Patent ID: 7580810

Claim:
A method for determining a measuring point in time (t M ), at which a measured value is to be produced by a field device of process automation technology, comprising the steps of: communicating measured values of the field device at certain communication points in time (t K ) via a field bus following a query from a central control unit for measured values of the field device; approximately determining a following communication point in time (t f ) from at least one time span (A) between two preceding communication points in time (t k ,t′ k ) and a preceding communication point in time (t″ k ), which is either one of said two preceding communication points in time (t k , t′ k ) or which is another communication point in time; and determining the measuring point in time (t M ) on the basis of said approximately determined following communication point in time (t f ); wherein: the measuring point in time (t M ) should, in such case, be before the approximately determined following communication point in time (t f ) and, consequently, before a reporting of the measured value such that said determined measuring point in time (t M ) lies before said approximately determined following communication point in time (t f ).