Operator Station Visualization for Tracing Process Action Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for technical installations lack efficiency and flexibility in operation and monitoring, as operators face difficulties in tracing the impact of their actions on process engineering processes within the system.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising an operator station server and client, configured to transmit visualization information and generate a graphical presentation of a measured variable's temporal progression, visually indicating operating actions performed within a specified past time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operating messages are stored in a process data archive, then the audit trail function is improved, but the ability to trace the impact of operator actions on process engineering processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the audit trail function with the process monitoring function by integrating operating message display directly into the process visualization. This merging allows operators to simultaneously view process data and their actions, establishing a direct visual connection between cause (operator action) and effect (process change) without requiring separate archive queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a correlation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between operating messages and process data. This mediator links specific operator actions to their corresponding process effects through temporal and contextual relationships, enabling automatic tracing of action impacts without manual analysis.
2Quantity of substance
If operating messages are trimmed to the audit trail, then the data storage efficiency is improved, but the ease of determining the effect of process-controlling actions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing operating messages in chronological sequence alongside process data trends. This dimensional addition allows operators to visually correlate actions with their effects over time without requiring extensive data storage, as only relevant temporal relationships are preserved and displayed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by displaying detailed operating message information only at specific locations within the visualization where actions occurred, rather than storing or displaying all messages uniformly. This allows efficient storage while providing comprehensive traceability where needed.
3Loss of information
If message sequence displays are used to view operating messages, then the completeness of audit information is improved, but the time required to locate specific actions and their effects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by automatically highlighting or indicating the process effects that result from operator actions within the visualization. This immediate feedback mechanism eliminates the need for operators to manually search through message sequences, as the system actively presents the cause-effect relationships directly in the process display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-correlating operating messages with their corresponding process effects before display. This advance preparation of the data relationships allows operators to immediately see action impacts without requiring real-time analysis or searching, significantly reducing localization time.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and control system for a technical installation, in particular a manufacturing or processing installation, includes at least one operator station server and at least one operator station client connected to the operator station server, wherein the operator station server transmits visualization information to the operator station client and the operator station client generates, via the visualization information, a graphical presentation for an operator of the technical installation of a temporal progression of a measured variable of the control system assigned to a technical object of the technical installation within a specific, past time period, where the control system is configured to visually indicate to the operator on the operator station client operating actions that have been implemented by the operator or another operator within the specified, past time period.