HMI Alarm Aggregation with Drill-Down for Operator Workload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face challenges in managing and visualizing vast amounts of data from thousands of sensors, requiring advanced human-machine interface (HMI) systems to efficiently process and display real-time data while allowing for customization and migration to newer technologies.
Innovation Solution
A system for centrally managing HMI applications using a configuration database and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that allows for the creation, deployment, and updating of HMI applications across multiple nodes, with features like alarm aggregation, element styles, and trend pen visualization to effectively handle data and user interface requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If alarm aggregation is implemented to reduce the number of individual alarms displayed, then operator workload and information overload are reduced, but the ability to access detailed alarm information must be maintained through drill-down functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm display is segmented into multiple levels of detail. The primary display shows aggregated alarm counts by severity and category, while detailed individual alarm information is accessible through drill-down functionality to secondary displays, allowing operators to view only the level of detail currently needed
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm information is organized across multiple dimensional layers - from high-level aggregated summaries to detailed individual alarm records. The system transitions between these dimensions through drill-down operations, allowing operators to navigate from overview to specific details as needed
2Stability of the object's composition
If HMI applications are centralized for easier management and deployment, then system consistency and maintenance are improved, but the complexity of managing multiple nodes and versions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI application is designed as a universal centralized system that can be deployed across multiple nodes with identical functionality. A single master application manages all nodes, providing consistent behavior and interface across the entire distributed system while simplifying deployment and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized HMI application is replicated across multiple nodes through automated deployment mechanisms. Each node receives an identical copy of the application from the central management system, ensuring consistency while allowing distributed operation
3Productivity
If graphic elements are made customizable to meet specific user needs, then user productivity and interface relevance are improved, but the time required to configure and maintain these elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pre-configured graphic element templates with common properties and styles are provided as starting points. Users can begin work with pre-established configurations rather than creating elements from scratch, significantly reducing initial configuration time while maintaining customization capability
Solution Approach 2:
Graphic elements are designed with configurable parameters that can be adjusted to meet specific needs. Rather than creating custom elements, users modify parameters of existing elements (such as color, size, data binding) to achieve the desired customization with minimal effort
Data Source
AI summary
A system manages human machine interface (HMI) applications for industrial control and automation. Software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory media and executable by a processor receive data indicative of a manufacturing/process control system being monitored and display a user interface indicative of a status of the manufacturing/process control system being monitored wherein the status is based on the received data.