Process Display Window States for Industrial Data Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Process control systems face challenges in managing multiple open windows for industrial process monitoring, leading to data overload and inefficient resource utilization due to the need to handle a large number of active and inactive windows simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system manages open windows by subscribing to operational data for active windows and unsubscribing from inactive windows, using a graphical display that prioritizes active windows and provides visual cues for inactive windows, thereby optimizing data handling and reducing the perceived number of open windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple windows are kept open for monitoring different process sections, then operators can access more process information, but the system experiences data overload and inefficient resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the active state of windows based on user interaction. When a window is not actively viewed, it transitions to an inactive state where data subscription is suspended. This dynamic state change allows the system to maintain multiple windows for information accessibility while optimizing resource usage by actively subscribing only to data for currently active windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards active data subscriptions for windows that transition to inactive state, and recovers these subscriptions when windows become active again. This approach prevents continuous data overload while ensuring that process information becomes accessible again when the operator returns to viewing that window.
2Reliability
If all windows continuously subscribe to operational data, then all process information is continuously available, but downstream data providers experience excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
Data subscription is dynamically controlled based on window active state. When a window becomes inactive, the system suspends data subscription for that window, reducing the load on downstream data providers. When the window becomes active again, subscription is resumed, ensuring information availability is maintained when needed while reducing continuous resource consumption.
3Loss of information
If operators navigate among many open displays to monitor processes, then comprehensive process monitoring is achieved, but user interaction becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring functionality by dividing windows into active and inactive states. This segmentation allows operators to have multiple windows available for comprehensive process monitoring while only actively managing data flow for currently viewed sections, reducing the cognitive and operational burden of navigating numerous displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The window management system automatically tracks which windows are active versus inactive and manages data subscriptions accordingly without requiring manual operator intervention. This self-service approach optimizes the balance between comprehensive monitoring and operational efficiency automatically as operators navigate between windows.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes displaying (302) a plurality of windows (202-210) in a graphical display (200). Each window corresponds to a representation of at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes, responsive to a first window (202-210) being in an active state, subscribing (304) to first operational data associated with the process system. The method further includes, responsive to a second window (202-210) being in an inactive state, unsubscribing (306) from second operational data associated with the process system.