DE102018133559B4 - Method and system for outputting state-dependent information - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for outputting a part of extended information (90) dependent on a current state of a field device (10) to an operator, the method comprising the steps: a) generating an information identifier depending on the current state of the field device (10) taking into account a predefined set of rules; b) loading the information identifier into a memory (120) assigned to the field device (10); c) retrieving the information identifier from the memory (120), d) transmitting the information identifier to a mobile output device (20), e) evaluating the information identifier in order to determine field device-dependent extended information (90) and state-dependent jump information, f) transmitting the extended information (90) from a remote information provider (30) to the mobile output device (20), wherein the extended information (90) comprises a plurality of embedded jump marks (92a/b), g) selecting one of the jump marks (92a/b) in the extended information (90) including the jump information, andh) outputting the extended information (90) from the selected jump mark (92a/b).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a system for outputting to an operator a part of extended information that depends on a current state of a field device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Field devices are technical devices in the field of process and automation technology. Field devices include in particular actuators (such as valves, actuators, motors), sensors (such as flow meters, temperature meters, pH sensors) and decentralized control units/measurement transducers.

Field devices usually have a type plate and sometimes a tag plate attached. The type plate usually contains device specifications and a serial number. The system-specific device tag can be read from the tag plate. Service personnel can use the device tag to identify the field device during commissioning or service work within the system control system.

EN 20 2012 102 138 U1 discloses that identification information such as the name of the field device, the serial number of the field device or the device tag can be printed as a machine-readable 2D code (for example DataMatrix or QR code) on a corresponding label on the field device. A link can also be included in the 2D code.

However, depending on the specific work being carried out on the field device, the service personnel must consult different sources of information. A static link may then be inadequate. Depending on the situation and task, the information sources may be, for example, an operating manual for the respective field device, system documentation or similar. This information is often only available in paper form and must be carried by the service personnel. Alternatively, the documents can be kept in electronic form and loaded onto an output device before work begins or via a wireless data connection during work and displayed if necessary.

Especially when there are a large number of different field devices and different tasks to be carried out, identifying and selecting the right information or document still involves considerable effort and the success of the search depends to a large extent on the operator's prior knowledge and experience.

The EN 10 2013 109 213 A1 shows a method for providing statistical and dynamic data for a mobile device from a field device, wherein the field device additionally provides characterizing identification data. At the request of the mobile device, data is transmitted from the field device via a wireless interface.

DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the invention to make field device and status-dependent information available to the operator of a field device as simply and efficiently as possible.

According to the invention, a method is provided for outputting to an operator a part of extended information that depends on a current state of a field device.

According to one aspect, the method comprises generating an information identifier depending on the current state of the field device, taking into account a predefined set of rules. By generating the information identifier depending on the situation or state, reference can be made automatically to the correct information (currently required). By generating the information identifier taking into account a predefined set of rules, it can be ensured that the information identifier can be processed not only on the field device itself, but also on other devices.

The information identifier may preferably be a uniform resource identifier (URI) and in particular a uniform resource pointer (URL).

According to a further aspect, the method may comprise loading the information identifier into a memory associated with the field device.

The method may further comprise retrieving the information identifier from the memory.

In particular, if the memory is a persistent (non-volatile) memory, the information identifier can be retained and made available even if a transmission device for transmitting the information identifier is only supplied with energy as needed and temporarily, for example by a reading device.

According to a further aspect, the method comprises transmitting the information identifier to a mobile output device. For example, the output device can be a smartphone or a tablet computer.

The information identifier can be transmitted via a data interface. This can advantageously be a wireless data interface, for example according to a standard for near field communication (NFC).

Alternatively, the information identifier can be output in coded form by an output device. The coded form can be a machine-readable form or can be manually transferred to a mobile output device by an operator. The information identifier can be displayed as a 2D code on a display of the field device and captured by the mobile output device using a sensor, in particular a camera. The 2D code can be, for example, a stacked code (e.g. Codablock, PDF417) or a matrix code (e.g. DataMatrix, QR code).

According to a further aspect, the method comprises evaluating the information identifier to determine field device-dependent extended information and state-dependent jump information.

Extended information is information that cannot be meaningfully output by the field device itself due to the volume of information. Extended information can include, for example, longer texts, more complex graphics, audio data and/or moving images (videos).

The mobile output device can - in contrast to the field device - have the necessary devices to output the extended information to an operator.

According to a further aspect, the method can include transmitting the extended information from a remote information provider to the mobile output device. By making the extended information available on a remote information provider, the extended information can be easily maintained. The operator thus receives current and accurate information. The remote information provider can be, for example, a server on the Internet, but also a distributed service in the cloud.

According to a further aspect, the extended information comprises a plurality of embedded jump marks. Jump marks are defined by the file format of the extended information. The jump marks can be, for example, text anchors in a suitable file format such as HTML, PDF, XML, etc. In the case of audio data or videos, jump marks can be provided in such a way that certain sections or points in time can be jumped to directly when outputting.

According to an advantageous aspect, the jump information can be a fragment identifier. A fragment identifier identifies an associated jump label.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the information identifier can comprise a query part (query). A query part can be dynamically converted into a fragment identifier by a corresponding service. The conversion of a query part into a fragment identifier can be carried out on the remote information provider or on the mobile output device. In this case, a corresponding jump mark in the extended information and the fragment identifier associated with the jump mark can be determined from the query part and taking into account the content of the extended information.

• - eine Information zum Zugriffsverfahren/Protokoll, das verwendet werden kann, um die erweiterte Information zu übertragen, und/oder
• - eine Information zur Identifikation des Anbieters (des Hosts) der erweiterten Information (d.h. des entfernten Informationsanbieters), und/oder
• - ein Zugriffspfad auf die erweiterte Information, und/oder
• - einen Abfrageteil, und/oder
• - einen Fragmentbezeichner.

According to the above aspects, the information identifier may advantageously comprise:

• - information on the access method/protocol that can be used to transmit the extended information, and/or
• - information identifying the provider (host) of the extended information (ie the remote information provider), and/or
• - an access path to the extended information, and/or
• - a query part, and/or
• - a fragment identifier.

The access path can contain information that, together with the query part, may identify a resource. The query part can contain data for identifying resources whose location is not specified precisely enough by the access path alone.

In other words, the information identifier includes in particular information about where (from which server or service) the extended information can be retrieved, how the correct (field device-dependent) extended information is identified there, and which (state-dependent) part of the extended information is to be output.

According to a further aspect, the method comprises outputting the extended information starting from the selected jump mark. The extended information can be output on the mobile output device. In this way, only relevant parts of the extended information are output to the operator.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to retrieve and provide the extended information required depending on the situation or condition in a completely transparent manner for the operator. The selection of the respective information is thus carried out automatically, regardless of the operator's previous experience. Only the directly relevant sections of the extended information are issued to the operator.

Furthermore, a system is provided with at least one field device, a remote information provider and a mobile output device. The system is designed to carry out the claimed method.

According to an advantageous aspect, the interfaces of the field device and the mobile output device for transmitting the information identifier can be wireless near field communication (NFC) interfaces.

The interface of the field device can advantageously comprise a dynamic dual-interface transponder. Dynamic dual-interface transponders for NFC are also referred to as dynamic NFC tags. A dynamic dual-interface transponder has a first interface through which the transponder is connected to the field device controller via an internal data bus. The dynamic dual-interface transponder can be controlled or programmed by the field device controller via the first interface. The field device controller can load the information identifier into a memory of the dynamic dual-interface transponder or have it loaded via the internal data bus. The memory of the dynamic dual-interface transponder can preferably be non-volatile. A memory is also considered non-volatile if an actually volatile memory is continuously supplied with power via a corresponding energy source, such as a capacitor, a buffer battery or an accumulator. The dynamic dual-interface transponder also has a radio interface. The information identifier can be transmitted to a mobile output device via the radio interface. The information identifier can be retrieved from the memory for this purpose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• - 1 eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung eines Systems,
• - 2 eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung eines Feldgerätes,
• - 3 eine vereinfachte funktionale Blockdarstellung einer drahtlosen Schnittstelle des Feldgeräts,
• - 4 eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung eines mobilen Ausgabegerätes,
• - 5 eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung eines entfernten Informationsanbieters,
• - 6 eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung einer erweiterten Information mit mehreren eingebetteten Sprungmarken, und
• - 7 ein vereinfachtes Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Ausgabe eines feldgeräte- und zustandsabhängigen Teils einer Information.

In the following, the features and aspects of the invention are explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures.

• - 1 a simplified schematic representation of a system,
• - 2 a simplified schematic representation of a field device,
• - 3 a simplified functional block diagram of a wireless interface of the field device,
• - 4 a simplified schematic representation of a mobile output device,
• - 5 a simplified schematic representation of a remote information provider,
• - 6 a simplified schematic representation of an extended information with several embedded jump labels, and
• - 7 a simplified flow chart of a method for outputting a field device and state dependent part of information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1 shows a simplified schematic representation of an exemplary system with a field device 10, a mobile output device 20 and a remote information provider 30. The mobile output device 20 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer or a laptop.

2 shows a simplified schematic representation of an exemplary field device 10. The field device 10 comprises a display 12a and a wireless interface 12b. In general, it is sufficient if the field device 10 has a display 12a or other output means or alternatively a wireless interface 12b. The wireless interface 12b is preferably a dynamic dual interface transponder 100, in particular an NFC interface, preferably a programmable NFC tag. In the case shown, the wireless interface 12b is a dynamic NFC transponder 100 with a dual interface, as described with respect to 3 explained in more detail.

In the field device 10 shown, an operating menu or messages can be shown on the display 12a. The display 12a is thus part of a human-machine interface (HMI). An operator communicates with the field device 10 via the human-machine interface. This means that he can receive information and Make settings. Essentially, elements with text 14a and/or graphics 14b are displayed in the operating menu, for example for user guidance or as messages. In particular, the messages can be error, status and/or information messages. The human-machine interface is controlled by a field device controller. For this purpose, a corresponding software program 99 is executed on the field device controller.

According to one embodiment, a two-dimensional optical code 16 can be displayed in connection with an element of the operating guidance.

Various alternative formats of 2D codes can be used here, e.g. barcodes, stacked codes or matrix codes. Common 2D codes 16 of the type mentioned are, for example, “Codablock”, “Code 49” and “PDF417” for stacked codes and “QR code”, “DataMatrix”, “MaxiCode”, “Aztec code” and “JAB code” for Maxtrix codes. The 2D codes 16 can be generated dynamically at runtime. Alternatively, the 2D codes 16 can be integrated as a graphic resource when programming the operating menu. An information identifier is encoded in the two-dimensional optical code 16. The two-dimensional optical code 16 is machine-readable and can be captured by the mobile output device 20 using a corresponding (camera) sensor.

As an alternative to the machine-readable codes, the two-dimensional optical code 16 can also comprise a character string. In particular, it can be a numeric or alphanumeric character string. The character string can be entered by the operator on the mobile output device 20.

According to an alternative embodiment, the wireless interface 12b of the field device 10 can be used to transmit the information identifier instead of the optical code 16.

3 shows a simplified functional block diagram of the wireless interface 12b of the field device 10. The wireless interface 12b comprises a dynamic dual interface transponder 100. The dynamic dual interface transponder 100 has a bus interface 130, through which the transponder 100 is communicatively connected to the field device controller via a data bus 160 (for example I2C or SPI). The dynamic dual interface transponder 100 is controlled or programmed by the field device controller via the bus interface 130 and by means of a transponder controller 110. The field device controller can load or have the information identifier loaded into a memory 120 of the dynamic dual interface transponder 100 via the data bus 160. The memory 120 of the dynamic dual interface transponder 100 is preferably non-volatile. The dynamic dual-interface transponder 100 also has a radio interface 140. The information identifier is transmitted to a mobile output device 20 via the radio interface 140. The information identifier is retrieved from the memory 120 of the transponder 100 for this purpose. In a passive operating mode of the dynamic dual-interface transponder 100, the required operating energy is provided by induction from the mobile output device 20. A corresponding antenna 150 is connected to the radio interface 140.

4 shows a simplified schematic representation of an exemplary mobile output device 20. The mobile output device 20 comprises an interface for transmitting the information identifier, an interface 27 for transmitting the extended information and an output means 26 for outputting the extended information to an operator.

In the embodiment shown, the output means 26 is a screen. It can also include a loudspeaker. The interface for transmitting the information identifier can be, for example, a camera 22a, an input field 22b and/or a wireless interface 22c for near-field communication. The information identifier can thus be transmitted to the mobile output device 20 in various ways. A machine-readable two-dimensional code 16 can be recorded with the camera 22a or an alphanumeric code, for example, can be entered manually via the input field 22b. Alternatively, the information identifier can be transmitted via the wireless interface 22c. The interface 27 for transmitting the extended information can be a wireless interface for data transmission, in particular an interface with a connection to a mobile data network (mobile Internet via mobile radio), a local wireless network (WLAN) or the like.

An application 28 decodes the code 16. A field device-dependent extended information 90 designated by the information identifier encoded in the code 16 is then transmitted from a remote information provider 30 to the mobile output device 20. The state-dependent part of the extended information 90 is output to the operator via the output means 26.

5 shows a simplified schematic representation of a remote information provider 30. This is trained and equipped to provide a field to provide device-dependent extended information 90 for the mobile output device 20. In other words, the remote information provider 30 is a (web) server or service that makes field device-dependent extended information 90 available in the form of corresponding data for the mobile output device 20 in a network (e.g. the Internet). The remote information provider 30 comprises a storage device 32 and the other components necessary for such a service. At least one field device-dependent extended information 90 for the field device 10 is stored in the storage device 32 of the remote information provider 30.

6 shows a simplified schematic representation of extended information 90 with several embedded jump marks 92a/b. The jump marks 92a/b are defined by the file format of the extended information 90. In suitable file formats for displaying text such as HTML, PDF and XML, the jump marks 92a/b define text anchors. In audio data or videos, jump marks can be provided in such a way that certain sections or points in time can be jumped to directly during playback. The jump marks 92a/b are used to divide the extended information 90 into chapters and sections, for example, or to mark important points.

7 shows a simplified flow chart of a method for outputting a field device and state-dependent part of an extended information 90. The method comprises the steps shown below. These are shown in the suggested sequence of the process. It is also shown where (in the field device 10, in the mobile output device 20 or in the remote information provider 30) the individual steps are preferably carried out. The sequence and location of the steps is not mandatory in every case and can therefore deviate without deviating from the core of the invention.

First, an information identifier is generated depending on the current state of the field device 10, taking into account a predefined set of rules, S100. The information identifier is preferably generated or selected by the field device controller itself depending on the state. For example, a predetermined information identifier can be provided depending on the operating or error state.

In the event of an error, the information identifier can include a standardized error code. Corresponding standardized error codes are proposed, for example, by the Standards Association for Measurement and Control Technology in the Chemical Industry, the so-called NAMUR values.

The information identifier can also include a uniform identifier for resources and in particular a uniform resource pointer. In colloquial terms, the information identifier can include a link, e.g. to a file with the corresponding extended information 90. The link can contain a fragment identifier with a reference to a jump label.

In a query part, the information identifier can include further information on the current state of the field device 10. The query part is evaluated in the context of the field device-dependent extended information 90, for example from the mobile output device 20 or the remote information provider 30.

In an alternative embodiment, the information identifier can be specified externally depending on the state, for example during setup/commissioning.

The information identifier is loaded into a memory allocated to the field device 10, S200. The allocated memory can be a memory of the processor of the field device 10 (register, cache), a working memory of the field device 10, or another data memory. In one embodiment, the information identifier is loaded into a memory 120 of the 3 shown wireless interface 12b.

The information identifier is retrieved from the memory 120, S300. If it is a wireless interface 12b, the necessary operating energy can be provided by induction from the mobile output device 20.

The information identifier is transmitted to the mobile output device 20, S400. The transmission of the information identifier can be initiated by the field device 10 or the mobile output device 20.

The information identifier is evaluated to determine a field device-dependent extended information 90 and a state-dependent jump information, S500. Depending on the method of determination, this step can be carried out on the mobile output device 20 or at the remote information provider 30. Determining the field device-dependent extended information 90 and the state-dependent jump information from the information identifier can, depending on which rules are used in step S100 when generating The processing of the information identifier can be done in different ways.

In one embodiment, the information identifier can be broken down into a reference to the field device-dependent extended information 90 and a state-dependent jump information. This approach is particularly useful when both pieces of information are contained directly in the information identifier. For example, this is the case in one embodiment in which the information identifier includes a uniform identifier for resources, in particular a uniform resource pointer. The jump information is then contained as a fragment identifier in the information identifier.

In another embodiment, the information identifier can be converted or translated into a reference to the field device-dependent extended information 90 and a state-dependent jump information, e.g. by means of a corresponding table, database or similar data structure, possibly taking into account further parameters. This can also include converting the query part of a uniform identifier for resources or a uniform resource pointer into a fragment identifier.

Various methods can be used to convert a query part into a fragment identifier. For example, the conversion can include the search for and identification of relevant places in the extended information 90 itself. Statistical evaluation methods (data mining) can also be used here.

The extended information 90 is transmitted from a remote information provider 30 to the mobile output device 20, S600. The transmission can be initiated by the mobile output device 20 or the remote information provider 30. The extended information 90 is usually first loaded onto the mobile output device 20, temporarily stored there and then displayed. In an advantageous embodiment, the stored extended information 90 can be kept on the mobile output device 20 beyond the actual display process. The transmission of the extended information 90 is only carried out in subsequent cases if the extended information 90 has been changed in the meantime. Otherwise, the locally stored version is selected. This is taken into account in steps S500 of determining the field device-dependent extended information and S600 of transmitting the field device-dependent extended information, in particular when evaluating the information identifier.

One of the plurality of jump marks 92a/b in the extended information 90 is selected using the jump information, S700. The selection can be made automatically (without operator input) or partially automatically (with the operator selecting from several predefined alternatives) on the mobile output device 20 or the remote information provider 30.

The extended information 90 is output from the selected jump mark 92a/b by the mobile output device 20, S800.

Using a few exemplary and very concrete examples, the invention will be explained once again in a very abbreviated manner, across all figures, using the previous embodiments.

Help text for a field device 10 with display and QR code: In the user interface, a short help text is displayed on a display of the field device 10 for each entry. The section in the user manual of the field device 10 that corresponds to the help text is displayed as a QR code 16 directly next to the help text. The homepage, the path to the file, the file name of the relevant user manual and a fragment identifier that refers to a specific jump marker are encoded in the QR code 16.

The QR code 16 is recorded and decoded using a mobile output device 20 designed as a smartphone. The smartphone downloads the relevant user manual from the homepage and displays the relevant section. In other words, the user manual is opened directly to the relevant page for the operator.

Commissioning or maintenance of a field device 10 with a display: According to the information shown on the display, i.e. the display 12a, of the field device 10, a link is embossed into a programmable NFC transponder 100, in particular an NFC tag/wireless interface 12b. The link in the NFC tag is changed depending on the context with regard to the information shown in the display. The link can be read with an NFC reader (e.g. a smartphone). The "linked" document, which corresponds to the extended information 90, is loaded, opened and displayed at the appropriate location.

Commissioning of a field device 10 without a permanent power supply: When delivered or “ex works”, a link embossed into a programmable NFC tag leads to extended information 90 in the form of assembly instructions, for example. The NFC tag is used for reading by induction of the mobile output device 20. The operator holds his smartphone near the field device 10 and is shown the corresponding sections for assembly.

Message “Calibration required” for a field device 10 with display: The message “Calibration required” is displayed in the display 12a of a field device 10 with a QR code 16. The section of the extended information 90 describing the calibration is encoded in the QR code 16, for example in an instructional video for the field device 10. The provider (host), the (file) name of the video, the path to the instructional video in question and at which jump mark the description of the calibration is located in the instructional video, i.e. from where the instructional video should be played, are thus encoded in the QR code 16. The QR code 16 is recorded and decoded using a smartphone. The smartphone fetches the instructional video in question from the corresponding information provider 30 and plays it immediately from the point marked by the selected jump mark.

Output of an error code on a field device 10 with a display: An error code (alphanumeric or numeric string) is displayed on the display 12a of the field device 10. The error code is entered by the operator into a smartphone. Software on the smartphone assigns this string to a jump marker in the user manual of the field device 10. The smartphone fetches the relevant user manual from a remote system and displays a section of it. The user manual is opened directly to the relevant page (that of the error code).

Error code for a field device 10 without a display: For a field device 10 without a display, an error code (e.g. NAMUR value) is embossed into a programmable NFC transponder 100, for example an NFC tag. The NFC tag can be read by a smartphone. An application 28, in particular software of the application 28, on the smartphone assigns a jump mark 92a/b in the user manual for the field device 10 to the NAMUR value. The smartphone fetches the relevant user manual from a remote information provider 30 and displays it. The user manual is opened directly on the relevant page to the meaning of the NAMUR value. Alternatively, in addition to the error code, a URI/URL of the electronic user manual can be embossed in the NFC tag.

Diagnosis for a field device 10 without a display: The field device 10 indicates an error, for example a signal light flashes red. There is a corresponding error message, but this cannot be displayed on a field device 10 without a display 12a. A link corresponding to the error message is imprinted on the NFC tag. The operator reads the link from the NFC tag using a mobile output device 20 designed as a laptop and a section concerning the error message is displayed from the corresponding document.

Commissioning and subsequent reporting for a field device 10: The information identifier initially leads to the commissioning description, for example. If a subsequent (error) message occurs, the information identifier is changed accordingly.

Claims (8)

Method for outputting a part of extended information (90) dependent on a current state of a field device (10) to an operator, the method comprising the steps: a) generating an information identifier depending on the current state of the field device (10) taking into account a predefined set of rules; b) loading the information identifier into a memory (120) assigned to the field device (10); c) retrieving the information identifier from the memory (120), d) transmitting the information identifier to a mobile output device (20), e) evaluating the information identifier to determine field device-dependent extended information (90) and state-dependent jump information, f) transmitting the extended information (90) from a remote information provider (30) to the mobile output device (20), wherein the extended information (90) comprises a plurality of embedded jump marks (92a/b), g) selecting one of the jump marks (92a/b) in the extended information (90) including the jump information, and h) outputting the extended information (90) from the selected jump mark (92a/b). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the information identifier comprises a uniform identifier for resources and in particular a uniform resource pointer. Procedure according to Claim 2 , where the jump information is a fragment identifier. Method according to one of the Claims 2 or 3 , wherein the information identifier comprises a query part. Procedure according to Claim 4 , wherein evaluating the information identifier and/or selecting one of the jump labels (92a/b) comprises converting the query part into a fragment identifier. System comprising a field device (10), a remote information provider (30) and a mobile output device (20), wherein the field device (10) comprises a memory (120) for holding an information identifier and an interface (12b) for transmitting the information identifier, wherein the remote information provider (30) is designed and configured to provide field device-dependent extended information (90) for the mobile output device (20) and the extended information (90) comprises a plurality of embedded jump marks (92a/b), wherein the mobile output device (20) comprises an interface (22a, 22b, 22c) for transmitting the information identifier, an interface (27) for transmitting the extended information (90) and an output means (26) for outputting the extended information (90) to an operator, in particular wherein the output means (26) is a screen and/or a loudspeaker, and wherein the field device (10), the remote information provider (30) and the mobile output device (20) are designed and arranged to carry out the method according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 to execute. System according to Claim 6 , wherein the interfaces (12b) for transmitting the information identifier are wireless interfaces for near-field communication. System according to Claim 7 , wherein the interface (12b) of the field device (10) for transmitting the information identifier comprises a dynamic dual-interface transponder (100).

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