Interface unit for automation systems and method of providing and installing such an interface

• US 7,693,592 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Dreyer, Thomas, Limmer, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US10/957,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20060095545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 700/95, 700/97
• US Class Current: 700/95
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32033 Send article design, needed material, packaging and shipping info to manufacturer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprises the steps of receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between the engineering/control system within the facility and the machines or installations; manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill the definition or specification and adapting the communication interface unit to the definition or specification; providing the communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing the machine or installation; delivering the machine or installation and the communication interface unit to the facility; and integrating the machine or installation equipped with the communication interface unit within the facility.

Claims

1. A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering or a control system within a facility, the facility comprising a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said engineering or control system within the facility and said machines or installations, the method comprising the steps of:

manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced and adapted interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification;

providing said communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing said machine or installation;

delivering said machine or installation and said communication interface unit to said facility; and

integrating said machine or installation equipped with said communication interface unit within said facility.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of adapting said communication interface unit is performed by an integrator or by said machine or installation manufacturer.

4. A method of providing enhanced functionality within a facility comprising an engineering or a control system coupled with a plurality of machines or installations, and a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said facility and said machines or installations, the method comprising the steps of:

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced and adapted interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification;

adapting at least one machine or installation within said facility to said communication interface unit; and

coupling said communication interface unit between said machine or installation and said engineering or control system within the facility.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of adapting said machine or installation is performed by an integrator, a machine or installation manufacturer or a facility operator.

7. A method of providing enhanced functionality within a facility comprising an engineering or a control system coupled with a plurality of machines or installations, and a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said engineering or control system within the facility and said machines or installations, the method comprising the steps of:

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced and adapted interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification;

adapting said communication interface unit to at least one machine or installation within said facility; and

coupling said communication interface unit between said machine or installation and said engineering or control system within the facility.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of adapting said machine or installation is performed by an integrator, a machine or installation manufacturer or a facility operator.

10. A method of providing enhanced functionality for machines or installations, comprising the steps of:

creating a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between a facility and machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced and adapted interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification;

coupling said communication interface unit with a machine or installation through a standard interface; and

offering said machine or installation with said communication interface to a customer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a machine or installation manufacturer.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of adapting said communication interface unit is performed by an integrator.

13. A method of providing enhanced functionality for machines or installations coupled with an engineering or a control system within a facility, comprising the steps of:

creating a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between a facility and machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced and adapted interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification; and

coupling said communication interface unit with a machine or installation and with said engineering or control system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a facility operator.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a machine or installation manufacturer.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of machines and installations each is equipped with said communication interface unit.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a server and coupling said server with all communication interface units.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the server provides for an electronic diagnosis of said machines or installations.