Abstract: The invention relates to a self-contained biological indicator comprising a vial, an ampule arranged inside said vial, a growth medium for growing microorganisms, the growth medium being arranged inside the ampule and the growth medium having a first color, a biological indicator, a carrier for holding the biological indicator, wherein the biological indicator is arranged on the carrier, and at least one color change indicator having a second color, wherein the at least one color change indicator is arranged inside the vial but outside the ampoule, the growth medium does not contain any of the at least one color change indicator and the first color of the growth medium is changed by the second color of the at least one color change indicator when mixed with the at least one color change indicator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for verifying a value stream along a transport route, wherein a plurality of field devices, each having at least one sensor and/or actuator for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable and an electronic unit, are arranged along the transport route and generate corresponding data, or for verifying the value stream of at least one product in warehouse stock, wherein a first service platform is used, via which a plurality of participant nodes each with at least one database have a communication connection to one another according to a distributed ledger or blockchain technology.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the measuring performance of automation field devices, wherein each of the field devices determines a process variable using a measuring algorithm and is exposed to measurable environmental influences. The method includes capturing the calibration data of the field devices and capturing an item of environmental information of the field devices at defined time intervals; storing the environmental information, the calibration data, and a time stamp in a database; selecting a group of field devices which determine a process variable using the same measuring algorithm and which are exposed to the same environmental influences; correlating the environmental information and calibration data captured over time; creating a mathematical model relating the calibration data and the environmental information; adapting the measuring algorithm on the basis of the model; and transmitting the adapted measuring algorithm to all field devices in the group.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for verifying the production process of field devices, including a step of accessing a service platform on which data from field devices, including identification data, the respective type of field device, configuration data, containing application-specific data, environment information of the field devices or parameter data, data relating to the production date of a respective field device and repair or troubleshooting cases of the field devices are stored. The method also includes steps of detecting anomalies by statistically evaluating the repair or troubleshooting cases stored on service platform and creating a notification in the event of a detected anomaly, supplying the data of the field devices and the notifications to a machine learning or prognosis system, and evaluating the data of the field devices and the notifications by means of the machine learning or prognosis system for forecasting series errors of the field devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for spatially resolved determination of at least one physical or chemical process variable of a flowable medium arranged in a container in an automation system, at least one sensor being provided, which is movable in the medium and/or in the container and which ascertains information about the at least one process variable, a position determination unit being provided which supplies the information about the respective current position of the sensor relative to the medium and/or to the container, and a data transmission unit being provided which collects information about the respective current position of the sensor and the corresponding information supplied by the sensor about the at least one process variable and/or communicates the information to an external control unit and/or display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the measuring performance of automation field devices, wherein each of the field devices determines a process variable using a measuring algorithm and is exposed to measurable environmental influences. The method includes capturing the calibration data of the field devices and capturing an item of environmental information of the field devices at defined time intervals; storing the environmental information, the calibration data, and a time stamp in a database; selecting a group of field devices which determine a process variable using the same measuring algorithm and which are exposed to the same environmental influences; correlating the environmental information and calibration data captured over time; creating a mathematical model relating the calibration data and the environmental information; adapting the measuring algorithm on the basis of the model; and transmitting the adapted measuring algorithm to all field devices in the group.

Abstract: Indicator (22) for process challenge devices (PCDs) to monitor sterilizing processes, comprising a plurality of indicator areas (50, 54, 58, 62, 66) which react with a sterilizing agent and which are arranged spaced apart on a common carrier element (18) in a longitudinal direction (70) of said carrier element (18), whereby said carrier element (18) is built tapered along its longitudinal direction (70).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for ensuring the authenticity of a field device. The method includes a step of assigning a unique authentic identification feature to the field device or providing the field device with a unique authentic identification feature. The method also includes steps of transmitting ACTUAL identification data to a participant node which transmits the ACTUAL identification data to the other participant nodes in a transaction, validating the transaction by the participant nodes, and creating a data block containing the transaction, wherein the data block is transmitted to each of the participant nodes. The method also includes verifying the data block by all participant nodes, storing the validated data block in the databases, comparing the ACTUAL identification data with corresponding TARGET identification data or original identification data from an authentication point, and generating a response containing the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Process challenge device (2), especially for simulating the worst-case penetration conditions of a load inside a sterilization chamber, comprising a detector volume (90) for housing a biological, chemical or physical indicator (140), whereby said detector volume (90) is arranged at a dead end of a series of gas volumes (110, 14, 118), whereby said process challenge device (2) comprises two parts (6, 14), namely a housing part (6) and an insertion part (14), whereby said insertion part (14) is at least partially insertable into said housing part (6) in such a way that said detector volume (90) is arranged without any seal inside said both parts (6, 14).

Abstract: A powered and secure device is provided. The device includes a terminal, an adapter, a self-latching mechanism and a secure housing. The terminal is adapted to be inserted into a host terminal device port. The self-latching mechanism adapted to secure or lock the device within the device port when the device is inserted into the device port. The secure housing adapted to be locked, unlocked, assembled, and disassembled. Access to the adapter is available when the secure housing is disassembled. The adapter includes a terminal slot for receiving and removing second devices.

Abstract: A powered and secure device is provided. The device includes a terminal, an adapter, a self-latching mechanism and a secure housing. The terminal is adapted to be inserted into a host terminal device port. The self-latching mechanism adapted to secure or lock the device within the device port when the device is inserted into the device port. The secure housing adapted to be locked, unlocked, assembled, and disassembled. Access to the adapter is available when the secure housing is disassembled. The adapter includes a terminal slot for receiving and removing second devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for verifying the production process of field devices, including a step of accessing a service platform on which data from field devices, including identification data, the respective type of field device, configuration data, containing application-specific data, environment information of the field devices or parameter data, data relating to the production date of a respective field device and repair or troubleshooting cases of the field devices are stored. The method also includes steps of detecting anomalies by statistically evaluating the repair or troubleshooting cases stored on service platform and creating a notification in the event of a detected anomaly, supplying the data of the field devices and the notifications to a machine learning or prognosis system, and evaluating the data of the field devices and the notifications by means of the machine learning or prognosis system for forecasting series errors of the field devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for spatially resolved determination of at least one physical or chemical process variable of a flowable medium arranged in a container in an automation system, at least one sensor being provided, which is movable in the medium and/or in the container and which ascertains information about the at least one process variable, a position determination unit being provided which supplies the information about the respective current position of the sensor relative to the medium and/or to the container, and a data transmission unit being provided which collects information about the respective current position of the sensor and the corresponding information supplied by the sensor about the at least one process variable and/or communicates the information to an external control unit and/or display unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a system for optimizing the commissioning of at least one of a plurality of field devices in an automation technology system, which are used in different applications, wherein the system comprises at least: one database for saving application information and device types of the plurality of field devices and for saving parameter sets of the plurality of field devices; an electronic computation unit that accesses the remotely arranged database and classifies, assigns, compares, and/or processes the data saved there and has an algorithm for creating and proposing an optimal parameter set; software for supporting a user during commissioning of one of the plurality of field devices, wherein the electronic computation unit is operated by means of the software.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a system for optimizing the operation of a plurality of field devices in an automation technology plant. The method comprises: ascertaining application information and device types of field devices, wherein the application information describes the application of the respective field device; classifying the application information and storing the classified application information; ascertaining parameter sets from each of the plurality of field devices, wherein the parameter sets comprise multiple parameters and each parameter is assigned a parameter value or a parameter value range, and each field device has at least one current parameter set and at least one standard parameter set, and storing the parameter sets; comparing the current parameter sets with the standard parameter sets to determine actually used parameters of a device type for an application; and operating the field device on the basis of the actually used parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a field device in the field of automation engineering using an operating appliance with a homogeneously produced, application-specific user interface, the method including: a) connecting the operating appliance to the field device; b) inputting an application-specific request in the operating appliance; c) transmitting the specific request to the interpreter; d) sending data and procedures corresponding to the specific request back to the operating appliance; e) forwarding the data and procedures corresponding to the specific request from the operating appliance to the field device; f) implementing the data and procedures corresponding to the specific request in the field device; and g) the method continues with method steps b) to f), the specific request being determined by the interpreter according to the operator input.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one physical or chemical process variable of a medium in a containment comprising at least one sensor element, at least one housing module and at least one flange, wherein the sensor element and the flange are connected with the housing module, wherein the flange in a first portion, which is at least partially media contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a first material, which is selected application specifically, and wherein the flange in a second portion, which is at least partially environment contacting, is manufactured at least partially of a synthetic material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for ensuring the authenticity of a field device. The method includes a step of assigning a unique authentic identification feature to the field device or providing the field device with a unique authentic identification feature. The method also includes steps of transmitting ACTUAL identification data to a participant node which transmits the ACTUAL identification data to the other participant nodes in a transaction, validating the transaction by the participant nodes, and creating a data block containing the transaction, wherein the data block is transmitted to each of the participant nodes. The method also includes verifying the data block by all participant nodes, storing the validated data block in the databases, comparing the ACTUAL identification data with corresponding TARGET identification data or original identification data from an authentication point, and generating a response containing the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining or monitoring an automation technology process variable with at least one field device. The method comprises the following method steps: receiving guidelines relating to: access to the data of the field device; the number of times the data of the field device is accessed; or a request for data of the field device. The method also includes steps of storing the data of the field device in an encoded manner in a first service platform that is connected to a second service platform and receiving a request for data at the second service platform, wherein the second service platform accesses the guidelines. The method also includes steps of providing the data according to the guidelines via a first transaction in pre-defined cycles or all at once and generating a request for payment for the data made available according to the guidelines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for verifying a value stream along a transport route (TS), in particular along a pipeline or a production line, wherein a plurality of field devices (F), each having at least one sensor (S) and/or actuator for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable and an electronic unit (EE), are arranged along the transport route (TS) and generate corresponding data (DAT), or for verifying the value stream of at least one product in warehouse stock, wherein a first service platform (SP1) is used, via which a plurality of participant nodes (TK) each with at least one database (DB) have a communication connection to one another according to a distributed ledger or the blockchain technology.