Patent ID: 8762598

Claim:
An arrangement with a superordinated control unit and at least one intelligent field device connectable with said control unit, wherein: associated with said control unit is at least one interface with a connection element for accommodating a corresponding connection counterpart; said connection counterpart is associable with an interface module; associated with said interface module is a software protection system securing accessing of said at least one intelligent field device; said interface module permits communication between said at least one intelligent corresponding field device and said superordinated control unit, associated with said superordinated control unit is a software-protected processing program for said at least one intelligent field device; said processing program is started or enabled via said software protection system, when said connection counterpart of said interface module of said at least one intelligent field device is connected with said connection element of said control unit; in case of a plurality of said at least one intelligent field devices connectable with said control unit said processing program has a plurality of instances; each instance of said processing program is, via said corresponding software protection system, uniquely associated with one of said at least one intelligent field devices; and the individual instances of the processing program are secured via a distinct software protection, which is unlocked virtually as soon as the corresponding field device is connected with the control unit via the interface module.