Portable HMI Device for Remote Industrial Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems in industrial automation require direct user input through physical devices like mice, keyboards, or touch screens, limiting remote management and control of industrial operations.
Innovation Solution
A portable HMI device that connects to general-purpose display systems via a video interface, allowing navigation and selection using remote devices like infrared controls, smartphones, or tablets, and communicates with an application server to manage and monitor industrial operations, enabling remote access and visualization of key performance indicators and machine control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional HMI systems use built-in display screens and physical input devices, then users can directly interact with the system, but the system lacks portability and flexibility in adapting to different display technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI device is designed to work with multiple types of display systems (TVs, monitors, projectors) through universal video interfaces like HDMI and DisplayPort. The device can function as a complete HMI system when connected to any compatible display, eliminating the need for dedicated built-in displays and enabling flexible deployment across different industrial environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The display function is extracted from the HMI device itself and offloaded to external display systems. This separation allows the HMI device to focus on processing and control functions while leveraging the display capabilities of connected devices, thereby reducing hardware complexity and improving portability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional HMI systems require direct physical input devices, then users can provide input, but remote management and control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication modules serve as intermediaries between users and the HMI device, enabling remote input and control. The device can receive commands wirelessly and display information on external screens, allowing operators to manage industrial equipment from a distance without needing to be physically present at the HMI interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical input devices are replaced with wireless communication capabilities. Instead of requiring mechanical keyboards, mice, or touch screens integrated into the device, the system uses wireless protocols to transmit input signals, thereby simplifying the hardware while enabling remote operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional HMI systems use dedicated hardware components, then the system is reliable, but hardware costs and setup complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI device uses universal video interfaces and communication protocols that are widely supported across different hardware platforms. This universality simplifies manufacturing and setup while maintaining reliability through standardized connections and protocols that have been proven in various applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically detects and adapts to the connected display system, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration. This self-configuration capability reduces setup complexity while ensuring reliable operation by automatically optimizing settings for the specific display hardware being used.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and software to facilitate management of industrial operations are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, a portable HMI device is connected to a display system via a video interface, wherein the video interface provides interchangeability between a plurality of different display systems. A plurality of applications is stored in the portable HMI device. A remote navigation interface of the portable HMI device receives a selection transmitted from a remote navigation device, wherein the selection is associated with an industrial operation application of the applications displayed on the display system. The portable HMI device processes the selection of the industrial operation application and responsively executes the industrial operation application to communicate with an application server. A communication interface of the portable HMI device receives industrial operation data associated with the industrial operation application transmitted from the application server over a communication network for display on the display system.