Dynamic Attention Interface for Process Plant Display Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Process plant operators are overwhelmed by excessive information, leading to potential missed critical conditions due to pre-configured displays that do not allow for personalization or dynamic adjustment based on experience and current conditions, making it difficult to prioritize important information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic attention user interface is introduced, allowing operators to prioritize and filter information using slider bars and content filtering rules, which can be manually or automatically adjusted, enabling personalized and context-dependent presentation of process plant data, alarms, and variables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pre-configured displays are used to present process plant information, then information completeness is improved, but operator cognitive load increases and critical conditions may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The display information is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (summary level, detailed level, and contextual level). Operators can view only the most critical information at the summary level and drill down to detailed levels only when needed. This segmentation reduces the amount of information presented at any given time while maintaining access to complete information when required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display interface are assigned different levels of detail and importance. Critical process variables and alarm conditions are presented with higher prominence and detail in focal regions, while less critical information is presented in peripheral regions with reduced detail. This allows operators to quickly identify and focus on critical conditions without being overwhelmed by comprehensive but undifferentiated information.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive process plant data is presented to operators, then situational awareness is improved, but information overload occurs and decision-making is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts the level of information presentation based on current plant conditions, operator preferences, and contextual factors. When normal operating conditions exist, the system presents condensed summary information. When abnormal conditions or alarms occur, the system automatically expands to present more detailed information in relevant areas. This dynamic adaptation maintains situational awareness while preventing information overload during stable operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures display templates and information hierarchies based on typical operating scenarios and plant knowledge. Common operational patterns and critical information relationships are pre-organized, allowing the system to quickly present appropriate information for current conditions without requiring operators to manually navigate through comprehensive data sets. This preliminary organization accelerates decision-making while maintaining completeness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If standardized displays are used across all operator workstations, then system consistency is improved, but adaptability to individual operator preferences and specific plant conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is designed with universal templates and standardized information hierarchies that ensure consistency across all workstations. These universal elements provide a common framework and language for operators throughout the plant. Simultaneously, the system allows individual operators to customize aspects of the display within this framework, such as selecting preferred summary metrics, adjusting detail expansion preferences, and configuring personal alarm prioritization. This multi-functionality maintains system-wide consistency while accommodating individual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The display architecture implements a nested structure where standardized universal templates contain customizable personal elements. The outer layer maintains consistent system-wide display frameworks and information hierarchies, while inner layers allow operator-specific customizations. This nesting ensures that personalizations do not compromise system consistency, as all custom elements are contained within and governed by the standardized framework. The standardized displays and personalized displays coexist at different hierarchical levels.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to upgrade and control information presented to process plant operators are disclosed. A disclosed example method to control information presented to a process plant operator comprises presenting a first version of a process plant display, presenting a dynamic attention user interface when a selectable element of the first version of the process plant operator display is activated, wherein the dynamic attention user interface is to be used to adjust an importance of information presented in the first version of the process plant display, and presenting a second version of the process plant display based on a variable adjusted via the dynamic attention user interface.