Method for exchange of upkeep-relevant information with a computer-supported, upkeep system

• US 8,040,818 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2008
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG
• Inventors: Nunnenmacher, Klaus, Veith, Georg, Da Silva Neto, Eugenio Ferreira, Maneval, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, THONG H
• Application Number:
  US12/219,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20090030950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/252, 455/428, 455/414, 455/415, 455/419, 455/41, 340/539, 340/5.31
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40 Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• 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 for exchanging upkeep-relevant information regarding a field device with a computer-supported upkeep system, which manages upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device in a database. A mobile, manually portable device is utilized, which has an interface for a wireless Internet access. According to the method, a wireless Internet access is established by the mobile, manually portable device. Subsequently, upkeep-relevant invention regarding the field device is exchanged between the computer-supported, upkeep system, which is connected to the Internet, and the mobile, manually portable device, via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method for exchange, utilizing a mobile, manually portable device, which has an interface for a wireless Internet access, of upkeep-relevant information regarding a field device with a computer-supported upkeep system, which manages upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device in a database the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless Internet access from the mobile, manually portable device; and

exchanging, via the Internet, between the computer-supported upkeep system, which is connected to the Internet, and the mobile, manually portable device, upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device wherein;

the step of exchanging of upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device includes retrieving upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device from the computer-supported upkeep system by the mobile, manually portable device, especially the retrieving of device data of the field device, handbooks for the field device, checklists, warranty information, upkeep intervals, service contracts, information concerning purchase date of the field device, information concerning expected service life of the field device, replacement part information for the field device, information regarding availability of replacement parts, date of last upkeep measure for the field device, information on malfunction reports of the field device and on problem handling, statistical information regarding frequency of various defects and/or of already performed upkeep work, information concerning available maintenance personnel, information for parametering, calibrating and/or configuring the field device, information regarding condition monitoring of the field device, and/or work orders created by the computer-supported upkeep system.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the mobile, manually portable device includes a W-LAN (Wireless Local Area Network) interface, so that a W-LAN access of the mobile, manually portable device to the Internet can be established; and

/or

that the Internet access of the mobile, manually portable device can be established via HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE or GPRS, wherein;

the mobile, manually portable device preferably includes an integrated web browser.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the step of exchanging upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device includes inputting upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device from the mobile, manually portable device into the computer-supported upkeep system, especially inputting a service report, required replacement parts, an order regarding further upkeep work to be performed, and/or a malfunction report.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the computer-supported upkeep system manages, in a database, upkeep-relevant information regarding a plurality of field devices of one or more plants.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the mobile, manually portable device includes a data processing unit, especially that the mobile, manually portable device is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the exchange of upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device between the computer-supported upkeep system and the mobile, manually portable device includes synchronizing the mobile, manually portable device and the computer-supported upkeep system with one another via the Internet.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the computer-supported, upkeep system comprises a “

CMMS”

(Computerized Maintenance Management System) and/or a “

PAM”

(Plant Asset Management).

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the computer-supported upkeep system is implemented as software in a computer and/or in a superordinated unit connected with at least one field device, and either the computer or the superordinated unit, or both the computer and the superordinated unit, is/are connectable with the Internet.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the field device isconnected via a bus system with a superordinated unit;

the computer-supported upkeep system is implemented in the superordinated unit, so that upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device is exchangeable via the bus system between the field device and the computer-supported upkeep system, especially that the field device sends to the computer-supported upkeep system via the bus system a request for one or more replacement parts, and/or a request regarding upkeep work to be performed.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

stored in the field device are/is a list of replacement parts for the field device and their relevant ordering information, and/or device-specific information regarding upkeep work to be performed.

11. A method for exchange, utilizing a mobile, manually portable device, which has an interface for a wireless Internet access, of upkeep-relevant information regarding a field device with a computer-supported upkeep system, which manages upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device in a database the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless Internet access from the mobile, manually portable device; and

exchanging, via the Internet, between the computer-supported upkeep system, which is connected to the Internet, and the mobile, manually portable device, upkeep-relevant information regarding the field device, wherein;

in a case in which a replacement part is required for the field device, the following step is performed;

sending an order for the replacement part from the mobile, manually portable device via wireless Internet access to a manufacturer or a supplier of the replacement part, or to a replacement part storage location.