Handheld field maintenance device with improved user interface

• US 9,703,279 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• 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: Mathiowetz, Brad N., Toepke, Todd M., Kantzes, Christopher P., Yang, Kun, Lund, Adam E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dasgupta, Shourjo
• Application Number:
  US13/191,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20120038548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,176 Days
• Field of Search: 345156, 715700, 715733, 715740, 715748, 715762-764, 715810
• 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

A handheld field maintenance tool is provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a process communication module configured to communicate with a field device. The handheld field maintenance tool also includes a display and a user input device. A controller is coupled to the process communication module, the user input device and the display and is configured to generate a listing of task-based field maintenance operations on the display and receive a user input selecting a task-based field maintenance operation. The controller is configured to automatically traverse a menu of the field device using a fast-key sequence relative to the selected task. A method of creating a task-based field maintenance operation is provided. A method of interacting with a field device menu is also provided.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a task-based field maintenance operation using a handheld field maintenance tool, the method comprising:

communicably coupling the handheld field maintenance tool to a field device;

detecting that a set of automatic fast-key sequences is available for the field device;

providing an indication that the automatic set of fast-key sequences is available for the field device;

receiving a user input to correlate a selected task-based field maintenance operation, implemented on a handheld field maintenance tool, to one of the fast-key sequences;

receiving a user-generated label for the selected task-based field maintenance operation;

receiving a plurality of keystrokes on the handheld field maintenance tool specific to the user-generated label and specific to the selected task-based field maintenance operation;

linking the user-generated label to the selected task-based field maintenance operation using the plurality of keystrokes; and

storing information indicative of the user-generated label in an Electronic Device Description (EDD) menu of an EDD, and the plurality of keystrokes and the selected task-based field maintenance operation in a guide of the EDD, and adding the plurality of keystrokes to the set of automatic fast-key sequences such that a user selection of the user-generated label causes the handheld field maintenance tool to automatically traverse the EDD menu to implement the selected task-based field maintenance operation.

2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising obtaining a device type for the field device, and associating the task-based field maintenance operation with the device type.

3. The method of claim 1, and further comprising uploading the stored information indicative of the user-generated label and the user-generated plurality of keystrokes to another device.

4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising:

receiving user input of the user-generated plurality of keystrokes selecting the task-based field maintenance operation; and

generating a series of signals to the field device corresponding with the stored user-generated plurality of keystrokes.