CLOUD-BASED MEASURING POINT REGISTRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A cloud-based measuring point registration system configured to register a field device in a cloud-based field device control system, the cloud-based measuring point registration system comprising: a readout device configured to read out an identification feature of the field device, wherein the readout device is configured to: log into the cloud-based field device control system, and verify the identification feature of the field device and thereupon add the field device to the cloud-based field device control system as a new field device to register the field device.

2. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, further comprising: a cloud-based field device control system configured to control the field device.

3. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second field device arranged for registration in the cloud-based field device control system.

4. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the cloud-based field device control system is a VEGA inventory system.

5. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the field device is configured for level measurement, temperature measurement, pressure measurement, density measurement, level limit measurement, and/or flow measurement.

6. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the identification feature is read via near field communication, via QR code and/or via OCR scan.

7. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein identification of the field device is receivable by way of the readout device over a distance between 0 m and 2 m.

8. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the field device is implemented autonomously and is configured to be woken up from a power saving mode by an identification by way of the readout device.

9. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the field device comprises a two-wire Ethernet interface.

10. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein the readout device is configured to log into the cloud-based field device control system when starting an operating program, and read the identification feature of the field device upon a corresponding request of the cloud-based field device control system.

11. A field device configured to register in the cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1.

12. A readout device configured to read out and transmit an identification feature of the field device according to claim 11 to a cloud-based field device control system.

13. A cloud-based field device control system configured to generate an identifier of the field device according to claim 11.

14. A method for registering a field device in a cloud-based field device control system, comprising: logging into a cloud-based field device control system using a readout device; reading an identification feature of the field device in response to a corresponding request from the cloud-based field device control system; verifying the identification feature; and adding and registering the field device in the cloud-based field device control system as a new field device.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein transfer of measurement data from the field device to the cloud-based field device control system is signaled/indicated by way of an illumination circuit on the field device and/or by way of a signal or message on the readout device.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: reading in settings for measuring rate intervals and/or designations of the measuring point at the readout device by way of an operating program; and transferring settings from the readout device to the field device.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the cloud-based field device control system is configured to suggest settings of similar field devices by way of an operator program.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program element which, when executed on a field device, a mobile readout device, a cloud-based field device control system, and/or on computing circuitry, instructs the field device, the mobile readout device, the cloud-based field device control system, and/or the computing circuitry to perform a method for registering a field device in a cloud-based field device control system, comprising: logging into a cloud-based field device control system using a readout device; reading an identification feature of the field device in response to a corresponding request from the cloud-based field device control system; verifying the identification feature; and adding and registering the field device in the cloud-based field device control system as a new field device.

19. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein identification of the field device is receivable by way of the readout device over a distance between 0 m and 0.5 m.

20. The cloud-based measuring point registration system according to claim 1, wherein identification of the field device is receivable by way of the readout device over a distance between 0 m and 20 cm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] FIG. 1 schematically shows a cloud-based measuring point registration system of a field device.

[0048] FIG. 2 schematically shows a cloud-based measuring point registration system of a field device.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a process according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0050] FIG. 1 schematically shows a cloud-based measuring point registration system 100 of a field device 101 according to one embodiment. The measuring point registration system 100 is arranged to register the field device 101 in a cloud-based field device control system 102. In this embodiment, the field device 101 is a field device 101 having a wireless interface. The field device 101 may be wirelessly connected to a readout device 103. In particular, the field device is a level, temperature, pressure, density, level limit, and/or flow meter. The cloud-based field device control system 102 is arranged to control the field device 101. The cloud-based field device control system 102 is configured as a visualization system for monitoring and controlling processes.

[0051] For example, it is a VEGA Inventory System, a web-based software for data acquisition and visualization of level data, e.g. in storage tanks and silos. The VEGA

[0052] Inventory System is installed on a company's local server and communicates with a cloud-based system 102 via a wireless network.

[0053] The readout device 103 is embodied as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a smartwatch. The readout device 103 logs into the cloud-based field device control system 102 (upon launching an operating program 105). In response to a request from the cloud-based field device control system 102, the readout device 103 reads the identification feature 104 of the field device 101. Further, the readout device 103 verifies the identification feature 104 of the field device 101. Verifying the identification feature 104 is a matter of checking whether such a field device 101 is already registered in a cloud-based field device control system 102. In the case where such a field device 101 is already known to a cloud-based field device control system 102, the optimal settings and parameters are suggested. According to this verification, the readout device 103 adds the field device 101 to the cloud-based field device control system 102 as a new field device 101. Other registration data, such as a documentation, parameter setting, history, firmware, inspection records, drawings, device state, etc. of the field device, are captured from the identification feature 104 at the operation program 105 and transmitted to a cloud-based field device control system 102 by means of a wireless network. Thus, registration of the field device 101 in the cloud-based field device control system 102 is completed. The operator program 105 automatically transmits and receives the registration data via radio network of the cloud-based system 102.

[0054] The identification feature 104 of the field device 101 is stored, for example, on the internal register of the field device 101, alternatively or additionally, the identification feature 104 is implemented as a badge on the device 101.

[0055] The identification feature 104 is secured by the coding. The identification feature is implemented as a barcode or a QR code (QR: “Quick Response” code) and/or in another representation. Alternatively, the identification feature 104 is embodied as a near-field communication module that emits the encoded or recoded signal using, for example, an RFID (radio frequency identification). The identification feature may be read via near-field communication, via a QR code, and/or via an OCR scan.

[0056] The QR code can, for example, be stored on the register of the field device or displayed on the nameplate in accordance with a standard—e.g. DIN SPEC 91406:2019-12 “Automatic identification of physical objects and information on the physical object in IT systems, in particular IoT systems; text in German and English”. The QR code may link the device to a so-called “digital twin”, e.g. by providing the QR code with a link to documentation, parameter setting, history, firmware, test protocols, drawings, device status, etc. of the field device. Furthermore, the QR code can be used to obtain authorization for device access (“login”).

[0057] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cloud-based measurement point registration system 100 of a field device 101 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the field device 101 is in particular a wired field device 101. The field device 101 has a two-wire Ethernet interface, which is converted to a multi-wire Ethernet interface by a fieldswitch 200. The field device 101 transmits the process and visualization data to a control system 201 by means of a multi-wire Ethernet interface.

[0058] By means of the readout device 103, the identification feature 104 of the field device is detected. The operating program 105 installed on the readout device 103 logs into a cloud-based system 102.

[0059] Accordingly, the measurement point registration of the field device 101 is performed in a cloud-based system 102. The registration data is transmitted via radio network of the cloud-based system 106. The cloud-based system 102 is stored on the server 102a.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for registering a field device 101 in a cloud-based field device control system 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In a step 1000, logging into a cloud-based field device control system 102 is performed using a readout device 103. In a step 1001, the identification feature 104 of the field device 101 is read out in response to a corresponding request from the cloud-based field device control system 102.

[0061] In a step 1002, the identification feature 104 is verified. In a step 1003, the field device 101 is added in the cloud-based field device control system 102. Thus, registering the field device 101 as a new field device in the system 102 is completed.

[0062] The aim of this method is to register the field device 101 by means of its identification feature 104 in a cloud-based field device control system 102, for example by providing a unique mapping between the identification feature 102 of the field device 101 and its digital twins.

[0063] The transfer of measurement data from the field device 101 to the cloud-based system 102 is signaled/indicated by means of an illumination unit on the field device 101 and/or by means of a signal or message on the readout device 103.

[0064] The illumination unit is, for example, a flashing LED or graphic display.

[0065] In a step 1004, the settings for measuring rate intervals and/or designations of the measuring point are read in at the readout device 104 by means of the operating program 105. In a step 1005, the settings are transferred from the readout device 103 to the field device 101.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cloud-based field device control system 102 is arranged to suggest settings of similar field devices 101 by means of the operator program 105.

[0067] Advantageously, this simple and automatic measuring point registration allows one or more field devices, including field devices that are operated autonomously by means of battery/battery, to be registered quickly, unambiguously and easily on a cloud-based system.