Field Device Interface for Current and Next Process Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field devices, such as analyzers and sensors, lack clear scheduling and planning capabilities for processes, making it difficult for users to manage and execute subsequent tasks, including maintenance, due to unclear timing and process sequences.
Innovation Solution
An automation field device with a display unit and user interface that provides information on the current process and the next scheduled process, including time remaining for the current process and the time until the next process starts, using indicators such as circular arcs and bars to visualize the remaining time periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display unit shows only the current process information, then the information displayed is simple and clear, but the user cannot see what will be processed next making it difficult to plan and carry out further processes
Solution Approach 1:
The display information is segmented into distinct components: current process information (with remaining time indicator) and next process information (with time until start indicator). This segmentation allows the display to present multiple pieces of information in an organized, non-overwhelming manner while ensuring both current and future process visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing not only the current process but also the next scheduled process with its timing information. This transforms the display from a single-point-in-time view to a multi-temporal view, enabling users to plan ahead without cluttering the interface.
2Ease of operation
If the field device displays detailed information about multiple processes, then the user can plan processes better, but the display becomes more complex and harder to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most essential information for process planning: the name/description of the current and next processes, along with their respective time indicators. Non-essential details are omitted, allowing users to get the planning information they need without being overwhelmed by excessive data.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the display are given different levels of detail and visual prominence. The current process information is displayed with higher priority and more prominent visual indicators (such as circular arc indicators for remaining time), while the next process information is presented with slightly less prominence but still sufficient detail for planning purposes.
3Loss of information
If the field device shows only process names without time indicators, then the display is simple, but the user is not clear about which process comes next or when it will be carried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays the next scheduled process information in advance, including the time until it starts. This preliminary presentation of future process information allows users to plan and prepare for upcoming tasks without waiting for the current process to complete, effectively performing the information provision action ahead of time.
Solution Approach 2:
The display provides continuous feedback about process timing through visual indicators (such as circular arcs showing remaining time for the current process and bar indicators showing time until the next process). This feedback mechanism keeps users informed about process status and timing without requiring them to query the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation field device having a display unit with a user interface, or which makes a user interface available to a network participant via a communication connection, is provided. The field device is designed to carry out a plurality of different processes, where the field device is designed to output first information about a current first process together with second information about a second process via the user interface. The first information comprises a name and/or a description of the first process, and a first indicator of a remaining first time period until completion of the first process or first process step, and where the second information includes a name and description of the second process, and a second indicator of a second time period until the second process is carried out.