Method and supporting configuration user interfaces for streamlining installing replacement field devices
View Patent ↗A method and user interfaces are described herein installing a field device as a replacement for a previously installed field device of a same type in a process control system. The disclosed method includes initially specifying a device type commissioning definition that includes a set of device-type specific parameters. A first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values are then stored for a first field device. When replacing the first field device by a second field device of the same type on a process control network, the commissioning definition and the previously stored parameters for the first device are used to automatically configure the second device.
1. A method for installing a field device as a replacement for a previously installed field device of a same type, the method comprising the steps of:
specifying a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the replacement for the previously installed field device operational, wherein the device type commissioning definition includes a mode field for specifying, on an individual parameter basis, an operational mode for a device when writing a parameter value to support device replacement, and wherein the device type commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis;
storing, in a database, a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for a first field device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
physically replacing the first field device by a second field device on a process control network, wherein the first field device and second field device are of the same type;
identifying for the second field device, via a user interface, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database; and
invoking a configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
the device type commissioning definition; and
the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the specifying step is carried out via a configuration graphical user interface.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the configuration graphical user interface is presented in accordance with a device-type specific editor definition.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the device-type specific editor definition is a component of a device object instance stored in the application database corresponding to the first field device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values is stored as a device object instance.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the object instance is created from a device template corresponding to a specific device type.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the device template is stored in a device definition database that is separate and distinct from an application database that stores the object instance.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the configuration step is performed while the second device is connected at an intended operating location in a plant.
9. A process control system configuration component facility that facilitates streamlined installation of a second field device as a physical replacement for a previously installed first field device of a same type in a process control system, the facility comprising:
a processor;
a memory device communicatively connected to the processor;
a database, stored on the memory device, for storing instance specific information associated with a first device, the instance-specific information comprising:
a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the physical replacement for the previously installed first field device-type specific parameters, wherein the device type commissioning definition includes a mode field for specifying, on an individual parameter basis, an operational mode for a device when writing a parameter value to support device replacement, and wherein the commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis, and
a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for the first field device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
a configuration component comprising:
a user interface for identifying, for the second field device, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database; and
a user-initiated configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
the device type commissioning definition, and
using the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values.
10. The facility of claim 9 further comprising a configuration graphical user interface for specifying the device type commissioning definition.
11. The facility of claim 10 wherein the configuration graphical user interface is presented in accordance with a device-type specific editor definition.
12. The facility of claim 11 wherein the device-type specific editor definition is a component of a device object instance stored in the application database corresponding to the first field device.
13. The facility of claim 9 wherein the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values is stored as a device object instance.
14. The facility of claim 13 wherein the object instance is created from a device template corresponding to a specific device type.
15. The facility of claim 14 wherein the device template is stored in a device definition database that is separate and distinct from an application database that stores the object instance.
16. A non-transient computer readable medium including computer executable instructions for facilitating installing a field device as a replacement for a previously installed field device of a same type, the computer executable instructions facilitating performing the steps of:
specifying a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the replacement for previously installed field device operational, wherein the device type commissioning definition includes a mode field for specifying, on an individual parameter basis, an operational mode for a device when writing a parameter value to support device replacement, and wherein the device type commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis;
storing, in a database, a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for a first field device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
physically replacing the first field device by a second field device on a process control network, wherein the first field device and second field device are of the same type;
identifying for the second field device, via a user interface, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database; and
invoking a configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
the device type commissioning definition, and
using the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values.
17. A method for installing a field device as a replacement for previously installed field device of a same type, the method comprising steps of:
specifying a device type commissioning definition including a set of device-type specific parameters for which parameter values are downloaded to render the replacement for the previously installed field device operational;
storing, in a database, a first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values for a first filed device corresponding to the set of device-type specific parameters;
physically replacing the first field device by a second field device on a process control network, wherein the first field device and second field device are of the same type;
identifying for the second field device, via a user interface, a configuration data source identification corresponding to the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values in the database;
invoking a configuration procedure for the second field device, connected to the process control network, wherein the configuration procedure comprises a sequence of automated operations carried out according to:
the device type commissioning definition, and
the first set of instance-specific configuration parameter values; and
wherein the commissioning device definition includes a mode field, the mode field specifying, on an individual parameter basis, a set of rules defining when to update a parameter value to support the device replacement, and wherein the device type commissioning definition specifies a timing requirement for writing specific parameters on an individual parameter basis.