Runtime Process Visualization Styles for Flexible Industrial Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current process graphics in industrial applications are inflexible, preventing operators from customizing displays without extensive re-engineering, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows operators to dynamically change visualization styles for process information in real-time using a visualization application, enabling customization of gadget windows with pre-defined or user-defined styles, and storing configurations for later use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If process graphics are pre-defined and tightly integrated into applications, then system stability and reliability are improved, but operator flexibility and ease of customization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by allowing operators to modify visualization styles, data object representations, and gadget configurations during runtime without requiring system shutdown or re-engineering. The system transitions from static pre-defined graphics to dynamic adaptable displays, resolving the contradiction between system stability and operator flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the visualization system into independent configurable components including data objects, visualization styles, gadgets, and display elements. Each component can be individually customized and reconfigured without affecting the entire system, enabling operator flexibility while maintaining overall system stability through modular architecture.
2Ease of operation
If operators want to customize displays, then operator effectiveness is improved, but re-engineering time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides pre-configured visualization styles, gadget templates, and display patterns that operators can select and customize without starting from scratch. These preliminary configurations reduce the time and effort required for display customization while maintaining operator effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables operators to copy existing gadgets, display configurations, and visualization patterns, then modify them for specific needs. This copying mechanism eliminates the need for complete re-engineering and significantly reduces customization time while preserving operator effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple visualization styles are supported for data objects, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gadget framework that can display multiple visualization styles (graphs, tables, gauges, text) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach provides visualization flexibility without increasing system complexity, as the same underlying architecture supports diverse display types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages complexity by controlling visualization style changes through standardized parameters and configuration settings rather than requiring separate system components for each style. Operators can switch between visualization styles by modifying display parameters, maintaining system simplicity while achieving high adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (400) for visualizing process information in industrial process applications, wherein the process information is comprised in data objects related to process elements and data objects are represented as visualized data objects according to pre-defined visualization styles, and wherein a data object is representable by a plurality of different visualization styles. The method (400) comprises the following steps: Running (402) a visualization application for visualizing the process information, selecting (404) a visualization style for a data object during run time of the visualization application, and applying (406) the visualization style according to the selection during run time of the visualization application (100).