Operator Intervention UI Configuration for Plant Anomalies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user interfaces for operator intervention in industrial plants are inefficient and unreliable, requiring significant time and effort to configure, leading to potential delays or incorrect resolutions of technical issues, which can impact plant operation and safety.

Innovation Solution

An industrial plant operator intervention system that automatically determines a user interface configuration based on technical context data and operator-specific data, including skill sets and current behavior, to provide an anomaly-related and operator-specific interface, improving the efficiency and reliability of interventions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standardized user interface is used for operator intervention, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different operators and anomalies is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface configuration is dynamically generated based on the anomaly type and operator characteristics. The system automatically adapts the interface layout, information display, and interaction elements to match the specific context, transforming a static standardized interface into a dynamic adaptive one that optimizes both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes interface parameters such as layout configuration, information density, and element positioning based on the detected anomaly and operator profile. By adjusting these parameters automatically, the interface becomes tailored to each situation while maintaining operational simplicity through automated configuration rather than manual customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a customized user interface is created for each operator and anomaly, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and time to configure the interface are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating the appropriate user interface configuration without requiring manual intervention from operators or system administrators. The processing unit autonomously analyzes the anomaly, retrieves relevant operator data, and configures the interface accordingly, eliminating the complexity of manual customization while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares interface configurations in advance by pre-defining template structures and parameter sets for different anomaly types and operator categories. When an anomaly occurs, the system quickly selects and instantiates the appropriate pre-prepared configuration, reducing the time and computational complexity required for interface customization while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration of user interface is required, then the adaptability to operator needs is improved, but the time to perform operator intervention is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically configures the user interface by itself based on the anomaly context and operator profile, eliminating the need for manual configuration steps. This self-service approach maintains adaptability to operator needs while significantly reducing the time required to prepare the interface for intervention, allowing operators to focus immediately on resolving the anomaly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive operator data is collected and processed, then the operator-specific customization is improved, but the data processing complexity and time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator-specific customizationVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the most relevant operator data elements needed for interface configuration, such as skill level, experience with specific equipment, and current task context. By selectively extracting and processing only essential data rather than comprehensively analyzing all available operator information, the system achieves effective operator-specific customization while minimizing data processing complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4145234A1Industrial plant operator intervention system for use in an industrial plant
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4145234A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4145234A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4145234A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an industrial plant operator intervention system for use in an industrial plant, the system comprising a processing unit configured to monitor and analyze industrial plant operation data to detect an anomaly in the industrial plant operation data that warrants initiating an operator intervention, and in response to detecting the anomaly, automatically determine a user interface configuration of a user interface to be presented to a designated operator who is to perform the operator intervention. The user interface configuration is determined on the basis of technical context data, including industrial plant operation data associated with the anomaly, and on the basis of operator data pertaining to the designated operator, in such a manner that an anomaly-related and operator-specific user interface configuration is obtained.