A method for validating a field device is disclosed. The field device includes a plurality of hardware and software modules and is provided with a first cryptographic signature on the manufacturer side. The first cryptographic signature identifies the device manufacturer or the original delivery state of the field device. The origin and integrity of the field device is validated on the customer side using the first cryptographic signature. Once the field device is adapted to a defined machinery, the field device is provided with a second cryptographic signature on the customer side. The second cryptographic signature identifies the adaptations of the field device made on the customer side as a machinery-specific desired state of the field device. At least one validation of the field device is carried out on the customer side using the second cryptographic signature during the period of installation of the field device in the defined machinery.

A cloud-based measuring point registration system that registers a field device in a cloud-based field device control system. The cloud-based measuring point registration system includes a readout device on which an operating program is installed. The readout device logs into the cloud-based field device control system. Furthermore, the readout device verifies the identification feature of the field device and thereupon adds the field device to the cloud-based field device control system as a new field device and thus registers the field device.

A method for providing output values with associated uncertainties for a flexible modular plant or machine comprising an arrangement of modular entities, wherein uncertainty information associated with an operation of the modular entity is assigned to a plurality of modular entities and input values are provided based on an operation of the modular entities, where a computing unit calculates an output value based on said input values, calculates an input value uncertainty for each input value based on the uncertainty information of the modular entity, and calculates at least one output value uncertainty associated with the output value based on propagation of uncertainty and using the input value uncertainties, and where the output value and the at least one output value uncertainty are output.

A detection device for safety apparatuses for the control of industrial machines or plants comprises a reading head adapted to be associated with the receiving device of the safety apparatus to receive a presence signal provided with the identification code following the positioning of one of the movable actuators at a predetermined minimum distance from said reading head, a processing circuit integrated in said head and adapted to generate a plurality of output signals corresponding to respective command or signalling functions for one or more parts of the machine or plant, wherein the processing circuit is adapted to associate to each of said identification signals a personalized combination of said output signals for the execution of respective combinations of said functions differentiated for one or more of said movable actuators.

A field device having a safe interface is based on two voltage regulators designed to set electrical current between corresponding contacts of the interface. The field device tests via which of the contacts the field device is connected with a superordinate unit and an automatic configuration of the interface can be performed for the appropriate transmission standard. Because the contacting to the superordinated unit is checked repetitively by means of two electrical current regulators it is assured that the field device can determine and automatically react to a change of the contacting at the interface even during measurement operation. This makes the interface safe and thereby increases the safety of the process plant, in which the field device is applied.

A system and method for operating measuring devices in a process plant includes providing at least one measuring device for detecting at least one measuring variable, the measuring device having comprises at least one memory means for storing actual configuration data; providing at least one controller unit having at least one additional memory means in which projected configuration data is stored; the controller unit does not have write access to the measuring device with respect to the actual configuration data; and wherein the at least one measuring device and the at least one controller unit are connected via at least one network; comparing the actual configuration data and the projected configuration data, and when the configuration data correspond, allowing a data communication.

A digital safety lock of a field device or other process plant equipment activates in response to receiving a request from a locking party, thereby placing the device into a locked mode. While the device is in the locked mode, only the locking party may perform maintenance activities on, or otherwise functionally control, the device. While locked, the device may provide an indication of the locking party to any other device or application attempting to access or control the locked device. Other devices, applications, and users may communicate with the locking party or locking party device to request that the device be unlocked and/or to request the corresponding digital safety lock key. Upon the device receiving the correct digital safety lock key, the digital safety lock may be deactivated, and the device may enter into an unlocked state if no other digital safety locks remain activated for the device.

A field device adapter for wireless data transfer, comprises at least: an adapter housing; an adapter electronics unit arranged in the adapter housing, the adapter electronics unit comprising a first supply circuit, which is introduced into the first connection line, for providing a first supply voltage from a loop current flowing in the first connection line, and a second supply circuit, which is introduced into the second connection line, for providing a second supply voltage from the loop current flowing in the second connection line, wherein the adapter electronics unit further comprises a HART modem and a wireless module with an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving, and the adapter electronics unit is configured such that the first supply circuit supplies the HART modem with the first supply voltage, and the second supply circuit supplies the wireless module with the second supply voltage.

A setting system performs setting required for causing a field device to perform a predetermined operation on the field device. The setting system includes a server apparatus configured to provide device setting data in which identification information of the field device and setting data to be set in the field device are associated with other, and an input/output device that is a device interposed between the field device and a control device controlling the field device. In a case in which connection between the input/output device and the field device has been established, the input/output device is configured to perform the setting of the field device by transmitting, to the field device, the setting data associated with the identification information of the field device with which the connection has been established out of the device setting data provided from the server apparatus.

A system for remotely measuring the characteristics of water passing through a plumbing control device (PCD) includes a sensor within the interior of the PCD. The sensor is configured to measure characteristics of the water to obtain measured data. The sensor is also linked to a microcontroller of the PCD. An antenna board is linked, and configured to transmit power, to both the microcontroller and the sensor. A mobile device is configured to locate the antenna board. The mobile device transmits power to the antenna board which, in turn, transmits power to the microcontroller and the sensor. When power is not being transmitted from the antenna board, the microcontroller and the sensor are powered off.