METHOD AND OPERATING UNIT FOR TROUBLESHOOTING ERRORS IN A SYSTEM OF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to troubleshooting errors in a system of automation technology. For each of a plurality of field devices a current status and location information is stored in a database. The method also includes steps of providing a list of field devices and their location information for which a service status or diagnostic status has been recorded due to an error, and selecting one of the field devices in the list using the operating unit. The method also includes gathering a current location position of an operator using the operating unit, and locating the selected field device using a current location position of the operating unit and the location information of the selected field device using the operating unit. The method also includes connecting the selected field device to the operating unit and operating the selected field device using the operating unit in order to troubleshoot the error.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A method for troubleshooting errors in a system of automation technology, wherein the system has a plurality of field devices which are attached at distributed installation locations, the method comprising steps of: accessing a database using an operating unit, wherein for each of the field devices a current status and location information corresponding to the respective installation location of the field device are stored in the database; providing a list of field devices and respective location information for which a service status or a diagnostic status has been recorded due to at least one error; selecting at least one of the field devices in the list using the operating unit; gathering a current location position of an operator using the operating unit; locating the selected field device, including the current location position of the operating unit and the location information of the selected field device, via the operating unit; finding the selected field device by the operator with the aid of the operating unit; and connecting the operating unit to the selected field device, and operating the selected field device by means of the operating unit in order to troubleshoot the error.

19. A method for troubleshooting errors in a system of automation technology, wherein the system has a plurality of field devices which are attached at distributed installation locations, the method comprising steps of: creating a list of the field devices for which a service status or a diagnostic status is recorded due to at least one error, and location information corresponding to respective installation locations of the field devices, using a database, wherein, for each of the field devices, a current status and the respective location information is stored in the database, wherein the database has a radio unit; searching for radio-contactable operating units by means of the radio unit of the database; if at least one operating unit has been found, transmitting at least a portion of the list to the operating unit using the radio unit; selecting at least one of the field devices in the list using the operating unit; determining a current location position of an operator using the operating unit; locating the selected field device, including a current location position of the operating unit and the location information of the selected field device, via the operating unit; finding the selected field device by the operator using the operating unit; and connecting the operating unit to the selected field device, and operating the selected field device by means of the operating unit in order to troubleshoot the error.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the database queries current location positions of the found operating units, and wherein the list is transmitted to the operating unit whose current location position is closest to at least one of the field devices contained in the list.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the field devices are prioritized in the list according to criticality of the respective field device for a process of the system and/or according to a severity of the error of the respective field device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein a service path is created by the operating unit successively locating field devices according to an order of the prioritized list, and wherein the operator operates the field devices according to the service path.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the field devices for which the service status or the diagnostic status is recorded are visualized, together with the current location position of the operating unit, on a map on the operating unit.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein, while searching for the selected field device, the database checks whether information for troubleshooting the error is present on the operating unit.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, if the information for troubleshooting the error is not present on the operating unit, the information is automatically loaded onto the operating unit.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the information for troubleshooting the error is loaded from the database onto the operating unit.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein a device driver or a device description for operating the selected field device is loaded onto the operating unit as a file for troubleshooting the error.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein an operating manual or a device documentation for the selected field device are loaded onto the operating unit as a file for troubleshooting the error.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein, while searching for the selected field device, information regarding a type of installation of the selected field device is loaded from the database onto the operating unit and is displayed to the operator.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein the list is restricted to field devices whose respective location information indicates a location within a defined vicinity of the current location position of the operating unit.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the database updates the current status of each of the field devices at regular time intervals.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the operating unit has a communication connection with the database via a radio link.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the operating unit is connected to the selected field device via a wireless or a wired communication connection.

34. An operating unit for troubleshooting errors in a system of automation technology, wherein the system has a plurality of field devices which are attached at the distributed installation locations, comprising: a communication connection with a database via a radio link; wherein the database stores a current status and location information corresponding to the respective installation location of the field device; a list of field devices and respective location information for which a service status or a diagnostic status has been recorded due to at least one error; wherein the operating unit selects at least one of the field devices in the list, gathers a current location position of an operator using the operator unit, locates the selected field device, including the current location position of the operating unit and the location information of the selected field device, and assists the operator in finding the selected field device; and wherein the operating unit is connected to the selected field device and operates the selected field device in order to troubleshoot the error.

Description

[0054] The invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the following figures. The following are shown:

[0055] FIG. 1: an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

[0056] FIG. 2: an example of a map visualized in the display of the operating unit.

[0057] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. In a system of process automation which has the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3, there are two operators with operating units BE1, BE2. These operators are service technicians who remain at the system to service the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3.

[0058] In a first method step 1, a computing unit RE queries information from the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3. For example, the querying occurs by means of a radio link, wherein the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 in this instance have radio antennas and/or radio modules. The computing unit RE is, for example, a workstation PC which is located in the control level of the system. A framework application is installed at the computing unit RE. The framework application is, in particular, an FDT host, which has device drivers in the form of DTM's (device type managers) for each of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3. The device drivers serve for the communication of the computing unit RE with the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3.

[0059] The information to be queried is the status of field devices FG1, FG2, FG3. This information is, in particular, present in a form according to Namur recommendation NE107. Possible statuses are, for example, Field device in order, Error is present, Maintenance required, etc. How often and at what time intervals the querying of the device status is to take place may be set by the system driver in the computing unit RE.

[0060] In a second method step 2, the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 respectively send their current device status to the computing unit. Field device FG1 thereby transmits the status, Maintenance required; field device FG2 thereby transmits the status, Field device in order; field device FG3 thereby transmits the status, Error present. The computing unit RE is linked to a database DB and transmits the read status of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 to the database DB.

[0061] In a third method step 3, the database DB updates the read status of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3. In addition, the list contains the location information OI1, OI2, OI3 of the respective field devices, i.e., the geographical position at which the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 are installed. This location information OI1, OI2, OI3 is, for example, collected upon installation of the field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 in the system and recorded in the database. A list of those field devices FG1, FG2, FG3 whose current status is a service status or a diagnostic status is subsequently created. In this exemplary embodiment, field devices FG1 and field device FG3 are therefore on the list.

[0062] This list is subsequently sorted by order of criticality of the respective status, or of the error linked therewith. Since field device FG3 reports a fault, this is to be ranked higher than the pending maintenance requirement of the field device FG1, for which reason field device FG3 is at the first position in the list.

[0063] In a fourth method step 4, a portion of the listmore precisely, the highly critical status of field device FG3 that is recorded in the list, and the location information OI3 of the field device FG3are transmitted from the database DB to an operating unit BE1. For this purpose, the database DB starts a search request by radio for operating units located in the system, and finds the two operating units BE1, BE2. The database DB subsequently queries the current location positions of the operating units BE1, BE2 by means of the radio link. By comparing the location information OI3 of the field device F3 and the current location positions of the operating units BE1, BE2, it is determined that the operating unit BE1 is located closer to the field device FG3 than the operating unit BE2, whereby the status and location information OI3 of field device FG3 are transmitted to said operating unit BE1. After confirmation by the operator that the field device FG3 is to be sought in order to troubleshoot an error, the operating unit BE1 collects its current location position and compares this with the location information of the field device FG3, thus locating the field device FG3. Said operating unit BE1 subsequently graphically depicts the location of the operator and of the field device FG3 on a map KA on its display.

[0064] An example of such a map KA is schematically depicted in FIG. 2. Located in the middle is the current location position of the operating unit BE1, BE2. The circles indicate a defined lengthfor example, 100 meters. If the operator moves, the center position of the map KA is thus displaced. Such a map KA is described in US 2012/0040698 A1, for example.

[0065] In a fifth method step 5, the less critical status of the field device FG1 that is recorded in the list is transmitted to the operating unit BE2. This is either automatically accepted from the database DB, analogously to method step 4, or the operator of the operating unit BE2 himself loads the list from the database DB onto the operating unit BE1. The operator subsequently selects the field device FG1 from the list, as a result of which the field device FG1 is located, analogously to method step 4.

[0066] In a sixth method step 6, the respective operator of the operating units BE1, BE2 is guided by means of the displayed map KA to the respective located field devices FG1, FG3. For this purpose, a GPS module of the operating units BE1, BE2, for example, is used. However, other methods may also be used for navigation, such as locating by means of radio signal strengths (field device FG1, FG2, FG3 relative to operating unit), or triangulation via a mobile communications network.

[0067] While the operators move to the located field devices FG1, FG2, the database checks whether all the information or files required to troubleshoot the respective error of the field device FG3, or to successfully service the field device FG1, are present on the operating units BE1, BE2. Operating units BE1, BE2 require the respective correct device driver of the field device FG1, FG3 in order that, for example, said operating units BE1, BE2 may communicate with the respective field devices FG1, FG3. In the event that this information is not present on the operating units BE1, BE2, the database DB transmits this to the operating units BE1, BE2, respectively. The checking and transmission is repeated for further information or files which are useful for the operator, in particular the device documentation, the installation height of the field device, a photo of the installation site, etc. In particular, it is provided that all relevant information be present on the operating units BE1, BE2 upon arrival of the operators at the respective field devices FG1, FG3.

[0068] In a final, seventh method step 7, when the operators encounter the respective field devices FG1, FG3, the information is displayed to the user or the files are loaded, ready to be executed, on the respective operating units BE. By means of the information, the operator may connect the respective operating unit BE1, BE2 to the corresponding field device FG1, FG3 as quickly as possible, in particular wired or wirelessly. For example, a step-by-step instruction which guides the user through the process of connecting has also been loaded. After connecting, a communication unit is established by means of the execution-ready device driver between the respective operating unit BE1, BE2 and the corresponding field device FG1, FG3. The operator may now operate the corresponding field devices FG1, FG3 in a simple manner and perform maintenance, or troubleshoot the error at the field device FG3. Analogously to method step 6, additional information that is loaded on the operating unit BE1, BE3, e.g., a table with the meaning of error codes, may also be displayed for this purpose.

[0069] It is inherently understood that the method according to the invention may be used with any type of field device. Field devices that are mentioned in connection with this method according to the invention are already described by way of example in the introductory part of the description. Furthermore, it may be provided that the database DB also automatically transmit portions of the list with field devices having less critical maintenance status to operating units BE1, BE2, or that portions of the list with highly critical statuses of field devices also be loaded manually by the operating units BE1, BE2 from the database. Furthermore, the entire list may also be transmitted to the operating units BE1, BE2, and the operator manually selects one of the field devices FG1, FG3 found on the list.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0070] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Method steps [0071] BE Operating unit [0072] DB Database [0073] FG1, FG2, FG3 Field device [0074] KA Map [0075] OI1, OI2, OI3 Location information of the field devices [0076] RE Computing unit