Adaptive Operator Panel Interface for Industrial Process Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of industrial processes face difficulties in monitoring and controlling processes when they need to move away from the display screen, as existing systems overwhelm them with non-essential information, making it hard to focus on critical parameters from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface on an operator panel that automatically adapts by removing non-essential objects after a predetermined period of inactivity, displaying only the most critical parameters in a user-adapted mode, which can be enlarged for easier viewing, and switching back to default mode upon activity, based on usage statistics and parameter values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all process parameters are displayed on the graphical user interface, then the operator has complete information about the industrial process, but the operator cannot easily monitor critical parameters from a distance due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple operational modes: a default mode showing all process parameters, and a user-adapted mode showing only critical parameters. This segmentation allows the system to provide complete information when needed while enabling easy remote monitoring when the operator moves away from the screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface dynamically transitions between display modes based on operator presence. When the operator moves away, the system automatically switches to a simplified view showing only enlarged critical parameters. When the operator returns, the system restores the complete parameter display, making the interface adaptive to operational needs.
2Loss of information
If the graphical user interface displays all process parameters simultaneously, then the operator can access complete process information, but the interface complexity increases making it harder to identify critical parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into different operational modes with distinct information sets. The default mode presents all parameters in a structured format, while the user-adapted mode segments only critical parameters for prominent display, reducing visual complexity when the operator needs quick assessment from a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display have different information densities. Critical parameters are given prominent placement with larger display elements in the user-adapted mode, while less critical parameters are either minimized or hidden, creating a hierarchical information structure that reduces perceived complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the graphical user interface displays enlarged critical parameters, then the operator can monitor from a distance, but the display area for non-critical parameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display configuration is dynamic rather than static. When the operator moves away, the system automatically enlarges critical parameters for distance viewing while hiding non-critical parameters. When the operator returns, the system restores the complete parameter display, ensuring no information is permanently lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically assesses operator presence and alternates between full-display mode and simplified mode accordingly. This periodic switching ensures that critical parameters are enhanced for remote viewing when needed, while non-critical parameters are restored when the operator is present, balancing both requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring an industrial process with a graphical user interface of an operator panel. The graphical user interface is adapted to change between a default mode in which it presents a plurality of objects related to the industrial process, and a user-adapted mode in which a subset of the plurality of objects is presented. The subset of objects is selected based on a parameter value which is associated with each object of the plurality of objects. The graphical user interface enters the user-adapted mode by the method determining whether a time of inactivity of the operator panel exceeds a threshold value, and, provided that the threshold value has been exceeded, removing those objects of the plurality of objects on the graphical user interface which are not included in the subset of objects.