In a method for operating an automation device having an internal finite state machine, a mapping unit, an internal data interface operatively connected for flow of information between the internal finite state machine and the mapping unit, and the mapping unit operatively connected for flow of the same information between the internal data interface and an external data interface of a communication module, state information of the internal finite state machine is routed to the mapping unit via the internal data interface, separate state information is derived from the state information received by the mapping unit, and the mapping unit then provides the separate state information to a communication unit of the communication module.