Navigation Tree Display for Complex Plant Apparatus Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex plants require large, detailed master displays for monitoring and controlling apparatus information, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, making navigation and information display challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method using a navigation tree with interlinked nodes to display apparatus information, allowing for automatic identification and display of relevant information, enabling a compact and intuitive interface that simplifies navigation and eliminates the need for extensive displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If large master displays are used to display all apparatus information of complex plants, then complete information display is achieved, but display complexity and navigation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex plant monitoring system into a hierarchical navigation tree structure with multiple levels (plant level, apparatus level, component level). Each level displays only relevant information for that scope, segmenting the overwhelming information into manageable portions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining information completeness through hierarchical organization while reducing display complexity at each individual view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the display structure, organizing apparatus information across multiple levels rather than presenting all information in a single flat view. This dimensional transformation allows complete information to be available through navigation while keeping each display screen focused and manageable, thus reducing navigation difficulty without losing information.
2Measurement precision
If detailed schematic representations are mapped on master displays, then monitoring precision is improved, but navigation and information location become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic navigation system where the display automatically adapts based on the selected hierarchical level. When a user selects an apparatus, the system dynamically reconfigures the display to show that apparatus's components and status, transforming from a static comprehensive view to a dynamic focused view. This maintains monitoring precision while improving navigation ease through automatic contextual adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation tree structure serves as an intermediary between the comprehensive plant overview and detailed apparatus information. Instead of directly navigating complex schematics, users interact with the structured navigation tree that mediates access to detailed information, making navigation more intuitive while preserving access to precise monitoring data.
3Ease of operation
If automatic identification and positioning of apparatus information is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation tree structure is designed to be self-updating and self-organizing. When apparatus information changes or new apparatus are added, the system automatically updates the navigation tree without requiring manual reconfiguration. This self-service capability provides automatic identification and positioning functionality while minimizing the complexity of manual system management.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device displays device information in a navigation tree, whose nodes are each assigned to apparatus parts, apparatuses and/or apparatus groups, such that the apparatus information with a node that is superordinate both to the node which is assigned to a source of the apparatus information, and to a currently selected node.