HMI Balloon Notification Positioning for Process Control Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional process control systems' human-machine interface (HMI) graphical displays often limit the amount of detailed information that can be displayed for specific process variables, making it difficult for operators to identify relevant messages and maintain focus on the correct control, as current message display mechanisms are not effectively positioned and can be obstructive or hard to notice.
Innovation Solution
Implementing balloon notifications that are associated with specific objects in the display, allowing for customizable placement and dimensions to minimize obstruction, ensuring visibility near the relevant control, and providing additional context through icons, message headers, and content sections, which can be prioritized and configured for optimal visibility and operator interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If detailed information is displayed for process variables in conventional HMI graphical displays, then operator awareness is improved, but the display becomes obstructive and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system divides information into separate balloon notifications that appear near their associated graphical elements rather than consolidating all information in one location. Each balloon contains segmented information (icon, header, content) that can be independently positioned and sized to minimize obstruction while maintaining information visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional in-line or centralized message displays to balloon notifications that extend into the spatial dimension near their associated graphical elements. This dimensional change allows information to be presented adjacent to relevant controls without blocking the main process view, effectively utilizing unused display space.
2Loss of information
If messages are positioned near relevant controls, then operator awareness is improved, but messages may obstruct other content
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon notification system dynamically adjusts the position, size, and placement of notifications based on the available display space and the location of associated graphical elements. The system calculates optimal positions that maximize message visibility while minimizing obstruction of other display content, adapting to different display configurations and content densities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities and positioning strategies to different regions of the display based on local conditions. Each balloon notification is positioned and sized according to the specific local context around its associated graphical element, rather than applying a uniform display approach across the entire screen.
3Device complexity
If conventional message display mechanisms are used, then implementation is simple, but operator awareness and focus maintenance are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon notification acts as an intermediary between the process control system and the operator. It provides contextual information near the relevant graphical elements, serving as a mediator that connects process data with operator attention without requiring complex system reconfiguration or disrupting the existing HMI architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a trigger to present a balloon notification on a display. The notification is associated with an object in the display. The method also includes determining dimensions of the notification and determining a suitable location in the display for the notification. The method further includes presenting the notification in the display at the suitable location. Determining the suitable location in the display for the notification could include (i) determining whether the notification if placed proximate to a first corner of the object would be presented completely in the display, (ii) determining how many other objects in the display would be obstructed by the notification if placed proximate to the first corner of the object, and/or (iii) determining how much total area of other objects in the display would be obstructed by the notification if placed proximate to the first corner of the object.