DE102006060919A1 - Computer-aided method for online configuration and ordering of a device - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to simplify an online configuration and ordering of a device by a user and to avoid erroneous inputs, a computer-aided method is proposed, in which at least one device is selected from an online catalog of a device manufacturer and configured. After calling up an order form (42), an automated completion (44) of the order form is made and ordered the desired device (s).

Description

The The invention relates to a computer-aided method for online configuration and ordering a device by a user.

Known Procedures of this type are used by a user to create a or more devices, for example, measuring instruments or Measuring Systems for one industrial process or an industrial plant, from an accessible computer from a electronic catalog available Measuring device or measuring system select and to order as needed or as desired. The user will while the course of the procedure usually for entering various process or plant-specific characteristics prompted, bringing a Selection of suitable devices can be taken. He then still has the option suitable appearing devices from a group of suggested devices. Usually, the user can then the ones chosen by him or marked devices configure and maintain an order number or order code for each device.

It There are methods of this kind that are on the user's machine alone expire and at the end generate an order form that highlights the desired ones equipment together with their order number or an order code lists and that sent to the manufacturer can be.

Other Methods of this kind are, for example, on the computer of the user started, then removed after connecting to another Computer, usually a server, the manufacturer of the sought after devices, has been built is to expire in the interaction of both computers. In this case At the end of such a procedure, the user may choose the one he desires and designated devices directly above order the manufacturer's calculator online.

The These methods are often used by device manufacturers in the form of a Program on a disk interested circles available posed. Some methods can either directly from the disk from being started, other methods from other manufacturers require one Installation on the computer of the user. They are also procedures of the type described, that of Internet sites of equipment manufacturers can be downloaded to the user's machine, where they are can then be started after installation.

Special Problems occur in the known methods when a configuration the desired equipment only partially done. Then a bunch of not stay configured fields of the order number or order code. missing Fields for part order codes usually need filled out by the user become. Incorrect entries for parameters for the required measuring instruments and measuring systems to lead to order codes with faulty parts in the code, which in the order form for Correction not overwritten can be. Should Parameters for the sought after measuring instruments and measuring systems changed For example, information about the wall thickness of a container at a level is to be measured radiometrically, for each device such a radiometric measuring device the partial order code already generated has been deleted. Overwriting is not possible; the Order codes need reentered by the user.

The Fill out The still empty fields of an order code take a lot of time today Claim and can over it even lead to incorrect entries. Of the full and correct order code is also needed for the price calculation, therefore is a re-entry and configuration of the desired meters and measuring systems necessary, which is time consuming and beyond may lead to eventual incorrect entries.

Of the Invention is based on the object, the above-mentioned disadvantages known computer-aided To avoid procedures for online configuration and ordering of a device and the user the inputs and completions in the process of the procedure to facilitate.

• – suchen wenigstens eines Gerätes aus einem Online-Katalog eines Geräteherstellers;
• – konfigurieren des gefundenen Gerätes; aufrufen eines Bestellformulars;
• – aufrufen einer automatisierten Komplettierung des Bestellformulars; und
• – bestellen des bzw. der gewünschten Geräte.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a computer-aided method for online configuration and ordering of a device by a user, with the following method steps:

• - looking for at least one device from an online catalog of a device manufacturer;
• - configure the device found; call an order form;
• - calling an automated completion of the order form; and
• - order the desired device (s).

at a preferred embodiment the method according to the invention are the orderable devices Measuring instruments and measuring systems for the Industrial Automation.

at another embodiment the method according to the invention comprises the automated completion of the order form a storable Table with user-typical order numbers.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention begins Completing the order form automatically complements parts of a purchase order when the user in turn enters parts of a purchase order number that is included in full or in part in the stored table of user-typical purchase order numbers.

at again another embodiment of the inventive method can the table with user-typical order numbers to any Time during called, changed and saved again become.

A another embodiment the method according to the invention runs exclusively on one first computer in the user's access.

at Yet another embodiment of the inventive method connects to a second computer of the device manufacturer made and then runs the further procedure in the interaction of both computers.

The The above object is also achieved according to the invention by a disk with Program data for the start, sequence and control of the method.

Of the size Advantage of the method according to the invention opens especially for Users, the measuring instruments and measuring systems for the process technology greater Configure and order industrial plants. In such industrial plants become common from the operator for the determination of individual process variables, such as level, Density, flow, Temperature, pressure etc., only a limited selection of suitable Measuring instruments or measuring systems prescribed, for example, the operational probation of special equipment to take into account and to standardize the installation and maintenance effort and to minimize. In this case, the invention enables an automated Completion of the order form based on an advance in the procedure stored table of order or order codes of the devices approved for an order. there allows the method according to the invention in a special embodiment for Companies, individual users, plant components or according to measuring principles or Process variables to be measured set up personalized spreadsheet templates for order codes.

The inventive method will be described and explained in more detail below, wherein an embodiment referenced, which is shown in the accompanying drawing is. Showing:

1 a representation of an input window of an embodiment of the method according to the invention for the input of order codes for a radiometric measuring point;

2 a representation of the input window after 1 with changed output data;

3 a representation of an example of a table window;

4 a representation of an example of an entered frequently used order code in a table window 3 ;

5a a representation of the incomplete order code in line 1 of the input window 1 ;

5b a representation of the order code 5a corresponding, more complete order codes stored in a table;

5c a representation of the automatically completed order code of 5a ; and

6 a representation of an extended input window of another embodiment of the method.

In The drawings are for simplicity and clarity same reference numerals for same devices, Modules and elements used, unless this is confusing.

In 1 is input window 10 for entering order codes for a radiometric measuring point for industrial automation. To be measured, for example, the level of a medium in a container that is displayed to the user in the process of the invention on a monitor of his computer, after he already different. container and media-specific values and parameters. Such an input window 10 can itself serve as an online order form or as a preliminary stage for a printout, which can then act as an order form.

The computer already has suitable devices and devices from the data entered in the context of the method 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 selected for the radiometric measuring point from a catalog of devices. Due to the user-made configuration of the devices and devices, such. Example, the indication of the desired length of the detector 12 , for the considered radiometric measuring point are in the context of the process whose basic parts, called the root or "root", the respective order code 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 together with the name of the devices in the in 1 displayed input window listed. Such an order code root For example, it consists of three digits and three letters.

As in 1 shown includes a complete order code 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 or 34 for a device in the embodiment illustrated here, a maximum of eighteen characters, recognizable by the numbered in the input window 18 fields behind the name of the device in question. 1 Also shows that many fields of each order code 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 behind the exemplarily listed devices and devices 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 are empty for the considered radiometric measuring point, since initially only the order code root was entered automatically by the procedure.

Modification of output data, ie container or media-specific data or parameters for the configuration of one or the devices usually lead in known methods that fields of the order code overwritten and the order code root is deleted and then has to be overwritten by the user. In addition, the number of devices and devices listed may vary 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 change if the gauge length over which the fill level is to be detected is changed. This situation is in 2 illustrates where the input window 10 to 1 is displayed with changed output data. For the measuring length increased by way of example here, the method according to the invention has two detectors 12 . 13 proposed for the desired radiometric measuring point. As 2 shows is the detector 13 including its order code root 15 as an additional position in the list of devices opposite to in 1 been included in the list. The planned arrangement of the two detectors for the longer measuring length requires two radiators 14 instead of the single spotlight 14 the arrangement of the measuring point after 1 and accordingly two radiation protection containers 16 as in the list in 2 is illustrated. To this additional detector 13 being able to mount is another mounting accessory 21 required. Compared to the list of devices after 1 has the inventive method for the changed arrangement in the list in 2 the relevant order code roots 25 . 33 for the additional devices 13 . 21 entered.

To the user the otherwise laborious completion of the respective order code 24 - 34 to decrease or at least simplify, in the method according to the invention, an automated completion of the order form is provided. It has been found that a large number of users, especially those employed by larger investment contractors, rely on a limited selection of equipment to order. This is due to the fact that only a limited selection of suitable measuring instruments or measuring systems is prescribed by the plant operator companies for the determination of individual process variables, such as level, density, flow, temperature, pressure, etc. For such a user, an ordering process is somewhat standardized because it works with frequently recurring order codes for the desired devices.

The inventive method provides that the user to record in a table, frequently used by him, complete order codes of devices. In 3 is an example of a table window 36 illustrated, which can be displayed to the user in the context of the method on his monitor, either to create such a table with frequently used by him, complete order codes or edit such a table. According to the order code already explained above (see the 1 and 2 ), the table also has eighteen fields for a complete order code per frequently ordered or default ordered device or device. In such a table, for example, the user may enter frequently used order codes of devices and give the table an individual name or title. As in 3 is represented, an input line "name" is provided for this purpose.

There the procedure allows a user to have a large number of such tables with complete, frequently used Order codes of devices can create Groups of devices, whose order codes are summarized in such a table, unique be identified by the name of the table. That's the way to go for example, tables for specific equipment and for generate specific plant components, for devices of a special measuring principle, for certain Projects, for generate a user name, etc. and distinguish from each other. For investment company companies thus offers the possibility to users for the Working with the inventive method on various Access rights to specify different tables of order codes.

To enter order codes in such a table is a direct input by the user, if such a table has not been created and stored under their individual name. The one-time effort to enter a frequently used order code with the desired accuracy in the table is qualified by the fact that an order code recorded and stored in the table thereafter repeatedly leads to an automatic completion of an incomplete order code in an input window 10 (see 1 and 2 ), unless it has been deleted by the user in the meantime. The prerequisite for an automatic completion is that the incomplete, too completing order code least at its root coincides with an order code entered in the table. If there are multiple order codes of a table that match an order code root, then the user is reasonably advised during the procedure and is prompted either to indicate additional order code characters or to mark the correct one for automatic completion in a list of matching more complete order codes ,

Preferably, the user can freely design the order code to be entered. He does not have to enter all 18 fields of an order code for a particular device or device into the table of frequently used order codes to be stored. An example of such an input in a table window 36 to 3 clarifies 4 for lines 1 to 4. The user can, for example, release cells of an order code as illustrated in lines 3 and 4 of the table, whereas the order codes in lines 1 and 2 are completely entered with 18 characters in the 18 fields.

It is also conceivable that a Order code for one often ordered device to be recorded in several tables of order codes. To this, too Simplify it makes sense in the generation of such Table one way for copying an order code entered there from one to one to provide another table. Tables can be changed at any time by the user while the course of the process according to the invention be called, edited and also renamed.

For a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is for an automatic completion or supplement of an incomplete order code 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 in an input window 10 the entry in the fields for the respective order codes 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 or 34 (see 1 ) in the input window 10 prevail. For an automatic completion or completion of the incomplete order code entered there 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 32 or 34 Within the scope of the procedure, by means of a more complete order code from one of the above-described tables of frequently used order codes, only empty fields and no already described or occupied fields of an order code in the input window 10 be overwritten.

An example of this is in the 5a . 5b and 5c shown. 5a shows the incomplete order code 24 in line 1 of the input window 1 , For automatic completion of this incomplete order code in the context of the method according to the invention is a in 5b shown more complete, stored in a table, frequently used and thus given order code 38 used. As the 5a and 5b illustrate, the characters in position 11 of the two order codes 24 . 38 do not match. However, under the previously described conditions, fields of the order code described can 24 in the input window 10 to 5a not be overwritten so that a complete order code generated by the automatic completion 40 who in 5c at position 11 is still the character "N" of the incomplete order code 24 in the input window 10 to 5a having. This lock against overwriting is important, as there are among the fields of the order code also those relating to safety devices or safety-related properties of the instruments and measuring systems under consideration, such. B. Ex-protection etc.

It is also conceivable to provide protection against overwriting, as explained above, for all fields of an order code, but only for one or more fields, specifically only for those which relate to safety devices or safety-related properties of the measuring devices and measuring systems under consideration. In addition, alternatively, the hierarchy or relevance described above can be reversed, so that always quasi prescribed in a table. order codes 38 (see 5b ) the corresponding, incomplete order codes 24 (see 5b ) in the input window 10 (see 1 ) overwrite.

The practical integration of the above-described automatic completion of the order code is in 6 illustrates the example of an extended input window 42 a further embodiment of the method according to the invention. In addition to the actual input window after 1 is a choice in this embodiment of the method 44 intended for the user, in which, in the sense of a so-called scroll-down menu, a list with the names of the already created tables with stored frequently used order codes is presented. If the user selects a specific name, the automatic completion starts for a previously selected or for all order codes in the input window 42 on the basis of the choice 44 selected table. At the in 6 illustrated embodiment of the method according to the invention was selected by the user, the table "standard level non EX". If no table is selected by the user, no automatic completion of the order code takes place.

A button is used to create new tables of frequently used order codes 46 with the term "new table" or a similar name.

In addition to the establishment of such an off optional possibility 44 (please refer 6 ) can also be provided that the automatic completion of an order code begins automatically when the user in turn begins to complete parts of a process generated by the order code. It makes sense to integrate a shutdown of the automatic completion of order codes during the procedure.

Usually is that going? above described method according to the invention on the computer in the access of the user. The method is for example in the form of program data to start, run and control the process on a disk, for example a CD-ROM, stored and is considered by the manufacturer of the equipment and systems provided to the user. Either can the procedure directly from the disk or an installation of the method is provided on the user's computer or in a network of computers, in which the computer of the user is integrated.

Logically, represents the inventive method after starting a connection to a second computer of the device manufacturer ago and then runs off in the interaction of both computers. this has the advantage that the user-installed program data can be updated and that the procedure always have access to the latest catalog of devices.

The Tables of frequent used order codes stored and managed on the computer by the user.

10

input window order codes

12

Device (detector)

13

Second detector

14

Device (spotlight)

16

Device (Radiation Container)

18

equipment

20

equipment

21

equipment

22

equipment

24

Order code root of ( 12 )

25

Order code root of ( 13 )

26

Order code root of ( 14 )

28

Order code root of ( 16 )

30

Order code root of ( 18 )

32

Order code root of ( 20 )

33

Order code root of ( 21 )

34

Order code root of ( 22 )

36

table window

38

order code in input window

40

komplettierter order code

42

input window order codes

44

choice

46

selector

Claims (8)

computerized Procedure for online configuration and ordering of a device a user, with the following process steps: - search at least one device from an online catalog of a device manufacturer - configure of the found device - call an order form - call an automated completion of the order form - to order of the desired equipment The method of claim 1, wherein the orderable equipment Measuring instruments and measuring systems for the Industrial automation are. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the automatic Completing the order form a storable table with User-typical order numbers includes. The method of claim 3, wherein the completion the order form automatically starts, parts of a purchase order number to complete, if the user enters parts of an order number, the complete or partially in the stored user-typical table Order numbers is included. Method according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the table with User-specific order numbers at any time while called, changed and saved again can be. Method according to one of claims 1-5, exclusively based on a first computer runs in the user's access. Method according to one of claims 1-5, wherein a compound to a second computer of the device manufacturer is produced and then the further process in cooperation both computers expires. disk with program data for the start, sequence and control of the procedure according to one of the claims 1-7.