6.1.3 ObjectType Description

6.1.3.1 Object RuntimeParameters

This FunctionalGroup is used to organize runtime configuration parameters and Methods. All standard or vendor specific runtime parameters of AutoID Devices shall be exposed below this FunctionalGroup. FunctionalGroups can be nested. The runtime parameters may be also exposed in other parts of the AutoID Device OPC UA Server Address Space.

The FunctionalGroupType is defined in OPC 10000-100.

Predefined parameters for this FunctionalGroup are defined in Table 8 and described below.

The parameter CodeTypes allows the user to determine the supported and to select the configured code types. It is used to expose the list of supported code types.

The Value of the Variable contains the currently selected types as a number. The assigned code type Strings are defined in 9.1.3.

CodeTypes can contain the predefined values or vendor specific values.

The ScanSettings FunctionalGroup shall be provided if the ScanActive Variable is supported for the control of the scan behaviour. It contains the following parameters (defined in Table 8):

• Parameter Duration specifies the duration of the scan operation in milliseconds. The value 0 is infinite. It is one of the termination conditions for the scan operation. The termination conditions are related to each other. If one of the conditions is fulfilled, the scan operation is stopped.

• Parameter Cycles specifies the duration of the scan operation in ‘number of scan cycles’. The value 0 is infinite. It is one of the termination conditions for the scan operation. The termination conditions are related to each other. If one of the conditions is fulfilled, the scan operation is stopped.

• If parameter DataAvailable is True, the scan operation is completed as soon as scan data is available. If DataAvailable is False, only the other termination conditions are used.

• Parameter CodeType specifies the format of the LastScanData Variable Value as string. The CodeTypeDataType and the predefined format strings are defined in 9.1.3.

6.1.3.2 Object IOData

This FunctionalGroup is used to organize IO data from sensors and actuators connected to the AutoID Device. All vendor or configuration specific IO data of AutoID Devices shall be exposed below this FunctionalGroup. FunctionalGroups can be nested. The IO data may also be exposed in other parts of the AutoID Device OPC UA Server Address Space.

An IO data point is represented by an OPC UA Variable Value. OPC UA Clients can read and write Variable Values depending on the AccessLevel of the Variable. Values can also be monitored for changes.

The FunctionalGroupType is defined in OPC 10000-100.

6.1.3.3 Object Diagnostics

This FunctionalGroup is used to organize diagnostic data from the AutoID Device. All diagnostics data of AutoID Devices shall be exposed below this FunctionalGroup. FunctionalGroups can be nested. The diagnostics data may also be exposed in other parts of the AutoID Device OPC UA Server Address Space.

A diagnostics point is represented by an OPC UA Variable Value. OPC UA Clients can read the Variable Values. Values can also be monitored for changes.

The FunctionalGroupType is defined in OPC 10000-100.

Predefined parameters for this FunctionalGroup are defined in Table 8 and described below.

Presence identifies if there currently is seen an AutoID Identifier (e.g. a code or a transponder) by the device. If supported by a device, it may show the concrete number of AutoID Identifiers.

The Logbook FunctionalGroup shall be provided if Logging values are supported for diagnostic purposes. Its predefined parameters are defined in Table 8 and described in the following list:

• Parameter LogColumns specifies the column headings of the Logbook.

• Parameter LastLogEntry specifies the last entry of the Logbook.

The LastAccess FunctionalGroup shall be provided if values for the last AutoID Identifier access are supported for diagnostic purposes. Its predefined parameters are described in the following list:

• Parameter Client specifies the client application (interface) which was the originator of the AutoID Identifier access.

• Parameter Command specifies executed command, including the Scan command. Dependend on the kind of the client application, the names of the commands may vary. When the client application is an OPC UA Client, the names shall correspond to the command names used within this specification, e.g. “ReadTag” for the execution of the ReadTag command.

• Parameter Identifier specifies the AutoID Identifier which was accessed by the command. The DataType can be one of the DataTypes defined in the ScanData Union defined in 9.4.2. Due to the use case for limited OPC UA Clients, the DataType is normally String or ByteString.

• Parameter Timestamp specifies the point of time the AutoID identifier (e.g. a transponder) was accessed by the command.

The Last Access Variable Values belong together logically. OPC UA does not ensure a consistent delivery of a list of Variable Values. Thus, there are several limitations and the Last Access Variables should only used with OPC Clients limited to Data Access functionality. It is recommended that complex applications use the AutoIdAccessEvents or RfidAccessEvents.

An OPC UA Server shall set all Variable SourceTimestamps with a consistent value if the Variables Values are updated. An OPC UA Client must ensure that it has a constent set of Values. The Client can use the DataChangeFilter STATUS_VALUE_TIMESTAMP_2 to receive updates for all Variables to verify if all necessary information is available or a Client can subscribe only for one Variable like Timestamp and then read the related Variables including a verification of the SourceTimestamp.

6.1.3.4 Method Scan

This method starts the scan process of the AutoID Device synchronous and returns the scan results.

The duration of the scan process is defined by the termination conditions in the Settings parameter. A Client shall not set all parameters to infinite for the Scan Method. The values for infinite are defined in the ScanSettings DataType definition in 9.3.7. An additional setting to consider is the TimeoutHint used for the Call Service.

Signature

	Scan (
		[in]	ScanSettings				Settings
		[out]	ScanResult []				Results
		[out]	AutoIdOperationStatusEnumeration	Status
		);
	

Method Result Codes

6.1.3.5 Method ScanStart

This method starts the scan process of the AutoID Device asynchronous. The scan results are delivered through Events where the EventType is a subtype of the AutoIdScanEventType defined in 7.2. There is a subtype defined for each concrete AutoID Device types.

The scan process is stopped through the Method ScanStop or if one of the termination conditions in the Settings parameter is fulfilled.

In addition, the scanning stops if the Client closes the Session, or if a new configuration file is stored within the AutoID Device. There might be other conditions depending on technology or device manufacturer.

Signature

	ScanStart (
		[in]	ScanSettings				Settings
		[out]	AutoIdOperationStatusEnumeration	Status
		);
	

Method Result Codes

6.1.3.6 Method ScanStop

This method stops an active scan process of the AutoID Device.

Signature

	ScanStop ( );

Method Result Codes

6.1.3.7 Method GetDeviceLocation

This method returns the location of the AutoID Device.

Signature

	GetDeviceLocation (
		[in]	LocationTypeEnumeration	LocationType
		[out]	Location				Location
		);
	

Method Result Codes

6.1.3.8 Variable ScanActive

This OPC UA Variable allows simple applications to trigger the scan process. Simple appications involve OPC UA Clients that are limited to Data Access functionality.

The scan is triggered by writing True to the Variable Value. The behaviour of the scan is defined by the parameters in the ScanSettings FunctionalGroup defined in 9.3.7. The Value of the Variable is changed back to False by the Server if the scan is stopped according to the ScanSettings. The Client can stop the scan by writing False to the Variable Value.

The write permission can be limited to one Client. OPC 10000-3 and OPC 10000-5 define capabilities to enforce this limit with Roles and RolePermissions. Roles can be limited to a single OPC UA Application.

The scan result is provided through the Variable LastScanData. Further restrictions for this simple mechanism are described for the Variable LastScanData.

6.1.3.9 Variable LastScanData

This OPC UA Variable represents the last scanned AutoID Identifier. The DataType can be one of the DataTypes defined in the ScanData Union defined in 9.4.2. Due to the use case for limited OPC UA Clients, the DataType is normally String or ByteString.

The Variable can be provided for simple applications where OPC UA Clients are limited to Data Access functionality. Such OPC UA Clients are typically limited to built-in DataTypes like String or ByteString too. The use of this Variable implies the following restrictions.

Only one AutoID Identifier can be delivered for a scan.

The frequency of scans is limited to the sampling interval set by the OPC UA Client.

The delivery of scan results depends on the MonitoredItem settings or Read behaviour of the OPC UA Client.

It is recommended that complex applications use scan Methods and Events.

6.1.3.10 Variable LastScanTimestamp

This OPC UA Variable of DataType UtcTime belongs to the Variable LastScanData and represents the point of time the last AutoID Identifier was scanned. The value of this Variable shall be equal to the SourceTimestamp of the Variable LastScanData.

The Variable can be provided for simple applications where OPC UA Clients are limited to Data Access functionality. Such OPC UA Clients are typically limited to built-in DataTypes like UtcTime. The use of this Variable implies the following restrictions.

Only one AutoID Identifier can be delivered for a scan.

The frequency of scans is limited to the sampling interval set by the OPC UA Client.

The delivery of scan results depends on the MonitoredItem settings or Read behaviour of the OPC UA Client.

It is recommended that complex applications use scan Methods and Events.

6.1.3.11 Variable DeviceInfo

This OPC UA Property of DataType String represents an AutoID Device additional information, which can be used freely for device management purposes.

6.1.3.12 Variable DeviceLocation

This OPC UA Variable of DataType Location represents the AutoID Device location as Union of different coordinate systems and the related units. The DataType Location is defined in 9.4.1. The VariableType LocationVariableType is defined in 8.1.

The variable can be set during commissioning for fixed-mounted readers or can be updated automatically for mobile readers. The aim is to give the actual position where a specific scan event has been created.

6.1.3.13 Variable DeviceLocationName

This OPC UA Property of DataType String represents a user defined name of the AutoID Device location.

This variable can be used to assign a real name to the AutoID Device, e.g. “Gate 21”. It allows a device-independent event description in higher IT levels.

6.1.3.14 Variable DeviceName

This OPC UA Property of DataType String represents the AutoID Device name, which can be used freely for device management purposes.

6.1.3.15 Variable DeviceStatus

This OPC UA Property of DataType DeviceStatusEnumeration represents the AutoID Device status. The DeviceStatusEnumeration is defined in 9.2.2.

6.1.3.16 Variable AutoIdModelVersion

This OPC UA Property of DataType String represents the AutoID Information Model version. The version string for this specification version is “1.00”.