Master Time Control Service for Historian Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for accessing and manipulating time-stamped historical data in industrial plant control systems require inefficient manual synchronization of time focus across multiple historian applications, lacking a unified method for synchronizing the time of focus across different content displays.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a master time control (MTC) service that allows simultaneous manipulation of the time of focus and other time-related properties across multiple historian applications, transitioning from local time control (LTC) to MTC mode to synchronize and display time-stamped historical data within a defined period of elapsed time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If local time control (LTC) mode is used for each historian application, then each application can independently manipulate its time of focus, but the user must individually manipulate time for each content which is inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent local time control objects into a single master time control object that manages time for all historian applications. This consolidation allows unified time manipulation across multiple applications, improving efficiency while reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The master time control object is designed to serve multiple historian applications simultaneously, providing universal time control functionality. This multi-functional approach allows a single time control mechanism to manage time across different applications and content types, eliminating the need for application-specific time control and simplifying the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple historian applications are used to display different content, then comprehensive data browsing is enabled, but synchronizing time of focus across applications requires manual individual manipulation which increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The master time control object implements feedback mechanisms that monitor and coordinate the time of focus across multiple historian applications. When time is manipulated in one application, the master controller distributes synchronized time updates to all other applications, ensuring consistent time display across the system without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes time synchronization in advance by having all historian applications subscribe to the master time control object before operation begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that time synchronization is already in place when browsing multiple applications, eliminating the need for manual time alignment during data analysis.
3Measurement precision
If individual time control is implemented for each content display, then precise local time manipulation is possible, but the overall system requires more time control objects and interfaces increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The master time control object acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple historian applications. Instead of requiring separate time control objects for each application, the master controller mediates all time manipulation requests, distributing synchronized time commands to the appropriate applications. This reduces the number of time control objects from multiple to one while maintaining precise time control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (700) for providing master time control (MTC) services to historian applications (HAs). Each HA (4142,..., 414N) is configured to display content (560, 562) having a time of focus and a local time control (LTC) user interface (532) when in an LTC mode. The method involves changing a time control mode (TCM) of a first and second HA from the LTC mode to an MTC mode. The method also involves synchronizing times of focus for the first and second HAs to an MTC time of focus. This synchronization is performed in response to the TCM changes. The method further involves displaying first and second content. Each content includes time-stamped historical data (210) obtained during a period of elapsed time defined by the time of focus for said respective first or second HA.