US 12,190,094 B2
Computer-implemented method for updating a process control system
Stefan Pook, Minden (DE); Andreas Wahlmann, Meerbeck (DE); and Andreas Stueckelmaier, Stolzenau (DE)
Assigned to ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/845,340.
Claims priority of application No. 21180887 (EP), filed on Jun. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0405088 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G06F 8/65 (2018.01)
CPC G06F 8/65 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-implemented method for updating a process control system comprising a plurality of different hardware units, the method comprising:
providing a computing unit configured to provide a firmware data package comprising firmware update data for the plurality of different hardware units of the process control system, wherein the firmware data package comprises different firmware files relating to respective hardware units of the plurality of hardware units and compatibility information data, wherein each of the firmware files comprises a firmware file header, and wherein the compatibility information data is part of the firmware file header and indicates first compatibilities between the firmware update data and current firmware versions of the plurality of different hardware units and second compatibilities between the firmware update data and the plurality of different hardware units themselves;
connecting the computing unit to an interface unit of the process control system;
transferring the firmware data package from the computing unit to the interface unit;
providing, utilizing a checking unit, current status data comprising information about the plurality of different hardware units in the process control system and information about the current firmware versions of the plurality of different hardware units;
checking, utilizing the checking unit, whether the plurality of different hardware units and the current firmware versions are compatible with the firmware update data for each of the plurality of different hardware units based on the current status data, the first compatibilities, and the second compatibilities;
determining a checking result in the checking unit based on the checking, and:
when the checking result is determined to be positive, which indicates a compatibility, installing the firmware update data in each of the plurality of different hardware units; or
when the checking result is determined to be negative, which indicates an incompatibility, outputting an incompatibility message.