Alarm Shelving by Machine State to Reduce Display Clutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex machines with multiple operational states generate numerous alarms, leading to a cluttered graphical display and making it difficult for operators to decipher operation trends, as alarms from past states can distract from current operational issues.
Innovation Solution
An automated alarm shelving system that suppresses alarms of prior operational states as the machine transitions to a new state, allowing operators to focus on current alarms, and automatically activates shelved alarms when the machine reenters the associated state, improving workflow and diagnostic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If alarms from multiple operational states are displayed simultaneously, then complete operational information is provided, but graphical display becomes cluttered and difficult to decipher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments alarms by operational state, organizing them into distinct categories (current state alarms vs. historical state alarms). This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple alarms without cluttering the display, as alarms are grouped and presented in a structured manner that maintains clarity while preserving complete operational information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically shelving alarms from previous operational states before they can clutter the current display. This preliminary suppression of historical alarms ensures that only relevant current state alarms are prominently displayed, maintaining graphical clarity while the shelved alarms are preserved for later review if needed.
2Loss of information
If all alarms are displayed continuously, then no information is lost, but operator focus is diluted and workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically shelving alarms from previous operational states before they can clutter the current display. This preliminary suppression of historical alarms ensures that only relevant current state alarms are prominently displayed, maintaining graphical clarity while the shelved alarms are preserved for later review if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to operators about shelved alarms through the user interface, allowing them to retrieve and review historical alarms when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures that no information is lost while maintaining workflow efficiency, as operators can access complete alarm history on demand without it constantly cluttering the primary display.
3Ease of operation
If alarms from previous operational states are suppressed, then current operational issues are easier to identify, but historical diagnostic information may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically shelving alarms from previous operational states before they can clutter the current display. This preliminary suppression of historical alarms ensures that only relevant current state alarms are prominently displayed, maintaining graphical clarity while the shelved alarms are preserved for later review if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving mechanism acts as an intermediary between complete alarm display and alarm suppression. Instead of simply hiding historical alarms, the system moves them to a shelved state where they are neither displayed prominently nor completely hidden. This intermediary approach allows operators to maintain focus on current issues while preserving access to historical diagnostic information through the user interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and systems are provided for automated alarm shelving. In one embodiment, the method can include receiving data characterizing a state-transition of a machine from a first operational state to a second operational state. The method can also include setting a first field of a first data structure representing a first alarm of the first operational state to a shelved value representative of suppression of the first alarm. The method can further include setting a second field of a second data structure representing a second alarm of the second operational state to an activity value determined based on the received data characterizing the transition and a previous alarm associated with the second operational state.