Process Control Resource Mapping With Logical Device Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In process control systems, navigating to specific field devices within hierarchical structures is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in large environments where personnel may not have knowledge of resource locations or couplings, and existing systems often require redundant searches or lack comprehensive resource management interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logical containers within asset management tools allows process control personnel to group and associate resources based on preferences, creating customizable structures for easier access and management, including pictorial representations of resource locations, which enables quicker location and management of process control resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hierarchical structure based on physical coupling and location is used to organize process control resources, then comprehensive resource management and systematic organization are achieved, but navigation time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large hierarchical structure into smaller, manageable logical containers that group field devices by functional relationships rather than physical location. This segmentation allows operators to access specific groups of devices without navigating through the entire hierarchical structure, reducing navigation time and perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logical containers as intermediary layers between the physical hierarchical structure and the user interface. These containers act as virtual shortcuts that map multiple field devices to a single accessible node, allowing operators to navigate to groups of devices through a simplified interface without exposing the underlying hierarchical complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional hierarchical navigation is used to access field devices, then systematic resource organization is maintained, but time to locate and access specific resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes field devices into logical containers based on functional relationships and operational contexts before users need to access them. This preliminary grouping allows operators to directly access relevant device groups without performing sequential navigation through hierarchical levels, significantly reducing access time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes logical containers universal access points that can represent multiple field devices simultaneously. A single logical container can provide access to diverse devices across different physical locations and hierarchical levels, allowing operators to access multiple resources through a single navigation action rather than traversing through each device individually.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive hierarchical structure is implemented to manage all process control resources, then complete resource coverage is achieved, but interface complexity and difficulty of use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic logical containers that can be flexibly created, modified, and configured based on operational needs. Unlike static hierarchical structures, logical containers can be dynamically adjusted to reflect changing operational contexts, allowing the interface to adapt to user requirements without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to the traditional physical hierarchical structure by introducing logical containers that operate in a separate organizational dimension. This allows resources to be grouped by functional relationships independent of their physical location, creating an additional layer of organization that simplifies access without removing comprehensive resource coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method to display graphical representations of process control field devices in a pictorial representation of a process control system using a coordinate mapping created for the pictorial representation of the process control system, the method comprising displaying the pictorial representation of the process control system; determining a location of a process control field device within the pictorial representation by matching location information associated with the process control field device to a corresponding coordinate mapping location within the pictorial representation, wherein the location information associated with the process control field device is specified when the process control field device is installed; displaying an icon in proximity to the location within the pictorial representation, the icon being a graphical representation of the process control field device and linking to information associated with the process control field device; receiving a selection of a logical container containing a subset of control field resources selected by process control personnel; identifying process control resources associated with the logical container; and displaying icons of the identified process control resources within the pictorial representation.