DE102013204535A1 - Bus sharing unit i.e. actuator sensor-interface-process field network-gateway, for e.g. controlling field bus devices of automation technology, has display displaying codes with information of Internet protocol address and serial number - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit e.g. bus controller (1), has a graphics-suited display (4) for displaying quick response codes (5), which contain information of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a serial number, a field bus address and/or a hardware condition of the unit or another field bus unit i.e. slave, attached to a field bus (2). The display is accessed or changed by actuating a control element (3) i.e. key. The codes are detected by a code reader i.e. camera of a smartphone, decoded, and represented in a clear text by a service device e.g. service tool. An independent claim is also included for a method for diagnosing and/or parameterizing field bus devices of an automation technology.

Description

The invention relates to a fieldbus of automation technology with a bus subscriber according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for maintenance and / or parameterization of fieldbus devices of automation technology.

In particular, the invention relates to a bus controller for a two-wire bus. The preferred bus system is referred to as an actuator-sensor interface, AS-Interface or AS-i bus. However, the invention is also suitable for other bus systems. Such bus controllers, also called masters, are manufactured by the applicant and marketed under the name AC14xx controller.

The bus controllers mentioned above are operated via a keypad and have a display for displaying information relevant to the operator. Often, you also have an Ethernet port for access over a parent network or the Internet. The higher-level networks can be PROFIBUS or PROFINET (Process Field Network). On the display, the operator can u. a. also display the current IP address, the serial number, the fieldbus address or the hardware status of the bus station.

In many cases, the displayed information is needed at a different location, for example, when parameterizing a newly connected bus station (slave), for configuration in a higher-level control unit or for fault diagnosis. In these cases, the operator must remember or note the displayed information.

It is known from the literature to retrieve such information from the device via a W-LAN connection or an internet-capable mobile telephone, such as an iPhone or a smartphone.

Furthermore, from the DE 10153625 A1 known to provide the operation or the maintenance of a system information in the form of coded labels on or in a machine or system. For reasons of safety, coding is advantageously carried out in the form of a bar code or as a two-dimensional code (2-D code), for example in the form of a quick-response code (QR code).

The DE 602004009707 T2 shows a modular fieldbus board with a variety of fieldbus connections. The fieldbus board has a monitoring transceiver for detecting one or more physical quantities or also disturbances within the fieldbus layer. It has analog and / or digital interfaces, as well as a viewing device for displaying the detected diagnostic data and / or alarm signals.

The monitoring transceiver may be detachably connected to the fieldbus board. A disadvantage is considered to keep a special service device constantly ready, although it is actually relatively rare, namely to parameterize a newly connected bus subscriber or for fault diagnosis on site is needed.

From the DE 102008017278 B4 a fieldbus arrangement with a mobile diagnostic device is known. The diagnostic device can be designed as a handheld device and have a display. A disadvantage is considered that the handset must be connected to the wires of the bus for diagnosis.

The DE 602004008731 T2 concerns short distance communication between two digital devices. From this document it is known to capture a visual code shown on the display of another digital device with the image capture device of a mobile phone and transmit it to a decryption system. The actual data transmission then takes place via an additional wireless short-distance communication connection between the two digital devices. The additional short-distance communication connection is impractical and far too expensive in view of the small amounts of data to be transmitted for the maintenance and parameterization of fieldbus devices in automation technology.

The DE 102010022794 A1 relates to a system and apparatus for verifying data at a local control point. The data concerns coupons or serve to identify goods. The validation terminal can be formed, at least in part, by a mobile phone that captures the data with the built-in camera and communicates with the validation server over the telephone network. The disadvantage is the need for a sticker and the constant communication with the validation server.

The post-published DE 102010050192 A1 The related earlier application discloses a fault code scanner for home automation or household appliances and a method for transmitting the data. The data is in coded form, e.g. B. as a QR code displayed by a display of the home automation device, detected by a mobile scanning device, such as a mobile phone, transmitted to a PC or laptop, but also at least partially decoded by an integrated software and displayed to the user.

The object of the invention is to overcome the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. For this purpose, an arrangement and a method are specified which is particularly suitable for maintenance and parameterization of fieldbus devices of automation technology, in particular for the bus controller of a two-wire bus. For this purpose, information relevant to an operator, in particular for the service for commissioning, maintenance and diagnosis, should be transmitted quickly and without interference to an available mobile service device (service tool) and displayed to the operator in a visible manner.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1 and the method claim 5. The dependent claims relate to the advantageous embodiment of the invention.

The essential idea of the invention is to generate the desired information with the existing technology, for safety reasons, but also because of the higher transmission capacity, a two-dimensional code, especially a QR code application should apply. This can not be mounted in a known manner as a sticker or label on the system, but is generated according to the invention during operation on a display of Feldbusteilnehmers. The displayed code is again recorded in a known manner with a portable service device, for example with the camera of a mobile phone, decoded and displayed to an operator on the display of the service device.

The advantage is that current, the current state of the system information, such as the current IP address, or error messages can be transmitted quickly and safely. This simplifies the operator's work by eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone notation of alphanumeric strings, such as an address code or an IP address.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

1 shows a bus controller 1 for a fieldbus of automation technology 2

2 shows an arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention.

1 shows a bus controller 1 for a fieldbus of automation technology 2 with controls 3 for manual operation and a display 4 to display alphanumeric characters.

On the sides are the fieldbus connection 2 , here an AS-i bus, and the network connection 8th for the higher-level PROFINET.

the display 4 is at least partially graphics capable and has a mode for graphical display, in which a preferably two-dimensional code, in particular the QR code shown here 5 can be displayed.

2 shows an arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention. The bus participant 1 is with an AS-i bus 2 connected. In this case, the bus participant serves 1 also as AS-i Profinet gateway for connection to a higher-level network (PROFINET).

The on the display 4 illustrated QR code 5 will be with the code reader 6 of a service device 7 , for example, with the camera of a mobile phone (camera phone) detected, decoded with a software program and on the display of the service device 7 as plain text for display.

In an advantageous embodiment, the software for decoding via the wireless telephone connection of the service device 7 getting charged.

The other bus participants 10 can even have a display for displaying QR codes.

The bus subscriber according to the invention 1 is used to control fieldbus devices. The fieldbus 2 is preferably an actuator sensor interface (AS-i bus). The bus participant 1 has controls 3 in the form of buttons and a display 4 , as well as usually a network connection 8th to connect to a participant 9 a parent network.

the display 4 is for displaying two-dimensional codes 5 , in particular a QR code suitable. These QR codes can be activated by pressing a button and are included by the bus participant 1 provided service information. These can be the bus participant 1 itself, for example its current IP address and / or its serial number and / or its fieldbus address and / or its hardware state, or to the fieldbus 2 connected further bus participants 10 affect. This service information can be obtained from a code reader 6 in a service device 7 , preferably with the camera of a mobile phone, read, decoded and alphanumeric in plain text on the display of the service device 7 displayed and / or immediately forwarded or further processed by him.

In an advantageous embodiment, the bus subscriber 1 at least two different ones Provide service information as a QR code, this display by pressing a control 3 can be called or changed. Also, the type of coding with the controls 3 be changed so that the same display appears differently coded. In addition, the illustrated two-dimensional code through the controls 3 information added or changed (note). In addition, this information from the service device 7 be displayed or forwarded to a service center.

The invention also relates to a method for diagnosing and / or parameterizing fieldbus devices 1 the automation technology, z. B. a bus controller AC14xx, where the display 4 to display a dynamic QR code 5 is used to also current data of the fieldbus participant 1 such as IP address, serial number, fieldbus address or hardware state of the bus controller or other to the fieldbus 2 connected participants 10 accessible to an operator. The desired service information is encoded after entering a key combination from the display 4 of the fieldbus device 1 shown graphically by a service device 7 with an optical code reader 6 recorded, decoded and displayed in plain text.

In a first process step is at the fieldbus participant 1 a control 3 pressed to retrieve a desired information.

In a second method step, this information is used as a two-dimensional optical code 5 on the display 4 of the fieldbus participant 1 displayed.

In a third method step, the displayed QR code is read by an optical code reader 6 a service device 7 detected.

And in a fourth process step, this information is in plain text of one with the optical code reader 6 connected or containing this service device 7 displayed and / or printed.

In addition, the QR code can also be used to implement different security levels on the controller. The user is shown a QR code on the display. He photographs this code with his mobile phone (smartphone) and sends the code to a server for which he must have access authorization. The server decodes this code and sends the plaintext back to the mobile phone. Only if the user has the appropriate authorization, he can read the information. The same thing works with operator permissions. The user can only change a setting if he has the authorization to have the corresponding parameter displayed in clear text on his mobile phone. Then it changes the parameter and the changed parameter is transferred to the controller. For implementation, corresponding operating applications can be installed in the mobile phone.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Fieldbus subscriber, preferably a bus controller or gateway

2

Fieldbus for automation technology, 2-wire bus, 2-wire bus, AS-i bus

3

Operating element, key

4

Graphics compatible display

5

Two-dimensional code, preferably a QR code

6

Code reader, camera of a mobile phone

7

Service device, maintenance device, service tool, mobile phone

8th

Network connection for a higher-level network, PROFIBUS, PROFINET

9

Subscriber of a higher-level network, PROFIBUS or PROFINET

10

Fieldbus subscriber, preferably a slave

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10153625 A1 [0006]
• DE 602004009707 T2 [0007]
• DE 102008017278 B4 [0009]
• DE 602004008731 T2 [0010]
• DE 102010022794 A1 [0011]
• DE 102010050192 A1 [0012]

Claims (5)

Bus subscribers ( 1 ) for a fieldbus of automation technology ( 2 ), with a control element ( 3 ) and a graphics-capable display ( 4 ) characterized in that the display ( 4 ) for displaying a two-dimensional code ( 5 ), the two-dimensional code ( 5 ) Information about the IP address and / or the serial number and / or the fieldbus address and / or the hardware status of the bus device ( 1 ) containing the bus participant 1 and / or to the fieldbus 2 connected further bus participants ( 10 ) affect. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the display ( 4 ) at least two codes ( 5 ) are displayed with different service information or in different coding, and this display by pressing a control element ( 3 ) is callable or changeable. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fieldbus ( 2 ) is a two-wire bus, in particular an AS-i bus. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the bus subscriber ( 1 ) is a bus controller, especially in AS-i Profinet gateway. Method for diagnosing and / or parameterizing fieldbus devices of automation technology with an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a first method step, an operating element ( 3 ) is called to retrieve a desired information, in a second method step, the information as a two-dimensional code ( 5 ) on the display ( 4 ) is displayed, in a third step of the display ( 4 ) displayed code ( 5 ) from an optical code reader ( 6 ), and in a fourth method step, this information in plain text from one with the code reader ( 6 ) connected service device ( 7 ) are decoded and displayed.

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