Alarm Information Switching for Plant Notification Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm management systems fail to notify operators of alarm messages when the alarm management apparatus is unavailable due to power loss, failure, or communication disruptions, potentially leading to critical situations in industrial plants.
Innovation Solution
The system configures an alarm management system where the information processing apparatus can output alarm information directly from the control apparatus, even when the alarm management apparatus is not usable, by selecting between first alarm information and second alarm information processed by the alarm management apparatus, ensuring continuous notification to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alarm information is processed through the alarm management apparatus, then alarm information can be managed and processed, but the system becomes vulnerable to single point of failure when the alarm management apparatus is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alarm information flow into two independent paths: one through the alarm management apparatus (for normal processed alarm information) and another direct path from the control apparatus to the information processing apparatus (for backup alarm information). This segmentation allows the system to maintain alarm notification functionality even when the alarm management apparatus fails, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by creating modular, independent information channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of alarm information acquisition by switching between two modes: normal mode where alarm information is acquired from the alarm management apparatus, and backup mode where alarm information is acquired directly from the control apparatus. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to the availability status of the alarm management apparatus, maintaining reliability without requiring permanent complex dual-path architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the system uses a centralized alarm management apparatus, then alarm processing is streamlined, but the system fails completely when the alarm management apparatus experiences power loss or communication disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the information processing apparatus pre-configured with the capability to acquire alarm information directly from the control apparatus, and by pre-establishing the backup acquisition path. The determination unit is pre-programmed to assess the availability of the alarm management apparatus and automatically switch to the direct acquisition path when needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that alarm notification continuity is maintained without requiring complex real-time decision-making during failures.
3Device complexity
If alarm information is acquired only from the alarm management apparatus, then the system structure is simple, but alarm messages cannot be notified when the alarm management apparatus is not usable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the determination unit as an intermediary component that mediates between the information processing apparatus and the alarm information sources. This determination unit assesses the usability of the alarm management apparatus and dynamically selects the appropriate information acquisition path. By adding this simple intermediary layer, the system gains the ability to prevent alarm message loss without requiring complex multi-path architecture, as the intermediary intelligently routes information based on system status.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing apparatus (20) includes a communication interface (33) and a controller (31). The communication interface (33) receives first alarm information indicating an alarm of a plant from a control apparatus and receives second alarm information, obtained by processing the first alarm information, from an alarm management apparatus (40) that receives the first alarm information. The controller (31) makes a judgment of whether the alarm management apparatus (40) is usable, selects, in accordance with the result of the judgment, one of the first alarm information and the second alarm information received by the communication interface (33), and outputs third alarm information, obtained by the controller (31) processing the selected alarm information, to a user.