Intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool with image and/or sound capture

• US 9,201,414 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Kantzes, Christopher P., Mathiowetz, Brad N., Toepke, Todd M., Yang, Kun, Lund, Adam E., Lattimer, Donald R., Franchuk, Brian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Czekaj, Dave
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beck, Leron
• Application Number:
  US13/191,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20120038760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 455/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/1518 one step being the formation of initial mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen for synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4068 Verifying part programme on screen, by drawing or other means
• 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: G05B 2219/23018 Enter parameters by combinations of keys and duration of actuation of keys
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23054 Simulate response on entered parameters and display, quicker response
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23126 Display tree structure of whole system or relevant info after function selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23163 Display enlarged, zoomed detail and small overall schematic, plan
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23445 Real time simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23446 HIL hardware in the loop, simulates equipment to which a control module is fixed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24001 Maintenance, repair
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24012 Use camera of handheld device, head mounted display
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24028 Explosion free control, intrinsically safe
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24056 Portable, detachable module to input test signals, read test results
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25062 Detect physical location of field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31121 Fielddevice, field controller, interface connected to fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31197 Near field communication nfc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31475 : Zoom or pan display for flexible access to information
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32007 : Operator is assisted by expert system for advice and delegation of tasks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32144 : Define device description using dd files
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32226 : Computer assisted repair, maintenance of system components
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33331 : Test, diagnostic of field device for correct device, correct parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35422 : Unit freely movable in space, detect its position, orientation by triangulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35429 : Enter code number directly for function, no use of function keys
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36122 : Operator menu with submenu for each item
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36128 : Function menu, switches, keys replaced by menu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50193 : Safety in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 : Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 : comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 : Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications

Abstract

An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured communicatively couple to a field device. A camera is configured to obtain at least one image relative to the field device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module and operably coupled to the camera. The controller is configured to store the at least one image relative to the field device. The handheld field maintenance tool may also include or employ an audio input device to capture audio files.

Claims

1. A handheld field maintenance tool comprising:

a process communication module configured to communicatively couple to a field device and obtain a unique identification tag from the field device;

a camera configured to obtain a first image and a second image relative to the field device;

a wireless communication protocol module configured to communicatively couple to a wireless gateway;

a global positioning system (GPS) module configured to determine a geographic location of the handheld field maintenance tool when the first image and the second image are obtained;

a controller coupled to the process communication module and the wireless communication module, and operably coupled to the camera and the GPS module, the controller being configured to;

acquire the first image from the camera,

link the unique identification tag to the first image,

store the first image in memory as an as-found image based on the unique identification tag,

perform maintenance on the field device,

acquire the second image from the camera,

link the unique identification tag to the second image,

store the second image in memory as an as-left image based on the unique identification tag,

store the geographic location as metadata in the memory based on the unique identification tag,

access a library using the wireless gateway,

store the first image and the second image in the library based on the unique identification tag, and

store the metadata in the library based on the unique identification tag.

2. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the camera is an internal component of the handheld field maintenance tool.

3. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the first image includes a first photograph of the entire field device and the second image includes a second photograph of the entire field device.

4. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the camera is an external module, and wherein the handheld field maintenance tool and the camera communicate using short-range, high speed wireless communication.

5. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, and further comprising:

a compass module configured to determine a pointing direction of the handheld maintenance tool; and

wherein the controller is operably coupled to the compass module and further configured to include the pointing direction with the metadata.

6. The handheld field maintenance tool of claim 1, and further comprising:

a tilt module configured to determine an angle of inclination of the handheld maintenance tool; and

wherein the controller is operably coupled to the tilt module and further configured to include the angle of inclination with the metadata.

7. A method of field maintenance using an intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

acquiring at least one as-found image relative to a field device;

coupling the handheld field maintenance tool to the field device and performing at least one maintenance function on the field device;

receiving a unique identification of the field device from the field device;

acquiring at least one as-left image relative to the field device after completion of the at least one maintenance function;

determining a geographic location of the handheld field maintenance tool when the at least one maintenance function is performed;

determining a pointing direction of the handheld maintenance tool when the at least one maintenance function is performed;

determining an angle of inclination of the handheld maintenance tool when the at least one maintenance function is performed;

storing the at least one as-found image and the at least one as-left image based on the unique identification;

storing the geographic location, the pointing direction, and the angle of inclination as metadata relating to the field device; and

wherein the intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool complies with at least one intrinsic safety specification such that it will not generate a source of ignition even under fault conditions.