US 12,333,505 B2
Method for payment-based execution of a function of a field device to be performed, corresponding field device and service unit
Werner Goertz, Dorsten (DE); and Daniel Arndt, Schwalmtal (DE)
Filed by KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH, Duisburg (DE)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/223,454.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 109 537.6 (DE), filed on Apr. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0312408 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. G06Q 20/04 (2012.01); G05B 15/02 (2006.01); G06Q 20/38 (2012.01)
CPC G06Q 20/04 (2013.01) [G05B 15/02 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3827 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for payment-based execution of a function of a field device to be performed, wherein the field device has an identifier and is connected to a process control system via a first communication channel, the process control system is connected to a service unit via a second communication channel, the field device and the service unit each have at least one time-counting device, and the time-counting devices are synchronized to provide a current field device time value for the field device and a current service unit time value for the service unit, the method comprising:
selecting, by the process control system, a selected function to be performed on the field device from a selection list of executable functions of the field device available to the process control system, wherein the selected function to be performed includes a payment amount;
transmitting, from the process control system to the service unit, the selected function to be performed;
receiving, at the service unit from a payment service, a payment confirmation of the payment amount for the selected function to be performed;
determining, by the service unit, a derived service unit time value and an enable code, wherein the derived service unit time value is dependent on the current service unit time value and wherein the enable code is dependent on the selected function to be performed;
transmitting the enable code from the service unit to the process control system;
transmitting the enable code from the process control system to the field device;
determining, at the field device, a derived field device time value, wherein the derived field device time value is dependent on the current field device time value;
determining, at the field device and using the derived field device time value, that the enable code is generated by the service unit;
determining, at the field device, the selected function to be performed from the enable code; and
in response to determining the enable code is generated by the service unit, executing, at the field device, an executable code corresponding to the selected function to be performed.