Human-machine interface for a control system

• US 20060241793A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Husoy, Kristoffer, Skourup, Charlotte, Pretlove, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,715,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0216 Human interface functionality, e.g. monitoring system providing help to the user in the selection of tests or in its configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/027 Alarm generation, e.g. communication protocol; Forms of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour

Abstract

A human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process and including a computer generated model of the process. The process or a part or component of the process is displayed such that the model is arranged to map a point on the computer generated model to data held by the control system about the at least one part or component of the process. A method to monitor and control a process using the human-machine interface and a system including the interface are also described.

Claims

1. A human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process, comprising:

a computer generated model of said process displaying said process or a part or component of said process, wherein said model is arranged to map a point on the computer generated model to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process.

2. An The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to change the shape of the displayed image and generate a change in an orientation of one or more selected parts of said model so displayed.

3. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to change the shape of the displayed image so and rotate said model or selected parts of said model about at least one axis.

4. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to change the shape of the displayed image and change the scale of the one or more parts of said model so displayed.

5. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged changeable with computer software means to present a visual display comprising a zoom-in on, and/or zoom-out from, one or more parts of said model so displayed.

6. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged with computer software means to display, show or superimpose technical data or information from any part of said process on the display of the one or more parts of said model.

7. The interface according to claim 6, wherein said model is arranged with computer software means to provide an active link for accessing or retrieving technical data or information about any of the one or more selected parts or components of said process displayed by said model.

8. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged with computer software means to provide an active link for accessing or retrieving technical data or real time information about a technical function of one or more selected parts or components of said process.

9. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged with computer software means to provide an active link for accessing or retrieving historical technical data or information about a technical function of one or more selected parts or components of said process so displayed.

10. The interface according to claim 8, wherein one or more graphic components of said model are arranged with computer software means for displaying a plurality of groups of technical information grouped relevant to a selected function, location or other operational facet or of a selected graphic component.

11. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the one or more graphic components of said model are arranged with computer software means for displaying technical information relevant to a selected function, location or other operational facet of the one or more parts of said process.

12. The interface according to claim 11, wherein the one or more graphic components of said model are arranged with computer software means for displaying technical information relevant to a selected one or more components grouped into a plurality of functions, locations, and/or operational facets for the selected one or more parts of said process.

13. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged displayed at least in part as a two dimensional representation of said process, arranged for manipulation by computer software means to so as to graphically change an orientation of one or more selected parts of said model.

14. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged displayed at least in part as a three dimensional representation of said process, arranged for manipulation by computer software means to so as to graphically change an orientation of one or more selected parts of said model.

15. The interface according to claim 13, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to so as to graphically change both scale and orientation of one or more selected parts of said model.

16. The interface according to claim 15, wherein said model is arranged so as to graphically change both scale and orientation of one or more selected parts of said model at the same time.

17. The interface according to claim 15, wherein said model is arranged so as to change both one or more selected parts of said model and display a moving image of said model in a mode of any from the list of:

fly through, spinning, 3D viewing, zooming.

18. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to superimpose a layer of information on top of the shape of one or more selected parts of said model.

19. The interface according to claim 1, wherein said model is arranged for manipulation by computer software means to remove a layer of information from the shape of one or more selected parts of said model and display other information about said process.

32. A computer readable medium comprising

a computer program which when read into a computer or processor will cause the computer or processor to carry out a method according to the steps of claim 1.

20. A method to monitor and control a process using a human-machine interface for a system for monitoring and control, the method comprising:

producing a model of said process with at least one graphic element displaying one or more parts or components of said process,

selecting a point on the model, and

mapping the point or data point on the computer generated model to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

retrieving technical information associated with a device or process displayed or represented by said graphic element and

presenting the information on the display.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

presenting for selection a group of information structures holding operational data about different facets of the at least one part or component of said process.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

presenting for selection a list of information sources structures holding real time or historic operational data about different facets of the at least one part or component of said process.

24. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

presenting on the display information of a warning or alarm that has occurred in respect of the at least one part or component of said process.

25. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

presenting on the display selection means (5) to receive and or go to the warning or alarm that has occurred in respect of the at least one part or component of said process.

26. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

manipulating the model to automatically go to the at least one part or component of said process for which the warning or alarm has been signalled.

27. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

manipulating the model to automatically go to the at least one part or component of said process for which the warning or alarm has been signalled.

28. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

manipulating the model to add or remove a layer of operational information associated with the at least one part or component of said process for which the warning or alarm has been signalled.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

manipulating the model to add or remove a layer of operational information associated with the at least one part or component for any from the list of;

electrical system, water/utility system, location of people, alarms, process materials, fire and/or gas leakages

30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

manipulating the model to display the at least one part or component by means of any graphic operation or 3D modeling operation from the list of;

fly through, spinning, 3D viewing, zooming.

31. A computer program which when read into a computer or processor will cause the computer or processor to carry out a method according to the steps of claim 20.

33. A control system comprising a human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process, comprising

a computer generated model of said process displaying said process or a part or component of said process, and

a computer comprising a Human Machine Interface comprising a model of said process arranged in that said model is arranged to map a point on the computer generated model to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process.

34. The control system according to claim 33, wherein the human-machine interface comprises a model of said process arranged to map known set points in the model to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process.

35. The control system according to claim 33, wherein the human-machine interface may be displayed and/or manipulated using a portable and/or wearable computing device.

36. The control system according to claim 33, wherein the known set points in the model are linked or referenced to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process by means of one or more structured text documents.

37. The control system according to claim 33, wherein the structured text documents link control system objects to 3D model representations and their physical position/orientation.

38. The control system according to claim 36, wherein at least one structured text document is generated automatically.

39. The control system according to claim 33, further comprising

means for selection of a part of a human-machine interface or 3D object and to display one or more visual or video images of a selected object.

40. The control system according to claim 39, further comprising

means for control of the video images from the control system.

41. The control system according to claim 33, further comprising

means for access to oral communication means with an operator by selecting a symbol of the a human-machine interface or a 3D model control system.

42. The control system according to claim 41, further comprising

means for access to oral or audio communication means in a given area of an installation by selecting or manipulating a symbol of the a human-machine interface or 3D model control system.

46. The control system according to claim 40, wherein the means for control of the video images from the control system comprises means to remotely operate pan/tilt/zoom controls of a camera.

47. The control system according to claim 41, wherein the means for access to oral communication means with an operator comprises a UHF/VHF radio or phone or portable phone.

48. The control system according to claim 42, wherein the means for access to oral or audio communication means comprises oral or audio means, Public Alarm &

Address devices, and/or loudspeakers.

43. A human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process, comprising

a computer generated model of said process displaying said process or a part or component of said process, wherein said model is a 3-D model arranged to map a point on the computer generated model to data held by said control system about the at least one part or component of said process.

44. Use of a human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process, comprising a computer generated model of said process displaying said process or a part or component of said process, for providing and presenting information in a control system of an oil or gas storage, treatment or process installation.

45. Use of a human-machine interface of a control system for monitoring and control of a process, comprising a computer generated model of said process displaying said process or a part or component of said process, for providing and presenting information in a control system of an electrical generation, transmission or distribution installation.