Abstract:
Improved script generation and usage for handheld field maintenance tools is provided. In one aspect, the handheld field maintenance tool actually generates scripts for later playback. Preferably script generation and/or playback or features are provided to field maintenance technicians. Additionally, scripts can be played on the handheld field maintenance tool without modification to the tool itself.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to industrial process control and measurement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a handheld field maintenance tool for use in industrial process control and measurement installations.  
           [0002]    Field maintenance tools are known. Such tools are highly useful in the process control and measurement industry to allow operators to conveniently communicate with and/or interrogate field devices in a given process installation. Examples of such process installations include petroleum, pharmaceutical, chemical, pulp and other processing installations. In such installations, the process control and measurement network may include tens or even hundreds of various field devices which periodically require maintenance to ensure that such devices are functioning properly and/or calibrated. Moreover, when one or more errors in the process control and measurement installation are detected, the use of an intrinsically safe handheld field maintenance tool allows technicians to quickly diagnose such errors in the field.  
           [0003]    One such tool is sold under the trade designation Model 275 HART® Communicator available from Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc., of Eden Prairie, Minn. HART® is a registered trademark of the HART® Communication Foundation. The Model 275 provides a host of important functions and capabilities and generally allows highly effective field maintenance.  
           [0004]    The Model 275 HART® Communicator can provide new functions and/or communication with new field devices by updating its software. When the software is updated, it is important to ensure that with each new update, that the new version of software will continue to function with all field devices with which the previous version was compatible. Testing the new software to ensure such compatibility is termed regression testing. One way in which this regression testing is performed, is by using scripts. Scripts allow behavior of the new software to be observed in response to artificial stimulus such as field device inputs and outputs and/or process communication inputs and outputs without the actual presence required of field devices or even a process communication loop. As used herein, “script” is intended to mean a data structure relative to one or more of tool inputs, tool outputs, process communication inputs, process communication outputs, or any combination thereof. It is known to use such scripts to verify new releases of the software that runs on the Model 275.  
           [0005]    Scripts are currently generated on a simulator and played back via a customized tool (using custom hardware such as a tool interface coupled to a general purpose computer via a specialized peripheral card resident within the computer) to verify the software. This approach to regression testing has proved effective in the past. However, as handheld field maintenance tools evolve, more effective use of scripts can provide not only more effective software testing, but a valuable asset for a field maintenance technician.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Improved script generation and usage for handheld field maintenance tools is provided. In one aspect, the handheld field maintenance tool actually generates scripts for later playback. Preferably script generation and/or playback or features are provided to field maintenance technicians. Additionally, scripts can be played on the handheld field maintenance tool without modification to the tool itself. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a multidrop wiring configuration.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate ways in which an intrinsically safe field maintenance tool may be connected to a process device.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of field maintenance tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of script generation in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of script playback in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]    The Model 275 HART® communicator currently uses scripts to some extent. These scripts are generally data structures or files related to one or more of tool inputs, tool outputs, process communication inputs, process communication outputs, and/or any combination thereof.  
         [0013]    One example of an improved handheld field maintenance tool with which embodiments of the invention are particularly useful is a new tool that is operable with at least two industry standard device descriptions. In one specific embodiment, an improved handheld field maintenance tool implements both HART® and fieldbus Device Description Language (DDL). The improved handheld field maintenance tool is used to maintain both two-wire and four-wire (i.e. external power) field devices using these protocols. Preferably, both configuration and calibration are supported via DDL technology. DDL technology is known and additional reading regarding Device Description Language can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,214 to Sharp, Jr. et al. While embodiments of the invention would be described with respect to the improved intrinsically safe field maintenance tool, those skilled in the art will recognize that some embodiments of the present invention can in fact be practicable with the Model 275 HART® Communicator as well as other known commercially available communicators.  
         [0014]    The improved handheld field maintenance tool facilitates a convenient display of diagnostic information from individual field devices (i.e. status bits) as well as providing advanced protocol-specific network troubleshooting features. Further details and benefits of aspects of the present invention in combination the improved handheld field maintenance tool will be appreciated after reading the description below.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments of the present invention are useful. System  10  includes controller  12 , I/O and control sub-system  14 , intrinsic safety (IS) barrier  16 , process communication loop  18  and field devices  20 . Controller  12  is coupled to I/O and control sub-system  14  via link  21  which can be any suitable link such as a local area network (LAN) operating in accordance with Ethernet signaling protocols or any other suitable protocol. I/O and control sub-system  14  is coupled to intrinsic safety barrier  16  which in turn is coupled to process communication loop  18  to allow data communication between loop  18  and I/O and control sub-system  14  in a manner that limits energy passing therethrough.  
         [0016]    In this illustration, process communication or process control loop  18  is a FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus process communication loop and is coupled to field devices  20 , which are shown arranged in a multi-drop configuration. An alternative process communication loop (not shown) is an HART® process communication loop. FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-drop wiring configuration that vastly simplifies system wiring compared to other topologies such as the star topology. Multi-drop HART® configurations support a maximum of 15 devices, while multi-drop FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus configurations support a maximum of 32 devices.  
         [0017]    Handheld field maintenance tool  22  is coupled to loop  18  as illustrated in FIG. 1. When coupled to a process control loop as shown, tool  22  can perform a number of the communication and diagnostic functions. Tool  22  can couple to and interact with HART® process communication loops in much the same way the presently available Model 275 HART® Communicator can.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2A illustrates tool  22  coupled to HART®-compatible device  20  via terminals  24 . Alternately, tool  22  can communicate with a HART® compatible device on the process instrumentation communication loop, such as device  24  via the loop itself, as indicated in FIG. 2B.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of handheld field maintenance tool  22  with which embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful. As illustrated, tool  22  preferably includes three communication terminals  26 ,  28  and  30  which facilitate coupling tool  22  to process communication loops and/or devices in accordance with at least two process industry standard protocols. For example, when tool  22  is to be coupled to a loop of a first process industry standard protocol, such coupling is effected using terminal  26  and common terminal  28 . Accordingly, the connection then is made via media access unit  32  which is configured to interact upon the process communication loop in accordance with the first industry standard protocol. Additionally, when tool  22  is to be coupled to a process and control measurement loop that operates in accordance with a second industry standard protocol, such connection is made via common terminal  28  and terminal  30 . Thus, such a connection is effected via the second media access unit  34  which is configured to interact upon the process communication loop in accordance with the second industry standard protocol. Both media access units  32  and  34  are coupled to processor  36  which receives data from one of the media access units and interprets that data accordingly.  
         [0020]    Processor  36  is also coupled to keypad module  38  and display module  40 . Keypad module  38  is coupled to the keypad on the housing of tool  22  in order to receive various keypad inputs from a user. Display module  40  is coupled to the display to provide data and/or a user interface.  
         [0021]    Tool  22  can also include additional hardware enhancements that facilitate increased functionality. In one embodiment, tool  22  includes infrared data access port  42  which is coupled to processor  36  to allow tool  22  to transfer information to and from a separate device using infrared wireless communication. One advantageous use of port  42  is for transferring and/or updating scripts and/or Device Descriptions stored in one or more memories of tool  22 . A Device Description (DD) is a software technology used to describe parameters in a field device in a computer-readable format. This DD contains all of the information necessary for a software application being executed on processor  36  to retrieve and use the parametric data. The separate device such as computer  12 , can obtain a new scripts, Device Description, or any other suitable information from floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the internet and wirelessly transfer the new information to tool  22 .  
         [0022]    Removable memory module  44  is removably coupled to processor  36  via port/interface  46 . Removable memory module  44  is adapted to store software applications that can be executed instead of primary applications on processor  36 . For example, module  44  may contain applications that use the HART® or FOUNDATION™ fieldbus communication port, to provide a comprehensive diagnostic for a given process valve. Additionally, module  44  may store software applications that aid in the calibration or configuration of specific devices. Module  44  may also store a software image for a new or updated primary tool application that can subsequently be transferred into the non-volatile memory of processor  36  to enable execution of the updated application. Further still, module  44  provides removable memory storage for the configuration of multiple devices allowing a field maintenance technician to acquire a relatively substantial amount of device data, including scripts, and conveniently store or transfer such data by simply removing module  44 .  
         [0023]    Preferably, module  44  is adapted to be replaceable in hazardous areas in a process plant. Thus, it is preferred that module  44  comply with intrinsic safety requirements set forth in: APPROVAL STANDARD INTRINSICALLY SAFE APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS FOR USE IN CLASS I, II AND III, DIVISION  1  HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS, CLASS NUMBER 3610, promulgated by Factory Mutual Research October, 1988. Adaptations to comply with additional industrial standards such as Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the European CENELEC standards are also contemplated. Examples of specific structural adaptations for memory module  44  and/or interface  46  to facilitate compliance include energy limiting circuits such that the operating voltage level of memory module  44  is sufficiently low that stored energy within module  44  cannot generate a source of ignition. Additionally, module  44  may include current limiting circuitry to ensure that in the event that specific terminals on module  44  are shorted, that the discharge energy is sufficiently low that ignition is inhibited. Finally, interface  44  may include physical characteristics that are specifically designed to prevent exposure of electrical contacts on memory module  44  to an external environment while simultaneously allowing suitable interface contacts to make electrical contact with module  44 . For example, module  44  may include an over-molding that can be pierced or otherwise displaced by coupling module  44  to interface  46 .  
         [0024]    Tool  22  also preferably includes expansion memory module  48  coupled to processor  36  via connector  50  which is preferably disposed on the main board of tool  22 . Expansion memory module  48  may contain Device Descriptions and/or scripts relative to field devices of either of first and second industry standard protocols. Module  48  may also contain license code(s) that will determine the functionality of tool  22  with respect to the multiple protocols. For example, data residing within module  48  may indicate that tool  22  is only authorized to operate within a single process industry standard mode, such as the HART® protocol. Ultimately, a different setting of that data within module  48  may indicate that tool  22  is authorized to operate in accordance with two or more industry standard protocols. Module  48  is preferably inserted to a connector  50  on the main board and may in fact require partial disassembly of tool  22 , such as removing the battery pack to access port  50 .  
         [0025]    Embodiments of the present invention provide significantly enhanced generation and utilization of scripts with a handheld field maintenance tool. Using embodiments of the present invention, each new release of software for the field maintenance tool can be verified in much the same manner as the regression test system that was used with the Model 275. However, significantly improved functions are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. One specific improvement is the ability to play scripts on a standard, non-specialized, handheld field maintenance tool. Further, unlike prior handheld tools, the handheld field maintenance tool described herein is able to generate scripts. Such script generation provides a number of advantages for field maintenance technicians since problems in the field can be captured and effectively studied by field support personnel and/or software engineering personnel. Yet another improved function, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is the generation and/or playback of FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus scripts.  
         [0026]    In the past, when a technician would encounter a problem in the field, the exact sequence of operations to repeat the problem would likely been forgotten by the time the technician contacted field support and/or software engineering. Therefore, the problem sometimes would not be reproducible by the technician, field support personnel, or software engineering personnel. Allowing a field maintenance technician to generate scripts with the handheld field maintenance tool allows the problems to be studied in precise detail and will generally increase problem reproducibility.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of record script generation in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Scripts  50  are essentially repositories for regression test stimulus. Scripts  50  capture all the input/output functionality relative to handheld tool  22  (e.g. keyboard inputs, touch screen inputs, display screen outputs, HART® and/or FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus communication inputs and outputs). With respect to the HART® and/or FOUNDATION™ fieldbus communication inputs, this allows the regression test system of handheld device  22  to not require the presence of field devices, such as device  20  during testing. This feature is important because having and maintaining numerous physical field devices, many of which are manufactured by various companies, is an extremely difficult, if not impossible task. Moreover, getting such field devices  20  into or back to exactly the same state (i.e. previous configurable parameters and previous calibrations) as when the script was first generated is also difficult and potentially impossible for some field devices. Scripts, as used herein, are not limited to capturing handheld/field device behavior, but can also be used to capture behavior that does not involve process communications whatsoever.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 illustrates record scripts generation facility  60  which is preferably a software component that can be embodied within handheld tool  22 . However, facility  60  can be embodied with any suitable computing environment. Facility  60  enables device description information (i.e., files generated from the DDL specification that document field device communication interaction) developers and the user of handheld tool  22  to create scripts  50 . Scripts can include a file or data structure that records a sequence of frames of technician action, the resultant display screen on tool  22 , as well as a set of request/reply HART® or FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus communication. Scripts can be generated by intercepting all input output activity on handheld tool  22  to allow facility  60  to capture technician inputs, field device communication requests and associated replies, as well as information presented on the display of tool  22 . For each and every occurrence of technician input, a frame, or data structure within the script, is created. Each frame preferably consists of all process communication request/reply pairs that occurred since the last recorded frame; the current application display screen on tool  22 ; and technician input. The script is then transferred to a playback application where it can be played to simulate the recorded behavior without field device  20 .  
         [0029]    Field device manufacturers are the primary source of scripts used for regression testing. Scripts are generally created when field device developers are satisfied with the operational behavioral of handheld device  22  and their specific Device Description. A Device Description is essentially a device driver which instructs the software application on handheld tool  22  to communicate and interact with the specific field device. Scripts can also be generated by software engineering personnel for handheld tool  22 .  
         [0030]    As described briefly above, a powerful new use for scripts, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, is allowing technicians to generate their own scripts using handheld tool  22 . This feature precisely captures problems discovered in the field. Once such a problem is been captured, it can be reported to field support and/or software engineering personnel. Preferably, software within tool  22  records scripts each time tool  22  is energized. Thus, handheld tool  22  maintains a log of all interaction thereon and when a technician discovers that a problem has been encountered, the already logged interaction can be bracketed and flagged as a problem. In this manner, a technician need not be expecting to encounter a specific problem in order to accurately capture the problem, but may simply flag a series of frames within handheld tool  22  as indicative of the problem.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of script playback in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. In the playback mode, scripts will play both the roles of the technician and the field device(s) (i.e., stimulate the handheld application(s) in precisely the same manner as when the script was generated). HART® and FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus communication requests from handheld applications are matched in the script and the corresponding communication replies are injected stimulus to the handheld application. Display screens recorded during script generation can be compared against those currently on the display screen of tool  22 . Keypresses recorded in the script will be injected into the handheld software application in the exact order as they were recorded during script generation. The playback facility preferably logs all display screens that are observed in a different file. These differences can subsequently be interpreted, preferably by an application, that need not necessarily be resident on tool  22 .  
         [0032]    Playback mode is preferably also offered to field maintenance technicians. Scripts can be played on the handheld tool without requiring the technician to couple the tool to an external device. In this regard, the tool can be considered a stand-alone script playback device. Further, allowing technicians to record and playback scripts will facilitate field maintenance. For example, the technician may be able to see if a problem is reproducible or not. Reproducibility is sometimes key information in the analysis of the problem (for example if a problem cannot be recreated using precisely the same software stimulus, the problem may exist in another product in communication with handheld tool  22 , or may be due to some other dynamic (multitasking event)).  
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.