Display device for showing device information

Abstract

Display device (1) for device information (2), with a storage device (3) in which a navigation tree (4) is stored, wherein the navigation tree (4) has nodes (5, 6, 7) which are linked to each other by directed links (8, 9, 10, 11), wherein the directed links (8, 9, 10, 11) define an organizational structure which distinguishes parent nodes (5, 6, 7) and child nodes for each node (5, 6, 7), wherein the organizational structure defines an associated navigation path (12) for each node (5, 6, 7) which contains all parent nodes (5, 6, 7) to this node (5, 6, 7) and the respective linking links (8, 9, 10, 11), wherein each node (5, 6, 7) is assigned a device part, a device or a device group (16) of a system, which each transmit device information (2), wherein a dialing means (14) is used to dial a node (5, 6, displayed on the display device (1).7) is set up and the display device (1) is set up to display a selected node (5, 6, 7) of the navigation tree (4) with the associated navigation path (12) and the nodes (5, 6, 7) directly subordinate to the node (5, 6, 7), characterized in that the navigation tree (4) has a start node (13) to which no superior node (5, 6, 7) exists and to which the other nodes (5, 6, 7) of the navigation tree (4) are subordinate, that an information input (22) is provided via which transmitted device information (2) can be received from the device part, the device or the device group (16), that an identification device (23) is set up to identify a node (5, 6, 7) assigned to a received device information (2), that a navigation path calculation device (24) is set up to determine the navigation path (12) an identified node (5, 6,7) is set up as a second navigation path that connects the identified node (5, 6, 7) with the starting node (13) of the first navigation path, wherein the navigation path calculation device (24) is set up for a recursive automatic determination of a node (5, 6, 7) that is directly superior to a node (5, 6, 7) and for a notation of the superior node (5, 6, 7) as an element of the second navigation path (12), that a node selection device (25) is set up for determining a node (5, 6, 7) in the second navigation path (12) to the identified node (5, 6, 7) that is also currently displayed on the display device (15), and for determining that node (5, 6, 7) in the second navigation path (12) to the identified node (5, 6, 7) to which no child node (5, 6,7) in this navigation path (12) is currently displayed and that an information output device (26) for displaying the device information (2) with the identified node (5, 6, 7) is set up on the display device (15), wherein the display device (1) is set up to display a preferably graphical readout means (17) for reading device parameters (18) from the associated device part, device or device group (16) with the selected node (5, 6, 7) and / or to display a preferably graphical control means (19) for controlling the associated device part, device or device group (16) and that the display device (1) is set up to automatically redetermine a node (5, 6, 7) currently displayed on the display device (15) in the navigation path (12) of the identified node (5, 6, 7) when the selected node (5, 6, 7) on the display device is changed. (15) and to the newly identified node (5, 6,7) assigned display of the device information (2) is set up.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display device.

[0002] It is common practice to consolidate and display equipment information from systems in control rooms. Typically, a control room displays a schematic representation of the monitored system and shows equipment information such as status messages, command confirmations, error messages, and the like, assigned to the specific part of the system to which the information relates. For complex systems, very large control rooms are used. These control rooms are generally structured by grouping individual parts of the system into subgroups, subgroups, and so on.

[0003] US Patent 2013 / 0307854A1 discloses a method for visualizing a system model of a target system. Events of the target system are detected, and entities affected by the event are then assigned to specific entity types according to a defined relational system. Relationships are established between the affected entities. A graph is then created and visualized by assigning graphical objects to the affected entities, which can be linked together according to their relationships.

[0004] US Patent 7,203,702 B1 discloses a method for navigating and displaying objects. The objects have multiple parent and child nodes. To simplify visualization, it is proposed to select one of the parent nodes as the context of a focus node and then display only that parent node, the focus node, and the child nodes belonging to that parent context. The invention is based on the objective of simplifying the technical requirements for monitoring and controlling a system.

[0005] To solve this problem, the features of claim 1 are proposed for the invention of a display device.

[0006] Key features of the invention of a display device for device information, comprising a storage device in which a navigation tree is stored, wherein the navigation tree has nodes that are linked to each other by directed links, wherein the directed links define an organizational structure which distinguishes superior nodes and subordinate nodes for each node, wherein the organizational structure defines an associated navigation path for each node which contains all superior nodes to this node and the respective linking links, wherein each node is assigned a device part, a device or a device group of a system, each of which displays device information.and wherein a selection means is provided for selecting a node displayed on the display device and the display device is provided for displaying a selected node of the navigation tree with the associated navigation path and the nodes directly subordinate to the node, that an information input is provided via which remote device information can be received from the device part, the device or the device group, that an identification device is provided for identifying a node assigned to received device information, that a navigation path calculation device is provided for determining the navigation path to an identified node, that a node selection device is provided for determining a node in the navigation path to the identified node, which is also currently displayed on the display device,The system is set up and an information output device is configured to display the device information at the identified node on the display device. A key advantage is that computer-implemented support enables the location-accurate display of device information. This allows the user to immediately identify which part of the system is affected by the device information. The display device can therefore be much smaller than, for example, a control room. For many purposes, a PC, laptop, netbook, or tablet PC display is sufficient. The selection means can be implemented, for example, via a pointing device, a touch-sensitive and / or light-sensitive display, or in other ways.

[0007] Advantageously, the user follows the virtual navigation path within the physical system, thus easily reaching the source of the device information. This process can be executed on a portable computer, such as a smartphone, tablet, netbook, or laptop. The navigation path can therefore be updated as the user locates the source of the device information. It is particularly beneficial if the portable computer is configured to determine the user's current location within the physical system. A further advantage is the ability to automate the synchronization of this location with a display of the selected node and / or the navigation path. This allows the user's movement toward the source of the device information to be automatically reflected by synchronously updating the navigation path display.User orientation in complex systems can therefore be supported, for example through computer-generated navigation instructions.

[0008] According to the invention, a node selection device is provided for determining the node in the navigation path to the identified node for which no subordinate node is currently displayed in this navigation path. It is advantageous that the node at which the route to the identified node, as specified by the device information, branches off from the currently displayed path can be selected and is automatically selected.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each node has exactly one or at most one directly superior node in the navigation tree. It is advantageous that the described recursion method for constructing the navigation path is computer-implemented and therefore executable automatically.

[0010] According to the invention, the navigation path calculation device is configured to recursively and automatically determine the direct parent node of each node and to record the parent node as an element of the navigation path. An advantage of this is that a connection to a starting node can be determined automatically without user intervention. Thus, an intersection between a first navigation path, currently displayed on the screen, and a second navigation path, which is part of the device information, can be easily calculated.

[0011] According to the invention, the display device is designed to automatically redetermine a node currently displayed on the display device within the navigation path of the identified node when the selected node on the display device is changed, and to display the device information associated with the redetermined node. A key advantage is the ability to perform continuous updates. This allows the device information to be tracked along with the navigation.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device for showing the device information is arranged at a link to a node that is directly superior to the identified node. Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageously arranged that the display device for showing the device information is arranged at the identified node itself. The advantage here is that the device information can be used directly to guide the user during navigation.

[0013] According to the invention, the navigation tree has a starting node to which no parent node exists and to which the other nodes of the navigation tree are subordinate. Thus, a navigation path can be constructed for each node, ending at the starting node. The situation where two constructed navigation paths do not share a common node is therefore avoided.

[0014] According to the invention, the display device is configured to display data from a readout device for reading device parameters from the associated device part, device, or device group at the selected node. For this purpose, the display unit can be equipped with a correspondingly configured control device. An advantage is that the status of a part of the system represented by the selected node can be retrieved and displayed. Thus, the method according to the invention can be used as a partial step in a method for reading a device part, a device, and / or a device group as an application of the invention. Preferably, the readout device is designed as a graphical readout device, for example, as a mask, table, graphic, etc.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the invention provides that the display device is configured to display a control means for controlling the associated device part, device, or device group. For this purpose, the display unit can be equipped with a correspondingly configured control device. It is advantageous that operation of a part of the system represented by the selected node can be carried out via the display means, particularly in response to the device information. Preferably, the control means is designed as a graphical control means, for example, as a mask, table, graphic, arrangement of buttons, etc.

[0016] According to the invention, the navigation tree has a starting node to which no parent node exists and to which the other nodes of the navigation tree are subordinate. An advantage of this is that a reference point for the navigation tree can be established. Reaching the starting point also allows for the definition of a termination criterion for the recursive construction of a navigation tree.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device is configured to show at most two directly subordinate or superior nodes to each displayed, unselected node. Preferably, the display device, and in particular an associated control device, are configured to select the nodes and links to be displayed at any given time, or to hide or eliminate the nodes and links not currently displayed. It is advantageous that the navigation tree can be easily simplified automatically for display purposes.

[0018] Advantageously, the device information is, for example, a status message, a command confirmation, an error message, an instruction and / or other device-related information.

[0019] Advantageously, the device information is displayed as a marker on a link and / or a node, or is configured to do so. It is also advantageous that the associated node and / or link is automatically enlarged. This makes it easier to recognize the device information and / or allows for the provision of additional data, parameters, and / or information.

[0020] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, but is not limited to this embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of one or more claims with each other and / or with one or more features of the exemplary embodiment, particularly when solving a problem arising from the prior art.

[0021] It shows: Fig. 1 a display device according to the invention in a highly simplified representation, Fig. 2 a representation of device information in a part of a navigation tree in a method according to the invention, Fig. 3 a further representation of device information in another part of a navigation tree in a method according to the invention and Fig. 4 a further representation of device information in a third part of a navigation tree in a method according to the invention.

[0022] A display device according to the invention, designated in its entirety by 1, is configured to display device information 2 as follows.

[0023] The display device 1 according to Fig. 1 has a storage device 3 in which a navigation tree 4 is stored and provided.

[0024] A navigation tree, in this context, is understood to be a hierarchical data structure that can be displayed, at least partially, using the display device. A hierarchy can be represented, for example, by the direction of the links between the nodes.

[0025] Device information 2 is, for example, an error message, a warning, a command confirmation, or a status change message. Preferably, device information 2 can be displayed as a symbol in the navigation tree 4. Preferably, each type of device information is assigned its own symbol.

[0026] Navigation tree 4 has nodes 5, 6, and 7, each of which is assigned to a device component, a device, or a device group 16, here exemplified as a motor, or a system (not shown further). Navigation tree 4 has further nodes and links, which are not labeled or even shown here for the sake of simplicity.

[0027] For example, node 5 is assigned to a device group, while node 6 is assigned to a device from that device group and node 7 is assigned to a device part of that device.

[0028] Nodes 5, 6, and 7 are linked pairwise by links 8, 9, 10, and 11. These links are directed and define the parent and child nodes 5, 6, and 7 by their direction. For example, node 5 is the parent of node 6. Similarly, nodes 7 are each child of node 6, while node 6 is a child of node 5.

[0029] It is evident that for each node 5, 6, 7, there exists exactly one parent node 5, 6, 7. Conversely, a node 5, 6, 7 can have multiple child nodes 5, 6, 7. For example, node 6 has three child nodes 7.

[0030] The sequence of parent nodes 5, 6 to a node 7 defines a navigation path 12. The navigation path 12 is branch-free and always ends at a starting node 13.

[0031] A node 5, 6 that is superior to another node 7 is therefore hierarchically arranged between the other node 7 and the starting node 13.

[0032] Nodes 5, 6, and 7 can be selected using a selection device 14. The selection device 14 is part of an input device 21, which provides a pointer 20 to support selection, by means of which screen content can be pointed to on the display device 15.

[0033] Preferably, the input device 21 is designed as a computer mouse, a touchpad or a trackball.

[0034] After selecting node 6, the following situation arises, for example: Fig. 2. Shown is the display of the selected node 6 on the display device 15.

[0035] The selected node 6 is displayed with its associated navigation path 12 and its subordinate nodes 7 and their respective links 8, 10, and 11. Link 9 does not belong to navigation path 12 and is therefore not displayed on the display device 15.

[0036] The subordinate nodes 7 of the selected node 6 are displayed in a reduced form. Thus, no subordinate nodes are shown for these nodes 7, even though such nodes are possible in the navigation tree 4.

[0037] A control device 27 has an information input 22, via which device information 2 is received from the device parts, devices and / or device groups 16. For this purpose, the information input 22 can be connected to the components of the system via a bus system (not shown).

[0038] If a device component, a device, and / or a device group 16 sends device information 2, this information is read in via the information input 22. First, an identification device 23 identifies a node 6 that is assigned to the device component, the device, and / or the device group 16.

[0039] A second navigation path is calculated for this identified node 6, connecting the identified node 6 to the starting node 13. This is done automatically by a navigation path calculation unit 24. This unit determines the parent node of the identified node 6, then the parent node of that node, and so on recursively until the starting node 13 is reached. The entirety of the nodes traversed in this process then forms the second navigation path.

[0040] The first navigation path 12 and the second navigation path coincide section by section. A computer-implemented node selection device 25 identifies the node for which no other node exists that is both represented as the identified node 6 and is also part of the second navigation path 12. The node selection device 25 is configured to identify the node 7 in the second navigation path for the identified node for which no subordinate node is currently represented in the second navigation path.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of a situation in which the first navigation path 12 is shorter than the second navigation path and is completely contained within it. In other situations, the first navigation path 12 is longer than the second navigation path and completely contains it. Finally, there is also the case where the second navigation path branches off from the first navigation path 12. This would be the case, for example, in Fig. 1. This is the case if the identified node is node 6 and the selected node is the node at which link 9 ends.

[0042] The identified node is therefore in Fig. 2 the node 7 in which device information 2 is displayed.

[0043] The control device 27 now controls an information output device 26, with which the device information 2 is output with the determined node 7, here at the associated link 11, which ends at the determined node 7.

[0044] If node 7, where link 11 with device information 2 ends, is now selected using dialing tool 14, this newly selected node 7 and its subordinate nodes are displayed. The previously selected node 6 is automatically reduced to the display in navigation path 12. In particular, the subordinate nodes of this node 6, with the exception of the selected node 7, are hidden.

[0045] Since the displayed part of the navigation tree 4 has thus changed, the display is updated. For this purpose, a node is again determined in the node selection device 25, which lies in the second navigation path and which is currently displayed. The node selection device 25 determines this node such that no child node exists for this node that also fulfills these conditions.

[0046] The information output device 26 deletes the device information 2 at the previously displayed location and displays it at the newly determined node - in the example again at the associated link.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a control element 19, which is designed in the form of buttons. The control element 19 can be used to control the associated device part, device, and / or device group 16 for the selected node 6. For this purpose, the control device 27 is connected to the relevant device part, device, or device group 16 via a control connection, for example, via the aforementioned bus or another bus. Instead of or in addition to the control element 19, information relating to the associated device part, device, and / or device group 16 can be displayed at individual or all nodes. In one embodiment, control elements 19 are only provided at nodes 5, 6, and 7, for which no subordinate nodes exist.

[0048] Fig. Figure 3 shows another possible situation that can arise with the method according to the invention. Components and functional units that are functionally and / or structurally similar or identical to those in the preceding figures are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 therefore apply accordingly here.

[0049] In Fig. In step 3, node 6 is selected, which is assigned to a motor as device 16. This device 16 has sent out device information 2, for example, an error message. This device information 2 is displayed with node 6 in the manner already described.

[0050] Additionally, a readout device 17, here a mask, displays device parameters 18 and other device data of the device 16 (or of the device part, the device group).

[0051] This allows the user to immediately gain an overview of possible causes for device information 2 and / or its meaning.

[0052] In Fig. As can be seen in point 3, not all branches are suppressed or hidden in navigation path 12. This is no longer necessary above a certain hierarchy level.

[0053] Fig. Figure 4 shows another possible situation that can arise with the method according to the invention. Components and functional units that are functionally and / or structurally similar or identical to those in the preceding figures are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding Fig. Points 1 to 3 therefore apply accordingly.

[0054] At Fig.4 the selected node 6 has so many subordinate nodes 7 (here, for example, thirty-four) that these nodes 7 can only be displayed in a concise, highly reduced and miniaturized display form.

[0055] A node 7 is again determined in the manner described, which is used to display the device information 2.

[0056] This embodiment differs from the preceding embodiments in that, in addition to displaying the device information 2, node 7 is shown enlarged compared to the other nodes subordinate to node 6. This is done automatically by the information output device 26 or another part of the control device 27.

[0057] In the display device 1, it is proposed to display device information 2 in a navigation tree 4, whose nodes 5, 6, 7, 13 are each assigned to device parts, devices and / or device groups 16, in such a way that the device information 2 is superordinate to a node that is superior both to the node that is assigned to a source of the device information 2 and to a currently selected node 6. Reference symbol list 1 Display device 2 Device information 3 Storage setup 4 Navigation tree 5, 6, 7 knots 8, 9, 10, 11 Links 12 Navigation path 13 starting nodes 14 dialing methods 15 Display unit 16 Device group, device, device part 17 selection tools 18 device parameters 19 control means 20 hands 21 Input devices 22 Information input 23 Identification device 24 Navigation path calculation device 25 Node selection device 26 Information output device 27 Control device

Claims

[1] Display device (1) for device information (2), with a storage device (3) in which a navigation tree (4) is stored, wherein the navigation tree (4) has nodes (5, 6, 7) which are linked to one another by directed links (8, 9, 10, 11), wherein the directed links (8, 9, 10, 11) define an ordering structure which distinguishes higher-level nodes (5, 6, 7) and lower-level nodes for each node (5, 6, 7), wherein the ordering structure defines an associated navigation path (12) for each node (5, 6, 7), which contains all higher-level nodes (5, 6, 7) to this node (5, 6, 7) and the respective linking links (8, 9, 10, 11), wherein each node (5, 6, 7) is assigned a device part, a device or a device group (16) of a system which each transmit device information (2), and wherein a selection means (14) is used to select a node (5, 6,7) and the display device (1) is arranged to display a selected node (5, 6, 7) of the navigation tree (4) with the associated navigation path (12) and the nodes (5, 6, 7) directly subordinate to the node (5, 6, 7), , characterized bythat the navigation tree (4) has a start node (13) for which no higher-level node (5, 6, 7) exists and to which the remaining nodes (5, 6, 7) of the navigation tree (4) are subordinate, that an information input (22) is formed, via which remote device information (2) can be received from the device part, the device or the device group (16), that an identification device (23) is set up to identify a node (5, 6, 7) assigned to a received device information (2), that a navigation path calculation device (24) is set up to determine the navigation path (12) to an identified node (5, 6, 7) as a second navigation path, which connects the identified node (5, 6, 7) to the start node (13) of the first navigation path, wherein the navigation path calculation device (24) is used for a recursive automatic determination of a node (5, 6, 7) of the directly parent node (5,6, 7) and to note the higher-level node (5, 6, 7) as an element of the second navigation path (12), that a node selection device (25) is set up to determine a node (5, 6, 7) in the second navigation path (12) to the identified node (5, 6, 7) which is also currently displayed on the display device (15), and to determine that node (5, 6, 7) in the second navigation path (12) to the identified node (5, 6, 7) for which no subordinate node (5, 6, 7) is currently displayed in this navigation path (12), and that an information output device (26) is set up to display the device information (2) with the determined node (5, 6, 7) on the display device (15), wherein the display device (1) is set up to display a preferably graphical readout means (17) for reading out device parameters (18) from the assigned device part, device or device group (16) with the selected node (5, 6,7) and / or for displaying a preferably graphical control means (19) for controlling the associated device part, device or device group (16), and in that the display device (1) is configured for the renewed automatic determination of a node (5, 6, 7) currently displayed on the display device (15) in the navigation path (12) of the identified node (5, 6, 7) when the selected node (5, 6, 7) changes on the display device (15) and for a display of the device information (2) associated with the newly determined node (5, 6, 7). [2] Display device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that each node (5, 6, 7) has exactly or at most one directly parent node (5, 6, 7) in the navigation tree (4). [3] Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the display device (1) for displaying the device information (2) is set up on a link (8, 9, 10, 11) to a node (5, 6, 7) which is directly superior to the determined node (5, 6, 7) and / or on the determined node (5, 6, 7). [4] Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display device (1) is arranged to display a maximum of two directly subordinate or superordinate nodes (5, 6, 7) for each displayed, non-selected node (5, 6, 7).

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