DE102018132606A1 - Process for creating a favorites list as part of the parameterization of a field device for automation technology and control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for creating a favorites list (FL) for parameterizing a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) of automation technology, comprising: connecting an operating unit (BE) to the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); - Loading editable parameters (PM) for the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) based on the field device type on the control unit (BE) and displaying the editable parameters (PM) in a menu structure (MS) on the control unit (BE) - Parameterizing the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) by means of the control unit (BE), the parameterizing step comprising entering or changing a parameter value for at least one of the editable parameters (PM), the editable parameter (PM) is selected in the menu structure (MS) and a parameter value is entered in the menu structure (MS); and creating and saving a favorites list (FL), the editable parameters (PM) being entered in the favorites list (FL), to which a parameter value was assigned in the course of the parameterization step or whose parameter value was changed in the course of the parameterization step, and an operating unit which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a method for creating a favorites list for parameterizing a field device in automation technology. Furthermore, the invention relates to an operating unit which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

Field devices which are used in industrial systems have already become known from the prior art. Field devices are widely used in process automation as well as in manufacturing automation. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that supply or process process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used for example for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH measurement, level measurement, etc. and record the corresponding process variables pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, flow etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the level in a container. In addition to the measuring devices and actuators mentioned above, field devices are also understood to mean remote I / Os, radio adapters or generally devices which are arranged at the field level.

The Endress + Hauser Group produces and sells a large number of such field devices.

In modern industrial plants, field devices are usually connected to higher-level units via communication networks such as field buses (Profibus®, Foundation® Fieldbus, HART®, etc.). The higher-level units are control units, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller) or a PLC (programmable logic controller). The higher-level units serve, among other things, for process control and for commissioning the field devices. The measured values recorded by the field devices, in particular sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit (s), which process the measured values if necessary and forward them to the control center of the system. The control center is used for process visualization, process monitoring and process control via the higher-level units. In addition, data transmission from the higher-level unit via the bus system to the field devices is required, in particular for the configuration and parameterization of field devices and for the control of actuators.

Appropriate operating programs (operating tools) are required to operate the field devices, which either run independently on the higher-level units (Endress + Hauser FieldCare, Pactware, AMS Fisher-Rosemount, PDM Siemens) or also in control center applications (Siemens PCS7, ABB Symphony, Emerson Delta V) are integrated. The term “operation” is understood to mean, among other things, parameterizing the field device, updating the field device and / or querying and visualizing process data and / or diagnostic data of the field device.

Field devices are integrated into such operating programs via device drivers or device descriptions. These are provided by the device manufacturers so that the higher-level units, or the operating programs running on these higher-level units, can recognize and interpret the meaning of the information supplied by the field devices. Such an operating program, into which the device descriptions or device drivers are loaded, is also referred to as a frame application.

Special device drivers, so-called DTMs (Device Type Managers), which comply with the FDT (Field Device Tool) specifications, are available for full operation of the field devices. Many field device manufacturers deliver appropriate DTMs for their field devices. The DTMs encapsulate all variables and functions of the respective field device and mostly offer a graphical user interface for operating the devices within the frame application.

Field devices or sensor systems that are integrated in a new application of a process plant, or replacement sensor systems that replace an outdated or defective sensor system of an application, must be specifically adapted to the respective application of the sensor system in the measuring point during commissioning. For this purpose, these sensor systems are configured and parameterized during or after production. The configuration describes, on the one hand, the hardware-side configuration, for example relating to the flange material of a flow meter, as well as the software-side configuration. Parameterization is the definition and definition of parameter values for parameters of the Field device, with the help of which the operation of the sensor system is adjusted to the respective characteristics of the application, for example the measuring medium.

Depending on the type of sensor system, a sensor system can have up to several hundred different parameters, to which parameter values are assigned during commissioning. Nowadays, the parameterization of a sensor system is carried out using software tools. The parameter values can only be entered based on text and require a technical understanding on the part of the operator.

The parameterization of a field device is usually carried out by means of an operating unit, which is in communication connection with the field device via a service interface or via the communication interface of the field device. The parameters are presented to the operator in a menu structure. The menu structure is static and fixed. Since, as mentioned above, a large number of parameters are often available, but often only a fraction of these are used for the parameterization, a manual search process for the individual parameters to be set is often necessary. In the case of several field devices to be parameterized, this requires a great deal of time, since the parameter search and the respective allocation of a parameter value must be carried out individually for each field device. All previously known optimizations regarding parameter operation and parameter search are only available for one and the same instance of the device.

In the event that a field device is to be replaced or several identical instances of a field device are required, the parameter values of the field device to be replaced must be transferred to the replacement field device or to the additional field devices. With this replacement or duplication, however, only the complete parameter set can be transferred. A selection of a subset of the parameter set to be transferred - in the event that not all parameters are required - is not possible, so that in such a case the respective field device must be parameterized manually, which also results in an unnecessarily high expenditure of time or operating effort .

Based on this problem, the object of the invention is to reduce the operating effort required for parameterizing a field device.

The object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 and by the control unit according to claim 13.

• - Verbinden einer Bedieneinheit mit dem Feldgerät;
• - Laden von editierbaren Parametern für das Feldgerät auf Grundlage des Feldgerätetyps auf die Bedieneinheit und Darstellen der editierbaren Parameter in einer Menüstruktur auf der Bedieneinheit;
• - Parametrieren des Feldgeräts mittels der Bedieneinheit, wobei der Schritt des Parametrierens ein Eintragen oder Ändern eines Parameterwertes für zumindest einen Parameter umfasst, wobei der Parameter in der Bedienstruktur ausgewählt wird und ein Parameterwert in der Menüstruktur eingetragen wird; und
• - Erstellen und Speichern einer Favoritenliste, wobei in der Favoritenliste diejenigen Parameter eingetragen werden, denen im Zuge des Schrittes des Parametrierens ein Parameterwert zugewiesen wurde oder deren Parameterwert im Zuge des Schrittes des Parametrierens geändert wurde.

The method according to the invention for creating a favorites list for the purpose of parameterizing a field device in automation technology comprises the following method steps:

• - Connecting an operating unit with the field device;
• - Loading editable parameters for the field device based on the field device type on the control unit and displaying the editable parameters in a menu structure on the control unit;
• - Parameterizing the field device by means of the operating unit, the parameterizing step comprising entering or changing a parameter value for at least one parameter, the parameter being selected in the operating structure and a parameter value being entered in the menu structure; and
• - Creating and saving a favorites list, the parameters being entered in the favorites list to which a parameter value was assigned in the course of the parameterization step or whose parameter value was changed in the course of the parameterization step.

The advantage of the method according to the invention is that from a small number of available parameters, only those parameters are automatically recorded and stored in an application-specific favorites list which have actually been changed or set in the course of parameterization. Nowadays, favorites lists for field device parameters are not provided or can only be created manually. This increases the ease of use for the operator.

An operating unit is understood to be, for example, an operating unit in the sense of the “Field Xpert” produced and distributed by the applicant. Alternatively, the control unit can be a PC, for example a laptop or a workstation PC from the control center of the system, or a mobile terminal, for example a smartphone or a tablet. In particular, it is provided that the control unit uses the FDT / DTM technology described above, which maps the menu structure and which is used to parameterize the field device and / or to create and save the favorites list.

Field devices which are described in connection with the method according to the invention have already been mentioned as examples in the introductory part of the description.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the assigned or changed parameter value of each parameter contained in the favorites list is additionally entered in the favorites list. As a result, the specific input values of an operator for the respective parameters are also recorded.

• - Verbinden der Bedieneinheit mit einem weiteren Feldgerät;
• - Laden von editierbaren Parametern für das Feldgerät auf Grundlage des Feldgerätetyps auf die Bedieneinheit;
• - Laden der Favoritenliste auf die Bedieneinheit;
• - Darstellen derjenigen editierbaren Parameter des weiteren Feldgeräts in einer Menüstruktur auf der Bedieneinheit, welche ebenfalls in der Favoritenliste enthalten sind;
• - Parametrieren des weiteren Feldgeräts mittels der Bedieneinheit, wobei der Schritt des Parametrierens ein Eintragen oder Ändern eines Parameterwertes für zumindest einen Parameter umfasst, wobei der Parameter in der Bedienstruktur ausgewählt wird und ein Parameterwert in der Menüstruktur eingetragen wird.

An advantageous further development provides that the method according to the invention additionally comprises the following method steps:

• - Connecting the control unit with another field device;
• - Loading editable parameters for the field device based on the field device type on the control unit;
• - loading the favorites list onto the control unit;
• - Representing those editable parameters of the further field device in a menu structure on the operating unit, which are also contained in the favorites list;
• - Parameterizing the further field device by means of the operating unit, the step of parameterizing comprising entering or changing a parameter value for at least one parameter, the parameter being selected in the operating structure and a parameter value being entered in the menu structure.

In this way, the parameterization of a field device is both simplified and accelerated. The sometimes large number of adjustable parameters is reduced to those parameters which the operator actually needs or which he has actually changed in the past with another field device.

It can be provided that the favorites list is also used for the field device that has been parameterized for creating the favorites list, for example for recalibration as part of a service call.

It can be provided that the favorites list is used for a field device of the same device type as that of the field device that was parameterized to create the favorites list. However, the favorites list can also be used for a field device of different device types, such as that of the field device that was parameterized to create the favorites list. In the latter case, if there are parameters in the favorites list that are not intended for the current field device to be parameterized, these are not shown in the menu structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the favorites list is updated and saved after the further field device has been parameterized. The list of favorites is always updated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that changes which are entered in the favorites list in the course of the update can be revoked. Corrections of incorrect entries which result in an incorrect or not optimal favorites list are thus possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that when the parameter is selected in the operating structure or when the parameter value is entered in the menu structure, the parameter value for the parameter in the favorites list is proposed. The operating effort for the parameterization of a field device can thereby be further reduced. In addition, incorrect entries can be reduced in this way.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the favorites list contains a history, or a history file is assigned to the favorites list, which history, or history file, contains all entered parameters or their entered parameter values. This saves all operator input that was made when the favorites list was created or the favorites list was used for further parameterization.

The history or the history file contains a time stamp of a parameterization. By selecting a point in time, those parameters are displayed in the menu structure which were set or changed at this point in time for the purpose of parameterization. In this way, several parameter arrangements, or their parameter values, can be present in a single favorites list for different applications.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that further parameters are added to the favorites list, to which no parameter values are assigned or whose parameters are not changed, and the further parameters are selected via the menu structure. The favorites list can thus be freely adapted to the needs of the operator.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the favorites list is stored on a storage unit of the operating unit. It is provided that a large number of different favorites lists can be stored on the storage unit.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the favorites list is stored on a database remote from the operating unit. This is a database which the control unit can access by means of a communication network or which is located on a storage medium which can be connected to the control unit. In particular, a database is a cloud-based database which is stored on a server which can be contacted by the operating unit via the Internet.

In both cases, favorite lists can be saved for different field device types and / or for different applications (thus also several favorite lists for one field device type), which the operator can select and use for the parameterization of a field device.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that several favorite lists, which have different parameters and / or parameter values, are created and stored for a field device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the favorites list is output by the operating unit, in particular is exported. The favorites list, or the data contained in it, can thus also be used for other applications, for example for statistical evaluations.

The invention further relates to an operating unit which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention. As already mentioned above, an operating unit is understood to be, for example, an operating unit in the sense of the “Field Xpert” produced and distributed by the applicant. Alternatively, the control unit can be a PC, for example a laptop or a workstation PC from the control center of the system, or a mobile terminal, for example a smartphone or a tablet. In particular, it is provided that the operating unit uses the FDT / DTM technology, which maps the menu structure and which is used to parameterize the field device and / or to create and save the favorites list.

• 1: ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• 1 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Hierbei ist eine Anlage der Automatisierungstechnik dargestellt. An einem Datenbus D1 sind mehrere Workstation-PC WS1, WS2 in der Leitebene der Anlage angeschlossen. Diese Workstation-PCs dienen als übergeordnete Einheiten (Leitsystem bzw. Steuereinheit), unter anderem zur Prozessvisualisierung, Prozessüberwachung und zum Engineering wie zum Bedienen und Überwachen von Feldgeräten. Der Datenbus D1 arbeitet z. B. nach dem Profibus DP-Standard oder nach dem HSE (High Speed Ethernet)-Standard der Foundation Fieldbus. Über ein Gateway G1, das auch als Linking Device, Field Controller oder auch als Segment-Koppler bezeichnet wird, ist der Datenbus D1 mit einem Feldbus-Segment SM1 verbunden. Das Feldbus-Segment SM1 besteht aus mehreren Feldgeräten F1, F2, F3, F4, die über einen Feldbus FB miteinander verbunden sind. Bei den Feldgeräten F1, F2, F3, F4 kann es sich sowohl um Sensoren oder um Aktoren handeln. Der Feldbus FB arbeitet entsprechend nach einem der bekannten z.B. Feldbusstandards Profibus PA, Foundation Fieldbus oder HART. Im vorliegenden Fall arbeitet der Feldbus FB entsprechend dem Feldbusstandard Profibus PA.The invention is illustrated by the following figure. It shows

• 1 : An embodiment of the method according to the invention.
• 1 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

A system of automation technology is shown here. On a data bus D1 are several workstation PCs WS1 , WS2 connected in the control level of the plant. These workstation PCs serve as higher-level units (control system or control unit), among other things for process visualization, process monitoring and for engineering such as for operating and monitoring field devices. The data bus D1 works e.g. B. according to the Profibus DP standard or the HSE (High Speed Ethernet) standard of the Foundation Fieldbus. Via a gateway G1 The data bus is also known as the linking device, field controller or segment coupler D1 with a fieldbus segment SM1 connected. The fieldbus segment SM1 consists of several field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 over a fieldbus FB are interconnected. With the field devices F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 can be both sensors or actuators. The fieldbus FB works according to one of the well-known Profibus fieldbus standards PA , Foundation Fieldbus or HART. In the present case, the fieldbus works FB according to the fieldbus standard Profibus PA .

For parameterizing the new field device installed in the system F4 , which is a radar-based level meter, this is with an operating unit BE connected. In the present case, the operating unit is an operating unit in the sense of the "Field Xperts" marketed by the applicant. However, it can be any type of control unit. It can also be any other type of field device.

A frame application based on the FDT standard is installed on the control unit. For parameterizing the field device F4 this leads a device driver of the field device F4 off, especially a DTM. The device driver contains a parameterization functionality. Selecting the parameterization functionality opens a menu structure MS which are the adjustable parameters PM and which may have parameter values currently set for these parameters.

An example of such a menu structure MS is shown below: Parameters (PM) Parameter description Parameter value 1 Font size menu - 2nd Backlight display - 3rd Minimum measured value (4 mA) - 4th Maximum measured value (20 mA) - ... n Fieldbus type -

By default, no parameter values are set in this example. The operator now parameterizes the field device F4 by at least one of the parameters PM assigns a parameter value: Parameters (PM) Parameter description Parameter value 1 Font size menu 12 2nd Backlight display A 3rd Minimum measured value (4 mA) - 4th Maximum measured value (20 mA) - ... n Fieldbus type Profibus PA

Because the parameters 3rd and 4th only when using the 4-20 mA method, or when using HART technology, as the communication method, these are not set by the operator. After the parameter values in the field device F4 the control unit creates a favorites list FL : Parameters (PM) Parameter description Parameter value 1 Font size menu 12 2nd Backlight display A n Fieldbus type Professional bus PA

This favorites list FL contains only those parameters of the field device F4 for which parameter values have actually been set. Optionally, the favorites list also contains the parameter values entered in each case. The operator can also manually add other parameters to the favorites list FL Add. The favorites list is then from the control unit BE to a database DB transmitted, in particular to a cloud-based database, which is provided by the operating unit BE can be contacted via the Internet. The operator can enter metadata for this. For example, this metadata contains information about the application of the field device F4 , especially about the measuring medium to be measured, the tank size, the type of industry, etc.

When the field device is parameterized again F4 grabs the control unit BE on the favorites list FL to. The operator is responsible for the parameterization of the field device F4 only those parameters are displayed which are available in the favorites list. In addition, previously set parameter values can be proposed for each parameter. Those parameters that are not in the favorites list FL are either hidden or grayed out accordingly. It can be provided that the operator makes the hidden or greyed out parameters available, for example by selecting a button, if he wants to enter parameter values for these parameters.

The favorites list FL can also be used for other field devices F1 , F2 , F3 be used. It is irrelevant whether the other field device F1 , F2 , F3 of the same type as the field device F4 is. The operator chooses a suitable favorites list for this FL from the database DB out. The favorites list is selected, for example, using the metadata entered. For this purpose, the operator carries information about the application of the field device to be parameterized, for example F1 , F2 , F3 a. Then he will be given favorite lists FL displayed by field devices that are used in similar applications.

The list of available parameters for the respective field device F1 , F2 , F3 with those in the favorites list FL included parameters compared. Then only the intersection of the available parameters of the field device F1 , F2 , F3 and the one in the favorites list FL available parameters are displayed.

Using the method according to the invention, the parameterization of a field device F1 , F2 , F3 , F4 Simplified, since only those parameters are assigned to the operator during parameterization PM are presented which are actually relevant or have already been changed in an earlier parameterization.

Reference symbol list

BE

Control unit

D1

Data bus

DB

Database

F1, F2, F3, F4

Field devices

FL

Favorite list

G1

Gateway

MS

Menu structure

PM

editable parameters

SM1

Fieldbus segment

WS1, WS2

Workstation pc

Claims (13)

Method for creating a favorites list (FL) for parameterizing a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) of automation technology, comprising: - Connecting an operating unit (BE) with the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); - Loading editable parameters (PM) for the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) based on the field device type on the control unit (BE) and displaying the editable parameters (PM) in a menu structure (MS) on the control unit (BE) ; - Parameterization of the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) by means of the control unit (BE), the parameterization step comprising entering or changing a parameter value for at least one of the editable parameters (PM), the editable parameter (PM) in the menu structure (MS) is selected and a parameter value is entered in the menu structure (MS); and - Creating and saving a favorites list (FL), the editable parameters (PM) being entered in the favorites list (FL), to which a parameter value was assigned in the course of the parameterization step or whose parameter value was changed in the course of the parameterization step. Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby the assigned or changed parameter value of each parameter contained in the favorites list (FL) is additionally entered in the favorites list (FL). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , further comprehensive: - Connecting the control unit (BE) to a further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4); - Loading editable parameters (PM) for the field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) on the basis of the field device type on the operating unit (BE); - Loading the favorites list (FL) on the control unit (BE); - Representation of those editable parameters (PM) of the further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) in a menu structure (MS) on the control unit (BE), which are also contained in the favorites list (FL); - Parameterization of the further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4) by means of the operating unit (BE), the parameterization step comprising entering or changing a parameter value for at least one of the editable parameters (PM), the editable parameter (PM) is selected in the operating structure and a parameter value is entered in the menu structure (MS). Procedure according to Claim 3 , whereby the favorites list (FL) is updated and saved after the parameterization of the further field device (F1, F2, F3, F4). Procedure according to Claim 4 , whereby changes that are entered in the course of the update in the favorites list (FL) are revocable. Procedure according to Claim 3 , 4th or 5 , the parameter value for the parameter in the favorites list (FL) being proposed when the parameter is selected in the operating structure or when the parameter value is entered in the menu structure (MS). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the favorites list (FL) contains a history, or a history file is assigned to the favorites list (FL), which history, or history file, contains all entered parameters or their entered parameter values. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein further parameters are added to the favorites list (FL), to which no parameter values are assigned, or whose parameters are not changed, and the further parameters are selected via the menu structure (MS). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the favorites list (FL) is stored on a storage unit of the operating unit (BE). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, the favorites list (FL) being stored on a database (DB) remote from the operating unit (BE) Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of favorites lists (FL), which have different parameters and / or parameter values, are created and stored for a field device (F1, F2, F3, F4). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the favorites list (FL) is output, in particular exported, by the operating unit (BE). Operating unit (BE), which is designed to carry out the method according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 12 to execute.

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