Power System Alarm Panel Icons for Operator Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power system control and monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently handling alarms due to the use of textual descriptions, which limits operator awareness and increases the risk of inadequate responses, especially when multitasking across different screen views.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that generates and outputs an alarm panel with graphical icon sequences, allowing operators to maintain situational awareness and perform control actions efficiently, even when working on screens other than the alarm list view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If textual descriptions are used for alarms, then alarm information can be conveyed, but operator awareness is limited and screen space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded icons to represent different alarm types and states. Each alarm category (e.g., faults, warnings, events) is assigned specific colors that provide immediate visual recognition. This color-coding system allows operators to quickly grasp alarm severity and type without reading textual descriptions, thereby improving operator awareness while effectively conveying alarm information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of alarm information in the form of icon sequences that represent the essential characteristics of each alarm. Instead of displaying full textual alarm descriptions, the system generates compact icon representations that capture the core alarm meaning. These icon copies can be displayed in limited screen space while maintaining the essential information needed for operator awareness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple screen views are used for multitasking, then operational flexibility is improved, but maintaining alarm awareness becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments alarm information into distinct visual icon sequences that can be independently displayed and recognized. Each alarm is represented by a separate icon or icon sequence, allowing operators to quickly scan and understand multiple alarm states without needing to focus on a single alarm list screen. This segmentation enables effective multitasking across different screen views while maintaining comprehensive alarm awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear textual alarm lists to a two-dimensional visual icon grid layout. This dimensional change allows alarm information to be presented in a compact, space-efficient format that can be integrated into multiple screen views simultaneously. The icon-based representation adds a visual dimension that enhances information density and accessibility across different operational screens.
3Area of stationary object
If icon sequences are used for alarms, then screen space efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal icon library where each icon serves multiple functions: representing alarm types, indicating severity levels, showing alarm states, and providing visual categorization. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of distinct visual elements needed while maximizing screen space utilization. The same icon set can represent various alarm conditions across different screen views without requiring additional complex graphics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in icon characteristics (such as color, size, or arrangement) to convey different alarm information rather than creating entirely different icons for each alarm type. By varying parameters of a base icon set, the system achieves diverse alarm representation with a limited icon library, thereby reducing overall interface complexity while maintaining effective use of screen space.
Data Source
AI summary
To process monitoring data during operation of an electric power system, a processing system controls a human machine interface to output an alarm panel, enable an operator input to select a list element from the alarm list, and, responsive to the operator input, cause at least one control action to be performed. The alarm panel comprises several icon sequences for several alarms.