HMI Model Repository for Cross-Platform Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing process control systems face challenges in dynamically adapting user interfaces across different devices with varying screen sizes and software platforms, leading to inconsistent displays that can cause user errors and misinterpretation, potentially resulting in incorrect control of processes.
Innovation Solution
A process control system that includes a database connected to sensors and control elements, a model repository with platform information and initial visual applications models, and a display processor for automatic conversion of displays during the development phase, ensuring consistent interface presentation across devices with varying platforms and reducing processing power and storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user interfaces are programmed individually for each device, then the interface can be optimized for each specific device, but the development time increases and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface model that can be displayed across multiple device types (workstations, tablets, smartphones) without requiring separate programming for each device. The single interface model is adapted automatically based on device characteristics such as screen size and resolution, eliminating the need for individual programming while maintaining optimal display quality on each device type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If displays are dynamically created and adapted at runtime, then the interface can be customized for different devices, but the display arrangement varies which causes user errors and misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs display adaptation during the development phase rather than at runtime. The interface model is pre-configured with device-specific parameters including screen size, resolution, and layout arrangements. This preliminary adaptation ensures that the display arrangement remains consistent and predictable for users across different devices, eliminating runtime variations that could cause user errors while maintaining adaptability to different device characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the same interface is displayed on all devices without conversion, then development is simpler, but the interface may not be suitable for devices with different screen sizes and platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interface conversion unit that acts as an intermediary between the single interface model and multiple display devices. This conversion unit automatically adapts the interface model to different device characteristics (screen size, resolution, platform) during the development phase, maintaining development simplicity while ensuring compatibility and suitability across diverse device types including workstations, tablets, and smartphones.
Data Source
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AI summary
A process control system (10) for an automated plant (100) is disclosed which comprises a display (110) for displaying a process monitoring display of the automated plant (100) on one or more devices, wherein the one or more devices are running a plurality of device platforms. The process control system (10) further comprises a database (30) connectable to one or more of sensors (225a-g; 235) or control elements (240) in the automated plant (100), the database (30) comprising process data. A model repository (35) comprises at least platform information and a visual applications model generated on a first one of the plurality of displays (110). The platform information comprises information about the display (110) for the device platform and the visual applications model comprises a plurality of view entities, and at least one of process control metadata for controlling the control elements (240) or measuring metadata defining measurements receivable from the plurality of sensors (225a-g; 235). A processor (40) is connected to the database (30) and the display (110) and a display processor (45) generates in a development phase for a second one of the plurality of displays a process monitoring display using the generated visual applications model and platform information.