WO2019097392A1 - Method of attributing data, such as an id, to an object - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method of attributing a data to an object (1 ), wherein said method comprises the step of applying a data carrier (2) to said object wherein said carrier comprises said data, reading said data of the carrier with the object and attributing said data to the object.

Description

METHOD OF ATTRIBUTING DATA, SUCH AS AN ID, TO AN OBJECT

Corresponding application The present application claims priority to earlier European patent application NΈR17201779.0, filed on November 15, 2017, in the name of S DATA WAY SA, the content of this earlier application being incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application. Field of the invention

The present invention is about automation field bus communication. It is applicable to both industry automation and mostly building automation, but also to any application area where electronic modules are connected to a field bus where every component need to be programmed with a unique identifier (ID) or address. Of course, other fields may also use the principle of the present invention as will be described hereunder.

In such systems, a certain number of devices are connected through a common field bus (physical wires) to each other’s in order to exchange information. In the present description, we will call those devices“modules”, this notion being interpreted in a broad manner in the context of the present invention and covering for example inter alia: modules, components, units, actuators, sensors, etc.

This principle is illustrated in figure 1 which shows several modules 1 connected to a field bus 3. As said, modules 1 in the scope of the present description may be any electric/electronic device connected to a line 3 (for example a bus) and comprising at least an attributed address (ID) for their individual identification in the network or installation. Other examples of modules are remote control systems used in building automation communicating via“Power Line Communication” (PLC), with modulation over the 230V network for the transmission of data. Of course, other applications are possible and not limited to building automation.

It is also known in the art to label each and every element of an installation in a network, for example for identification purposes, including the wires of the network. In such case, an individual reader (for example hand held) is used to read each label and identify the element marked by the label.

This invention is intended to facilitate the attribution of a predefined ID to a module connected in a network, for example a field bus system in an embodiment.

Disadvantages known from the prior art

In a field bus system or network, every module needs to have a unique ID. In many systems, this ID is assigned during manufacturing of the module. When planning an installation, it is therefore necessary to know at the planning stage the unique ID of each element (such as module) in order to indicate this ID in the plan and have a correct match between the plan and the physical installation. This is however nearly impossible to achieve as the ID are not known in advance and/or can lead to errors (absence of matching between the modules and the plan) which must be corrected.

This is also not practical when a module is changed and replaces by another module which has a different ID.

In addition, in some existing installations, it is required to reassign a new ID to a module in order to match it with a predefined schematic or electrical drawing of the installation. Current solutions require either:

- To power on the module in order to give it the new ID directly by programming it on the module

- Or to remotely assign the new ID, knowing its original ID assigned during its manufacturing. The first solution's disadvantage is the necessity to access the module after its installation and power-up. In many cases, the module is installed in a hard to access remote location in a building or inside a machine which renders the subsequent access to the module not practical and easy.

The second solution requires the installer to note the exact location of each module as well as its default ID, in order to be identified during the remote new ID assignment.

Another solution is to assign physically the planned ID or address to the module when the latter is being installed (for example by an electrician) but this is far from easy because the installer has to access in the module and manually program the ID by pressing on a button in the module and create the said address. If doing this action on a single module may be seen as simple and quick, this is not the case anymore when many modules have to be installed in a large building, making this work complicated, time consuming and an easy source of errors. Other ways also exist to manually program an ID in a module but they are rarely practical and easy to carry out.

As detailed above, the known solutions are complicated, time consuming and may easily be the cause of errors.

Principle of the invention

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to improve the known devices and methods. It is another aim of the present invention to propose systems and methods that allow a simple installation of components (such as modules, units, relays etc.) in a complicated installation in a network which is, for example, deployed in large buildings or factories with numerous components placed in different locations and not always easily accessible after installation. In embodiments, the present invention will ease at least the custom attribution of a unique ID to the module without the need to connect it or to power it up, simply by attributing data (comprising the ID) to the module before installation. In embodiments, the attribution of the ID will be carried out by attaching a data carrier, such as a label or a tag, to the module before its physical installation in the desired location of the installation and then the data (containing for example a unique ID) will be read by the module itself (preferably by an appropriate reader integrated in the module) and attributed to the module. This principle amounts to a decentralized functioning where each module will identify itself directly by means of the applied data carrier, using the information (or data) present in or on the data carrier itself.

The ID (or any data read from the data carrier) may be stored in the memory of the module. In this way, if the label is subsequently detached from the module (for example by accident, over time, or for safety reasons), the ID is not lost but kept in a memory capability of the module.

The data carrier (or any carrier of the ID) may be attached by any appropriate means to the module, for example glueing etc.

In preferred embodiments, one uses the RFID technology for the carrier (such as an RFID tag) and for the data/ID attribution to a module, accordingly, a label with embedded RFID chip and antenna is attached to the module at any time during the installation process, in order to provide such module with its unique ID and possible other data according to embodiments of the invention. Each module thus comprises a suitable reader for the label/ tag, for example a RFID reader, to be able to read the data present in the label/tag, in particular its ID address, thus realizing the ID attribution to the module.

In other embodiments, the data/ID may be also printed on the data carrier to make it very visible to a person looking at the module’s address. This can allow, for example, a direct check that the ID is correct and matches the plan. In an embodiment, the invention concerns a method of attributing data to an object, such as a module, wherein said method comprises the steps of

-) applying a data carrier containing data to an object

-) reading the data of the carrier with the object on which the carrier is attached and

-) attributing the data to the object.

In embodiments, the data carrier may be a label or a tag.

In embodiments, the label or tag is a RFID label or tag or uses this technology or another equivalent technology.

In embodiments, at least a part of the data is an ID or an address. Other data may contain other information useful for the module or its functioning.

In embodiments, the data is read by the object and memorized in the object.

In embodiments, to change the data attributed to the object, the data carrier is exchanged for another data carrier with other or different data and said other or different data is read by said object on which said other data carrier is applied and attributed to said object.

In embodiments, the other and/or different data is memorized in said object. In embodiments, the invention concerns an object comprising attributed data, such as in ID, wherein the attributed data is contained in data carrier attached to the object, wherein the object comprises a reader for reading the data of the carrier attached and/or connected to the object. In embodiments, the data carrier may be a label or a tag. In embodiments, the data carrier may be a RFID label or tag. In embodiments, to change the data attributed to the object, the data carrier is changed for another carrier containing other or different data. In embodiments, the attributed data may comprise an ID of the object. Other data for the object may be present as well and read by the object. This other data may also be memorized in the object.

In embodiments, the object may be a module connected to a field bus.

In embodiments, the invention concerns a method comprising the steps of

-) attributing data to said object using the method as defined herein,

-) physically installing said object in a desired place

-) powering said installed object.

In embodiments, the steps above may be repeated for each object of a network or installation.

In embodiments, the invention concerns an installation comprising the objects and data carrier as defined herein.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates the principle of an installation using a field bus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrates perspective views of an object (such as a module) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the principle of an embodiment of the present invention. During field bus 3 modules 1 installation in a building, in a machine, in a production line, or in any similar installation, it may be required to give every module 1 a predefined unique ID so that each module 1 may properly receive its individual instructions from the system.

In embodiments, the subject of this disclosure is to use RFID technology for an ID attribution process and this will be used as a non-limiting exemplary embodiment.

According to such embodiments, the installer will attach a data carrier (for example an RFID label 2) to the module 1 at any time during the module 1 handling to achieve the ID attribution. Each individual data carrier 2 may be attached initially to a module 1 (for example at the factory) such that the installer, on site, only has to choose the right module 1 to be placed in the installation (i.e. with the ID/address indicated on the plan he is following).

Alternatively, the modules 1 may initially be provided without any data carrier 2, and then the installer may attach the data carrier 2 at the last moment, just before the module 1 is physically placed in the installation (such as connected to the field bus 3). In such case, the installer is provided with all the necessary data carriers 2 for an installation (for example as determined by a plan which defines the addresses of all modules of the installation), each data carrier 2 having the planned ID/address, so that the installer needs only to pick the desired data carrier 2 with the proper address (according to the plan) and to attach the chosen data carrier 2 to the module 1. The attachment of the data carrier 2 may be made before the module 1 is physically placed at the desired location or after is has been placed.

On a more general level, the data carrier may be attached to the module at any moment during installation: before, during or after. In another embodiment, the plan may not comprise the IDs/addresses of the module 1 (for example it may only indicate the type of module to be installed at a given location) and in this case, the installer picks a proper module 1 for the location, picks a data carrier 2, attaches the data carrier 2 to the module 1 , reads the ID of the attached data carrier 2, enters the ID into the plan and physically installs the module at the desired location. This method has the advantage of not imposing the ID from the planning but directly entering the ID effectively used in the plan.

The two above methods may be combined to give an installer the possibility to change the ID/address of the plan, for example if the data carrier 2 according to the plan is missing from the collection of data carriers available to the installer. He then has the possibility to use a new data carrier 2 with a new ID and introduce it in the plan once it has been attached to a module 1. All these operations may be made on a paper plan, or an electronic one. In such case, the reading of the data carrier can be made by the installer and reported on the paper plan, or it may be done electronically, for example with a reader of the installer which then sends the ID information to the plan for updating purposes of the plan. Preferably, but not exclusively, the data carrier 2 used will be also printed at least with the ID so that it will be visible, for example to the installer, or it may be read with appropriate means (scanner, reader etc.).

When the module 1 is powered-up, it will then read the data stored in the data carrier 2 including its intended ID and use this data for its own identification within the field bus system 3 and network. According to the exemplary embodiment, the module will therefore comprise RFID reader 4 capabilities to achieve this reading of the data carrier (RFID label in this embodiment) attached. If another technology is used, then the module will contain an appropriate reader 4 for this technology, in order to be able to read the data present on the data carrier 2 (such as for example it’s ID). Note that the reader is embedded inside the module and therefore not visible from outside but is illustrated with the reference 4 in the figures.

An embodiment is illustrated in figures 2A and 2B, figure 2A showing a module without the data carrier and figure 2B a module with a data carrier (with the number "15" as an exemplary non-limiting example of a visible ID information) and the reader 4. The module 1 of Figure 2A has no ID and the application of the data carrier 2 as in figure 2B give the module the address "15" that will be read by the module 1 and memorized. This is only a simple basic illustrative example of ID and of course, the numbering may be different and more complex (as used in electronic devices).

In embodiments, the module 1 preferably also stores this ID in its own non-volatile memory, so it will be always able to use this ID even if the data carrier 2 is broken/damaged or if it falls later on. This is of course applicable to all data present in the carrier 2 and not limited to an ID.

According to embodiments, the data carrier 2 may store other data not limited to an ID or an address such as, but not limited to, field bus setting (communication parameters like frequency, channel or any similar parameters) and other data (date of first installation, routines, programs, lines of coding etc.). For example such other data may also be useful for operation of the module 1. It may include an electronic key to avoid unwanted exchange of the label or to ensure the data carrier is always present on the module (or more generally the object carrying the label/tag). The present disclosure is thus not limited to the data mentioned herein and other possibilities may be envisaged by a skilled person.

Changing an ID (or other attributed data) on a module 1 can be done by removing the old data carrier 2, attaching a new data carrier 2 with new/amended data, and then power cycling the module 1 (for example by power down and then up again) or pressing a button 5 on the module 1 (as an example). This method may be applied for any data present in the data carrier: to change the data, the data carrier can simply be exchanged for another data carrier 2 with different data. Also, in an embodiment, the removal of the data carrier 2 may be a means to deactivate a module 1 or the object 1 carrying the data carrier 2. Alternatively, the data may be changed directly in the data carrier 2 present on the module 1 and a dedicated procedure may be followed in order for the module 1 to read and use this new data. This procedure may be a power cycling of the module 1 , or a dedicated operation (for example pressing a button 5 on the module). The data carrier 2 state or its attachment to the module 1 may depend on the environment and in case an event occurs (for example fire, smoke, water) that could cause a malfunction of the data carrier (or its detachment from the module) and trigger an alarm at the level of the module, in the network.

Advantages of the invention in some embodiments therefrom are the following:

-) Ability to attribute a specific predefined ID on a module 1 before its installation and power up;

-) ability to attribute an ID to the module 1 from a plan;

-) ability to upload the attributed ID into a plan;

-) ID always visible on the module 1 , even when the module is not powered so that a visual check may be made for matching purposes with the plan or identification of a module (for example if there is no power in the network);

-) ability to change the ID or any other data by simply replacing the data carrier 2 attached on the module 1 with no other intervention.

Although the preferred embodiment uses RIFD labels/tags 2 to implement the present invention, other equivalent techniques may be used for achieving the same or an equivalent result using another type of data carrier 2. The data carrier 2 may comprise an ID formed by a barcode and the module 1 comprise barcode reading capabilities (for example an optical reader). Other technologies include QR, inks (for example printed metallic inks), devices able to contain electronic data (USB key etc.), all technologies being capable of indicating a data on a data carrier 2 and reading said data with the module 1 on which the data carrier is applied or attached/connected to, hence via a reader using optical means, electrical means, mechanical means, passive or active means etc. The principle of the present invention is not limited to modules 1 connected to a field bus but may be applied to any installation where elements of said installation must be recognized in a network and are placed in different physical locations. A typical example of installation is in buildings, airports etc.

Exemplary embodiments have been described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined not solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. A number of problems with conventional methods and systems are noted herein and the methods and systems disclosed herein may address one or more of these problems. By describing these problems, no admission as to their knowledge in the art is intended. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, although certain methods and systems are described herein with respect to some embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Moreover, while this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of attributing data to an object, such as a module, wherein said method comprises the steps of

-) applying a data carrier containing said data to said object

-) reading said data of the carrier with the object on which the carrier is attached and

-) attributing said data to said object.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said data carrier is a label or a tag.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said label or tag is a RFID label or tag.

4. The method as defined in one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of said data is an ID or an address.

5. The method as defined in one of the preceding claims, wherein said data read by the object is memorized in said object.

6. The method as defined in one of the preceding claims, wherein to change the data attributed to the object, the data carrier is exchanged for another data carrier with other or different data and said other or different data is read by said object on which said other data carrier is applied and attributed to said object.

7. The method as defined in the preceding claim, wherein said other or different data is memorized in said object.

8. An object (1 ) comprising attributed data, such as in ID, wherein said attributed data is contained in data carrier (2) attached to said object, wherein said object comprises a reader (4) for reading said data of said carrier (2) attached to said object.

9. The object (1 ) as defined in the preceding claim, wherein said data carrier (2) is a label or a tag.

10. The object (1 ) as defined in the preceding claim, wherein said data carrier (2) is a RFID label or tag.

1 1. The object (1 ) as defined in one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, wherein to change the data attributed to said object (1 ), the data carrier (2) is changed for another carrier containing other or different data.

12. The object (1 ) as defined in one of the preceding claims 8 to 1 1 , wherein said attributed data comprises an ID of the object (1 ).

13. The object (1 ) as defined in one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, wherein said object (1 ) is a module connected to a field bus (3).

14. A method of installing objects with data in a network by an installer, said method comprising the steps of

-) attributing data to said object using the method as defined in one of the preceding claims 1 to 7,

-) physically installing said object in a desired place

-) powering said installed object.

15. The method as defined in the preceding claim, wherein said steps are repeated for each object of the network.

16. A network comprising at least an object as defined in one of claims 8 to 13.