HMI Display Configuration with In-Line Runtime Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current operator Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in industrial process control systems are challenging to design and maintain due to increased complexity and customization needs, particularly with expanding operator responsibilities and varying plant configurations, leading to difficulties in configuring and customizing graphical displays for real-time operations.
Innovation Solution
A graphical display configuration system that includes a centralized configuration application and database, allowing configuration engineers to create, define, and publish display views with customizable elements, enabling operators to modify appearances independently without halting execution and reducing communication load on process plant networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operator HMI systems are designed with increased customization capabilities to handle expanding operator responsibilities and varying plant configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the HMI configuration into separate, independently configurable modules including display modules, configuration modules, and graphical display elements. Each module can be customized without affecting others, allowing complex adaptability through simple modular components that reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system allows dynamic modification of display views during runtime without halting execution. Operators can add, remove, or modify graphical display elements in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through on-the-fly adjustments rather than complex pre-planning.
2Productivity
If configuration changes are allowed during runtime without halting execution, then productivity is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration module prepares and validates configuration changes before applying them to the running system. Display view definitions are compiled and checked for consistency prior to runtime modification, ensuring that productivity gains from continuous operation do not compromise system reliability through premature or invalid changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms that monitor configuration changes during runtime and ensure system stability. The configuration application tracks modifications and verifies they maintain system integrity, allowing continuous operation while preserving reliability through active monitoring and validation loops.
3Ease of operation
If multiple operators can independently customize display views, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to configuration synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates local copies of display view configurations stored at each workstation rather than relying on centralized real-time synchronization. Each operator works with an independent copy that can be customized without affecting others, eliminating information loss from synchronization issues while maintaining ease of independent operation. Centralized storage provides the master template but local copies enable autonomous customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical display configuration system of a process control system provides features within the configuration environment that allow a user to create, define, edit, and easily preview the runtime appearance and/or runtime behavior of graphical elements and/or graphical displays in-line with the configuration workflow of the user, without having to compile and/or download draft graphical configurations into the operating environment of a process plant supported by the process control system, and/or without requiring specialized scripts to be implemented within the operating environment of the process plant. Previews of runtime appearances and/or runtime behaviors of draft configurations of graphical elements and/or graphical displays (that are eventually to be executed within the operating environment of the process control system) are able to generated and presented exclusively within the configuration environment, e.g., for testing and/or verification.