Operator Station Display Control With Condition-Based View Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems require operators to manually recognize, identify, and open user selections in response to specific situations, limiting the efficiency of runtime personalization and utilization of user selections.

Innovation Solution

A control system with an operator station server and client that allows operators to specify conditions for automatic graphical presentation modifications, enabling the system to automatically apply these modifications when the specified conditions are met, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual recognition and identification of user selections is required, then operators can access customized graphical presentations, but operational efficiency is reduced due to multiple manual steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessing user selectionsVSAvoidtime to recognize and identify user selections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting situations and pre-identifying relevant user selections before the operator needs them. The operator station server monitors process data and proactively determines which saved graphical presentations are relevant, eliminating the need for operators to manually search through multiple user selections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically managing the connection between situations and user selections. The operator station client and server work together to automatically apply the correct user selection when a matching situation is detected, making the system self-sufficient in retrieving and applying customized presentations without operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If user selections are stored and made available at runtime, then operators can personalize their workflow, but the complexity of managing multiple user selections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveruntime personalization capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of managing user selections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring process data and automatically matching current situations against stored user selection criteria. The operator station server receives process data, compares it with stored conditions, and automatically retrieves the appropriate user selection, creating a closed-loop system that manages complexity through automated feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The operator station server performs multiple functions: it stores user selections, monitors process data, detects situations, identifies relevant user selections, and applies them automatically. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex systems into a single integrated platform, managing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automatic situation detection and user selection application is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but the extent of automation increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidlevel of automated control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments automation into distinct modular components: situation detection by the operator station server, user selection identification, and automatic application by the operator station client. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving productivity while managing automation complexity through modular architecture rather than monolithic automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4449220B1Control system for a technical plant and method of operation

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SIEMENS AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control system (9) for a technical installation. The control system comprises an operator station server (3) and an operator station client (2) which is connected to the server, wherein the server (3) transmits visualisation information to the client (2), and wherein the client (2) generates a graphical display (1) for an operator by means of the visualisation information, and wherein the client (2) accepts a request for a modification of the display (1) from the operator and transmits said request to the server (3), and wherein the server (3) stores the request received by the client (2) in a memory (16) of the server (3). The operator station client (2) accepts a condition, which can be specified by the operator, for applying the modification of the graphical display (1) and transmits it to the server (3), wherein the server (3) stores the condition in the memory (16) of the server (3).