Process Graphics Parsing for Automated SOP Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control and automation systems face inefficiencies in generating and maintaining up-to-date standard operating procedures (SOPs, as existing methods require significant manual effort and are not effectively updated to reflect changes in plant operations, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies in alarm management and operator efficiency assessments.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves parsing graphics files to identify primitive objects, determining relationships, and constructing SOPs using pattern libraries and clustering algorithms, allowing for the aggregation of repeated elements and mapping to standard shapes, thereby automating the generation of SOPs and enhancing migration efficiency between legacy and modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) graphics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to generate and maintain standard operating procedures, then process experts can create detailed SOPs, but significant time and effort are required and SOPs are not effectively updated to reflect changes in plant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies and extracts information from existing process control graphics files to generate SOPs, eliminating the need for manual creation. The parsing process replicates process flow information, device relationships, and operational sequences directly from the graphics data structure into standardized procedure documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of SOP creation with an automated computer-based system. Software algorithms parse graphics files, extract process information, and generate SOPs automatically, substituting human expert manual work with computational processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual updating of SOPs is performed to reflect plant operation changes, then SOP accuracy is maintained, but process experts must spend significant time configuring rules for alarm management and operator efficiency assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-updating of SOPs by automatically detecting changes in process control graphics and regenerating procedures without human intervention. The automated parsing and generation process allows SOPs to maintain themselves as plant operations evolve, eliminating the need for continuous manual updates by process experts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where changes in process control graphics automatically trigger SOP regeneration. The system continuously monitors for updates in the graphics data and automatically adjusts SOPs to reflect current plant operations, ensuring adaptability without manual effort.
3Loss of information
If custom graphics are used in control systems, then detailed process representation is achieved, but translation to modern HMI formats requires significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically copies process information from legacy graphics files to modern HMI formats through automated parsing and reconstruction. It extracts process flow data, device relationships, and operational parameters from old graphics and recreates them in contemporary formats, preserving all essential process details without manual transcription.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms graphics data by changing parameters from legacy formats to modern HMI specifications. It converts old graphics file structures, coordinate systems, and data representations into current standards while maintaining the underlying process information integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and the corresponding apparatus are carried out to interpret custom graphics to compile all of the equipment and relationships of the equipment, controls, the relative hierarchy of the graphics and other elements in a manufacturing plant and to then use all of that information to produce a standard operating procedure.