Linked Graphic Definitions With Overrides for Phased Plant Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process control systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing control strategies and graphical displays due to the limitations of class-based configuration systems, which lead to increased complexity, productivity losses, and difficulties in updating and maintaining configurations across multiple instances of similar equipment and displays.
Innovation Solution
A configuration system utilizing flexible objects that allow for phased updates and overrides, enabling changes to be made to class objects without affecting all instances simultaneously, and supporting the creation of reusable graphical components with linked definitions to manage variations and updates effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If class-based configuration systems are used to manage control strategies and graphical displays, then configuration reusability and standardization are improved, but system complexity and difficulty in managing updates across multiple instances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments configuration management into class definitions and instance-specific overrides. Class definitions provide the standardized template, while overrides allow selective customization at the instance level without affecting other instances. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reusability through classes while reducing complexity through localized overrides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to configuration updates by enabling phased rollouts. Changes can be applied to individual instances or groups of instances at different times, rather than forcing simultaneous updates across all instances. This adds a time-based layer to the configuration management model, reducing complexity while preserving reusability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If changes are propagated to all instances of a class simultaneously, then configuration consistency is improved, but productivity and ability to verify changes incrementally worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls change propagation by allowing users to select which instances receive updates and when. Rather than rigid simultaneous propagation to all instances, the system enables flexible, staged deployment of changes. This dynamic approach maintains consistency within selected groups while improving productivity through incremental verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial propagation of changes to only the necessary subset of instances rather than forcing complete propagation to all instances. Users can apply changes to one instance or a select group first, verify functionality, then progressively roll out to additional instances. This partial action approach balances consistency requirements with productivity gains.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual updates are required for each instance of similar equipment, then customization flexibility is improved, but time consumption and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multi-functionality by combining automated class-based propagation with selective override capabilities. A single class definition serves as a universal template that can be propagated to multiple instances, reducing time consumption. Simultaneously, the override mechanism allows customization flexibility when instance-specific variations are needed, eliminating the need for manual updates to each instance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying mechanisms where instance configurations are derived from class definitions. Rather than manually creating or updating each instance, the system copies the standardized configuration from the class template. Overrides can then be applied selectively to copied instances, dramatically reducing time consumption while preserving customization flexibility.
4Stability of the object's composition
If all instances are updated at once with a new configuration, then configuration uniformity is improved, but risk of system-wide errors and difficulty in troubleshooting worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the update process into manageable groups or individual instances rather than updating everything simultaneously. This segmentation allows isolation of potential errors to specific segments, reducing system-wide error risk while maintaining uniformity within each updated segment. Troubleshooting becomes easier because issues can be localized to specific instances or groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary testing of configuration changes on selected instances before full-scale deployment. Users can apply changes to a test group, verify functionality, and confirm uniformity is achieved without risk to the entire system. This preliminary action reduces error risk by catching issues early while still achieving configuration uniformity in the tested segment.
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.