DCS Event Log Analysis for Operator Intent Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional event analyzers struggle to extract the operation intention and method of DCS operators from event log data, as they often divide plant control operations into multiple steps, making it difficult to infer the sequential operation intention and missing progress information.
Innovation Solution
The event analysis system employs a two-stage extraction process, first identifying 'basic unit operations' and then 'unit operations,' which represent operation methods and intentions by analyzing event log data, using a basic unit operation analyzer and a unit operation analyzer to visualize and display the operation methods and intentions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional event analyzers display individual operation events separately, then the event log data representing operation history can be displayed, but the operation intention and method of DCS operators cannot be extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual operation events into a unified 'unit operation' that represents the complete operation intention. The unit operation analyzer combines sequential events (such as multiple setting value changes) into a single operational unit, preserving the operation method and intention while reducing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces 'unit operation' as an intermediary concept between individual events and overall operation intention. The unit operation serves as a mediator that captures both the detailed event sequence and the high-level operation intent, enabling extraction of operation methods without requiring complex direct analysis of all individual events.
2Reliability
If DCS operators divide plant control operations into multiple steps, then precise control can be achieved, but it becomes difficult to infer the sequential operation intention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of sequential events into unit operations before analysis. By pre-organizing divided control steps into coherent operational units with identified start and end points, the system preserves the sequential intention without requiring operators to maintain continuous awareness of the overall operation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation analysis into two levels: individual events and unit operations. This segmentation allows precise tracking of divided control steps while simultaneously enabling inference of overall operation intention through the unit operation layer, which captures the complete sequential intent.
3Productivity
If only starting operation events are extracted, then the number of events for representing can be reduced, but progress information of subsequent operations is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the starting event with all subsequent progress events into a single unit operation representation. This combining approach maintains event representation efficiency by reducing the number of displayed items while preserving complete progress information within the unified unit operation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where individual events are nested within unit operations. The unit operation contains the starting event, intermediate progress events, and ending event, creating a hierarchical representation that efficiently displays progress information without requiring separate display of each individual event.
Data Source
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AI summary
An event analyzer includes: an event collector configured to collect event log data representing operation history which an DCS operator performed; a basic unit operation analyzer configured to analyze event log data, and extract basic unit operation data representing operation method based on the operation by the DCS operator; and an unit operation analyzer configured to analyze basic unit operation data, and extract unit operation data representing intention of the operation by the DCS operator.