Man-machine interface for a virtual lockout/tagout panel display

• US 6,366,301 B1
• Filed: 08/18/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Vandevanter, John S., Butland, Geoff, Thomas, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/376,601
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 702/183, 702/184, 702/185, 702/186, 345/771, 345/772, 345/810, 345/835, 345/838, 345/840
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/20 Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms

Abstract

A three dimensional power management control system provides control and graphical representation of a plurality of electrical devices and components of an electrical distribution system. The PMCS includes a graphical representation of tagout/lockout displays (i.e., Danger and Ground Tags) representative of a physical lockout/tagout tag attached locally to a device of the electrical distribution system. The graphical displays include a large bit map representative of a Danger tag and a Ground Tag installed on a device, and representative symbols displayed at other graphical and tabular data displays associated with the tagged device. The implementation of the virtual lockout/tagout displays is automated using software, namely a Tagging Wizard. The Tagging Wizard provides automated configuration of the lockout/tagout graphic and the ability to install and remove virtual tagout displays associated with the graphical representation of the device of the distribution system. The Tagging Wizard logically links a one-line wizard associated with each graphical and/or tabular representation a common device to a common discrete memory tag for storing the tagged condition of a device. A “Tag Menu” window includes an install and remove button for each lockout/tagout tag that when selected stores data in the memory tag.

Claims

1. A method of generating a lockout tag display indicative of tagging status of a device of a power management control system;

said method comprising;

selecting a device of the power management control system from a window;

selecting a tagging wizard associated with the selected device;

linking said tagging wizard to a memory register by a one-line wizard; and

installing graphically a lockout tag associated with the device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said tagging wizard providing a navigational link between said tagging wizard and another wizard displaying a graphical representation of the device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the navigational link includes said memory register commonly addressable by said tagging wizard and said another wizard.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein installing said lockout tag comprising generating a graphical representation of said lockout tag.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said lockout tag includes information of the individual installing said lockout tag.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said lockout tag includes information of the time of the installation of the lockout tag.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein installing said lockout tag comprises generating a graphical symbol adjacent a graphical representation of the device of another wizard.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the another wizard is a faceplate power wizard.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the another wizard is a tabular data power wizard.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing a lockout tag associated with the device.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said lockout tag is a ground tag indicative of the tagged device having a grounded lead.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said lockout tag is a danger tag indicative of a dangerous condition if the tagged device is actuated.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an access level for the tagging wizard, wherein access to install the lockout tag by a user is permitted, provided the user has an assigned access level at least equal to the access level of the tagging wizard.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein installing said lockout tag includes setting a bit at said memory register.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein removing said lockout tag includes clearing a bit at said memory register.