Operator support in automated systems

Abstract

An outcome determination apparatus for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects (12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44, 48) that represent elements in the process flow, the apparatus obtains current status data of a current operation of the automation system, where the current status data comprises a current automation system setting, receives a simulation selection from the operator, where the simulation selection involves selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from the automation system setting used in the current operation, determines a difference in performance between when the automation system is operated with the current automation system setting and when it is operated with the simulated automation system setting, and displays the difference through manipulating graphical objects (40) that correspond to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in performance.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assisting an operator of an automated system, a result determining device, a computer program and a computer program product, as well as to an automated system comprising such a result determining device. [Background technology]

[0002] Operators of automated systems may often need to use simulations to perform so-called what-if analyses in which the consequences of changing settings of the automated system are investigated.

[0003] WO2005 / 109122 discloses a system that can be used for "what-if" analysis. According to this document, the same graphical objects can be used in the design of different visualizations, such as process control and simulation. The graphical objects can be used, for example, in a simulation view and an operator view, where the simulation view can be used for what-if simulations.

[0004] However, the consequences of changing settings are often not readily apparent from such simulations and can therefore be difficult to assess.

[0005] The present invention is directed to improving the way in which such what-if analyses are performed so that operators can get a better overview of the results of interim changes in the automated system and thereby better determine appropriate changes to the automated system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention addresses this situation.The present invention therefore aims to solve the problem of simplifying the operator of an automation system to make an automated system setting that sounds correct.

[0007] According to a first aspect, this object is achieved through a method for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, the method being executed by a result determination device and comprising: - obtaining current status data of a current operation of the automation system, where the current status data comprises a current automation system setting; - receiving a simulation selection from an operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system configuration different from an automation system configuration used in a current operation; - determining the difference in performance between when the automation system is operated with the current automation system settings and when the automation system is operated with the automation system settings used in the simulation; - displaying the differences through manipulating or modifying graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience operational differences to allow an operator to determine the results if the simulated automation system configuration were to be used in the operation of the automation system; Equipped with.

[0008] According to a second aspect, this object is achieved through a result determination device for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, the result determination device comprising: Obtaining current status data of a current operation of the automation system, where the current status data comprises a current automation system setting; receiving a simulation selection from an operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from an automation system setting used in a current operation; determining a difference in operation between the automation system operating at a current automation system setting and the automation system setting used in the simulation; displaying the differences through manipulating or modifying graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the operational differences to allow an operator to determine the results if the simulated automation system configuration were to be used in the operation of the automation system; The present invention is configured to:

[0009] According to a third aspect, this object is achieved through an automated system comprising an outcome determination device according to the second aspect.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect, this object is achieved through a computer program for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when loaded into an outcome determination device, causes the outcome determination device to: Obtaining current status data of a current operation of the automation system, where the current status data comprises a current automation system setting; receiving a simulation selection from an operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from an automation system setting used in a current operation; determining a difference in operation between the automation system operating at a current automation system setting and the automation system setting used in the simulation; displaying the differences through manipulating or modifying graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the operational differences to allow an operator to determine the results if the simulated automation system configuration were to be used in the operation of the automation system; The present invention is configured to cause the

[0011] According to a fifth aspect, this object is achieved through a computer program product for assisting an operator of an automation system, the computer program product being provided on a data carrier comprising a computer program having computer program code according to the fourth aspect.

[0012] The current status data may be obtained when the automation system is operating using the current automation system settings.

[0013] According to a variant of the first aspect, the method further comprises determining whether the difference in performance leads to exceeding a risk threshold and, if so, alerting the operator.

[0014] According to a corresponding variation of the second aspect, the outcome determination device is further configured to determine whether the performance difference will lead to exceeding a risk threshold and to warn an operator if such exceedance occurs.

[0015] Risk thresholds may be linked to tasks and / or locations in the automation system, and alerts may be made in association with graphical objects representing the tasks and / or locations.

[0016] Displaying the difference may additionally be performed only if the difference in performance between when the automation system is operated with the current automation system settings and when it is operated with the automation system settings used in the simulation exceeds a difference threshold.

[0017] The process flow may additionally have a direction, and the simulation may have at least one automation system parameter setting for an operation and / or location in the process flow that differs from a corresponding parameter in the current operation, in which case the difference in the operation may comprise a difference in an operation downstream of the operation and / or location in the at least one parameter setting.

[0018] The selection of the simulation may be a selection of an existing previously performed simulation, or alternatively, the selection of the simulation may comprise selecting an automation system configuration and performing a simulation of an operation of the automation system using the selected automation system configuration.

[0019] In the latter case, the method may further comprise simulating operation of the automated system using the selected automated system settings.

[0020] In the latter case, the outcome determiner may be configured to perform a simulation of the operation of the automated system using the selected automated system settings.

[0021] The selection of the automated system settings may additionally be a selection of a desired outcome of the process flow, and the simulation may be a simulation using the automated parameter settings set by the outcome determination device that achieves the desired outcome.

[0022] Alternatively, selecting an automation system setting may comprise selecting at least one automation system parameter setting for a task and / or location in the automation system and performing a simulation of the task of the automation system using the at least one automation system parameter setting, where all other parameter settings other than those set by the operator may additionally be current parameter settings from a current automation system setting.

[0023] The method may further comprise presenting to the operator a group of automated system parameters that the operator is permitted to set, and at least one automated system parameter selected by the operator may be an automated system parameter within the group.

[0024] In this case, the outcome determination device may be further configured to present to the operator a group of automated system parameters that the operator is permitted to set, and the at least one automated system parameter selected by the operator may be an automated system parameter within this group.

[0025] The present invention has several advantages: it allows the operator to better understand the results of the application of the selected simulation in relation to the current operation of the automation system, thereby simplifying the analysis, so that the possibility of the operator making erroneous changes may also be reduced.

[0026] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an automation system in the form of a mining system comprising several operations. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates generally one implementation of an outcome determiner for use in an automated system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates some steps performed by the outcome determiner in a method for assisting an operator of an automated system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates diagrammatically a first screen being presented by the outcome determination device to an operator for performing an exemplary what-if analysis. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates diagrammatically a second screen being presented to an operator by the outcome determiner during an exemplary what-if analysis. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 illustrates generally a third screen being presented to an operator by the outcome determiner during an exemplary what-if analysis. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates generally a fourth screen being presented to an operator by the outcome determiner during an exemplary what-if analysis. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates generally a fifth screen being presented to an operator by the outcome determiner during an exemplary what-if analysis. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a data carrier carrying computer program code in the form of a CD-ROM disc for implementing a machine setpoint determination device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In the following, a detailed description is given of preferred embodiments of the automation system, as well as a method, an outcome determination apparatus, a computer program and a computer program product for assisting an operator of the automation system.

[0029] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary automation system 10, which in this case is a mining system. However, it should be understood that this is merely one example of an automation system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. Examples of other types of automation systems are systems such as paper and pulp production systems, oil and gas production systems, and power transmission systems.

[0030] In such a system there may be a work process flow in which several operations are performed. As an example for mining, the operations comprise a material production operation MPO, which in the case of mining may be, as an example, a first ore production operation, which is a blasting operation. In this example there is a first production point 12, a second production point 14, a third production point 16 and a fourth production point 18, and in this example a material production operation MPO, in this case blasting, is performed at each of the production points 12, 14, 16 and 18.

[0031] The material production operation MPO is followed by a first material transportation operation MHO1 for moving material from the production points 12, 14, 16 and 18. The first material transportation operation MHO1 may be considered to be a first material transport operation, which may additionally be a first ore transport operation with the transport of ore using equipment such as Load Haul and Dump (LHD) vehicles. In the figure, there is a first LHD vehicle 20 moving material from the first production point 12, a second LHD vehicle 22 moving material from the second production point 14, a third LHD vehicle 24 moving material from the third production point 16, and a fourth LHD vehicle 26 moving material from the fourth production point 18. The first material transportation operation MHO1 is followed by a first storage operation SO1, which in this case is a first intermediate material storage operation. This first storage operation SO1 may involve storing material in material bins, which in this case may be so-called ore passes. Here, there is a first material bin 28 at the first material storage location, a second material bin 30 at the second material storage location, and a third material bin 32 at the third material storage location. The material bins 28, 30 and 32 may be connected to the material production locations 12, 14, 16 and 18 via a first road network. Thus, the LHD vehicles 20, 22, 24 and 26 of the first material transport operation MHO1 may transport material to any of the three material bins 28, 30 and 32 of the first material storage operation MSO1.

[0032] The first storage operation SO1 is followed by a second material transportation operation MHO2 for moving material from the first, second and third material storage bins 28, 30 and 32. The second material transportation operation MHO2, which may be a second material transportation operation, also involves the transportation of material using LHD vehicles. In the figure, there is a fifth LHD vehicle 34 moving material from the first material storage bin 28, a sixth LHD vehicle 36 moving material from the second material storage bin 30, and a seventh LHD vehicle 38 moving material from the third material storage bin 32. The second material transportation operation MHO2 is followed by a second storage operation SO2, which in this case is a second intermediate material storage operation. This intermediate material storage operation SO2 may also involve storing material in a material storage bin, which may likewise be one or more ore wells if the material is ore. Here, there is a fourth material storage bin 40 at a fourth material storage location. The fourth material store 40 may be connected to the first, second and third material store 28, 30 and 32 via a second road network. Thus, the first, second and third LHD vehicles 34, 36 and 38 may transport material from any of the three material store 28, 30 and 32 of the first storage operation SO1 to the fourth material store 40 of the second storage operation SO2. The second storage operation SO2 is followed by a third material transportation operation MHO3 for moving material from the fourth material store 40, which may be a third material transportation operation involving transportation using transportation equipment such as trucks, trains, wagons or conveyor belts. In this example, the transportation involves the use of the eighth LHD vehicle 42. It is then followed by a fourth material transportation operation MHO4, which may be a fourth material transportation operation that is, for example, a hoisting operation using hoisting equipment 44. Hoisting operations may also be considered ore-hauling operations. Thus, the eighth LHD vehicle 42 may use a track, such as a road, between the fourth material bunker 40 and the hoisting equipment 44.

[0033] The fourth material transport operation MHO4 is followed by a fifth material transport operation MHO5 for removing the material from the hoisting device 44. The fifth material transport operation MHO5 is performed using a transport device 46, which in this case is a wagon moving along a track in the form of a rail. The fifth material transport operation MHO5 is followed, finally, by a third storage operation SO3, which involves storing the material in a fifth material store 48. The wagon 46 is moved along a path which thus extends between the hoisting device 44 and the fifth material store 48.

[0034] Finally, there is a control device CD50 that can receive measurements from and send commands to the different equipment involved in the automation process. Such signal exchange takes place between all the equipment in each of the operations and the control device 50. However, signals are only shown for the first production point 12 in the material production operation MPO, the first LHD vehicle 20 in the first material transportation operation MHO1, the first material storage 28 in the first storage operation SO1, and the fifth LHD vehicle 34 in the second material transportation operation MHO2. The control device 50 can be implemented through a so-called Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) device.

[0035] It should be understood that the automation system 10 of Figure 1 is merely an example and that more or fewer operations may be included, and additional types of operations may be involved, such as charging, drilling, and shotcrete. As previously mentioned, the automation system may be another type of automation system other than a mining system.

[0036] The automation system 10 provides an automation or process flow that starts at the material production operation MPO and ends at the third storage operation SO3. Thus, there is a production flow from the material production operation MPO to the third storage operation SO3.

[0037] 2 shows a block schematic diagram of a result determination device 52 used in different aspects of the present disclosure. The result determination device 52 comprises a processor PR54 and a memory M56 comprising a display control unit DCU58 and a simulation unit SU60, both of which are provided in the form of computer program code, software code or computer instructions. The processor 54 performs display control functions upon execution of the computer program code of the display control unit 58 and performs simulation functions upon execution of the computer program code of the simulation unit 60.

[0038] There is also a communication interface CI 62 that the outcome determiner 52 uses to communicate with a user interface UI 64 as well as with the control device CD 50. The user interface 64 with a display DI 66 is shown as being provided external to the outcome determiner 52. However, it should be understood that the display DI 66 may alternatively be part of the outcome determiner 52.

[0039] In some variations, the user interface 64 is a touch screen through which data may be presented to the operator by the outcome determination device 52 and through which data may be entered by the operator. It should be appreciated that in other variations, the display 66 may be a display only and input may be provided through a keypad or keyboard, a trackball, a joystick, or some other buttons.

[0040] A method for assisting an operator of an automated system will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] The use of simulations has been a major development in the optimization of complex automation tasks. These simulations are often found in applications such as scheduling, transportation, resource utilization, and more complex multi-objective optimization. Often these simulations are designed, implemented, configured, and run by experts who understand the application domain, as well as the complexity of these simulations and the models on which they are based. However, the average beneficiary of the results from such simulations is typically an operator who uses these results in his or her day-to-day decision-making to keep the operation running at the desired performance and output levels. Operators do not necessarily have an understanding of the models on which they are based, and therefore they do not have the ability to configure or fine-tune these simulations. However, operators can provide information about the process (or application) they are overseeing, such as, for example, running a conveyor belt at a 20% reduced speed, or adding one more truck to transport material from point A to B. To achieve this, - provide the means (an interface or some kind of language) for issuing such instructions, - Convert these instructions into a format that the simulation algorithm can understand, - Analyze these instructions in the context of the larger process and provide feedback; - Visualize the results of simulation runs based on instructions and allow for corrections A system may be provided.

[0042] Using the above-described system, an operator can instruct the system to rapidly generate multiple simulations of possible future states of the process based on current data and different configurations of parameters. The operator can then evaluate the results of these simulations to determine how best to adjust the parameters to achieve the desired results. This approach will also reduce the cognitive load on the operator during decision-making by offloading different parameter configurations to the simulation.

[0043] The result determination unit 52 is based on modular object-oriented simulation models of the different entities involved. The top-level controller, i.e. control device 50, is responsible for dynamically invoking the relevant models and acts as a bridge between the user interface 64 and the connected systems to retrieve the data to be used for the simulation parameters.

[0044] The result determiner 52 uses the simulation functionality provided by the simulation unit 60 and the associated visualization provided by the display control unit 58 to present the operator with the current bottlenecks and the ranges of parameters that can be modified. The starting point of the operation of the result determiner 52 is therefore the current system settings of the actual current operation of the automation system 10, with the current parameters of the different operations. The operator can then change these parameters as desired on the visual representation of the process being performed by the automation system 10 and also run a simulation using these parameter changes. The display control unit 58 gives feedback on the expected impact of these changes. The operator can repeat this process or save the configuration to run the simulation.

[0045] The operator has access to the current operation view of the automation system and can open an existing simulation configuration or create a new simulation configuration from the current state. When the operator opens an existing simulation or creates a new simulation, a simulation screen based on the current operation view is presented to the operator by the display control unit 58. In this simulation screen, the simulation unit 60 can show which configuration parameters can be changed. The changes can be presented in a process-centric way, taking into account any limitations and constraints. The operator, with his or her knowledge of the process, can then manipulate these parameters to simulate future states and scenarios.

[0046] The display control unit 58 tracks the changes made by the operator and provides feedback to the operator on the expected impact on the overall process and its results. The display control unit 58 can cascade the effects of these parameter changes on the interconnected parts of the process. Any limitations or constraints are taken into account in the simulation. All this is achieved by incorporating individual simulation models for each of the configurable elements of the process within the overall process level simulation.

[0047] The operator configures parameters using visual interaction with the outcome determiner 52, entering values ​​as required, and the display control unit 58 provides visual feedback and confirmation for any changes. These human readable configurations will then be mapped to corresponding parameters that will be fed into the simulation model to generate the simulation. The simulated state of the process is visualized by showing which elements in the process have been manipulated for the current simulation, and how changes in these elements affect the outcome of the process and any associated KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).

[0048] At this point, the operator may accept the changes and run a simulation, applying the changes to the process being executed by the automation system, or may continue to try different scenarios until the desired result is seen in the simulation. In this way, a "what-if" approach may be used to test different ideas before implementing them in the actual process. The result determiner 52 may also perform a backward simulation, i.e., the operator indicates a desired result on the user interface 64 and then instructs the result determiner 52 to simulate different configuration approaches for the process to achieve the desired result. The operator may review the generated approaches and select the optimal one. The operator may play back the simulated scenario, where the changes in the model parameters are mapped to the corresponding process elements and visually reflected on the user interface 64, compare them with the current state, verify whether the new solution is more optimized, and then determine a course of action.

[0049] In other words, the automation system 10 implements a process flow that is displayed to an operator via the user interface 64 by the display control unit 58 through a number of linked graphical objects that represent the elements (tasks, paths, equipment, and / or locations) in the process flow. Since there is a process flow, the process flow also has a direction.

[0050] During operation, the controller 50 may use current automation system settings to control the automation system 10. In the context of the mining system of Figure 1, such current automation system settings may include automation system parameters such as the amount of blasts to be made, the time interval between blasts, the number of transports to be used, the degree to which the transports should be filled with material, and the speed at which the transports should be moved. The current automation system settings may also include current results of the process flow, such as the current amount of material produced and the current utilization of equipment.

[0051] The simulation unit 60 may obtain current status data of the actual current operation of the automation system from the controller (step 68), where the current status data comprises the current automation system settings described above. The current status data may additionally comprise data that cannot be set by an operator, such as current material storage levels, and current health and performance data of equipment in the automation system 10. Thus, the current status data comprises data that defines the current status of an operation or process being performed by the automation system 10.

[0052] The simulation unit 60 may additionally receive a simulation selection from the operator (step 70), the simulation selection being a selection of either an automation system setting of a previous existing simulation or a new simulation, the selection being for running the simulation using the selected automation system setting. When the simulation selection involves a selection of an automation system setting, the selection of the automation system setting may be a setting of a desired outcome of the process flow, or may be a selection of at least one parameter setting of an operation or location in the process flow. In connection with the operator selection of at least one parameter, the display control unit 58 of the outcome determination device 52 may additionally present to the operator a group of automation system parameters that the operator is permitted to set, and the at least one automation system parameter selected by the operator may be an automation system parameter in this group.

[0053] If the operator selection involves a selection of a new simulation, the simulation unit 60 simulates the operation of the automation system using the automation system settings provided by the operator (step 72). If the automation system settings comprise a setting of at least one parameter of the automation system 10, simulating the operation of the automation system may use this at least one parameter in the simulation, where all other parameter settings may be parameter settings of the current operation. If the automation system settings are settings of a desired outcome of the process, the simulation unit 60 of the outcome determiner 52 may make parameter settings that achieve the desired outcome of the process flow. This may therefore change one or more of the parameter settings of the current operation of the automation system.

[0054] The simulation unit 60 also determines a difference in the operation of the automation system 10 between the actual current operation with the current system settings and the simulation (step 74), where, as described above, the simulation may be a new simulation using the received automation system settings or may be an existing, previously known simulation.

[0055] Information regarding the difference is then provided to the display control unit 58, which subsequently displays the difference through manipulating graphical objects in the process flow that represent the elements experiencing or having the performance difference (step 76). The performance difference for the graphical objects may then be obtained through detecting changes in status data for a piece of equipment that corresponds to or uses the element that the graphical object illustrates. This allows the operator to determine the outcome of the automation system settings used in the simulation.

[0056] The simulation can have at least one automation system parameter setting for an operation and / or location in the process flow that differs from a corresponding parameter in the current operation, and the operation difference can comprise a difference in an operation downstream of the operation and / or location at the at least one parameter setting.

[0057] The simulation unit may additionally determine whether activity and / or status differences lead to a risk threshold being exceeded, and an operator may be alerted if such a threshold is exceeded. Alerts may be provided through a display control unit 58 that displays such alerts, where the alerts may be linked to the elements of the automated system that exceed the threshold. Thus, risk thresholds may be linked to activities or locations in the automated system, and alerts may be provided in association with graphical objects representing the activities or locations.

[0058] Additionally, the display of the difference may occur only if the difference between the operation of the automation system with the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation exceeds a difference threshold, where the operator may also be able to set the difference threshold.

[0059] One variation in mining-specific operator assistance is now described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, where Figure 4 shows generally a first screen presented to the operator by the outcome determination device 52 to perform an exemplary what-if analysis, and Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show second, third, fourth and fifth screens presented to the operator by the outcome determination device 52 during the exemplary what-if analysis.

[0060] An exemplary process is the flow of materials in a mine, such as the transportation of ores and rocks as a process using different elements such as conveyor belts, LHDs (load haul dump machines), trucks, and underground hoists.

[0061] The whole process with the current operation is represented in the first screen SCR1 78 of the user interface 64 (see FIG. 4). This screen includes a start simulation button 80, a save configuration button 82 and an end simulation button 84. There is also a difference threshold selection window DTSW 86 with a difference threshold DT 90 set by the operator, above which the effect of the difference in the operation caused by the use of the new parameter settings of the simulation will be displayed to the operator. Thus, the effect of the difference in the operation below the difference threshold 90 is not displayed. As an example, this threshold is set to 20%. There is also a parameter selection effect window PSEW 88 in which the parameters changed by the operator and the effect of this parameter change can be shown.

[0062] The different graphical objects represent production points 12, 14, 16 and 18 within the mine, as well as storage (or stockpiles) 28, 30, 32, 40 and 48. Lines between the objects representing the elements indicate material flow, with thicker lines representing more flow compared to thinner lines. Along the flow lines, objects representing the transportation vehicles 22 and 36, e.g., trucks, LHDs, conveyor belts, etc., are also visualized. When an element in the process is selected, the element may be highlighted and the element's connected flow lines may be highlighted as well.

[0063] Once selected, a details panel may be shown at the bottom of the view (not shown) to show further information about the selected element. This information may include material details such as quantity and concentration, as well as the source of the material, e.g., part of a mine or production site, and from a particular blast. This information may be human readable, meaning that the information may be understood by an operator who does not have expertise in simulation modeling. This information is not necessarily the same as the corresponding parameters that are fed into the simulation model. Any information, errors, or warnings W94 that the system identifies as relevant to the material flow may also be visualized on the process and shown in the details panel as well.

[0064] The underlying simulation system, implemented through the simulation unit 60, is connected to simulation models of the different elements in the process and is able to retrieve and / or supply configuration parameters from these models. The operator's configuration of the human readable information on the interface will be mapped to the corresponding parameters of the model. Such a mapping may be pre-configured in the system. The simulation model also takes as input the current state of the process when configuring the simulation. In this way, when the simulation configuration view of the first screen SCR1 78 is displayed, the operator can see the current state from which the simulation has to be generated. The underlying element specific models may also inform the entire simulation (and therefore the operator) which automation system parameters may be configured. As an example, the operator is informed about which parameters may be set in relation to the second material handling operation MHO2 in the automation system parameter setting window ASPSW92, which in this case is shown in relation to the sixth LHD36.

[0065] The automation system parameter setting window 92 initially shows the parameter settings currently being used. According to this exemplary initial automation system parameter setting, three LHDs are currently being used in the second material handling operation MHO2, and the material handling operation is operating at a 70% operating speed. As can also be seen, the operator may increase or decrease the number of LHDs used in the second material handling operation MHO2, as well as increase or decrease the operating speed. The operator may then make a change to at least one parameter. Such a change to one parameter is shown in the second screen SCR2 96 of FIG. 5, where the operator has made a first exemplary automation system parameter setting ASPS1 97, where the number of LHDs is increased from three to four. This parameter setting configuration may then be saved by the operator pressing button 82. A simulation using the first parameter setting may also be performed by the operator pressing button 80. The effect of the first parameter setting EPS1 98 is also shown in the parameter setting effect window PSEW 88 where it can be seen that a parameter setting change from 3 LHD to 4 LHD results in an increase in production of material from 1000 tons per hour to 1300 tons per hour.

[0066] As an example shown in the third screen SCR3 100 of Figure 6, the operator may also make a second automation system parameter setting. In this example, the operator has additionally increased the work rate of the second material handling operation MHO2 from 70% to 90% in the automation system parameter setting window 92, where the effect EPS2 104 of this second parameter change is also shown in the parameter selection effect window 88. It can be seen that with a 20% increase in work rate, utilization has increased from 1000 tons per hour to 1800 tons per hour.

[0067] When the operator changes parameters that take effect when the simulation button 80 is pressed, those parameters are fed into the simulation engine, which gives back to the operator an on-the-fly report of the results. The changes are cascaded so that the operator can also see changes in the performance of the connected elements and therefore the overall process. As an example shown in the fourth screen SCR4 of FIG. 7, it can be seen that the parameter change changes the second material handling operation MHO2. This second material handling operation MHO2 therefore differs from the current second material handling operation, in this case also differing by more than an amount set by the difference threshold DT90, which is shown in this case through the link, here the road network, between the first storage operation SO1 in the material stores 28, 30 and 32 and the second storage operation SO2 in the material store 40 that is being operated. In this case the road network can be highlighted. However, the second storage operation SO2 is also affected, which is shown through the fact that the fourth material store 40 is also highlighted.

[0068] Also shown in Figure 8 is the Simulation Player SP110. With the help of a timeline in the Simulation Player SP110, the operator can "seek" through the simulation to see how the process is expected to perform if the simulated parameters are applied to the actual process. This can highlight the "time" and "where" these changes will have an effect. This is shown in Figure 8.

[0069] If the simulation identifies potential problems (e.g., further bottlenecks) after the parameters have been modified, a warning message may be issued and also visualized on the process view. Such a warning message related to the fourth material bin 40 in the second storage operation SO2 is shown in warning window WW108 in Figures 7 and 8.

[0070] Some parts of a process may take a long time to perform at their maximum level. These situations can be supported by visualizing trends with timelines to show how process results change over time.

[0071] In the example given above, the operator created a new simulation. As mentioned above, it is also possible that previously created simulations may be processed in the same way as new simulations.

[0072] The outcome determiner 52 may also perform backward simulations, i.e., the operator indicates a desired outcome on the user interface 64 and then instructs the outcome determiner 52 to simulate different configuration techniques for the process to achieve the desired outcome. The operator may then review the generated techniques and select the optimal technique for controlling the process.

[0073] After running one or more simulations, the operator may then select to apply the automated system settings of the simulations in a run of the automated system.

[0074] The novel method of visually encoding different aspects of the process simulation allows the operator to intuitively configure and preview different parameters for the simulation and final decision-making in process control. Thus, the operator can see the results of the automation system settings that may be applied. As a result, it becomes easier for him or her to make the right decision on whether and how to change the process. Also, the time and cognitive workload of the operator in evaluating different process control strategies is reduced. As a result, decision-making errors may be minimized. Thus, a help is given that may increase productivity in process control.

[0075] The display control unit and the simulation unit of the result determination device may be implemented using software. Thus, the display control unit and the simulation unit may be implemented using computer program code, which may be provided on one or more data carriers, which perform the display control and simulation functions when the program code thereon is loaded into one or more computers. One such data carrier 114 with such computer program code 58 and 60 in the form of a CD ROM disk is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. Such a computer program may alternatively be provided on a server and downloaded from the server to one or more computers.

Claims

1. A method for assisting an operator of an automation system (10), wherein the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects (12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44, 48) representing elements in the process flow, the method being executed by an outcome determination device (52), and comprising: - obtaining (68) current status data of a current operation of the automation system (10), said current status data comprising current automation system settings; receiving (70) a simulation selection from the operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from an automation system setting used in the current task; determining (74) the difference in performance between when the automation system is operated with the current automation system settings and when the automation system is operated with the automation system settings used in the simulation; displaying (76) the differences through manipulation of graphical objects (40) corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the operational differences to enable the operator to determine the outcome if the automated system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automated system; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the performance difference will lead to exceeding a risk threshold, and alerting the operator if such a threshold is exceeded (108).

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the risk thresholds are linked to tasks and / or locations in the automation system, and the alerts are provided in association with graphical objects (40) representing the tasks and / or locations.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the difference is performed only if the difference in the performance between when the automation system is operated with the current automation system settings and when the automation system is operated with the automation system settings used in the simulation exceeds a difference threshold (90).

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the process flow has a direction and the simulation has at least one automation system parameter setting for an operation and / or location in the process flow that differs from a corresponding parameter in the current operation, and the operation difference comprises a difference in an operation downstream of the operation and / or location at the at least one parameter setting.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of a simulation comprises selecting an automation system configuration and performing a simulation of the operation of an automation system using the selected automation system configuration, the method further comprising simulating the operation of the automation system using the selected automation system configuration (72).

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein selecting the automation system setting comprises: selecting a setting of at least one automation system parameter of a task and / or location in the automation system; and performing the simulation of the task of the automation system using the at least one automation system parameter setting.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising presenting (92) to the operator a group of automated system parameters that the operator is permitted to set, and wherein the at least one automated system parameter selected by the operator is an automated system parameter in the group.

9. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the selection of automated system settings is a selection of settings for a desired outcome of the process flow, and the simulation is a simulation using automated parameter settings set by the outcome determination device that achieve the desired outcome.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the selection of simulations is a selection of existing previously performed simulations.

11. An outcome determination device (52) for assisting an operator of an automation system (10), said automation system implementing a process flow that is displayed to said operator through a number of linked graphical objects (12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44, 48) representing elements in the process flow, said outcome determination device (52) comprising: obtaining current status data of a current operation of the automation system (10), the current status data comprising a current automation system setting; receiving a simulation selection from the operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from an automation system setting used in the current job; determining a difference in operation between the automation system operating at the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation; displaying the differences through manipulation of graphical objects (40) corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the operational differences to allow the operator to determine a result if the automated system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automated system; An outcome determination device (52) configured to:

12. An automated system comprising an outcome determination device (52) according to claim 11.

13. A computer program for assisting an operator of an automation system (10), wherein the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects (12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44, 48) representing elements in a process flow, the computer program comprising computer program code (58, 60), which, when loaded into an outcome determination device (52), causes the outcome determination device to: obtaining current status data of a current operation of the automation system (10), the current status data comprising a current automation system setting; receiving a simulation selection from the operator, the simulation selection involving a selection of a simulation having an automation system setting different from an automation system setting used in the current job; determining a difference in operation between the automation system operating at the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation; displaying the differences through manipulation of graphical objects (40) corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the operational differences to allow the operator to determine a result if the automated system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automated system; A computer program configured to cause a computer to

14. A computer program product for assisting an operator of an automation system (10), the computer program product being provided on a data carrier (114) comprising the computer program having a computer program code (58, 60) according to claim 13.

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