Method and device for communicating with an equipment

0001The invention relates to a method and a device for Communication with a system, in particular for operating and Observing an automation system in industrial Production.

0002Industrial automation systems need with them in Related input or output device to operate be able to; This is the so-called Process coupling. Output devices, or in other words, monitoring devices, include warning lights, alphanumeric or graphical displays that the plant operator information about the current system status. Input devices or in other words, operating units, for example, are Switches, knobs or keyboards for alphanumeric Input, which allow the operator to interact with the system.

0003In a conventional manner, for the purpose of communication between Users and system called operating and monitoring devices, short hereinafter called communication device, firmly on the system itself or for example in the production hall, in the system is installed. A typical Communication device comprises a handy housing to which Input and output devices are arranged. Data exchange with the system or with the controller via a fixed connection cable.

0004There are also communication devices known which more than a or less long cable are connected to the system and the operator a mobility to or along the plant in enable the framework of the reach of the cable, whereby it the can cause communication device with you.

0005From Handhabbarkeitsgründen the cable length is such Communication device limited to a few meters. at very large installations, which eg 50 or more meters extend, therefore, are along the system more so-called Connection points or connection boxes, hereinafter referred connection called, firmly attached to the plant. That the communication device Inappropriate cable can with his remote End to be plugged into one of these ports. is therefore it is possible for the operator, at the desired location of the plant establish a process interface via the communication device. The terminal consists essentially of a mostly Fieldbus in combination with a power supply containing the passive, so no separate power supply Communication device. About the Fieldbus are the communication device all plant-wide data available.

0006carried out a recognition of infecting the communication device previously, by a dedicated line connecting a yes / no signal for the assignment of the connection of this to the plant control Gets transferred. After connecting the communication device at a desired connection point and booted its operating program is the communication device usually presents a home screen from which the Operator by selecting appropriate sub-menus to the relevant process data of the plant advances that just are of interest to him. This is for example information on the part of the plant, before which the operator just is. Especially with very large plants, the variety a provide information on the communication device, it is the operator often very tedious, to the desired information penetrate. After each repositioning of the communication device to another port must this process is repeated , since the communication device after the connection on each port behave the same.

0007Object of the present invention is a method and provide a means to simplify operation of the to enable communication device.

0008The object is achieved by a method for communication with an investment, in particular for operation and monitoring an automation system in industrial production comprising the steps of:<ul><li>a communication device is for data exchange with the Plant on a permanently attached to the system connection connected,</li><li>the communication device passes through an initialization, wherein a connection clearly distinctive Identifier from the connection to the communication device Gets transferred,</li><li>the communication device enters a normal mode for the process connection with the investment.</li></ul>

0009The connection of the communication device may via a connection line or fixed, for example by immersion in a attached to the system dock done. The Communication device is released at any time again from the terminal, by example at a different location of the machine is reconnected to become.

0010The code identifies the terminal as a for these names are specified in the form of an alphanumeric string as "machine center" or with an example also on the connection printed continuously numbering such as "03". In any case, the identifier is a specified Connection clearly.

0011Characterized in that the identifier transmitted to the communication device will, in an initialization mode which in the Connect the communication device with the terminal follows, if the label is on the communication device from then available and there can be used further.

0012The initialization operation is preceded by the normal mode. Thus, the identification is available when the Communication device in the normal mode for the process connection changes to the system. This information may be in the communication device be used, for example, to provide information on view the port. Also, depending on the identifier the communication device such as certain security features will be released, which is not in the communication device are available when it is connected to other terminals is. The security features free switching terminal is here, for example, only the foreman accessible.

0013In a preferred embodiment of the invention to the system more ports available and during Initialisierungsbetriebes is from each port to another transmitted identifier to the communications device.

0014In the communication device is therefore available before the change in the Normal operation unique information available at Which of the various ports, the communication device is currently connected. The plant operator can, for example, on the display of the communication device this information are displayed. The user can then, for example directly a connecting corresponding submenu in the software Select the communication device and thereby reaches quickly and safely to information which for him at Connection location in question are relevant.

0015In a preferred embodiment of the invention are Communication device provided several normal modes. Pending of the transmitted during Initialisierungsbetriebs Identifier is selected, a normal mode, after the initialization operation changes the communication device in the normal mode selected. The normal modes may differ, for example, by the fact that different Information in the normal operating modes are available be provided. This information may for example so be selected so that they only provide information on the state the plant in the immediate vicinity of a specific attachment site the communications equipment supply. Since the Normal operating mode depends on the identification and thus dependent the connection location at which the device is currently selected is, is an automatic selection of process data possible that at a particular connection location of the communication device are displayed. A connection point-dependent Operator guidance is possible. This informs the operator facilitates selection of information or removed, the Amount of information displayed can severely limited and reduced to the essentials. The user has at any time to any Connection location just a few, clearly the communication device to presenting information on Available. This improves the clarity when operating the communication device. Also, the operator can only the unlocked at the connection point perform actions. This is the operational reliability since it certain incorrect operations there can not perform, so at a certain Location can do "nothing wrong".

0016In a further preferred embodiment of the invention be in the normal mode, the data between the system and Communication device exchanged via a data protocol. in the Initializing the transfer of the identifier with the same data protocol. This enables a particularly simple transfer of code possible, existing Communications equipment can possibly by mere amendment the heating program and without prejudice to their hardware The inventive method be upgraded. This brings a significant cost advantage for the plant operator, as he must purchase any new communication equipment. also is not the communication device leading cable by additional lines too thick and unwieldy and Number of assignable codes is not limited.

0017The object of the invention underlying continues achieved by a device for communication with a system, in particular for operating or observing an automation system in industrial production, the Conditioning a terminal for a communication device for data exchange having the facility. The communication device is in an initialization mode or in a normal operation operable. The port is a storage device assigned, in an identifier is stored, the connection to uniquely identifies. The identifier is during Initialisierungsbetriebs transferable to the communication device. The memory device may be a separately in the system his forehand forming memory module, for example via the internal system Fieldbus especially with the plant control and is connected to the port. However, it can also be a acting program module of the control program of the system, in stored whereby the identification as a fixed value or string is. The memory means is after connection of the Communication device connected thereto, so that the identifier during Initialisierungsbetriebes to the communication device is transferable. The device can be execute said in claim 1. A method, leading to said there advantages leads.

0018In a preferred embodiment, the storage device integrated in the terminal. The connection as entire assembly here includes, for example, a storage device in the form of a DIP switch. If the memory device in integrated terminal, so this is also spatially directly on arranged connection. The assignment between the memory means stored identifier and connection is for example, during maintenance work at any time directly on the terminal verifiable or adjustable. When replacing a eg mechanically defective terminal with integrated storage device may this directly when changing again the connection identifier indentifizierenden be occupied.

0019Access to the system at a remote location is hereby not needed.

0020A further preferred embodiment provides that the System having a plurality of ports and each port a other identifier is assigned, during the Initialisierungsbetriebs of this can be transmitted to the communication device is. If any connection other identifier assigned, so each port is uniquely identified.

0021If several normal modes provided in the communication device and stored in the system more identifiers and each identifier a normal mode assigned, then after passing through the Initialisierungsbetriebes which the transmitted Identifier assigned to Normal mode selected be and the communication device in the selected normal mode switch.

0022A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the communication device connected via a data line can be connected, and over the data line both the communication data transferable to and from the plant and the identifier are. This allows for communication devices, which for the process connection, ie the exchange of communication data to and from the plant anyway have a data line, that can be transmitted via the same data line, the identifier is. Existing communication devices need therefore no additional cables for the transmission identifier be expanded and may with the invention Process only by modification of its operating program continue to operate.

0023For a further explanation of the invention is to the embodiment reference to the drawing. It shows in a Principle sketch: <sl><li>FIG. 1 is an automation system with multiple ports and a communication device in two possible terminal positions.</li></sl>

0024FIG. 1 shows an automation system for industrial 2 Production with a communication device connected to it 4. The automation system 2 includes an engine 6, a machine 6 supervisory control 8 and three connectors 10a-c, to which the communication device 4 connected is. All mentioned components of the automation system 2 are connected via a fieldbus 12 to each other mutual data exchange connected. In each of the terminals 10a-c is a storage device 14th In each memory device 14 is stored a numerical value, clearly allocated to the corresponding terminal 10a-c is. This number serves as an identifier for the corresponding Terminal 10a-c. The terminal 10a thus carries the identifier "01", the port 10b "02", etc.

0025Each terminal 10a-c has a connector 16th The Connectors 16 and memory devices 14 are also connected to the fieldbus 12th In the sockets 16 is also a power supply not shown integrated.

0026The communication device 4, which is shown in plan view is, has at its top buttons 18, which the operator the communication device 4 or the controller 6 of the Automation system 2 are used. Further, the communication device 4 a display 20 is provided on the process data the automation system 2 and operating information of the communication device are shown. 4 On communication device 4 A connecting cable 22 with a connector 24 attached, which can be inserted into the sockets sixteenth

0027In Fig. 1, the communication device to the automation system 2 connected via the port 10a (solid Line). With the help of the communication device 4 can thus an unrepresented server automation system 2 operate and monitor, so is with this in so-called Process coupling. An alternative connection option the connecting line 22 at the terminal 10b is through the dashed line, that is in two Cases to the same connection cable 22nd

0028During normal production operation of the automation system 2 is at any of the terminals 10a-c, a communication device 4 connected. The connection is made only if the automation system operated for maintenance purposes, for example 2 to be or observed.

0029As shown in Fig. 1 by means of the solid line, is in this case the connector 24 into the connector 16 of the terminal 10a is inserted. By the unillustrated carried power in the socket 16 the power supply of the communication device 4 through the Connecting cable 22. After the operating voltage at the Communication device 4 is in this an initialization above, that the electronics in the communication device 4 running and starts its operating software.

0030Is the operating software on the communication device 4 ready so is via the connecting line 22 connects the communication device 4 prepared for fieldbus 12th Since the communication device 4 is still in the initialization, is now stored in the storage device 14 ID via the fieldbus 12 and the connecting cable 22 transferred to the communication device. 4 In Fig. 1, this is the identifier "01". The communication throughout the Initialisierungsbetriebes takes place along the communication link 26, which shown in Fig. 1 by a double arrow is formed between the storage device 14 and the communication device 4 runs.

0031The transmitted code "01" is now the program in the communications device 4 is evaluated, whereupon the communication device 4 detects that it is connected to the terminal 10a. This information can be displayed either on the display 20 or it may be one of several possible normal modes of operation, namely the identifier "01" corresponding to be chosen.

0032After completion of the switches Initialisierungsbetriebes Communication device 4 in the selected normal mode. Since the normal mode in this case according to the identifier was "01" is selected, in this mode, for example, Only data from the machine part 30 of the automation system 2 shown, which of the communication device 4 supporting Operator can see from one location at the terminal 10a.

0033In the normal mode, a communication takes place between Communication device 4 and the automation system over 2 the communication path shown by a double arrow 28. About the connecting cable 22, the terminal 10a, the Fieldbus 12, the controller 8 has the communication device 4 Here access to the machine 6 to the system parameters to operate and monitor.

0034If the machine 6 is very large, on the connection 10a eg only the machine part 30 of the engine 6 visible. To the To view machine part 32 of the machine must be the plant operator, for example, go to the terminal 10b, from where this machine part 32 is visible. The communication device 4 supporting, the operator removes the connector 24 of the connector 16 of the terminal 10a, moves to the terminal 10b, where it leads the connector 24 a 10b into the connector 16 of the terminal. In Fig. 1, this case is shown dashed.

0035With the connection of the communication device 4 at port 10b repeats the respect of the terminal 10a described Process. During Initialisierungsbetriebes is now however over the communication path 34, the identifier "02" is transmitted to the communication device. 4 On the display 20 this is indicated and in accordance with the communication device 4 a different normal mode, namely, the identifier "02" associated selected, in which the communication device 4 then substituted. In the normal mode, "02" the operator on the display 20 only appropriate machine parameters the machine part 32 appears, and the buttons 18 it can only affect parameters of the machine part 32 take. Communication between the communication device 4 and Appendix 2 takes place in this case via the communication path 36th

0036For control and monitoring of the turn farther Machine part 38 of the engine 6, the operator, the communication device 4 in the above described manner, the terminal 10c join, whereupon the code "03" from the memory device 14 during Initialisierungsbetriebes to the communication device would be transferred. 4