MEASUREMENT DATA VALIDATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A measurement data validation system for validating measurement data of a field device is provided. The measurement data validation system includes a field device, a position detection device and/or a measurement station detection device, and a server. The field device acquires measurement data of a measurement station and transmits the acquired measurement data to the server. The position detection device detects a position of the measurement station and transmits the detected position to the server. The measurement station detection device can detect a measurement station parameter and transmit the parameter to the server. The server receives the sensed measurement data, the position of the measurement station or the measurement station parameter and verifies and/or validates the measurement data and/or instructs the field device to sense measurement data of the measurement station.

Claims

1. A measurement data validation system configured to validate measurement data of a field device, comprising: a field device configured to acquire measurement data from a measurement post and to transmit the acquired measurement data to a server; a position detection device configured to detect a position of the measurement station and to transmit the detected position to the server; and/or a measurement station detection device configured to acquire a measurement station parameter and to transmit the acquired measurement station parameter to the server; a server configured to receive the acquired measurement data, the detected position of the measurement station or the acquired measurement station parameter and, based on the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter, to check and/or validate the measurement data and/or, based on the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter, to instruct the field device to acquire further measurement data of the measurement station.

2. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the field device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the acquired measurement data to the server; and/or wherein the position detection device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the detected position to the server; and/or wherein the measurement station detection device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the acquired measurement station parameter to the server.

3. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to send a message based on the verification and/or validation of the measurement data.

4. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide the measurement data with a status signal based on the verification and/or validation of the measurement data.

5. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to generate validation results based on the verification of the measurement data.

6. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to generate validation results based on the validation of the measurement data.

7. The measurement data validation system according to claim 6, wherein the server is further configured to transmit the validation results to the field device and/or to a higher-level system.

8. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the position detection device is configured to detect the position of the measurement station based on one or more of the following listed methods: Inductive proximity method, capacitive proximity method, NFC method, optical method, and/or magnetic method.

9. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station detection device and the position detection device are implemented as a single device.

10. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station comprises a container.

11. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station comprises a conveyor belt.

12. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station parameter is a container parameter.

13. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station parameter comprises a measurement station geometry, a container geometry, a container content, and/or a container specification.

14. The measurement data validation system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement station detection device is configured to detect the measurement station parameter based on one or more of the following listed methods: NFC method, RFID method, and/or optical method.

15. The measurement data validation system according to any claim 1, wherein the field device is a level sensor, a level limit sensor, or a range monitoring sensor.

16. A method for measurement data validation in the field of process automation or factory automation, the method comprising: acquiring measurement data from a measurement station using a field device; transmitting the acquired measurement data by means of the field device to a server; detecting a position of the measurement station by means of a position detection device; and/or acquiring a measurement station parameter by means of a measurement station detection device; transmitting the detected position of the measurement station to the server by means of the position detection device; and/or transmitting the acquired measurement station parameter to the server by means of the measurement station detection device; receiving the acquired measurement data, the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter by means of the server; and verifying and/or validating by means of the server the acquired measurement data based on the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: directing the field device to acquire further measurement data of the measurement station based on the detected position.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: directing the field device to acquire further measurement data of the measurement station based on the acquired measurement station parameter.

19. A program element which, when executed on a measurement data validation system, instructs the measurement data validation system to perform the following steps: acquiring measurement data from a measurement station using a field device; transmitting the acquired measurement data by means of the field device to a server; detecting a position of the measurement station by means of a position detection device; and/or acquiring a measurement station parameter by means of a measurement station detection device; transmitting the detected position of the measurement station to the server by means of the position detection device; and/or transmitting the acquired measurement station parameter to the server by means of the measurement station detection device; receiving the acquired measurement data, the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter by means of the server; and verifying and/or validating by means of the server the acquired measurement data based on the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter.

20. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program element according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a measurement data validation system according to one embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a measurement data validation system according to a further embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 3a/3b show a measurement data validation system according to a further embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a measurement data validation system according to a further embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a process according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a measurement data validation system according to an embodiment. The measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 1 comprises a measurement device 102, such as a level sensor 102 or a station level sensor 102, and a server 110. In addition, the measurement data validation system may comprise either a position detection device 104 or a measurement station detection device 105, or both devices 104, 105. The measurement station 114 of FIG. 1 includes a container 103. The container 103 may, for example, be filled with a medium, such as a liquid medium or a medium containing bulk material.

[0055] The position detection device 104 may first detect whether the container 103, or the measurement station 114, is correctly positioned by having the position detection device detect the position of the container 103. The sensed position may be transmitted to the server 110 via cable or wire 112, i.e., via a wire 112. It should be noted that both the position detection device 104 and the measurement station detection device 105 may transmit data to the higher-level system 106 via a respective separate cable (not shown in FIG. 1), i.e., via a separate connection or line. Simultaneously or staggered, the field device 102 may collect measurement data and likewise transmit the data to the server 110 via a line 112 and possibly via an intervening higher-level system 108. The server 110 can receive the position of the container 103 as well as the acquired measurement data and, based on the position of the container 103, evaluate the measurement data such that the server 110 can verify and/or validate the measurement data. It is conceivable, for example, that the server 110 compares the position of the container 103 with a “target position” of the container 103 stored in the server 110, such as a predetermined position. Based on such comparison, the server 110 may evaluate whether the measurement data is valid and/or usable. In other words, based on the position of the measurement station 114, the server 110 may evaluate whether the measurement data is compromised, or may not be usable, due to an incorrect or inaccurate position of the measurement station 114.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, a measurement station parameter may be captured by a measurement station detection device 105 and transmitted to the server 110 via a line 112. The server 110 may thus verify and/or validate the acquired measurement data based on the acquired measurement station parameter. For example, the measurement station parameter may be a predetermined content to be found in the container 103 of the measurement station 114. In this case, the corresponding predetermined measurement station parameter may be stored or presented in the server 110. If the detected measurement station parameter matches the predetermined measurement station parameter, the server 110 may, for example, consider the measurement data to be valid and thus positively validate it.

[0057] The measurement data may be deemed valid or usable if the measurement station parameter has been deemed correct or accurate by the server 110, or if the position of the measurement station 114 has been deemed correct or accurate. Alternatively, the measurement data may be deemed valid, i.e., positively validated, if both the measurement station parameter and the position of the measurement station 114 are correct.

[0058] Equally conceivably, the field device 102 may be directed by the server 110 to acquire or not acquire the measurement data based on the acquired measurement station parameter and/or based on the acquired position of the measurement station 114. For example, the server 110 may enable acquisition of measurement data only when the measurement station parameter has been deemed correct or accurate or when the position of the measurement station 114 has been deemed correct or accurate. Alternatively, the acquisition may not be enabled until both the measurement station parameter and the position of the measurement station 114 have been deemed correct or accurate.

[0059] The position detection device 104 and the measurement station detection device 105 are two different devices in the embodiment of the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 1. In a particular embodiment, these could also act as a combination device.

[0060] In particular, the position detection device 104 may be arranged in or on the container to detect the position of the container. The position detection device 104 may also be arranged in or on the field device to detect the position of the field device. Additionally, it may be provided that the position detection device 104 or the server detects the relative position of the field device and the container. In particular, multiple sensors may be provided for the position detection device 104, one in or on the container (to determine the position of the container) and another in or on the field device (to determine the position of the field device).

[0061] The measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 1 may further comprise a system 108, such as a higher-level system 108, which is arranged to receive measurement data, signals, and/or information for the time being and to forward them to the server 110. The higher-level system may also be seen as a local control system (DCS) or programmable logic controller (PLC). In turn, the server 110 may, for example, forward validation results to another system, such as a higher-level system 106.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a measurement data validation system 100 according to a further embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 2 has the same features and elements as the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the transmission of the measurement data, the position of the measurement station and/or the measurement station parameter are transmitted wirelessly to the server 110. The server 110 may in turn transmit, for example, validation results to another system, such as a higher-level system 106 (as shown in FIG. 1). The transmission of measurement data may further be performed via a wireless network 202. For this purpose, the position detection device 104, the measurement station detection device 105, the field device 102 and/or the server may be provided with a corresponding interface. For example, the various components may have a radio interface. It should be noted that a combination of wireless and wired communication between the different components, i.e. between the field device 102 and the server 110, between the position detection device 104 and the server 110 and/or between the measurement station detection device 105 and the server 110, is conceivable.

[0063] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the position detection device 104 and the measurement station detection device 105 are implemented as a single device. It should be noted that the measurement station 114 of the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 2 may comprise any object at which, for example, data may be acquired. Moreover, such a measurement station 114 may be not only the object, but also the general area around the object. It should be noted that the object may be a container with a medium such as liquid. In practice, such containers may be, for example, IBC containers.

[0064] FIGS. 3a and 3b each show a measurement data validation system 100 according to a further embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the measurement data validation system 100 of FIGS. 3a and 3b has the same features and elements as the measurement data validation system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The server 110 and the associated communication paths, wired or wireless, which may already exist in practice, are omitted in FIGS. 3a and 3b for clarity. At the measurement station 114 of FIGS. 3a and 3b, it can be seen that one container 103 is exchanged for another container 103′. The two containers 103, 103′ can have a different geometry and/or be filled with a different medium, for example. If the geometry of the containers 103, 103′ is different, negative measurement station detection on the part of the measurement station detection device 105 may occur. It is possible that the position detection device 104 may have detected that in both cases the container 103, 103′ is correctly positioned. However, the server 110 may be set in such a way that both conditions, i.e. position and measurement station parameters of the measuring point, must be fulfilled in order to be able to generate a positive validation result and/or in order to positively validate the measurement data at all.

[0065] The measuring station 114 of FIGS. 3a and 3b may further include a conveyor 302. The respective container 103, 103′ may, for example, be moved by means of the conveyor belt 302. However, it is conceivable that a container 103, 103′ is already movable or mobile without such a conveyor belt. The position of the measurement station 114 can be understood, for example, as the position of the object, i.e. the container 103, 103′ and/or another object, on the conveyor belt.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a measurement data validation system 100 according to a further embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 4 has the same features and elements as the measurement data validation system 100 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b. The server 110 and the associated communication paths, wired or wireless, which may already exist in practice, are omitted in FIG. 4 for clarity.

[0067] In the case of the measurement station 114 of the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 4, it can be seen that the container 103 is not positioned correctly. For example, the embodiment of the measurement data validation system 100 of FIG. 4 may validate and/or verify the measurement data based only on the detected position of the measurement station 114. This may be advantageous, for example, for containers of the same type, such as IBC containers. Alternatively or additionally, based on the sensed position of the measurement station 114, the server 110 (not shown in FIG. 4) may instruct the measurement device 102 to acquire the measurement data. In the case of FIG. 4, the server 110 will negatively validate the already acquired measurement data, or evaluate it as invalid because the measurement station container 103 is not properly positioned. In this case, the acquisition of a measurement station parameter may be omitted. Alternatively or additionally, the server may refuse to allow the field device 102 to acquire measurement data because the container 102 is not properly positioned.

[0068] Conceivably, the server 110 may send a message based on the detected position of the measurement station 114 and/or based on the detected measurement station parameter. For example, the server 110 may send an audible or visual message, such as a red light, informing a user that the container 103, or the measurement station 114, is not properly positioned. The server 110 may also transmit to a mobile device, such as a cell phone, a message (email, SMS, or the like) so that a user of the measurement data validation system 100 may be informed whether the measurement data has been positively or negatively validated and/or whether the field device 102 has been instructed to acquire measurement data.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for measurement data validation from the field of process or factory automation according to one embodiment. In a first step S1 of the method, measurement data of a measurement station 114 is acquired by means of a field device 102. In a further step S2, the acquired measurement data is transmitted or forwarded by means of the field device 102 to a server 110 by wire or wirelessly. In a further step S3, a position of the measurement station 114 is detected by means of a position detection device 104. Alternatively or additionally, a measurement station detection device 105 may detect a measurement station parameter in a step S4. In steps S5 and S6, the detected position and/or the detected measurement station parameter are transmitted to the server 110 by wire or wirelessly. In a further step S7, the server 110 receives the measurement data, the position and/or the measurement station parameter. Thereupon, in a step S8, the server can check and/or validate the measurement data based on the detected position and/or the measurement station parameter.

[0070] Alternatively or additionally, in a further step (not shown in FIG. 5) or in a substitute step, the field device 102 may instruct the server 110 to acquire additional measurement data based on the detected position and/or the acquired measurement station parameter.

[0071] The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.