Operator Terminal Parallel Coordinates Data Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process control systems, operators face difficulties in discerning relevant data amidst a large amount of process control data, especially when alarms are generated, making it hard to make control or protection-related decisions due to scattered and complex information representation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves presenting process data points on a display using parallel coordinates, where each data point is represented by a vertical axis, and values associated with the same control aspect are linked with lines, allowing operators to select and filter data points based on criteria, simplifying the presentation and focus on monitoring the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If process control data is presented in traditional scattered formats, then all data can be displayed, but operator ability to discern relevant data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex data presentation by introducing control aspects as categorical groupings that organize multiple data points. Each control aspect (e.g., voltage, current, power) segments the overall data space, allowing operators to focus on specific segments relevant to their decisions while maintaining access to the complete dataset through the parallel coordinates structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms traditional scattered 2D data presentation into a multi-dimensional parallel coordinates display where each control aspect becomes a separate axis. This dimensional transformation allows operators to perceive relationships across multiple variables simultaneously, converting the complexity of scattered data into structured multi-dimensional space that reveals patterns and correlations.
2Loss of information
If all process control data points are presented, then complete information is available, but operator ability to focus on monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic filtering capabilities where operators can interactively select and deselect control aspects to adjust the displayed data subset. This dynamic nature allows the system to adapt between showing all data points for complete information and filtering to specific control aspects for focused monitoring, with the parallel coordinates graph updating in real-time to reflect operator preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables operators to extract and isolate specific control aspects from the complete dataset by allowing selective filtering. When operators need focused monitoring, they can extract only the relevant control aspects (e.g., only voltage-related data during a voltage instability event), separating the essential information from the rest of the data while maintaining the ability to include all data when comprehensive viewing is needed.
3Measurement precision
If data points are selected manually one by one, then precise selection is possible, but time required for decision-making increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary grouping of data points by control aspects, so that when operators need to select data for analysis, the relevant data points are already organized and accessible as coherent groups. This preliminary organization by control aspects eliminates the need for operators to manually search and select individual data points one by one, as the parallel coordinates structure presents data in pre-grouped, meaningful categories that align with operational decision-making needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of enabling an operator to make control or protection related decisions in a process control system, an operator terminal in a process control system as well as to a computer program product for such an operator terminal. The method includes the steps receiving (38) an operator selection of a control object in a view of control objects, selecting (40) a number of data points for a group of control objects including the operator selected control object according to a data point selection criterion, fetching (42) process data values associated with the data points and with different control aspects, and presenting (44) the process data values of on a display, where each data point receives one corresponding presentation axis on which data values of this data point are presented and data values of data points associated with the same control aspect are linked together with a line.