Detection and location of wireless field devices

• US 9,532,232 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Dewey, Alan Roger, Citrano, Joseph III, Toepke, Todd Mitchell, Russell, Alden Chester III, Rotvold, Eric D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Brenda H
• Application Number:
  US12/780,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20100290359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,419 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/338, 370/349, 370/400
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25062 Detect physical location of field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31131 Field device with gateway functions for communication with pc and other field devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.

Claims

1. A method of locating and directing a user to a selected field device in a process installation with a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

detecting a physical location of the selected field device via a wireless communication module of the handheld field maintenance tool, wherein detecting the physical location comprises submitting a query to a server over a wireless connection, wherein the query comprises an identification of the selected field device;

detecting a current position of the handheld field maintenance tool, wherein detecting the current position of the handheld field maintenance tool comprises accessing an internal GPS module of the handheld field maintenance tool;

generating, automatically, an indication, based at least in part on the detected physical location and at least in part on the detected current position, on the handheld field maintenance tool that directs the user of the handheld field maintenance tool from the detected current position to the detected physical location of the selected field device; and

automatically generating a local annunciation at the selected field device when the current position is within a threshold proximity of the physical location of the selected field device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an indication to the user includes presenting the user with a map indicating the current position and the physical location of the selected field device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld field maintenance tool complies with at least one intrinsic safety specification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a heading.

5. A method of locating and directing a user to a selected field device in a process installation with a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

detecting a physical location of the selected field device via a wireless communication module of the handheld field maintenance tool, wherein detecting the physical location comprises submitting a query to a server over a wireless connection, wherein the query comprises an identification of the selected field device;

detecting a current position of the handheld field maintenance tool, wherein detecting the current position of the handheld field maintenance tool comprises accessing an internal GPS module of the handheld field maintenance tool;

generating, automatically, an indication, based at least in part on the detected physical location and at least in part on the detected current position, on the handheld field maintenance tool that directs the user of the handheld field maintenance tool from the detected current position to detected physical location of the selected field device;

and wherein the indication includes an elevation angle.