Process Control GUI with Layered Displays for Operator Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional process control systems often lack integrated visualization tools that allow operators to consistently monitor and control industrial processes within their normal workflow, leading to missed operational improvements and potential abnormal situation mitigation.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented in process control systems that provides a rich variety of objects, including icons, faceplates, charts, and trends, allowing operators to visualize and control regulatory, advanced process control, and optimization techniques within their normal workflow, using HTML, scripting, and MICROSOFT .NET objects, and integrating a peephole display within a pigeonhole display to present detailed information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional process control systems are used without integrated visualization tools, then the system structure remains simple, but operators cannot effectively monitor and control processes within their normal workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visualization tools directly into the process control system's workflow interface. Visual elements are embedded within the control application so operators can monitor and control processes without switching between separate tools, thereby improving ease of operation while managing system complexity through integration rather than addition of separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously performs process control, data monitoring, and visualization tasks. This multi-functionality allows the system to improve operator workflow integration without requiring separate dedicated visualization systems, thus managing the trade-off between ease of operation and device complexity
2Loss of information
If detailed visualization tools are added to process control systems, then operator understanding and monitoring capability improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization system divides process information into discrete visual elements that can be selectively displayed and configured. This segmentation allows detailed information to be presented in manageable units, improving information visibility while keeping the overall system complexity可控 through modular organization of visual components
Solution Approach 2:
Visual elements are nested within the control application interface, with layers of information that can be expanded or collapsed. This nesting structure allows detailed process information to be integrated into the existing control workflow without adding top-level system complexity, as the visualization components are embedded within the familiar control environment
Data Source
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AI summary
Various graphical displays used for visualization of control techniques in a process control system can be provided to an operator. For example, the graphical display could include an image (224) associated with a portion of a process and icons (602, 608, 614, 638) that are associated with corresponding process variables. At least some of the icons (638) include a symbol that represents a change of one value of the associated process variable relative to another value of the process variable. Another graphical display could include a pigeonhole display (1200) that includes visual elements (802, 810, 814) associated with corresponding process variables. Selection of a visual element could present the operator with a peephole display (1000) that includes information associated with process variables associated with the selected visual element. Each visual element (900) displays layers (902, 904, 906) of information that are associated with its process variable.