Modular Operator Interface for Process Plant Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Process plants face complexity in configuration and monitoring due to thousands of control variables and alarms, leading to information overload and the need for customizable operator interfaces that current pre-configured systems fail to provide.
Innovation Solution
The method allows process-plant operators to dynamically create customized operator interfaces by modularizing user interface modules with metadata, enabling search and selection based on criteria, and integrating these modules into operator workstations or controllers to display relevant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-configured displays are used in traditional control systems, then system stability and reliability are maintained, but operator flexibility and customization capability are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The operator interface is segmented into modular display modules, each representing a specific process area or function. These modules can be independently configured, selected, and arranged by operators to create customized displays tailored to their specific needs, thereby achieving adaptability without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal interface framework that can accommodate multiple types of display modules and configuration scenarios. The same basic framework supports different operators' customization needs while maintaining system-wide consistency and reliability, enabling one system to serve multiple functions and user requirements.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive process monitoring is implemented to cover all control variables and alarms, then complete process visibility is achieved, but information overload occurs making it difficult for operators to identify critical issues
Solution Approach 1:
Different display modules provide different levels and types of information quality tailored to specific operator needs and process areas. Critical alarms and process variables can be highlighted with enhanced visual properties in specific modules, while less critical information is presented in a more subdued manner, allowing operators to quickly identify important issues without being overwhelmed by comprehensive data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom operator interfaces are created from scratch to meet specific operator needs, then interface adaptability is improved, but development time and maintenance burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Display modules are pre-configured with standard functionalities, common process areas, and typical alarm configurations. Operators can quickly assemble customized interfaces by selecting and arranging these pre-prepared modules rather than creating interfaces from scratch, significantly reducing development time while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Operators can copy and reuse existing display modules across different interfaces and contexts. Once a module is configured for a specific process area or function, it can be replicated and adapted for similar uses, reducing redundant configuration work and simplifying maintenance since changes to the module definition automatically update all instances.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus to create process plant operator interfaces are disclosed. A disclosed example method to create a process plant operator interface comprises receiving a search criterion, identifying a user interface module based on the search criterion, and adding the identified user interface module to the process plant operator interface.