System and method for identifying automation components

• US 20060125607A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Gunther, Harald, Munz, Dieter
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.520
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/12 using record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25297 Identify controlled element, valve, and read characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31034 Component identifier and location indicator corresponding to component
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31283 Communication memory, storage, ram, eprom on workpiece or pallet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33203 Wireless transmission of power and data, inductively, rotary transformer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for identifying automation components, particularly sensors, actuators and wiring components. According to the invention, each component (sensor, actuator, cable, compensation box, etc.) that is to be identified is equipped with an identification unit in which a code for identifying the automation component is stored and which outputs said identification code when being activated. Preferably, the identification unit comprises an electronic circuit (e.g. an RFID chip or a discreet circuit) while being provided with galvanically insulating (inductive, capacitive, radio-based) or galvanically conducting coupling to the component that is to be identified. The identification unit can be subsequently mounted on a component or can be inseparably connected thereto already during the production of the component.

Claims

1. A system for identifying automation components of an automation system, comprising:

an identification unit assigned to each automation component;

an identification code stored in the identification unit for identifying the respective automation component;

a read unit for reading the identification code from the identification unit (ID); and

and activating unit for activating the identification units, the activating unit configured to address a pre-definable component class so that such identification unit corresponding to the pre-definable component class is caused to output its respective identification code.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the automation components are sensors, actuators or line components.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the read unit is configured to be connected to a peripheral module or an operating device of the automation system.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the read unit is configured to activate the identification units or to scan the identification code of each automation component.

5. The system according to claim 1;

wherein the read unit is configured to inject into a peripheral channel the energy required to supply the identification units.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit includes an electronic circuit and a coupling unit to the respective automation component.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit is embodied as a separate unit configured for subsequent mounting on an automation component or as a unit permanently connected to the respective automation component.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the activating unit is configured to activate the identification units such that providing energy supply to the respective identification unit causes the respective identification unit to output its respective identification code automatically as soon as a specified energy supply level is present at the respective identification unit.

9. An identification unit for a system for identifying automation components, wherein the identification unit is configured to be assigned to an automation component, the identification unit comprising:

an identification code stored in the identification unit for identifying the automation component;

a transmit unit for transmitting the identification code from the identification unit to a read unit; and

an activating device for activating the transmit unit to output the identification code of the automation component when a pre-definable component class corresponding to the identification unit is addressed.

10. The identification unit according to claim 9, wherein the transmit unit is configured to output the identification code automatically as soon as a specified energy supply level is present at the identification unit.

11. A read unit for a system for identifying automation components, wherein the read unit is configured to be connected to a peripheral module or an operating device of an automation system having the automation components, the read unit comprising:

a receiver for receiving an identification code output by an identification unit of an automation component; and

an activating unit for activating the identification unit, the activating unit configured to address a pre-definable component class so that the identification unit corresponding to the pre-definable component class is caused to output the identification code.

12. The read unit according to claim 11, where in the read unit is configured to inject into a peripheral channel the energy required to supply the identification unit.

13. The read unit according to claim 11, wherein the read unit is configured to activate the identification unit such that providing energy supply to the identification unit causes the identification unit to output its identification code automatically as soon as a specified energy supply level is present at the identification unit.

14. A method for identifying automation components of an automation system, the method comprising:

assigning of an identification unit to each automation component;

storing of an identification code for identifying the respective automation component in a storage unit of the identification unit;

reading of the identification code under program control or user control from the identification unit; and

activating the identification unit by selectively addressing a pre-definable component class to cause the identification unit corresponding to the pre-definable component class to output the identification code.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising injecting the energy required to supply the identification unit into a peripheral channel, by a read unit.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein activating the identification unit includes applying an energy supply to the identification unit and automatically outputting the identification code as soon as a specified energy supply level is present at the identification unit.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising executing an identification process regarding the automation components by a peripheral module upon switching on the automation system, wherein the automation system includes at least one peripheral channel, the identification process comprising:

connecting the read unit to the peripheral channel;

injecting the energy into the peripheral channel by the read unit;

activating the identification unit;

scanning the identification code;

terminating the injection of the energy; and

separating the read unit from the peripheral channel.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein

the automation system includes a plurality of peripheral channels, and

the identification process is executed sequentially for each peripheral channel.