System management user interface providing user access to status information for process control system equipment including a status monitor

• US 20070240052A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Wayland, Donald, Murty, Naredla, Nguyen, Maria, Barry, Brian, Garrison, Kristen, Sherrill, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface (GUI) includes a number of interface features that enhance the accessibility of system status information to users. Such enhancements include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree. Other enhancements include: a search function for quickly locating a device in the system to render detailed information, a navigation tree that displays equipment status via icons, and propagating fault statuses up to a highest level of the navigation tree.

Claims

1. A system management HMI application including:

a multi-paned interface including;

a navigation pane including a hierarchical tree including nodes corresponding to control system equipment, and

a component-specific information pane providing detailed information corresponding to a selected node on the navigation pane wherein the detailed information includes diagnostic information; and

wherein the hierarchical tree includes graphical status indicators displayed proximate equipment nodes with which they are associated.