Graphic Element Configuration Panes for Centralized Display Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing graphic displays, particularly due to the tedious and error-prone process of manually linking graphical items to data sources, and the difficulty in maintaining and updating displays across multiple instances, leading to increased costs and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A configuration system that uses simplified configuration panes and objects to configure graphic elements, allowing for the selection and binding of properties such as shape, color, and dynamic behaviors, with changes propagating to linked graphic element objects in a phased or delayed manner, enabling efficient management and updating of displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual linking of graphical items to data sources is used, then configuration flexibility is achieved, but configuration time and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures display templates with standard graphical items and their associated data source linkages. When a template is selected, the pre-established connections are automatically instantiated, eliminating the need for manual linking while maintaining configuration flexibility through template selection and customization options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses template copying where a master template definition is replicated across multiple display instances. The template contains pre-defined graphical items with their data source bindings, which are automatically copied to each instance, dramatically reducing configuration time while allowing individual customization through inheritance and override mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If updates are applied to all graphic element instances simultaneously, then consistency is maintained, but operational disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic update propagation where the timing and scope of template updates to instances can be controlled. Updates can be applied selectively to specific instances or batches, allowing operators to manage the propagation process dynamically to minimize operational impact while eventually achieving system-wide consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the update propagation process into manageable portions, allowing updates to be applied to individual instances or groups of instances rather than forcing a simultaneous system-wide update. This segmentation enables staged implementation and reduces operational disruptions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive property configuration options are provided, then customization capability is enhanced, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration interface is segmented into hierarchical levels: template-level properties, instance-level properties, and item-level properties. This segmentation allows users to access only the relevant configuration options for their current task, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining comprehensive customization capability through progressive disclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-selects and pre-configures commonly used properties based on the template type and context. When a template is instantiated, default values and appropriate property sets are automatically configured, allowing users to focus on customizing only the specific properties that differ from the template defaults, thereby simplifying the interface while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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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.