Alarm Hiding Rules for Operator Distraction in Industrial Plants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems generate a large number of alarms, many of which are irrelevant or secondary, causing operator distraction and stress, as traditional methods require complex programming to suppress these alarms and lack operator configurability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that uses 'hiding rules' to automatically hide irrelevant alarms based on logical expressions associated with real-world objects, allowing operators to configure and manage which alarms are presented, with the option to view hidden alarms later.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional alarm suppression methods are used, then operator distraction is reduced, but device complexity and programming requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system automatically evaluates hiding rules and determines which alarms to suppress without requiring operator intervention or complex programming. The system serves itself by autonomously applying configured rules to filter alarms, reducing both operator workload and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Hiding rules are configured in advance to define conditions under which alarms should be suppressed. By pre-configuring these rules, the system avoids the need for complex real-time decision-making and programming, simplifying both operation and system design.
2Reliability
If complex programming is used to suppress alarms, then alarm filtering is achieved, but ease of operation and operator configurability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic configuration of hiding rules by operators without requiring programming expertise. Rules can be modified, added, or removed based on changing operational needs, making the system both reliable and easily configurable by end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm filtering function is separated into independent, configurable hiding rules that can be managed individually. This segmentation allows operators to configure specific rules for different alarm types and conditions without affecting the overall system, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If all alarms are presented to the operator, then complete information is provided, but operator stress and distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes irrelevant alarms from the operator's view by applying hiding rules. Only alarms that do not meet the hiding criteria are presented to the operator, reducing distraction and workload while preserving access to complete alarm information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of alarm information are provided in different contexts. The operator receives filtered, high-quality relevant alarms during normal operation, while complete alarm information remains accessible when specifically requested or when hiding conditions change.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an alarm processing system for deciding what alarm, out of a number of alarms generated in an industrial plant or process, to present to a system operator. The method includes creating hiding rules, associating each hiding rule with a real-world object, storing these rules in a storage means, receiving an alarm related to a real-world object, determining if a hiding rule is associated with the real-world object evaluating the hiding rule, deciding from the hiding rule whether to present or hide the alarm, selectively and actively hide such alarms that are decided to be hidden and not presenting the alarm to the system operator. The invention also includes an alarm processing system and a computer program for carrying out the method.