Operator Terminal Display Layout for Alarm-Driven Screen Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing process control systems require significant engineering time to pre-configure for various scenarios, leading to inefficient display element management during alarms or events, causing operator inconvenience and time loss.

Innovation Solution

A display element handling device and method that dynamically adjusts display elements on an operator terminal based on received alarms or events, utilizing machine learning to prioritize and update display combinations, incorporating AI/ML algorithms to learn operator habits and preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pre-configuration is used to prepare display elements for specific alarms or events, then the system can react automatically to alarms/events, but it requires a big amount of time for engineering and can cover only partially the possible scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic reaction to alarmsVSAvoidengineering time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display element combination changes dynamically based on the current situation and operator selections rather than being statically pre-configured. The system adapts the display configuration in real-time according to the alarm type and operator choices, eliminating the need for extensive pre-engineering of all possible scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines and presents situation handling display element combinations without requiring manual pre-configuration for each scenario. The processor autonomously selects appropriate display elements based on the alarm received and operator preferences, making the system self-configuring rather than requiring external engineering effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the operator returns to the task after handling the alarm or event, then the operator can continue the original work, but the display elements needed for the task may no longer be available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator workflow continuityVSAvoidtime to reconfigure screen
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system preserves the current display element combination information and uses it as a basis for determining situation handling display element combinations. When the operator returns to the task, the system can restore or maintain the original display configuration, avoiding the need for reconfiguration and ensuring display elements are available when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the operator manually configures the screen to view necessary display elements, then the operator can access required information, but it is cumbersome and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to necessary informationVSAvoidtime to configure screen
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines and configures the situation handling display element combination based on the received alarm and operator selections, eliminating the need for manual screen configuration. The processor autonomously selects and displays the relevant display elements, making the system self-configuring rather than requiring operator effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-determines appropriate display element combinations for different alarm situations and presents them to the operator for selection. This preliminary preparation of display configurations eliminates the need for operators to manually configure screens during time-critical alarm handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4614266A1Arranging display elements to be displayed on an operator terminal of a process control system
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4614266A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614266A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4614266A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A display element handling device (12; 17) for a process control system (10) receives an alarm or event from the process control system (10) when a current display element combination is displayed to a process control system operator on the operator terminal (12), which current display element combination comprises display elements selected by the process control system operator, determines a situation handling display element combination directed towards addressing the alarm or event, which situation handling display element combination comprises one or more display elements linked to the alarm or event to be displayed to the process control system operator on the operator terminal, changes, if receiving a selection from the process control system operator in relation to the situation handling display element combination, a screen of the operator terminal (12) according to the selection, and updates the situation handling display element combination.