# US 11,442,741 B2 · Method for expanding a functionality of a field device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,741 B2 - Document ID: US11442741B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/691,837 - Filed: 2019-11-22 - Published: 2020-03-19 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-16 - Assignees: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG - Applicants: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG - Inventors: Thomas Alber; Berthold Götz; Holger Speck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442741B2 ## CPC - G06F 9/44505: {Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files} - G06F 21/00: Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity - G06F 21/629: {to features or functions of an application} - G05B 2219/24165: Use codes to activate features of controller - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a method for expanding a functionality of a field device for process automation technology in a system using a configuration device, comprising the steps of: establishing a connection from the configuration device to the field device; reading out an order code using the configuration device, wherein the order code represents the current functionalities of the field device; displaying the functionality of the field device on the configuration device; selecting additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device using the configuration device; establishing a connection to a central station; sending information about the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device to the central station; sending an activation code to activate the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality from the central station; and sending the activation code from the configuration device to the field device and activating the additional, alternative, or lessened functionality of the field device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for expanding a functionality of a field device for process automation technology in a system using a configuration device, comprising: establishing a connection from the configuration device to the field device; reading out an order code from the field device using the configuration device, wherein the order code represents the current functionalities of the field device; displaying the current functionalities of the field device on the configuration device; selecting additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device using the configuration device; establishing a connection from the configuration device directly to a central station using the configuration device; sending information from the configuration device about the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device to the central station; sending an activation code to activate the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality from the central station to the configuration device; sending the activation code from the configuration device to the field device and thereby activating the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device; the configuration device updating the order code in the field device after the sending of the activation code to the field device; and the configuration device reading the updated order code from the field device and making the updated order code available to the central station. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration device is a mobile device, a smartphone, a tablet, or a pad. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the connection from the configuration device to the field device is accomplished wirelessly via Bluetooth according to the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration device is a personal computer, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a workstation, a single-board computer, or an embedded system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the configuration device directly establishes the connection to the field device via a field bus, via an Ethernet channel to the field bus, or via a wireless IEEE 802.11 channel to the field bus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the field bus is HART, Profibus, or Foundation Fieldbus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the order code includes a serial number of the field device, and wherein the activation code is specific to the serial number. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein all individual functionalities are activated for hierarchical functionalities. ### Claim 9 A method for expanding a functionality of a field device for process automation technology in a system using a configuration device, comprising: establishing a connection from the configuration device to the field device; reading out an order code from the field device using the configuration device, wherein the order code represents the current functionalities of the field device; displaying the current functionalities of the field device on the configuration device; selecting additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device using the configuration device; establishing a connection from the configuration device directly to a central station using the configuration device; sending information from the configuration device about the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device to the central station; sending an activation code to activate the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality from the central station to the configuration device; sending the activation code from the configuration device to the field device and thereby activating the additional, alternate, or lessened functionality of the field device; the field device updating its order code after the sending of the activation code to the field device; and the configuration device reading the updated order code from the field device and making the updated order code available to the central station.