Redundant Display Monitoring With Variation Patterns for Freeze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices in industrial plant settings, particularly in high-safety environments like nuclear power plants, face challenges in quickly detecting display failures and malfunctions, as changes in diagram shapes, colors, and characters due to software or drawing circuit breakdowns can be difficult to recognize, leading to potential incorrect determinations and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A display device configuration that includes a drawing processing unit with a comparator to detect inconsistencies in drawing data, using redundant configurations and variation patterns that consistently change, allowing for quick visual recognition of freeze states and trouble detection, ensuring accurate observation and preventing incorrect determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional display devices are used in industrial plant equipment, then the display can show control/monitor state information, but the display device cannot quickly detect troubles or malfunctions when they occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a redundant display system with a standby drawing processing unit and comparator before any malfunction occurs. The comparator continuously compares drawing data from multiple sources, and the system is pre-prepared to switch to backup components instantaneously upon detecting inconsistencies, enabling rapid trouble detection without requiring complex post-failure analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by introducing variation patterns that dynamically alter display parameters such as color, brightness, or positional information of specific display elements. By periodically changing these parameters and monitoring for inconsistencies in the altered states, the system can detect malfunctions through parameter deviation rather than relying on static display comparison
2Loss of information
If diagram shapes, colors, and characters are changed due to software or drawing circuit breakdown, then the display shows incorrect information, but it is difficult for observers to quickly recognize the incorrectness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using specific variation patterns that alter color parameters of display elements in predictable ways. When software or drawing circuits malfunction, the comparator detects inconsistencies in these color variations, and the system can highlight discrepancies through abnormal color changes or flash warnings, making it easier for observers to quickly recognize display inaccuracies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where the comparator continuously monitors drawing data consistency and provides real-time feedback about detected inconsistencies. This feedback mechanism enables the system to immediately identify and alert observers to display accuracy issues, transforming the difficult task of visual recognition into an automated detection and notification process
3Reliability
If the display freezes without special events, then the display shows static information, but observers cannot quickly determine that the display device is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing continuous periodic comparison of drawing data through the comparator and by using variation patterns that periodically change display parameters. This periodic monitoring ensures that even when the display appears frozen, the system is actively detecting inconsistencies in the underlying data, enabling rapid identification of freeze conditions without requiring special external events to trigger detection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention includes a drawing data generating unit (3), a variation pattern (9) that varies at regular intervals to be displayed, a display unit (2) that displays drawing data, and a comparator that compares whether input signals are coincident, and the drawing data generating unit (3) includes a receiver (5) that receives data from a higher-level device, a drawing control unit (7) that converts the data received from the higher-level device to drawing data, and a drawing memory (8) that stores the drawing data. The drawing data generating unit (3) and the variation pattern (9) are redundantly configured, and the variation pattern (9) is input to the drawing data generating unit (3). One output signal of the drawing data generating unit (3) regarding drawing data including the variation pattern (9) is transmitted to the display unit (2), a plurality of output signals from the drawing data generating unit (3) are input to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a comparison result as a detection signal outside. This improves safety and reliability when severe safety criteria are required such as in a case of monitor-display in industrial plant equipment.