Dynamic future representation method and computer readable medium for processing equipment

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method, which includes generating a future state reflecting a predicted value of a future time of a plurality of processing equipment, the plurality of processing equipment being used for an industrial process operated by an industrial process control and automation system (IPCS) configured to control the industrial process, the IPCS including at least one process controller coupled to an input-output (I / O) module, the input-output (I / O) module coupled to a field device coupled to the processing equipment including sensors and actuators, the processing equipment including a plurality of processing equipment. The method includes displaying a dynamic time-based representation of each of the plurality of processing equipment in a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with an operator computing system coupled to the process controller, the representation including a time starting from the past including a historical value, a value at a current time, and the predicted value of the future time.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of provisional application serial number 63 / 039,134, filed on June 15, 2020, entitled "Operator console WITH dynamic FUTURE representations FOR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to industrial process control and automation systems (IPCS), and more particularly to displays for IPCS operators. Background Art

[0004] IPCS are often used to automate large and complex industrial processes. These systems typically include process controllers and field devices, which include sensors and actuators. The process controller typically receives measurements from the sensors and generates control signals that are sent to the actuators.

[0005] IPCS are commonly used in various industries to run production processes and may be configured, for example, with a control scheme using a programmable logic controller (PLC), or in the case of a more complex system using a distributed control system (DCS) or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Automated process control relies on one or more process controllers that are communicatively coupled via input / output (I / O) modules coupled to one or more field devices that are coupled to processing equipment, wherein the field devices include sensors for sensing parameters (such as temperature and pressure), and actuators configured to receive control signals generated by the process controllers and adjust settings of the processing equipment.

[0006] The operator of IPCS is referred to as industrial console operator in this article, and this operator has operator console, and this operator console includes operator computer system and human-machine interface (HMI), and this human-machine interface is configured to monitor this process and implement various actions to realize desired process state or process result.HMI provides the interface that allows them to monitor and control process in real time for industrial console operator of industrial process.The key aspect of the task of industrial console operator relates to the state acquisition and maintenance of enough situation awareness (SA) with respect to process, so that operator understands the importance of what is happening at present and what they should do (if any) to maintain the safety and efficient production of this process.A particularly important element of SA is that the operator himself predicts the current state of process (such as current flow, temperature, pressure, density, product quality and associated operation activity) to the future ability, such as to realize and maintain target productivity and quality, minimize energy consumption to allow operator to anticipate what may happen in this process in the future, and actively handle any operation problem that may happen in this process.

[0007] Conventional HMIs provide several mechanisms to allow operators to understand the current status of the process. For example, a Level 1 overview typically provides a clear indication of the current status of key process parameters, including whether the process parameters fall within their respective operating limits, and the HMI also displays an alarm when any process parameter being displayed exceeds its operating limit. A time series trend provides a history of the values ​​of the process parameters up to the current time. However, these known display mechanisms typically require operators to rely on their own understanding of process dynamics and planned operating activities to establish SA. Summary of the invention

[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a brief selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form, which are further described below in the Detailed Description including the provided figures. This Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] The disclosed aspects recognize the following problem: the ability of each industrial console operator to predict the state of the production process into the future and therefore predict the SA of the production process state varies, and therefore the reliability of process operation depends on the ability of each individual industrial console operator. Even the most experienced industrial console operators may find it difficult to predict the future state of the process when the process is subject to complex influences. For example, complex influences may include advanced control strategies, operational activities such as changes in raw materials, changes in products to be manufactured, changes in target productivity and quality, maintenance activities such as equipment maintenance and replacement, and weather (e.g., temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, air pressure), all of which can have a greater or lesser impact on the production process, depending on the specific process type.

[0010] The disclosed aspects solve this problem by having an operator console help the operator more effectively project the state of the process into the future, so that the concept of the future of the process becomes an explicit and central feature of how the disclosed HMI is organized. The key organizing elements of the disclosed HMI include explicit representations of the past, current, and future states of process equipment, making the task of understanding the future state of the process less difficult than understanding the current state of the process in the current HMI.

[0011] The disclosed aspects include a method, the method comprising: generating a future state reflecting a predicted value of a future time of a plurality of processing equipment, the plurality of processing equipment being used in an industrial process operated by an IPCS configured to control the industrial process, the IPCS comprising at least one process controller coupled to an I / O module, the I / O module being coupled to a field device coupled to the processing equipment comprising sensors and actuators. The method comprises: displaying a dynamic time-based representation (sometimes referred to herein as a "road", wherein each processing equipment / processing unit is represented by a "lane") of each of the plurality of processing equipment in a dynamic (meaning real-time updating) HMI associated with an operator computing system coupled to the process controller, the representation comprising a time starting from the past including a historical value, a current time value, and a predicted value of a future time.

[0012] The data used to generate the future state may be obtained from at least one of an operations planning system, a maintenance system, and a weather service, and the future state may include at least one predicted future event. The predicted future event may include at least one of a production activity, a maintenance activity, weather, and a predicted critical alarm associated with the plurality of process equipment.

[0013] The term "generating a future state reflecting predicted values ​​for future times of a plurality of process equipment for an industrial process operated by an IPCS" means that the future state reflects (or includes) the predicted values, so that a relationship between the future state and the predicted values ​​is established. The future state includes at least one predicted future event. Because the future state includes at least one predicted future event, the disclosed aspects may include a situation where the future state includes multiple values ​​(the multiple values ​​include values ​​obtained from multiple different data sources such as an operation planning system, a maintenance system, and a weather service), and the future state includes at least one predicted future event such as weather associated with the plurality of process equipment and a predicted critical alarm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating steps of an exemplary method for dynamic future representation of future process states and operational events for operators in an IPCS according to the disclosed aspects.

[0015] Figure 2 An exemplary IPCS according to the disclosed embodiments that may benefit from the disclosed aspects is shown.

[0016] Figure 3 An exemplary scanned screenshot of the disclosed HMI of an operator console is shown, which provides a dynamic future representation of future process states and operational events to an operator in an IPCS.

[0017] Figures 4 to 7 Additional exemplary scanned screenshots of the disclosed HMI of an operator console are shown, which provides a dynamic future representation of future process states and operational events to an operator in an IPCS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The disclosed embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar or equivalent elements in all drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale, and they are provided only to illustrate the aspects disclosed herein. Several disclosed aspects are described below with reference to exemplary applications for illustration. It should be understood that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] Additionally, the terms "coupled to" or "coupled with..." (etc.) as used herein without further qualification are intended to describe either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Thus, if a first device is "coupled" to a second device, the connection may be through a direct electrical connection, where only parasitics exist in the path, or through an indirect electrical connection via intermediary items including other devices and connections. For indirect coupling, the intermediary items generally do not modify the information of the signal, but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and / or power level.

[0020] As used herein, IPCS operates industrial processes involving tangible materials to which the disclosed embodiments are applicable. For example, oil and gas, chemicals, beverages, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, petroleum processing, electricity including renewable energy, and water. IPCS is distinct from a data processing system that performs only data manipulation.

[0021] Figure 1The invention is a flowchart showing steps of an exemplary method 100 for dynamic future representation of future process states and operational events for an operator in an IPCS according to the disclosed aspects. Step 101 includes generating future states reflecting predicted values ​​of future times of a plurality of process equipment for an industrial process operated by an IPCS configured to control the industrial process, the IPCS including at least one process controller coupled to an I / O module coupled to field devices including sensors and actuators coupled to the process equipment, the process equipment including a plurality of process equipment. Step 102 includes displaying a dynamic time-based representation ("road") of each of the plurality of process equipment (typically each process equipment is shown in a "lane") in an HMI associated with an operator computing system coupled to the process controller, the representation including a time starting from the (recent) past including historical values ​​(typically shown closest to the operator), current time ("now") values, and predicted values ​​of future times (typically shown farthest from the operator).

[0022] Optional step 103 includes providing the operator computing system with data obtained from at least one of an operations planning system, a maintenance system, and a weather service for generating a future state, wherein the future state includes at least one predicted future event. The predicted future event may include at least one of a production activity, a maintenance activity, weather, and a predicted critical alarm based on a process parameter associated with the process equipment. If it is determined that everything is running smoothly in the process, there may be no obstacles in the way during the time period shown into the future.

[0023] Figure 2 An IPCS 200 that may benefit from the disclosed aspects is shown. Figure 2 As shown, IPCS 200 includes various components that facilitate the production or processing of at least one product or other tangible material. For example, IPCS 200 can be used to facilitate the control of components in one or more industrial plants. Each plant represents one or more processing facilities (or one or more parts thereof), such as one or more manufacturing facilities for producing at least one product or other tangible material. In general, each plant can implement one or more industrial processes and can be referred to individually or collectively as a processing system. A processing system generally refers to any system or part thereof that is configured to process one or more products or other tangible materials in some manner.

[0024] IPCS200 includes field devices, which include one or more sensors 202a and one or more actuators 202b coupled between controllers 206, 207 and 208 and processing equipment, which is shown in simplified form as process unit 201a coupled to process unit 201b through pipeline 209. Each controller in the controller includes a processor and a memory, shown as processor 206a and memory 206b of controller 206. Sensors 202a and actuators 202b represent components in a process system that can perform any of a variety of functions. For example, sensor 202a can measure a variety of characteristics in a processing system, such as flow, pressure or temperature. In addition, actuator 202b can change a variety of characteristics in a processing system, such as valve opening. Each sensor in sensor 202a includes any suitable structure for measuring one or more characteristics in a process system. Each actuator in actuator 202b includes any suitable structure for operating or affecting one or more conditions in IPCS.

[0025] At least one network 204 is shown as providing a coupling between the controller 206 and the sensor 202a and the actuator 202b. The network 204 facilitates the controller to interact with the sensor 202a and the actuator 202b. For example, the network 204 can transmit measurement data from the sensor 202a to the controllers 206 to 208, and provide control signals from the controllers 206 to 208 to the actuator 202b. The network 204 can represent any suitable network or combination of networks. As a specific example, the network 204 can represent at least one Ethernet network (such as an Ethernet network supporting the Foundation Fieldbus protocol), an electrical signal network (such as a Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) network, which is a hybrid analog plus digital industrial automation open protocol), a pneumatic control signal network, or any other or additional type of network.

[0026] The process controllers 206 to 208 are typically configured in multiple Purdue model levels, which may exist at all levels except level 0, where level 0 typically includes only field devices (sensors and actuators) and process equipment. The process controllers 206 to 208 may be used in IPCS 200 to perform various functions in order to control one or more industrial processes.

[0027] For example, the first set of process controllers 206 to 208 corresponding to level 1 in the Purdue model may refer to smart transmitters or smart flow controllers, where the control logic is embedded in the memory associated with these controllers. Level 2 typically refers to distributed control system (DCS) controllers, such as the C300 controller from Honeywell International. These level 2 controllers may also include more advanced strategies including machine-level control built into the C300 controller, or another similar controller. Level 3 is typically reserved for controllers implemented by the server 216. These controllers interact with the other level (level 1, level 2, and level 4) controllers.

[0028] A Level 1 controller, or a Level 2 controller (such as a C300 controller) in the case of a smart device, can use measurements from one or more sensors 202a to control the operation of one or more actuators 202b. A Level 2 process controller 206 can be used to tune control logic or other operations performed by a Level 1 process controller. For example, a machine level controller (such as a DCS controller) at Purdue Level 2 can record information collected or generated by a process controller 206 at Level 1, such as measurement data from a sensor 202a or a control signal for an actuator 202b.

[0029] A third set of controllers corresponding to level 3 of the Purdue model implemented by the server 216, referred to as unit-level controllers that typically perform MPC control, may be used to perform additional functions. Thus, the process controller 206 and the controllers implemented by the server 216 may generally support a combination of methods, such as regulatory control, advanced regulatory control, supervisory control, and advanced process control. In one arrangement, the third set of controllers implemented by the server 216 includes an upper level controller corresponding to level 4 of the Purdue model, which also typically performs MPC control, also referred to as a plant-level controller, and is coupled to a lower level controller corresponding to level 3 of the Purdue model.

[0030] The server 216 is shown as including a model process control (MPC) simulation model that typically resides in a memory associated with an upper level controller implemented by the server 216 (shown as MPC model 216c stored in memory 216b, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The upper controller uses the MPC simulation model 216c to predict the movement in the process, participates in controlling the plant, and interacts with the MPC simulation model 216c to optimize the overall economics of the plant, including sending the output from the MPC simulation model 216c as a set value target to the lower controller. The lower controller uses the set value target to transfer raw materials or intermediate materials in the pipeline network.

[0031] Figure 2At least one of the process controllers 206 to 208 shown represents an MPC controller that operates using one or more process models. For example, each of these process controllers 206 to 208 can operate based on measurements from one or more sensors 202a using one or more process models (including MPC simulation models) to determine how to adjust one or more actuators 202b. In some embodiments, each model associates one or more measured variables (MVs) or disturbance variables (DVs) (commonly referred to as independent variables) with one or more controlled variables (CVs) (commonly referred to as dependent variables). Each of these process controllers 206 to 208 can use an objective function to identify how to adjust its MVs so as to push its CVs to the most attractive set of constraints.

[0032] At least one network 209 couples the process controller 206 and other devices in the IPCS 200. The network 209 facilitates information transmission between components. The network 209 may represent any suitable network or combination of networks. As a specific example, the network 209 may represent at least one Ethernet network.

[0033] Industrial console operator access and interaction with process controllers 206 to 208 and other components of system 200, including server 216, may be performed via various disclosed operator consoles 210, which include an HMI 210a coupled to an operator computer system 210b. Each operator console 210 may be used to provide information to and receive information from an industrial console operator. For example, each operator console 210 may provide information identifying the current state of an industrial process, such as the values ​​of various process variables and warnings, alarms, or other states associated with the industrial process, to the industrial console operator.

[0034] Each operator console 210 may also receive information that affects how the industrial process is controlled, such as by receiving setpoints or control modes for process variables controlled by process controllers 206 to 208 or by process controllers implemented by server 216, or receiving other information that changes or affects how the process controllers control the industrial process. Each operator console 210 includes any suitable structure for displaying information to an operator and interacting with the operator. For example, the operator computing device may run a WINDOWS operating system or other operating system.

[0035] Multiple operator consoles 210 may be grouped together and used in one or more control rooms 212. Each control room 212 may include any number of operator consoles 210 arranged in any suitable arrangement. In some embodiments, multiple control rooms 212 may be used to control an industrial plant, such as when each control room 212 contains an operator console 210 for managing a discrete portion of the industrial plant.

[0036] IPCS 200 typically includes at least one data historian 214, which typically includes a log of events entered by an operator or technician, and typically includes at least one server 216. Server 216 is typically at Purdue Model Level 3 or Level 4. Processor 216a may include a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general purpose processor, or any other combination of one or more integrated processing devices.

[0037] The data historian 214 represents a component that stores various information about the IPCS 200. The data historian 214 may, for example, store information generated by the various process controllers 206 to 208 during control of one or more industrial processes, as well as event logs. The data historian 214 represents any suitable structure for storing information and facilitating retrieval of the information it stores. Although shown here as a single component, the data historian 214 may be located elsewhere in the IPCS 200, such as in the cloud, or multiple data historians may be distributed at different locations in the IPCS 200.

[0038] The processor 216a of the server 216 executes an application for a user (operator) of the operator console 210 or other applications. The application may be used to support various functions of the operator console 210, the process controller 206, or other components of the system 200. Each server 216 may represent a computing device running a WINDOWS operating system or other operating system. Note that although the server 216 is shown as being local within the IPCS 200, the functionality of the server may be remote from the system 200. For example, the functionality of the server 216 may be implemented in a computing cloud 218, or in a remote server that is communicatively coupled to the system 200 via a gateway 220.

[0039] although Figure 2 One example of an IPCS 200 is shown, but various changes may be made to the IPCS 200. For example, the IPCSC 200 may include any number of sensors, actuators, controllers, networks, operator consoles, control rooms, data historians, servers, and other components.

[0040] The presentation of future events can provide the operator with information and guidance related thereto, thereby further enhancing the operator's ability to anticipate and handle the course of future events to improve their SA. For example, a planned raw material feed switch may have a potential adverse effect on process operation when it occurs unless the operator takes appropriate measures, such as adjusting process flow, temperature, pressure, to account for different raw material qualities. Visualization based on an explicit representation of predicted values ​​for future times of a production process provided by the disclosed aspects makes it easy to see what the planned activities are, what their likely effects are, and what the operator may need to do to avoid unnecessary disruptions to the process.

[0041] The disclosed operator console can be constructed by integrating information from various data sources into a future-based visualization for the operator. For example, data from operating planning systems, maintenance systems, and weather services can provide information about planned or expected future events. Predictions of the future evolution of various process parameters can be provided by model-based predictions, such as those available from MPC algorithms.

[0042] Example

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein are further illustrated by the following specific examples, which should not be construed as limiting the scope or content of the present disclosure in any way.

[0044] Figure 3 An exemplary screenshot of the disclosed HMI of an operator console is shown, which provides an operator in an IPCS with a dynamic future representation of future process states and operational events, illustrated by the example of an atmospheric crude distillation column. Two main time-based visualizations are shown as Figure 3 The "road" at the bottom of the Figure 3 The trends on the left and right sides of provide the operator with information about the future state of the distillation process. The operator is currently focusing on a portion of the process flow diagram (the crude oil column in this particular example is also shown in FIG. Figure 3 Other process units (or processing equipment) that the operator can view are also in Figure 3 The entire top of the display is listed and represented by lanes in the "road". The "road" shown at the bottom center of the display provides a dynamic representation of future events of the process equipment involved in the production distillation process.

[0045] The disclosed "roads" generally provide a dynamic representation of a collection of process parameters, such as a major workpiece of a processing equipment or an entire process unit. Trends on the left and right provide views of individual process parameters. The "roads" show upcoming events related to the items represented by each lane (process unit or major workpiece of processing equipment), such as production activities, maintenance activities, weather, and predicted critical alarms based on process parameters associated with the equipment / process unit. Detailed views of individual process parameters are shown in trends rather than in "roads". In the primary operating mode of the HMI associated with the disclosed operator computing system, the operator "travels" down the "roads" in real time.

[0046] As time passes, objects automatically appear in the view on the HMI. Optionally, the operator can use the mouse, their voice, or some other interaction mechanism to advance themselves into the future to be able to see what is happening ahead of time (in the future time). "Traveling" along a road with future events brings them into view in the distance, into the present, and eventually out of view "behind" the operator over time. A "road" is only one possible public representation of future events. Another possible representation of future events is a "flight path" representation, which allows for a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of information, rather than being represented by a single image. Figure 3 The disclosed "road" shown provides a two-dimensional representation.

[0047] Other HMI elements shown to complement this visualization include a time series trend that scrolls from right to left over time, with time = "now" shown in the center of the feed trend and product trend. The data points to the left of "now" represent the history of the process parameters up to the present time. The data points to the right of "now" represent the predicted values ​​of the time series into the future. The events that appear on the "road" at the bottom of the HMI also appear on the trends, which create strong visual correlations for the operator between the information shown in different parts of the HMI.

[0048] Figures 4 to 7 are diagrams showing visualizations that further illustrate some exemplary capabilities of the disclosed "Roads". Figure 3 Same, Figures 4 to 7 The visualization shown extends along a road from a time period in the recent past (shown closest to the operator) to the present time ("now"), and further into the future (shown farthest from the operator).

[0049] The right hand edge indicates the time at the point along the road. The left hand edge indicates the weather over time in °C. There is a lane on the road for each major workpiece of the processing equipment (or production process unit). The lane of the process unit currently shown in the HMI (in this case, the crude oil tower) can be optionally highlighted, such as in bold. The process flow chart of the process unit is currently shown in the HMI at the HMI center. Time series trends of key process parameters (including predicted future parameter values) of the process unit currently shown in the HMI are shown as feed trends and product trends on the left and right sides of the process flow chart, respectively.

[0050] Each lane shows the upcoming events for the corresponding processing equipment / process unit represented by the unit, including production activities, maintenance activities, predicted critical alarms and time periods for equipment / process unit downtime (see below). Figure 7 ). Events that apply to all process equipment / process units represented on the road are represented by a line across the entire road, where the "now" shown refers to the current time and operator shift changes are shown.

[0051] Events on the road also appear on process parameter trends where these events are applied to the left and right sides of the HMI to create visual correlations. Events on the road dynamically "travel" toward the viewer over time. As future events approach, information associated with the current time ("now") appears near the event icon (see Figure 5 ). Information related to future events can also be displayed through gestures (such as hovering a mouse cursor or other pointing device over an event icon) (see Figure 6 ).

[0052] The passage of time represented by the movement of the icons on the road need not be constant. The icons in the distance may move slowly and speed up as they approach the current time to help provide a sense of motion to the operator / viewer when the natural time scale of events is relatively slow.

[0053] The operator / viewer can also change the time scale of the road. Figure 4 A road is shown with a time span of 1 hour into the future (reflecting "now" 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), but the operator / viewer can generally change this future time span to see more or less than 1 hour into the future. The controls for making this change are not shown, but the time scale to the right of the road can simply be clicked to display a list of time scales from which the operator / viewer can select. The operator / viewer can also further scroll the road into the future or back to the past, such as by clicking on the road with a mouse or other pointing device and dragging forward or backward on the road.

[0054] Although various disclosed embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not as limitations. Many changes may be made to the disclosed embodiments according to the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of the present disclosure should be limited according to the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method (100) for dynamic future representation of processing equipment, the method comprising: generating a future state reflecting a predicted value of a future time of a plurality of process equipment, the plurality of process equipment being used in an industrial process operated by an industrial process control and automation system IPCS, the IPCS being configured to control the industrial process, comprising: at least one process controller coupled to an input-output I / O module, the input-output I / O module coupled to field devices including sensors and actuators coupled to process equipment, the process equipment comprising the plurality of process equipment; displaying a dynamic time-based representation of each of the plurality of processing equipment in a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with an operator computing system coupled to the process controller, the dynamic time-based representation including values ​​starting from a past time point, including historical values, values ​​at a current time NOW, and predicted values ​​at the future time, wherein the dynamic time-based representation includes: a road having a plurality of lanes representing a flight path, allowing a three-dimensional 3D arrangement of information to travel along the road, wherein each of the plurality of lanes corresponds to each of the plurality of processing equipment, The dynamic time-based representation includes: displaying the time when the historical value at the operator's near end before the current time NOW starts, and displaying the predicted value at the future time at the operator's far end after the current time NOW, Therein, multiple lanes along the road display upcoming events for various processing equipment, with each upcoming event dynamically moving toward the operator over time and appearing on process parameter trends to create visual correlations on the left and right sides of the HMI.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein data used for said generating said future state (103) is obtained from at least one of an operations planning system, a maintenance system, and a weather service, and wherein said future state includes at least one predicted future event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predicted future events include at least one of production activities, maintenance activities, weather, and predicted critical alarms associated with process parameters associated with the plurality of process equipment. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the time period from the current time to the future time is adjustable so that a longer or shorter time period measured from the current time to the future time can be shown.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the predicted future events also appear on trends to create visual correlations between information shown in different areas of the HMI.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions, the instructions when executed causing at least one operator console to cause an operator computer system to implement a method, the at least one operator console comprising the operator computer system, the operator computer system comprising at least one processor device coupled to a human-machine interface (HMI), the method comprising: generating a future state reflecting predicted values ​​for a future time of a plurality of process equipment used in an industrial process operated by an industrial process control and automation system (IPCS) configured to control the industrial process, the IPCS comprising at least one process controller coupled to input-output (I / O) modules coupled to field devices including sensors and actuators coupled to the plurality of process equipment; displaying a dynamic time-based representation of each of the plurality of processing equipment in a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with an operator computing system coupled to the process controller, the dynamic time-based representation including values ​​starting from a past time, including historical values, current time values, and predicted values ​​for the future time, wherein the dynamic time-based representation includes a road having a plurality of lanes representing the flight path, allowing a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of information to travel along the road, wherein each of the plurality of lanes corresponds to each of the plurality of processing equipment, wherein the dynamic time-based representation includes displaying the time starting from the historical value at the operator's proximal end before the current time NOW, and displaying the predicted value at the future time at the operator's distal end after the current time NOW, Therein, multiple lanes along the road display upcoming events for various processing equipment, with each upcoming event dynamically moving toward the operator over time and appearing on process parameter trends to create visual correlation on the left and right sides of the HMI.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein data used to generate the future state is obtained from at least one of an operations planning system, a maintenance system, and a weather service, and wherein the future state includes at least one predicted future event.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the predicted future events include at least one of production activities, maintenance activities, weather, and predicted critical alarms for process parameters associated with the plurality of process equipment.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the time period from the current time to the future time is adjustable so that a longer or shorter time period measured from the current time to the future time can be shown.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the predicted future events also appear on trends to create visual correlations between information shown in different areas of the HMI.

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