A plurality of devices for sending and receiving a signal relating to a process are capable of being connected to an input/output instrument. The input/output instrument includes an operating signal receiving portion that receives, from a first device that is one of the plurality of the devices, an operating signal corresponding to a specific operating instruction, a selecting portion that selects, based on the operating signal that has been received by the operating signal receiving portion, any single second device, from among the devices connected to a local input/output instrument, other than the first device that is the source that sent the operating signal, and a remote device information sending portion that sends as remote device information to the first device that was the source that sent the operating signal, information pertaining to the second device that was selected by the selecting portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples according to the present invention will be explained below in reference to the drawings. However, any one of the examples explained below is no more than an illustration, and does not exclude various modifications and applications to technologies not explicated below. That is, the present invention can be embodied in a variety of modified forms, in the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and intent thereof.

First the structure of the process controlling system that includes an input/output instrument and device in an example will be explained in reference toFIG. 1. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the process controlling system100is provided with, for example, a HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) communication-compatible instrument1, a Hart-I/O device2that includes a plurality of a Hart-I/O instruments20that are input/output instruments having a HART communication functions, and a higher-level device3. The higher-level device3includes an instrument monitoring device31, an operating device32, and a controller33.

The instrument monitoring device31functions as a monitoring system for monitoring the status, and the like, of the HART communication-compatible instrument1, and the operating device32and controller33function as a control system for controlling the manufacturing processes.

The HART I/O device2and the instrument monitoring device31are connected through a communication cable4of, for example, the Ethernet standard, where the HART I/O device2and the controller33are connected by, for example, a communication bus5.

The HART communication-compatible instrument1may be a device of a variety of types equipped within a plant. The HART communication-compatible instrument1may be a transmitting device for transmitting a flow rate, pressure, temperature, or the like, a positioner for changing/detecting the degree of opening of a valve such as a flow rate controlling valve or a pressure controlling valve, or an actuator for actuating a pump, a fan, or the like.

The HART communication-compatible instrument1is provided with a HART communication function, to input and output HART communication signals. The HART communication signals are signals produced by superimposing an AC signal wherein logic of a digital signal is converted through assignment to frequencies of 2200 Hz and 1200 Hz, onto a DC signal of between 4 and 20 mA.

The aforementioned DC signal of between 4 and 20 mA is a signal indicating one variable that is set for each HART communication-compatible instrument1. The variable value is data pertaining to a process, such as a measurement value such as, for example, a flow rate, a pressure, or a temperature, or a control value such as a degree of valve opening. The digital signal is a signal corresponding to various types of data that can be collected within the HART communication-compatible instrument1. The various data may be, for example, process information within the HART communication-compatible instrument1, or diagnostic information for hardware incorporated within the HART communication-compatible instrument1. Note that measurement values and control values of the HART communication-compatible device may also be included in the various types of data.

The HART I/O device2is an input/output apparatus able to contain a plurality of HART I/O instruments20. The HART I/O instruments20are input/output instruments that have a plurality of connecting slots, where a HART communication-compatible instrument1is connected to an individual slot. The HART I/O instrument20sends and receives HART communication signals between respective HART communication-compatible instruments1and sends and receives digital signals to and from an instrument monitoring device31.

In the process control system100according to the present example, each of the individual HART I/O devices2, the HART I/O instruments20, and the HART communication-compatible instrument1, which each exist in a plurality, are controlled as described below. A different file number is assigned to each individual HART I/O device2. A different card number is assigned to each individual HART I/O instrument20that is contained in a single HART I/O device2. A different slot number is assigned to each individual connecting slot that is provided in a single HART I/O instrument20. This makes it possible to specify, through a file number, a card number, and a slot number, a connection address, within the system, for a HART communication-compatible instrument1.

In the present example, information that is indicated by that file number, card number, and slot number is used as connection address information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1. For example, if the communication address information is “5.4.8,” then that communication address information indicates the connection address of a HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the connecting slot for which the slot number is “8,” in a HART I/O instrument20for which the card number is “4,” in a HART I/O device2for which the file number is 5.

The instrument monitoring device31periodically sends a request signal to each HART communication-compatible instrument1through the HART I/O instrument20, and receives response signals in response to the request signals. Based on the response signals received, the instrument monitoring device31evaluates the state of execution of the processes of the HART communication-compatible instruments1, failure states of hardware incorporated into the HART communication-compatible instruments1, required timing for maintenance and repairs of the HART communication-compatible instruments1, and so forth. The instrument monitoring device31displays the evaluation results on a monitor (not shown). Doing so enables the administrator to ascertain the status of the HART communication-compatible instruments1.

The controller33controls the status of execution of the manufacturing process through controlling the HART communication-compatible device1. For example, the controller33controls another HART communication-compatible instrument1based on, for example, a measured value for a flow rate or pressure received from a given HART communication-compatible instrument1, to adjust the degree of opening, or the like, of a valve.

The operating device32displays the operating detail of the HART communication-compatible devices1on a monitor screen (not shown), based on the 4 to 20 mA DC signals received from the controller33. Doing so enables the operator to ascertain the input/output status of the HART communication-compatible instruments1. The operating device32controls the operating status of the controller33in accordance with operating instructions from the operator. The operating detail of the operating status may be, for example, an operation for starting-up a device or an operation for shutting-down the controller33.

The functional structure of a HART communication-compatible instrument1and a HART I/O instrument20will be explained in reference toFIG. 2. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the HART communication-compatible instrument1has, for example, an operation inputting portion11, an operating signal sending portion12, a remote device information receiving portion13, and a displaying portion14.

The operation inputting portion11is input keys for inputting specific operating instructions to the HART I/O instrument20. As an operating instruction, there is, for example, an instruction for causing the detection of the connecting slot to which another HART communication-compatible instrument1is connected, from among the connecting slots that are provided in the HART I/O instrument20to which the local device is connected.

In the present example, as input keys, a “↓” key for indicating that a connecting slot in the downward direction from the connecting slot of the current location (the direction wherein the slot numbers are increasing) is to be detected, and a “↑” key for indicating that a connecting slot in the upward direction from the connecting slot of the current location (the direction wherein the slot numbers are decreasing) is to be detected, for example, are used.

The operating signal sending portion12sends, to the HART I/O instrument20, an operating signal corresponding to the operating instruction that has been inputted from the operation inputting portion11.

The remote device information receiving portion13receives, from the HART I/O instrument20, remote device information that is information pertaining to the remote HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the HART I/O instrument20that is the connection address of the local device1.

The displaying portion14displays, on a display, local device information that is information pertaining to the local device1and remote device information that has been received through the remote device information receiving portion13(which will be termed “device information,” below, when there is no need to differentiate between the two types of information).

As device information there is, for example, connection address information for a HART communication-compatible instrument1, identification information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1, display information that includes variable values such as measurement values and control values, and the like, of the HART communication-compatible instrument1. In the present example, for purposes of illustration, the connection address information that is expressed by the file number, the card number, and the slot number, the tag name that is set for identifying the HART communication-compatible instrument1on the higher-level device3side, and a first variable value (primary value) and a second variable value (secondary value), which are typical display information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1, are used as device information.

The connection address information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1are controlled by the HART I/O instrument20and the higher-level device3. When the HART communication-compatible instrument1initially displays the device information, the connection address information for the local device is obtained from the HART I/O instrument20.

The tag name information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1is set initially in each individual HART communication-compatible instrument1. The tag name that is set initially uses, for example, the HART communication “UniversalCommand20: Read Long Tag,” and is sent from each individual HART communication-compatible instrument1to the HART I/O instrument20and the higher-level device3, to be controlled by the HART I/O instrument20and the higher-level device3.

The first variable value and second variable value for a HART communication-compatible instrument1are variable values such as measurement values, control values, or the like, for the HART communication-compatible instrument1. The first variable value and second variable value use, for example, the HART communication “UniversalCommand9: Read Device Variable with Status,” and are received periodically by the HART I/O instrument20from each individual HART communication-compatible instrument1and transmitted to the higher-level device3, and the respective most recent values thereof are also recorded in the HART I/O instrument20.

The HART I/O instrument20, illustrated inFIG. 2, has, for example, connecting slots21, an operating signal receiving portion22, a selecting portion23, and a remote device information sending portion24.

The connecting slots21are slots for connecting HART communication-compatible instruments1to the HART I/O instrument20. A plurality of connecting slots21is provided in a single HART I/O instrument20. In the present example, for purposes of illustration a case will be explained wherein 16 connecting slots21are provided, but there is no limitation to the number of slots, but rather this number may be set arbitrarily. Each connecting slot21is assigned a slot number for identifying the connecting slot21.

The operating signal receiving portion22receives an operating signal that is sent from a HART communication-compatible instrument1.

The selecting portion23, based on an operating signal that has been received from the operating signal receiving portion22, selects one of the HART communication-compatible instruments1, from among the HART communication-compatible instruments1that are connected to the local HART I/O instrument20, to be the source of device information that is to be displayed by the device that had sent the operating signal. This is explained in detail below.

When the operating signal is a signal corresponding to a keypress of the “↓” key, the selecting portion23, each time this operating signal is received, scans the connecting slots21in the direction of increasing slot numbers, from the number of the slot that is currently subject to display, to select, as the source device for device information to be displayed, the HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the closest connecting slot21.

When the operating signal is a signal corresponding to a keypress of the “↑” key, the selecting portion23, each time this operating signal is received, scans the connecting slots21in the direction of decreasing slot numbers, to select, as the source device for device information to be displayed, the HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the closest connecting slot21.

The remote device information sending portion24sends, to the HART communication-compatible instrument1that was the source that sent the operating signal, the device information of the HART communication-compatible instrument1that has been selected by the selecting portion23.

The operating procedure when the “↓” key11ahas been pressed on a HART communication-compatible instrument1A (a first device) to display device information of a remote HART communication-compatible instrument1B (a second device) will be explained in reference toFIG. 3.

This explanation is based on the premise that the only devices having HART communication functions that are connected to the HART I/O instrument20within the HART I/O device2are the HART communication-compatible instrument1A and HART communication-compatible instrument1B. Moreover, it is assumed that the file number of the HART I/O device2is “5,” the card number of the HART I/O instrument20is “4,” the slot number of the connecting slot to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is connected is “8,” and the slot number of the connecting slot to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1B is connected is “16.”

Moreover, as the default information, device information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is displayed on the display14A of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A. Specifically, “12.0 mA,” which indicates the first variable value for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, is displayed at14a. “5.4.8,” which is the connection address information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, and “VP-A,” which is the tag name for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, are displayed at14b. This “VP-A” indicates that the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is a valve positioner, and the identification code thereof is “A.” “50.1%,” which indicates the second variable value for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, is displayed at14c.

Device information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1B that is the same as that which is described above for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is displayed as the default information on the display of the HART communication-compatible instrument1B.

First the “↓” key11athat is included in the operation inputting portion11in the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is pressed. The fact that the “1” key11ahas been pressed may be reported through, for example, the HART I/O instrument20using the HART communication “UniversalCommand48: Read Additional Device Status” to obtain the status from the HART communication-compatible instrument1periodically.

Following this, the selecting portion23of the HART I/O instrument20that has detected the keypress of the “↓” key11ascans the connecting slots in the direction of increasing slot numbers, from the slot number “8,” of the slot to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is connected, to select the HART communication-compatible instrument1B that is connected to the connecting slot with the slot number “16,” as the nearest connecting slot.

Following this, the remote device information sending portion24of the HART I/O instrument20sends, as remote device information, the device information of the HART communication-compatible instrument1B, selected by the selecting portion23to the HART communication-compatible instrument1A.

Following this, the displaying portion14of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A displays, on a display14A′, the display information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1B.

The result is that “8.0 mA,” which indicates the first variable value of the HART communication-compatible instrument1B is displayed at14a′ of the display14A′ of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, “5.4.16,” which is the connection address information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1B, and “VP-B,” which is the tag name for the HART communication-compatible instrument1B, are displayed at14b′, and “24.9%,” which indicates the second variable value of the HART communication-compatible instrument1B is displayed at14c′. The X that is displayed at the beginning of14b′ is a mark indicating that the device information that is displayed currently on the display14A′ is remote device information.

As described above, in the process controlling system100according to the present example, a user can operate an input key, to input a desired operating instruction, on the HART communication-compatible instrument1A that is connected to the HART I/O instrument20, to cause the HART I/O instrument20, based on the operating signal corresponding to that operating instruction, to select a remote HART communication-compatible instrument1B that is connected to the HART I/O instrument20, to transmit, to the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, device information for the selected remote HART communication-compatible instrument1B. Doing so makes it possible for a user to display, on the display of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, device information for a desired remote HART communication-compatible instrument.

Moreover, in the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, repetitively pressing the “↓ close vote key and the “↑” key makes it possible to display sequentially, on the display, information regarding other HART communication-compatible instruments that are connected to the HART I/O instrument20.

Modified Example

While in the example set forth above the device information for the HART communication-compatible instruments1that are connected to the same HART I/O instrument20is displayed through operating the “↑” key and the “↓” key, there is no limitation that thereto. For example, the device information for the HART communication-compatible instruments1that are connected to another HART I/O instrument20within the same HART I/O device2may be displayed by operating the “→” key and the “←” key.

In a modified example, in addition to the “↑” key and the “↓” key used in the example set forth above, a “→” key, for an instruction to detect a HART I/O instrument to the right of the HART I/O instrument of the current location (that is, in the direction of increasing card numbers), and a “←” key, for an instruction to detect a HART I/O instrument to the left of the HART I/O instrument of the current location (that is, in the direction of decreasing card numbers) are also used.

Consequently, the operating signals in the present modified example include a first signal that indicates the sequential selection of a connecting slot21within a single HART I/O instrument20, and a second signal that indicates the sequential selection of HART I/O instruments20within a single HART I/O device2. Specifically, the first signal is a signal corresponding to a keypress of the “↑” key or the “↓” key, and the second signal is a signal corresponding to a keypress of the “→” key or the “←” key.

When the first signal is received by the operating signal receiving portion22, the selecting portion23, each time this first signal is received, scans the connecting slots21in the direction of increasing slot numbers or the direction of decreasing slot numbers, from the number of the slot that is currently subject to display, to select, as the source device for device information to be displayed, the HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the closest connecting slot21.

When the second signal is received by the operating signal receiving portion22, the selecting portion23, each time this second signal is received, scans the HART I/O instruments20in the direction of increasing card numbers or the direction of decreasing card numbers, from the number of the card that is currently subjected to display to select, as the source device for device information to be displayed, one of the HART communication-compatible instruments1that is connected to the closest HART I/O instrument20.

Here, when the nearest HART I/O instrument has been detected based on the second signal, the selecting portion23may scan the connecting slots21in either the direction of increasing slot numbers or the direction of decreasing slot numbers from the starting (smallest) slot number within the detected HART I/O instrument to select, as the source device for the device information to be displayed, the HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the nearest connecting slot21. Moreover, when the nearest HART I/O instrument20has been detected based on the second signal, the connecting slots21may be scanned in either the direction of increasing slot numbers or the direction of decreasing slot numbers from the slot number within the detected HART I/O instrument20that is identical to the slot number that is positioned within the original HART I/O instrument20, to select, as the source device for the device information to be displayed, the HART communication-compatible instrument1that is connected to the nearest connecting slot21.

The operating procedure when the “→” key11bhas been pressed on a HART communication-compatible instrument1A (a first device) according to the modified example to display device information of a remote HART communication-compatible instrument1C (a second device) will be explained in reference toFIG. 4.

This explanation is based on the premise that devices having HART communication functions are connected to only a HART I/O instrument20A and a HART I/O instrument20B within the HART I/O device2. Moreover, it is assumed that the file number of the HART I/O device2is “5,” the card number of the HART I/O instrument20A is “4,” the card number of the HART I/O instrument20B is “6,” the slot number of the connecting slot to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is connected is “8,” and the slot number of the connecting slot to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1C is connected is “3.”

Device information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1A (the same device information as inFIG. 3) is displayed as the default information on the display14A of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A and device information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1C is displayed as the default information on the display of the HART communication-compatible instrument1C.

First the “→” key11bthat is included in the operation inputting portion11in the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is pressed.

Following this, the selecting portion23of the HART I/O instrument20A that has detected the keypress of the “→” key11bscans the HART I/O instruments in the direction of increasing card numbers, from the card number “4,” of the card to which the HART communication-compatible instrument1A is connected, to select, from the HART I/O instruments, the nearest HART I/O instrument20B to which a HART communication-compatible instrument is connected.

Following this, the selecting portion23of the HART I/O instrument20A scans the connecting slots in the direction of increasing slot numbers, from the first slot number of the HART I/O instrument20B, to select the HART communication-compatible instrument1C that is connected to the connecting slot with the slot number “3,” that is the nearest connecting slot.

Following this, the remote device information sending portion24of the HART I/O instrument20A sends, as remote device information, the device information of the HART communication-compatible instrument1C, selected by the selecting portion23to the HART communication-compatible instrument1A.

Following this, the displaying portion14of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A displays, on a display14A′, the display information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1C.

The result is that “16.0 mA,” which indicates the first variable value of the HART communication-compatible instrument1C is displayed at14a′ of the display14A′ of the HART communication-compatible instrument1A, “5.6.3,” which is the connection address information for the HART communication-compatible instrument1C, and “VP-C,” which is the tag name for the HART communication-compatible instrument1C, are displayed at14b′, and “75.2%,” which indicates the second variable value of the HART communication-compatible instrument1C is displayed at14c′. The X that is displayed at the beginning of14b′ is a mark indicating that the device information that is displayed currently on the display14A′ is remote device information.

In this way, the process controlling system100of the alternate example, in addition to the effects described for the process controlling system100in the example, also makes it possible to display sequentially, on the display, information pertaining to other HART communication-compatible instruments that are connected to other HART I/O instruments20B, in addition to information for HART communication-compatible instruments that are connected to the HART I/O instrument20A, through inputting combinations of the “↓” key or the “↑” key and the “→” key or the “←” key in the HART communications-compatible instrument1A.