Operator Display Switching Preview for Process Plant Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed process control systems, operators face challenges in navigating and managing multiple process sections within a process plant, requiring frequent re-orientation and navigation between different user interface displays, which can lead to confusion and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device that allows operators to preview one process section while simultaneously viewing another, with the ability to display both sections side-by-side or in a split-screen format, including graphic representations and live data, and enabling adjustable parameters in one section while locking the other for preview mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators navigate between different user interface displays to manage multiple process sections, then they can access different process sections, but they experience frequent re-orientation and navigation confusion which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into multiple regions, with each region showing a different process section. This allows operators to view multiple process sections simultaneously without navigating away from the current view, eliminating re-orientation time while maintaining access to all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple process section displays are merged into a single unified interface on one screen. Operators can see and manage multiple process sections concurrently in one view, combining the functionality of multiple separate displays into one integrated system.
2Loss of information
If operators view one process section at a time on a single display, then they can focus on current tasks, but they cannot simultaneously monitor other process sections which reduces overall awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The interface transitions from a single-dimensional sequential view (one section at a time) to a multi-dimensional simultaneous view where multiple process sections are displayed together on the same screen in different regions, allowing operators to monitor all sections at once without increasing physical device complexity.
3Reliability
If operators need to adjust parameters in one process section while monitoring another, then they can control current processes, but they must switch displays which creates navigation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independent regions, each showing a different process section. Operators can adjust parameters in one segmented region while simultaneously monitoring other segments, eliminating navigation errors while maintaining control precision through dedicated parameter adjustment interfaces in each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for previewing an operator display of a process section in a process plant include presenting a process section on a user interface device, where the process section includes a user control for presenting and/or displaying another process section on the process plant display. In response to receiving user input indicative of a request to display a preview of the other process section via the user control, the user interface device presents the other process section while simultaneously presenting the process section in a preview mode. The process sections in the preview mode may be presented side-by-side, above and below each other, in separate display windows, etc.