Analytic Rule Builder for Process Control Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems in plants lack the ability to efficiently analyze and utilize 'big data' for comprehensive analysis, trend detection, predictive analysis, and economic operation optimization, relying heavily on manual troubleshooting and requiring specialized developers to create analytic rules, which is time-consuming and not scalable.
Innovation Solution
An analytic rule builder system integrated into the electronic customer technical support system allows users to create custom analytic rules graphically, enabling on-demand diagnostics and detection of issues without relying on developers, using a structured environment with configuration and runtime engines to analyze data from various sources within the plant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual troubleshooting and developer-created analytic rules are used, then diagnostic capability is provided, but time consumption and lack of scalability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables end-users (local engineers and operators) to independently create, modify, and deploy analytic rules without requiring developer intervention. The graphical rule builder interface allows users to define custom diagnostics by selecting data sources, configuring analysis parameters, and specifying output formats, thereby serving their own diagnostic needs and eliminating dependency on external developers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual, developer-dependent rule creation process with an automated graphical user interface system. Instead of developers manually coding analytic rules, the system provides visual drag-and-drop components that automatically generate executable diagnostic logic, substituting mechanical developer effort with an automated software interface that users can operate independently.
2Measurement precision
If developer involvement is required for rule creation, then accurate diagnostics are achieved, but scalability and speed of issue resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers local engineers to create their own diagnostic rules with the same accuracy previously only achievable through developer-created rules. The graphical interface provides pre-configured data sources, analysis functions, and output templates that ensure diagnostic precision while allowing users to customize rules for their specific needs, eliminating the bottleneck of developer involvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rule creation process is segmented into independent, reusable components such as data source selections, analysis functions, and output configurations. Users can assemble diagnostic rules by combining these modular elements, allowing for rapid creation of accurate diagnostics without requiring developer expertise for each new rule, thereby improving scalability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom analytic rules are created on-demand, then diagnostic flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex programming tasks with a graphical user interface that abstracts away the underlying system complexity. Users interact with visual components and drag-and-drop elements rather than writing code, which masks the complexity of the analytic engine while providing full flexibility for creating custom diagnostic rules on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a library of pre-configured, disposable rule templates and components that users can quickly instantiate and modify for specific diagnostic needs. These templates encapsulate complex logic that can be rapidly deployed and discarded or modified as needed, providing flexibility without requiring users to build complex rules from scratch.
Data Source
AI summary
An analytic rule generation application is integrated into an electronic customer technical support system to enable those using the customer technical support center systems to build custom analytic rules, on demand, for use in diagnosing and detecting issues at customer process plant sites, without having to submit a request to a developer and wait for one or more new rules to be provided in future releases of the customer technical support system. The analytic rule builder can be used by local offices and local technology groups if need be, or can be used by personnel at customer sites. The custom analytic rules created using the rule builder application can be shared among the engineers using the electronic customer technical support system to empower local engineers to immediately use newly created rules. Still further, the analytic rule builder can be used in an online support system within a process plant, where on-site engineers can build custom analytic rules to monitor certain data streams or events in the plant control system and to trigger actions upon the detection of predetermined events or conditions.