Method for payment-based execution of a function of a field device to be performed, corresponding field device and service unit

US12333505B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Werner Goertz · Dorsten, DE
• Daniel Arndt · Reutlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 2021
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2025
• Expiry date: Mar 19, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/25428
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for execution of a function of a field device includes: selecting a function to be performed from a selection list of functions available to a process control system, and communicating the selected function to a service unit; paying a payment amount specified for the function and confirming the payment to the service unit; determining a derived time value of a service unit and an enable code, and transmitting the enable code to the process control system; forwarding the enable code to the field device; determining a derived time value of the field device, and checking the enable code using the derived time value to determine whether the enable code is generated by the service unit, and determining the function from the enable code; and executing an executable code corresponding to the function in the event the enable code is verified as being generated by the service unit.