DE102019217410A1 - Configuration of a hardware component for the industrial control of a field device - Google Patents

Abstract

Hardware component (10, 20) for an industrial controller (1) for at least one field device, in particular in automation technology, with at least one communication interface for communication with the field device, the hardware component (10, 20) being operable in a variety of operating modes, from which an operating mode can be specified by means of at least one operating parameter characteristic of this operating mode, wherein the at least one operating parameter can be stored in a particularly permanent memory device. According to the invention, the hardware component (10, 20) has a receiving device (12) which can be inductively supplied with energy and which is suitable and intended to be transmitted wirelessly by a transmitting device (30), preferably with inductive energy supply by the transmitting device (30), for a Receive operating parameters characteristic data and store them in the memory device.

Description

The present invention relates to a hardware component for industrial control, in particular of a field device, preferably in the field of industrial automation, as well as a communication method of a hardware component and in particular a method for configuring the hardware component. In particular, the invention relates to changing a function and / or property of a hardware component of an industrial controller. Hardware components of industrial controls as well as the possibility of their configuration when integrating them into an existing control system of an automation system have been known from the prior art for a long time.

Common hardware components of a (modular) industrial control system, for example in a control and / or regulating (automation) system, are input and output modules (I / O module or I / O module), via which individual system parts and / or field devices of a (modular) control system (such as an automation system) communicate with each other and with (at least) one (central) control unit via a (preferably wired, but also conceivably wireless) communication system such as a network or communication bus, for example one or more bus systems. For communication, a communication address can be set on the I / O modules under which the respective I / O module can be addressed via the communication bus. It is conceivable that the I / O modules are mounted on installation strips and / or housed in control cabinets.

In the case of I / O modules known from the prior art, either their function / property is permanently preset and cannot be changed or this can be changed using different wired configuration mechanisms (e.g. acyclic data from the control program, description files and configurator, DTM , etc.) can be changed.

The devices and methods currently known from the prior art result in the disadvantage that the configuration of I / O modules for an industrial control with a variable function is costly in the prior art mostly only after the I / O has been integrated Module in the communication system of the industrial control and making the changes via the communication system is possible. In addition, changing a function or setting of the I / O module requires an energy supply to the I / O module, which in the prior art is via a wired, electrical supply of the I / O module, for example via the integration of the I / O Module is implemented in the control system.

The present invention is based on the object of overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art and of providing a hardware component for an industrial control and a communication method of a hardware component which has a time-saving and user-friendly configuration of a hardware component and generally a time-saving and user-friendly transmission allows information that relates to a function or property of the hardware component.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

An (electronic) hardware component according to the invention for an industrial control for at least one field device, in particular in automation technology, preferably has at least one communication interface for communication with the field device, wherein the hardware component can be operated in a plurality of operating modes, from which an operating mode by means of at least one for operating parameters characteristic of this operating mode can be specified, the at least one operating parameter being able to be stored in an, in particular permanent, memory device (the hardware component). The industrial control is preferably suitable and intended for monitoring, controlling and / or regulating a process running using at least one field device and preferably a plurality of field devices.

According to the invention, the hardware component has a wireless communication device which can be inductively supplied with energy and which, preferably with (particularly preferably exclusive) inductive energy supply, is suitable and intended for the wireless transmission of data, which is preferably used for at least one - preferably stored and / or stored on the storage device. Operating parameters are characteristic.

The present invention offers the advantage of changing an operating mode (or a function) of the hardware component such as an I / O module without having to operate it electrically. So, before the hardware component is installed, you can set the function required in this application without the expense of a program or configurator. The hardware component then starts up directly with the desired function (in the desired operating mode).

A transmission is to be understood in particular as the receipt of data and / or the sending of data. The wireless communication device preferably has a receiving device (in particular that can be supplied with energy inductively) for wireless reception of data and / or a transmission device (in particular that can be supplied with energy inductively) for the wireless transmission of data. The wireless communication device is preferably designed as a receiving device and as a transmitting device. For example, the receiving device can also function as a transmitting device.

The wireless communication device is preferably suitable and intended for transmitting the data and / or for storing received data without an energy supply by the hardware component. The wireless communication device, in particular for receiving data, can preferably be operated with (in particular exclusively) wireless energy supply, in particular with energy supply from radiation received from a transmitting device.

In other words, the hardware component comprises a wireless communication device, via which information relating to the operating mode of the hardware component can be transmitted to the hardware component. The design as a wireless communication device that can be inductively supplied with energy offers the advantage that this information can also be transmitted passively and thus, for example, in a switched-off state and in particular in a state before the first start of operation, in particular in a delivery state, in particular before integration into a (in particular wired) Communication system (in particular before the hardware component is integrated into a communication system of the industrial control) and in particular before a voltage supply is established for the hardware component (before the data is transmitted). The present invention thus offers the possibility of configuring the hardware component of an industrial controller wirelessly in the switched-off state.

By transmitting at least one operating parameter, (contactless) presetting and / or setting and / or setting of an operating mode of the hardware component is preferably possible.

The communication interface is preferably suitable and intended for the hardware component to be connected to the hardware component via the communication interface, particularly preferably via a (wired and / or wireless), in particular (at least in sections) direct, connection (between the hardware component and the field device) from the (in particular from data can be transmitted to exactly one) field device which is characteristic of at least one measured variable and / or controlled variable measured by the field device and / or (physical) variable to be monitored in the field device. Conversely, the communication interface is preferably suitable and intended for the hardware component to be able to transmit or forward data to the field device which are characteristic of at least one control variable and / or manipulated variable of the field device. Hardware components such as an I / O module are preferably connected directly to the field device for data exchange, while a hardware component such as a (central) control device is indirectly connected to the field device, for example via a further hardware component (such as an I / O module) can be connected. For example, the (central) control device can be connected to an I / O module or a plurality of I / O modules via a first communication network, wherein the I / O module can be connected directly to the field device via the communication interface.

The hardware component and in particular the wireless communication device preferably has a receiving device that can be (in particular also exclusively) inductively supplied with energy, which is suitable and intended to be transmitted from an (external, in particular different from the hardware component) transmitting device, preferably in the case of inductive energy supply by the (in particular mobile ) Transmitting device, to receive wireless and in particular contactlessly transmitted data characteristic of an operating parameter and to store it in the memory device. The transmitting device is preferably a mobile (electrical) and / or portable device. The transmission device preferably has (at least) one (in particular conductor track) coil, particularly preferably with at least three turns. It is preferably an RFID-based transmission device. The transmission device particularly preferably has an N FC module for communication by means of near field communication. The transmission device preferably has a so-called connected NFC tag chip. An N FC-capable smartphone or tablet can preferably be used as the transmission device.

The hardware component is preferably suitable and intended to store the data received by the wireless communication device in a storage device of the hardware component.

The hardware component is preferably set up for this purpose, and is suitable and intended to be used in the context of initialization and / or Start of operation of the hardware component, for example when the hardware component starts up, the hardware component is operated in an operating mode for which the at least one operating parameter transmitted to the wireless communication device or the data characteristic therefor is characteristic. The hardware component is preferably suitable and intended, in particular when initializing and / or starting operation of the hardware component, in the, in particular permanent, data characteristic of at least one operating parameter and / or the at least one operating parameter for which the data received from the wireless communication device are characteristic To store the storage device of the hardware component. These data and / or the at least one operating parameter, in particular when initializing and / or starting up the hardware component, are preferably transferred from a memory device of the wireless communication device to the different, in particular permanent, memory device of the hardware component.

An operating mode can thus advantageously be specified for the hardware component. This has the advantage that a customer can order a module type and then select the function on site without being connected to the I / O system. He only needs an order number, for example for analog functions, and adjusts the function directly on site. After the christening, the module can then be installed directly, without any configuration process, via plug and play. This simplifies and accelerates commissioning. Passive naming is particularly advantageous for modules that change their data width. In the case of a placeholder module, the data width reserved could be set in advance, and the station would then start running immediately. Such modules do not need a dip switch or similar setting options in the hardware, which in turn reduces costs and is more secure against adjustment.

However, it is also conceivable that an interrupt is triggered by the receipt of data by the wireless communication device (in particular when the hardware component is in an operating state).

The data is preferably transmitted by means of the wireless communication device and / or the (in particular mobile) transmission device (in particular exclusively) in a frequency range between 30 and 300 kHz, preferably between 9 and 135 kHz (long-wave frequencies). The data is preferably transmitted by means of the wireless communication device and / or the (in particular mobile) transmission device (in particular exclusively) in a frequency range between 3 and 30 MHz, preferably (exclusively) with the frequencies 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz, 27.125 MHz and / or 40.680 MHz (shortwave frequencies). The data is preferably transmitted by means of the wireless communication device and / or the (in particular mobile) transmission device (in particular exclusively) in a frequency range between 0.3 and 3 GHz, preferably (exclusively) with the frequencies 433.920 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz and / or 2 , 45 MHz (decimeter waves). It is also conceivable to transmit data by means of the wireless communication device and / or the (in particular mobile) transmission device (in particular exclusively) in a frequency range with frequencies greater than 3 GHz, in particular with frequencies of 5.8 GHz and / or 24.125 GHz (microwaves).

In an advantageous embodiment, the wireless communication device is an RFID-based communication device and / or the wireless communication device has an NFC module for communication by means of near field communication. NFC is a preferred passive, inductive transmission that works without a power supply. Before the hardware component is installed, you can set the function required in the (intended) application, for example via smartphone NFC, without the expense of a program or configurator. The module then advantageously starts up directly with the desired function.

The wireless communication device of the hardware component and / or the (in particular mobile) transmission device is preferably set up, suitable and determined such that the typical maximum range of the transmitted data (with permitted transmission field strength) is less than 10 m (in particular for active communication devices), preferably in the range between 3 and 6 m, preferably in the range between 0.1 m and 1 m, particularly preferably between 0.4 m and 0.6 m.

In other words, the hardware component can have an NFC module in order to store the configuration data for the hardware components.

The hardware component and in particular the wireless communication device preferably has a passive and / or active and / or semi-active RFID-based communication device. The hardware component and in particular the wireless communication device preferably has a (standard) NFC chip with an antenna. A semi-active communication device preferably has a (backup) battery (or energy store) for a volatile energy store, in particular for operating connected sensors, and preferably not for data transmission. An active communication device has a Energy storage (battery) that is used for a processor and / or data transmission. This communication device is preferably equipped with its own transmission device, which advantageously results in a greater range.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an operating mode in which the hardware component is and / or can be operated is in a state of the hardware component that is not connected to any other hardware component of the controller and / or in a non-wired connection state of the hardware component, in particular exclusively through wireless Communication adjustable by means of the wireless communication device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the hardware component is an I / O module. However, the hardware component can also be a central control device of an industrial, modular control system.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the wireless communication device is suitable and intended for communication in a passive communication mode, in particular with the transmitting device, and / or for storing the received data in the storage device in a passive communication mode. A passive communication mode is, in particular, communication of the wireless communication device without a wired power supply of the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device itself does not need to be supplied with power for communication. Instead, the wireless communication device is supplied with energy exclusively via the radiation transmitted to the wireless communication device, in particular for data transmission. In a passive communication mode, the operating voltage is preferably taken exclusively from an electromagnetic field, in particular the electromagnetic field generated by the (mobile) transmitting device, and particularly preferably (at least part of the energy) is stored in the wireless communication device. A function of the I / O module can preferably be changed passively and in particular without voltage via NFC.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an operating mode specifies at least one property which is selected from a group, the at least one measuring range or a plurality of measuring ranges, at least one filter time or a plurality of filter times, at least one data width or a plurality of data widths, at least one Parameters or a large number of parameters, at least one diagnosis (message) or a large number of diagnoses (diagnostic reports), at least one sampling rate or a large number of sampling rates, times, at least one or more time intervals, at least one behavior, at least one type and number of Contains communication inputs and / or outputs and the like and combinations thereof. A predeterminable and / or adjustable operating mode is preferably characteristic of the type of transmission and / or forwarding of a signal and / or processing of incoming data, in particular data received from a field device. A predeterminable and / or adjustable operating mode is preferably characteristic of the assignment and / or selection of an input or output or a multiplicity of inputs and / or outputs of the hardware component. A specifiable and / or adjustable operating mode is preferably characteristic of the type of network, for example a bus, by means of which the hardware component is to be connected to a further hardware component, and / or characteristic of the field device. An operating mode is preferably characteristic of a property or a function of the hardware component. At least one operating parameter and particularly preferably exactly one operating parameter is preferably assigned to each operating mode.

The operating mode is preferably also understood to be an error mode, with a diagnostic message being stored as an operating parameter and being able to be transmitted (wirelessly) via the wireless communication device. An error in the hardware component can thus advantageously be determined without an energy supply, in particular in the switched-off state, by reading out and / or evaluating a transmitted diagnostic message.

Preferably, one and particularly preferably a plurality of operating modes or each operating mode of the hardware component can be set and / or specified both by a particularly direct change in the respective characteristic operating parameter in the particularly permanent memory device of the hardware component, for example by a wired configuration mechanism, and by transmission of data characteristic of the operating parameter to the wireless communication device. The option of subsequently changing the function of the hardware component via the control program or configurator remains, but does not have to be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the hardware component is set up and intended, preferably in a configuration mode of the hardware component different from the working mode, to be used, in particular after the start of operation, preferably when the hardware component is initialized and / or for configuring the Hardware component and / or when performing a reset of the hardware component, to determine the operating mode to be operated as a function of an operating parameter stored on the storage device, in particular as a function of an operating parameter stored on the storage device of the wireless communication device. For this purpose, the storage device of the wireless communication device is preferably accessed and the operating parameters stored on it are read out, and the operating parameters are particularly preferably transmitted or stored on the, in particular, permanent storage device of the hardware component.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a communication address to the hardware component can be specified by wireless transmission (from a transmission device, preferably an NFC-enabled smartphone) to the wireless communication device. This offers the advantage that a hardware component which, for example, is still in the default state or in a delivery state, can be named passive. After the christening, the module can then advantageously be installed directly, without any configuration process and preferably exclusively via plug and play.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an operating parameter which is stored in the memory device and is in particular preset in a delivery state and is characteristic of an operating state can be replaced by an operating parameter transmitted wirelessly to the wireless communication device. For example, a default operating parameter can be replaced by a transmitted operating parameter adapted to the intended function or application of the hardware device to be executed.

The memory device of the wireless communication device is preferably a memory cell, such as, for example, EEPROM. In these, among other things, the function or one or more operating parameters of the hardware component is preferably stored on the nameplate. The hardware component (such as the I / O module) evaluates this function or operating parameter when it starts up and behaves afterwards, for example during operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the memory device (of the wireless communication device, for example the NFC chip) has a security area that can only be accessed after authorization has taken place. It is possible that the security area can only be read out and / or placed on the security area after authorization has been given. For this purpose, the security area can be password-protected. A plurality is preferred, and all operating parameters characteristic of the predetermined and / or selected and / or set operating mode of the hardware component are preferably stored on the memory device of the wireless communication device and in particular in its security area. In this way, security against unintentional access can be ensured by password protection of a protected area of the wireless communication device or an NFC module of the wireless communication device.

The communication interface for communication with the field device is preferably an interface for the wired exchange of data with the field device, particularly preferably for the transmission of data related to a measurement, control, regulation and / or monitoring process, which is preferably at least partially runs in the field device and / or at least one (external) variable influencing a measurement, control, regulation and / or monitoring process is detected and / or measured and / or set in the field device. The field device is preferably connected to the hardware component for exchanging data via a bus system. It is conceivable that the hardware component is connected to a large number of field devices via the bus system.

Product information of the hardware component, such as the product type, is preferably stored on the memory device of the wireless communication device and / or on the memory device of the transmission device. These can be transmitted wirelessly via the wireless communication device.

The present invention is further directed to a configuration system comprising a hardware component in at least one of the above-described embodiment.

According to the invention, the configuration system has a, in particular mobile, transmitting device which is suitable and intended to supply the wireless communication device of the hardware component inductively with energy and / or to wirelessly transmit data characteristic of an operating parameter to the wireless communication device. The hardware component and / or the transmitting device can have all of the features described above individually or in combination with one another.

In an advantageous embodiment, the configuration system comprises a mobile terminal, preferably a smartphone, which has the transmission device. The smartphone preferably has an RFID-based transmitting and / or receiving device. This is particularly preferred Smartphone N FC-capable. The wireless communication device preferably has an RFID-based communication device, in particular a transmitting and / or receiving device. The wireless communication device is particularly preferably NFC-capable. The configuration system is preferably suitable and intended for exchanging configuration information between the transmitting device and the hardware component, in particular for configuring the hardware component, by means of wireless, preferably by means of RFID-based communication and in particular by means of NFC communication. A large number of operating parameters are preferably stored in a memory device of the particularly mobile transmission device. An operating parameter for the hardware component can preferably be selected, in particular by means of an app, and transmitted to the hardware component. The configuration or configuration information can preferably be selected and / or sent via the mobile APP of a mobile transmission device.

The configuration system preferably includes a further hardware component. The configuration system is preferably suitable and intended for reading out an operating parameter of the first hardware component characteristic of a present operating mode by means of the particularly mobile transmission device and by means of the wireless communication device of the first hardware component and preferably in turn transmitting it to a second hardware component by means of the transmission device of the wireless communication device. This offers the advantage that the predefined configuration of the first hardware component by means of the transmission device and wireless communication can be transmitted to a second hardware component by means of the transmission device and wireless communication. This enables the configuration to be cloned when replacing a defective hardware component.

The present invention is also directed to a modular control system in, in particular industrial, automation and / or control technology with a large number of modular hardware components for controlling at least one field device and preferably a large number of field devices, the field device and preferably the large number of field devices each including at least one and preferably exactly one hardware component are connected for direct, in particular wired, communication, the hardware components being exchangeable. The hardware component or the hardware components are therefore preferably exchangeable, preferably tool-free exchangeable elements or elements which can be exchanged with simple tools (in any case without a soldering process).

According to the invention, at least one hardware component is a hardware component according to one of the embodiments described above. The hardware components can be equipped with all of the features described above in connection with a hardware component, either singly or in combination, and vice versa. In particular, the connection between individual hardware components, such as I / O components, and the connection between a hardware component and a field device can be configured as described above.

Each field device is preferably assigned at least one and preferably precisely one I / O module, the communication link between the field device and the I / O module preferably being wired.

The modular control system is preferably an I / O station. The modular control system preferably has a hardware component designed as a central control device or a central control device, which is implemented via a network, which is preferably wired, for example as a (serial) bus system (and / or RS 232, I2C, SPI and / or QSPI, Ethernet or LVDS bus systems), can be connected to one or a large number of hardware components designed as I / O modules for communication or exchange of data. At least one of these hardware components and particularly preferably a large number of these and particularly preferably all hardware components of the modular control system have a wireless communication device via which configuration information or data characteristic of an operating mode can be transmitted wirelessly and in particular passively to the respective hardware component. When an I / O module is integrated into the I / O system, configuration via the (wired) network (and preferably using the central control device) is preferred, particularly during operation of the I / O module (and when it is switched on) ) possible. The present invention offers the advantage that a hardware component can be configured before it is integrated into the I / O system or before it is integrated into the modular control system and is ready for use immediately after the connection to the network has been established.

The present invention is further directed to a communication method of a hardware component, in particular for configuration (the hardware component and / or a second hardware component). The hardware component is a hardware component for industrial control for at least one field device, in particular in automation technology, which preferably has at least one communication interface for communication with the field device and which can be operated in a plurality of operating modes, from which an operating mode can be specified by means of at least one operating parameter characteristic of this operating mode, the at least one operating parameter in an, in particular permanent, storage device of the hardware component can be stored.

According to the invention, particularly when the hardware component is supplied with inductive energy, the hardware component is used to wirelessly transmit data which are preferably characteristic of an operating parameter stored and / or to be stored in the memory device. The method can be equipped with all of the features described above in connection with the hardware component and / or control system and / or configuration system, individually or in combination with one another. Conversely, the hardware component and / or the configuration system and / or the (modular) control system is preferably suitable and determined for executing at least one and / or more method steps individually or in combination with one another.

It is therefore also proposed within the scope of the method according to the invention that, in particular for the configuration and transmission of configuration information, no use is made of wired communication means such as communication interfaces for wired communication, but rather the transmission of information on the configuration or on a desired and / or to be set operating mode by means of a wireless communication device for wireless communication takes place.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the transmitted data characteristic of the operating parameter is or was obtained by reading out the memory device of a second hardware component, preferably by means of a wireless, in particular mobile, transmitting device.

This offers the advantage that the configuration can be cloned, for example when replacing a defective hardware component. In a first step, the configuration of a defective hardware component can be read out via wireless communication, in particular RFID-based communication and particularly preferably via NFC-based communication and in particular smart device for receiving the data (by the transmitting device). In a further (subsequent) step, the read configuration is preferably transferred to a new hardware component (such as an I / O module) via wireless communication, in particular RFID-based communication and particularly preferably via NFC-based communication and in particular smart device as the sending device.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer Konfiguration einer erfindungsgemäßen Hardwarekomponente einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen modularen Steuerungssystems; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm der Konfiguration einer Hardwarekomponente.

Further advantages and embodiments emerge from the attached drawings: They show:

• 1 a schematic representation of an example of a configuration of a hardware component according to the invention of a first embodiment;
• 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a modular control system according to the invention; and
• 3rd a flow diagram of the configuration of a hardware component.

1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a configuration of a hardware component according to the invention 10 a first embodiment by means of a transmission device that is mobile here 30th . At the transmitting facility 30th For example, it can be a smartphone with an NFC chip. The sending facility 30th can be used to configure the hardware components 10 wirelessly transmit data inductively (in the form of radiation) that are characteristic of at least one operating parameter and that of the wireless communication device 12th the hardware component 10 be received. Finally, the data or the transmitted operating parameters can be stored in a memory device 14th the hardware component 10 be filed.

On the hardware component 10 (such as an I / O module), a standard NFC chip with antenna is preferably installed. These chips preferably have memory cells (EEPROM) in which, among other things, the function of the module is stored on the nameplate. These modules evaluate this function during startup and then behave afterwards. Functions can be all module properties used in the I / O environment, e.g. B. measuring ranges, filter times, data widths, parameters, diagnoses, sampling rates, times, behavior, etc. If you want to change the default function (delivery status of the hardware component), you overwrite this area of the memory of the NFC chip with the future desired function. Preferably, an app can be used on a (standard) NFC-enabled mobile transmission device, such as a smartphone, as the transmission device 30th , in which the possible function identifiers or operating parameters are preferably present (stored), a predefined operating mode of the hardware component can be selected and / or established and / or changed. This broadcast facility 30th then passively transmits the information to the hardware component via NFC and preferably overwrites the preset function or operating parameters. This is preferably carried out protected (secure) against incorrect access. This process is preferably carried out passively without connecting the hardware component to voltage or the I / O system. Then plug in the I / O module or the hardware component 10 in the I / O station, the hardware component or the module starts up directly with the desired function or in the desired operating mode.

2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a modular control system according to the invention 1 , for example an I / O station. One as a central control device or a central control device 20th trained hardware components can be over a network 2 , which is preferably designed wired, for example as a (serial) bus system with one or a plurality of hardware components designed as I / O modules for communication or exchange of data. Preferably at least one of these hardware components and particularly preferably a large number of these and particularly preferably all hardware components of the modular control system (having central control device and I / O modules) have a wireless communication device 12th on which of the respective hardware components 10 , 20th Configuration information or data characteristic of an operating mode can be transmitted wirelessly and in particular passively. When an I / O module 10 is incorporated into the I / O system, configuration via the (wired) network is preferred, and in particular during operation of the I / O module 10 (and when it is switched on) 2 (and preferably using the central control facility 20th ) possible. The present invention offers the advantage that a hardware component 10, 20 can be configured before it is integrated into the I / O system or before it is integrated into the modular control system, and immediately after the connection to the network has been established 2 is ready for use.

3rd shows a flowchart of the configuration of a hardware component in a preferred embodiment, which comprises an embodiment of the communication method according to the invention of a hardware component. First, identified by the reference number 40 is the hardware component 10 , here an I / O module, in the delivery state and is therefore configured to execute a default function of the module. By the reference number 42 a method step is characterized in which the function of the module is changed (for example by changing the operating parameters) by overwriting the relevant memory area of the NFC chip via passive NFC transmission. In the preferably next following method step, characterized by the reference symbol 44 , the module is installed 10 into the IO station 1 . Finally, reference numerals denote 46 a preferably subsequent start-up of the module 10 with changed function without configuration process. During operation or working of the module 10 , characterized by reference numerals 48 , is a change in the function of the module 10 preferably wired possible.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are new to the state of the art, individually or in combination. It is further pointed out that features have also been described in the individual figures, which can be advantageous in themselves. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a certain feature described in a figure can also be advantageous without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

Claims (15)

Hardware component (10, 20) for an industrial controller (1) for at least one field device, in particular in automation technology, with at least one communication interface for communication with the field device, the hardware component (10, 20) being operable in a variety of operating modes, from which an operating mode can be specified by means of at least one operating parameter characteristic of this operating mode, wherein the at least one operating parameter can be stored in an in particular permanent memory device, characterized in that the hardware component (10, 20) has a wireless communication device (12) which can be inductively supplied with energy and which, preferably in the case of inductive energy supply, is suitable and intended for the wireless transmission of data which are characteristic of at least one operating parameter stored and / or to be stored on the storage device. Hardware component (10, 20) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the wireless communication device (12) is suitable and intended to receive wirelessly transmitted data characteristic of an operating parameter from a transmission device (30), preferably with inductive energy supply by the transmission device (30), and to store it in the storage device. Hardware component (10, 20) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the wireless communication device (12) is an RFID-based communication device (12) and / or the wireless communication device (12) has an NFC module for communication by means of near field communication. Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating mode in which the hardware component (10, 20) is to be operated, in a state of the hardware component ( 10, 20) can be set by wireless communication by means of the wireless communication device (12). Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hardware component (10, 20) is an I / O module. Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless communication device (12) is suitable and intended for communication in a passive communication mode and / or for storing the received data in the memory device in a passive communication mode. Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating mode specifies at least one property which is selected from a group comprising at least one measurement range, at least one filter time, at least one data width, at least one parameter, at least one diagnosis , at least one sampling rate, times, at least one time interval, at least one behavior, at least one type and number of communication inputs and / or outputs and the like and combinations thereof. Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a communication address for the hardware component (10, 20) can be specified by wireless transmission to the wireless communication device (12). Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating parameter which is stored in the memory device and is in particular preset in a delivery state and is characteristic of an operating state can be replaced by an operating parameter transmitted wirelessly to the wireless communication device (12). Hardware component (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory device can have a security area which can only be accessed after authorization has been carried out. Configuration system comprising a hardware component (10, 20) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the configuration system has a transmitting device (30) which is suitable and intended to inductively transmit the wireless communication device (12) of the hardware component (10, 20) to be supplied with energy and / or to wirelessly transmit data characteristic of an operating parameter to the wireless communication device (12). Configuration system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the configuration system comprises a mobile terminal (30), preferably a smartphone, which has the transmission device (30). Modular control system (1) in, in particular industrial, automation and / or control technology with a large number of modular hardware components (10, 20) for controlling at least one field device and preferably a large number of field devices, the field device and preferably the large number of field devices each including at least one and preferably exactly one hardware component (10, 20) are connected for direct, in particular wired, communication, the hardware components (10, 20) being exchangeable, characterized in that at least one hardware component (10, 20) is a Hardware component according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 10 acts. Communication method of a hardware component (10, 20), in particular for configuration, the hardware component (10, 20) being a hardware component for an industrial controller (1) for at least one field device, in particular in automation technology, which has at least one communication interface for communication with the field device and which can be operated in a plurality of operating modes, from which an operating mode can be specified by means of at least one operating parameter characteristic of this operating mode, the at least one operating parameter being able to be stored in an, in particular permanent, storage device of the hardware component, characterized in that in the case of inductive energy supply of the hardware component (10, 20) by means of the hardware component, a wireless transmission of data takes place, which for a the storage device stored and / or to be stored operating parameters are characteristic. Method for configuring a hardware component (10, 20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmitted data characteristic of the operating parameter is read out from the memory device of a second hardware component (10, 20), preferably by means of a wireless, in particular mobile, transmitting device (30 ).

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