device is downloaded from the central server.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the case that a preconfigured version of the device description of the field device is not available in the control unit the necessary device descriptions are downloaded via the internet from the central server.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the most up-to-date device descriptions are stored on the central server.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the updated device information is only downloaded from the central server when the device information saved in the control unit differentiates from that stored in the field device.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein following appropriate selection by a user preconfigured device descriptions for specific applications of a field device which are stored on the central server are loaded from the application program.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device descriptions on the central server are stored in respective national language.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a current firmware for specific field devices are downloaded from the central server as well.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein as a result of the query of the application program specific information of various field devices and various users is transferred to the central server.