Input/output system for an industrial automation system and method for providing an image of an input/output system

The method for providing an image (61) of an input/output system for an industrial automation system including a field bus coupler (3) operable to connect with a control computer (1) via a field bus (2) a module (5) and a service computer (6), comprising:

• (a) storing in the field bus coupler (3) at least one image file (39) containing image data (IMG);
• (b) transmitting the image data (IMG) from the image file to a service computer (6) connected with the field bus coupler;
• and
• (c) generating and displaying in the service computer an image (61) that is a function of the image data (IMG) transmitted from the field bus coupler.

An input/output arrangement for an industrial automation system, comprising:

• (a) a control computer (1);
• (b) a field bus coupler (3) having a first input terminal (32) connected with said control computer by a field bus (2), said field bus coupler having an output terminal (36) and including a read-only memory (38) in which is stored an image data file (39) having image data (IMG);
• and
• (c) a service computer (6) having an input terminal connected with said field bus coupler output terminal, said service computer being operable to generate and display an image (61) that is a function of the image data (IMG) received from said field bus coupler (3).