Graphic Element Configuration Panes for Process Display Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing process plants due to the limitations of class-based configuration systems, which lead to productivity losses and difficulties in updating control strategies and graphic displays, especially when dealing with numerous similar equipment and display elements.
Innovation Solution
A configuration system that uses simplified configuration panes and graphic element objects, allowing for the configuration of properties such as shape and dynamic behaviors, with linked configuration elements that propagate changes to associated graphic elements, enabling flexible and efficient management of process plant configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If class-based configuration systems are used to manage process plants, then standardization and reusability are improved, but flexibility and ease of updating individual elements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system divides the plant into discrete configuration elements (devices, displays, graphic elements) that can be independently configured, stored in a database, and updated without affecting other elements. This segmentation allows standardization through templates while enabling flexible updates to individual elements by modifying only the specific element's configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a hierarchical structure where configuration elements are nested within a database framework. Templates define parent configurations that can be instantiated multiple times, and individual elements can be nested within devices, displays, and graphic elements. This nesting enables reusability at multiple levels while allowing selective modification of any nested element.
2Stability of the object's composition
If configurations are updated across multiple instances, then consistency is improved, but time consumption and productivity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback mechanisms that detect when configuration elements are modified and automatically propagate updates to all instances that reference those elements. The database structure maintains relationships between templates and instances, enabling automatic consistency checks and updates across the entire system when changes are made to shared configuration elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration templates are pre-defined with all necessary properties and relationships established before instantiation. This preliminary configuration allows rapid deployment of multiple consistent instances without repeated manual configuration, and enables bulk updates by modifying the single template definition that serves as the source for all instances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detailed configuration options are provided for graphic elements, then customization capability is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different levels of configuration detail to different elements based on their specific requirements. Graphic elements can have detailed visual properties (colors, shapes, animations) localized to where they are needed, while sharing common configuration structures with other elements. This allows high customization where needed without requiring the entire system to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal configuration framework and database structure is implemented that handles all configuration elements (devices, displays, graphic elements) with a common set of operations and data structures. This universal framework reduces overall system complexity by providing consistent methods for configuration, storage, and manipulation across all element types, even though individual elements have diverse customization options.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration element is presented on a configuration display view for configuring a graphic element object. The graphic element object is to be instantiated on a process control display view, and corresponds to a process entity in a process plant. The configuration element object has a set of properties for an attributed of the graphic element object and includes a link to a configuration display object from which the configuration display view is instantiated. The instantiation of the configuration element object includes a visual representation of the set of properties for the attribute of the graphic element object, and a link to the graphic element object to send data corresponding to a property configured in the configuration element from the set of properties. The configured property corresponds to at least one configured attribute of the graphic element.