U.S. patent application number 13/280063 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for process control overview on a supervisory control system display unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABB Research Ltd. Invention is credited to Dilip Kota, Christine Mikkelsen, Claus VETTER.
Application Number | 20120116542 13/280063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41074442 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120116542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VETTER; Claus ; et
al. |
May 10, 2012 |
PROCESS CONTROL OVERVIEW ON A SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM DISPLAY
UNIT
Abstract
A method for enabling supervision of a technical system and a
supervisory control system for supervising a technical system are
provided. An overview picture of the technical system is shown on a
display unit and the overview system receives input signals
indicating a selection of at least one object of interest shown in
the overview picture. In response to these input signals, a
detailed information view is displayed at least partly overlapping
the overview picture, where the detailed information view is
associated with the object and includes detailed information of the
object.
Inventors: |
VETTER; Claus; (Buchs,
CH) ; Kota; Dilip; (Vasteras, SE) ; Mikkelsen;
Christine; (Vasteras, SE) |
Assignee: |
ABB Research Ltd
Zurich
CH
|
Family ID: |
41074442 |
Appl. No.: |
13/280063 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/EP2010/055214 |
Apr 20, 2010 |
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13280063 |
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61202941 |
Apr 22, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 23/0272
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/9 |
International
Class: |
G05B 15/02 20060101
G05B015/02 |
Claims
1. A supervisory control system for supervising a technical system,
the supervisory control system comprising: a display unit for
displaying an overview picture of the technical system or part of
the technical system, the overview picture comprising at least one
object representing an entity of the technical system; a display
view displaying the overview picture together with a detailed
information view at least partly overlapping the overview picture,
the detailed information view being associated with the object and
comprising detailed information about the entity represented by the
object; means for receiving input signals indicating a selection of
the object shown in the overview picture; means for displaying a
graphical symbol indicating the presence of the further information
if the object is selected; and means for displaying, on the display
unit, the detailed information view only if input signals are
received indicating a selection of the graphical symbol.
2. The supervisory control system according to claim 1, wherein the
input signals include position data of a pointing and selection
tool of the display unit, and wherein the supervisory control
system comprises means for determining that the object is selected
if the position of the pointing and selection tool is in the
vicinity of the position of the object.
3. The supervisory control system according to claim 2, wherein the
object is determined to be selected without further actuation of a
user input unit.
4. The supervisory control system according to claim 1, wherein the
overview picture is a geographical overview picture of a power
transmission system.
5. The supervisory control system according to claim 1, comprising:
means for displaying the detailed information view in an opaque or
transparent manner over the overview picture.
6. The supervisory control system according to claim 1, comprising:
means for receiving, in the detailed information view, input
commands related to a certain action in the technical process, and
effectuating the action.
7. The supervisory control system according to claim 1, wherein the
detailed information view comprises a set of other miniaturized
selectable overview pictures.
8. The supervisory control system according to claim 7, comprising:
means for receiving input signals indicating a selection of a
miniaturized overview picture; and means for displaying the
selected overview picture as a new overview picture.
9. A method for enabling supervision of a technical system, the
method being implemented in a supervisory control system comprising
a display unit showing an overview picture of the technical system,
the method comprising the steps of: receiving input signals
indicating a selection of at least one object of interest shown in
the overview picture; displaying a graphical symbol indicating a
presence of further information about an entity of the technical
system represented by the object, if the object is selected;
receiving input signals indicating a selection of the graphical
symbol; and displaying, in response to receiving the input signals,
a detailed information view at least partly overlapping the
overview picture, the detailed information view comprising the
further information of the object, to enable supervision of the
technical system.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the input signals
include position data of a pointing and selection tool of the
display unit, and wherein the method comprises the step of
determining that the object is selected if the position of the
pointing and selection tool is in the vicinity of the position of
the object.
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of:
determining that the object is selected without actuating a user
input.
12. The method according to claim 9, comprising the steps of:
receiving, in the detailed information view, input commands related
to a certain action; and effectuating the action.
13. The method according to claim 9, comprising the step of:
displaying the detailed information view in an opaque or
transparent manner over the overview picture.
14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the detailed
information view comprises a set of other miniaturized selectable
overview pictures, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
receiving input signals indicating a selection of a miniaturized
overview picture; and displaying the selected overview picture as a
new overview picture.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a
computer program recorded thereon that is loadable by a processor
of a computer of a supervisory control system and that causes the
processor to carry out operations comprising: receiving input
signals indicating a selection of at least one object of interest
shown in the overview picture; displaying a graphical symbol
indicating a presence of further information about an entity of the
technical system represented by the object, if the object is
selected; receiving input signals indicating a selection of the
graphical symbol; and displaying, in response to receiving the
input signals, a detailed information view at least partly
overlapping the overview picture, the detailed information view
comprising the further information of the object, to enable
supervision of the technical system.
16. The supervisory control system according to claim 6, wherein
the input commands related to a certain action in the technical
process include commands related to tripping a circuit breaker.
17. The supervisory control system according to claim 3, wherein
the overview picture is a geographical overview picture of a power
transmission system.
18. The supervisory control system according to claim 3,
comprising: means for displaying the detailed information view in
an opaque or transparent manner over the overview picture.
19. The supervisory control system according to claim 3,
comprising: means for receiving, in the detailed information view,
input commands related to a certain action in the technical
process, and effectuating the action.
20. The supervisory control system according to claim 3, wherein
the detailed information view comprises a set of other miniaturized
selectable overview pictures.
21. The supervisory control system according to claim 20,
comprising: means for receiving input signals indicating a
selection of a miniaturized overview picture; and means for
displaying the selected overview picture as a new overview
picture.
22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of receiving
input commands relating to a certain action includes receiving
input commands relating to tripping a circuit breaker.
23. The method according to claim 11, comprising the steps of:
receiving, in the detailed information view, input commands related
to a certain action; and effectuating the action.
24. The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of:
displaying the detailed information view in an opaque or
transparent manner over the overview picture.
25. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detailed
information view comprises a set of other miniaturized selectable
overview pictures, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
receiving input signals indicating a selection of a miniaturized
overview picture; and displaying the selected overview picture as a
new overview picture.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according
to claim 15, wherein the input signals include position data of a
pointing and selection tool of the display unit, and wherein the
program causes the processor to carry out an operation of
determining that the object is selected if the position of the
pointing and selection tool is in the vicinity of the position of
the object.
27. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according
to claim 15, wherein the program causes the processor to carry out
an operation of determining that the object is selected without
actuating a user input.
28. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according
to claim 15, wherein the program causes the processor to carry out
operations comprising: receiving, in the detailed information view,
input commands related to a certain action; and effectuating the
action.
29. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according
to claim 15, wherein the program causes the processor to carry out
an operation of displaying the detailed information view in an
opaque or transparent manner over the overview picture.
30. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according
to claim 15, wherein the detailed information view comprises a set
of other miniaturized selectable overview pictures, and wherein the
program causes the processor to carry out operations comprising:
receiving input signals indicating a selection of a miniaturized
overview picture; and displaying the selected overview picture as a
new overview picture.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 of PCT/EP 2010/055214 filed as an International
Application on Apr. 20, 2010 designating the U.S., which claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/202,941 filed on Apr. 22, 2009, the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to display units in
supervisory control systems provided for technical processes. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for
enabling supervision of a technical system, a supervisory control
system and computer program products that allow an operator to get
an improved process control overview on a display unit also when
there is a need for finding additional information.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Operators have the need to view information relating to an
element in a supervisory control system for controlling a technical
process such as the process of electrical power transmission. The
information can include process control data values that are
provided by process interface units to a process control system,
where the supervisory control system visualizes the process control
information in different views and windows. The process control
system can be a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition)
system and in particular a power grid control system. Such
information can be presented in overview pictures.
[0004] However, an operator of the supervisory control system may
need to also see further information in relation to the technical
process while still observing such an overview picture.
[0005] Normally, power grid or other SCADA systems operators have
to search for such further information in multiple "pages" or views
of the process control system. Such windows are then often related
to a certain aspect of an object. An operator may therefore need to
open several such windows or scenes, even though only a limited
amount of further information may actually be of interest.
[0006] It is thus possible that the operator has to keep many pages
or views open, which in some cases may be displayed on multiple
screens or display devices, in order to see just a few interesting
pieces of information in each such view. This may make it hard for
the operator to have an overview of the information being presented
in the ordinary overview picture he or she is monitoring. Even if
the number of additional windows being opened is small, the opening
up of new views may distract the operator.
[0007] EP 1 331 536 discloses a guidance picture that can be
displayed on a display in an overlapped state over a plant base
layer picture, a process-based layer picture or a first layer
picture. The guidance picture is associated with an alarm, which
may be represented by a symbol on the display. The guidance picture
is furthermore only displayed after clicking or activating the
symbol of the alarm. This is thus done in order to display
activities that can be made in relation to an alarm. It also seems
like the guidance picture is not available unless an alarm is
present.
[0008] In view of what has been described above, there exists
different solutions for visualizing information for an operator of
a supervisory control system. However, there is in this regard room
for improvement, especially with regard to providing additional
information while retaining the overview of a picture being
presented.
SUMMARY
[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a
supervisory control system for supervising a technical system. The
exemplary supervisory control system includes a display unit for
displaying an overview picture of the technical system or part of
the technical system, where the overview picture includes at least
one object representing an entity of the technical system. The
exemplary supervisory control system also includes a display view
displaying the overview picture together with a detailed
information view at least partly overlapping the overview picture,
where the detailed information view is associated with the object
and includes detailed information about the entity represented by
the object. In addition, the exemplary supervisory control system
includes means for receiving input signals indicating a selection
of the object shown in the overview picture, and means for
displaying a graphical symbol indicating the presence of the
further information if the object is selected. Furthermore, the
exemplary supervisory control system includes means for displaying,
on the display unit, the detailed information view only if input
signals are received indicating a selection of the graphical
symbol.
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a
method for enabling supervision of a technical system, where the
method is implemented in a supervisory control system including a
display unit showing an overview picture of the technical system.
The exemplary method includes the steps of: receiving input signals
indicating a selection of at least one object of interest shown in
the overview picture; displaying a graphical symbol indicating a
presence of further information about an entity of the technical
system represented by the object, if the object is selected;
receiving input signals indicating a selection of the graphical
symbol; and displaying, in response to receiving the input signals,
a detailed information view at least partly overlapping the
overview picture, where the detailed information view includes the
further information of the object, to enable supervision of the
technical system.
[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a
non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a computer
program recorded thereon that is loadable by a processor of a
computer of a supervisory control system and that causes the
processor to carry out operations including: receiving input
signals indicating a selection of at least one object of interest
shown in the overview picture; displaying a graphical symbol
indicating a presence of further information about an entity of the
technical system represented by the object, if the object is
selected; receiving input signals indicating a selection of the
graphical symbol; and displaying, in response to receiving the
input signals, a detailed information view at least partly
overlapping the overview picture, where the detailed information
view including the further information of the object, to enable
supervision of the technical system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Additional refinements, advantages and features of the
present disclosure are described in more detail below with
reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 schematically shows a computerized supervisory system
for a technical process according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 schematically shows an operator terminal of the
supervisory system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3A schematically shows a geographical overview picture
of a power transmission system including a number of process
control entities in the form of substations together with a
pointing and selection tool and a graphical object representing a
process control entity in the form of a substation, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 3B schematically shows the geographical overview
picture of the power transmission system with the pointing and
selection tool, graphical substation symbol as well as a graphical
symbol in the form of a further information icon associated with
the substation object, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3C schematically shows the geographical overview
picture of the power transmission system and object as the further
information icon is selected using the pointing and selection tool,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 3D schematically shows a further information window
associated with the object and further information icon together
with the geographical overview picture, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 4 schematically shows a flow chart of a number of
method steps being performed in a method according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0020] FIG. 5 schematically shows a computer program storage means
including a computer program product providing the functionality of
the method according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present disclosure provides an improved process control
overview in a supervisory control system display unit which enables
an operator to visualize information of the supervisory control
system. The present disclosure is therefore directed towards
solving the problem of improving user friendliness in relation to
presentation of an overview picture on a display unit in a
supervisory control system.
[0022] Accordingly, the present disclosure is based on the
realization that there is a need for a better visualization of
process control information when displaying an overview
picture.
[0023] The present disclosure is therefore directed towards solving
the problem of providing a better and more user-friendly
visualization of process control information when an overview
picture is displayed.
[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure solve this
problem by providing a supervisory control system for supervising a
technical system. The supervisory control system includes a display
unit for displaying an overview picture of the technical system or
part of the technical system. The overview picture includes at
least one object. The supervisory control system further includes a
display view displaying the overview picture together with a
detailed information view at least partly overlapping the overview
picture, where the detailed information view is associated with the
object and includes detailed information of the object.
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also solve
this problem by providing a method for enabling supervision of a
technical system. The method is implemented in a supervisory
control system comprising a display unit showing an overview
picture of the technical system. The method includes the steps of:
receiving input signals indicating a selection of at least one
object of interest shown in the overview picture; and displaying,
in response to receiving the input signals, a detailed information
view at least partly overlapping the overview picture. The detailed
information view is associated with the object and includes
detailed information of the object, whereby supervision of the
technical system is enabled.
[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also provide
a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a
program recorded thereon that causes a processor a computer
processing device to implement the method.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure eliminate
the need of showing all the pages or views that contain
information, including but not limited to real-time information,
which the operator wants to view in addition to the overview
picture. This is furthermore done in a simple way without the
operator having to be distracted or perform other activities or
switch to other pictures. This is furthermore also done without
clogging the overview picture with a lot of additional
information.
[0028] In the following, embodiments of the disclosure providing
the above described functionality will be described.
[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplifying computerized
supervisory control system or process control system 10. The
process control system 10 may be, for example, an object based
computerized system for controlling a technical process or perhaps
part of a technical process. Such technical processes may be, for
example, electrical power generation, transmission and/or
distribution processes, water purification and/or distribution
processes, oil and/or gas production and distribution processes,
petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing
processes, as well as pulp and paper production processes. These
are just some examples of technical processes where the supervisory
control system or process control system 10 can be applied. There
exist countless other technical processes. One exemplary field
where the present disclosure can be applied is a power transmission
system. Therefore, the present disclosure will in the following be
described in relation to such a process. The technical process may
be monitored by a user or operator through an operator terminal,
which communicates with a control server handling monitoring and
control of the technical process.
[0030] In FIG. 1, the process control system 10 therefore includes
a number of operator and engineering terminals 12 and 14 connected
to a first bus B1. There is furthermore a second bus B2 and between
the first and second busses there are connected a first server 16
providing control of the process, a second server 17 providing
monitoring of the process, and a database 18 where data relating to
control and possibly monitoring of the process is stored. Such data
is here also called process control data. To the second bus B2
there are furthermore connected process interface units for
providing control and measurements in the system 10. The first
server 16 is therefore a part of a control system, while the second
server 17 is a part of a monitoring system. In FIG. 1, there are
provided four such process interface units 20, 22, 24 and 26
connected to a power line 28. It should here be realized that some
of these may only be provided for control, some only for
measurements and some for both control and measurements. Such
process interface units are thus involved in controlling the
electrical power transmission process or measuring properties of
the controlled process as well as properties or status of control
and measurement units. Process interface units can include elements
directed towards measuring quantities such as current, voltage and
power. These elements can be current transformers and voltage
transformers. The process interface units can also or instead
include elements directed towards control operations like circuit
breakers, relays, power semiconductor switches and tap changers.
These are just a few of several different possible types of
elements that can be provided in process interface units. A
processes interface unit can furthermore be a part of a process
interface device, which means that a process interface device is
provided on one hierarchical level, while a process interface unit
is provided on another, lower hierarchical level.
[0031] The first server 16 receives measurements of the process via
the process interface units and controls the process via the
process interface units based on these measurements. It also stores
historical process control data in the data base 18. The second
server 17 receives measurements via the process interface units as
well as status data concerning the operation of process interface
units, and can generate alarm and event data that may be presented
via the operator terminals 12 and 14. It can also shut down the
process. Also, alarm and event data may be stored in the database
18.
[0032] In the example of FIG. 1, a so called Network Manager system
runs on the process control system 10, which belongs to the group
of SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems. The
Network Manager system is particularly intended for the supervision
and control of power transmission systems or gas systems.
[0033] An operator terminal 12 and 14 in the process control system
10 provide each a user interface to the Network Manager system. In
the following, the details of such an operator terminal are
explained based on the example of operator terminal 12, shown in
FIG. 2. The operator terminal 12 includes a user input unit 32, a
display unit 34, a control unit 30 and an interface 36 for
communicating with the system 10 via the first bus B1. As mentioned
above, the operator terminal provides a graphical user interface
for an operator of the process control system 10. The control unit
30 may be a processor with an associated program memory including
program code for performing the functionality of the present
disclosure. This functionality will be described later on. The user
input unit 32 is a unit through which a user of the operator
terminal 12 may enter data. As such it may be a keyboard, a keypad
or a pointing and selection tool like a mouse. A combination of
these may be also be used. It may also be combined with the display
unit 34 in order to form a touch screen. The operator terminal 12
may also include other user interfaces such as a speaker or a
microphone in order to present and receive data to and from one or
more users of the operator terminal in other ways than through the
display and keyboard. An operator terminal in a process control
system is only one example of a computer in which the present
disclosure may be realized.
[0034] Process control data values from the various process
interface units can be collected and stored in the history data
base 18 by the first server 16 as well as presented in real-time to
an operator via the operator terminal display 34.
[0035] An operator terminal of the supervisory system shows process
control elements and process control devices involved in the
control of the technical process. These elements and devices are
then often shown in a number of different windows, where a window
may be provided for one hierarchical system level. It is
furthermore possible with other types of windows, like windows
depicting data according to data type. It is for instance possible
to display the general outline of the system on a geographical
overview picture, which picture may show power lines connected to
substations. This is a system view at a first hierarchical level.
Such an overview picture is schematically shown in FIGS. 3A-E.
However, a system normally includes further system views at other
hierarchical levels, for instance at lower system levels. It is, as
an example, possible to show the internal structure of a
substation, for instance in a single line diagram, as well as the
structure of an element on a lower hierarchical level, such as a
transformer, converter or some other element in a substation in an
overview picture. In all these views it is at the same time
possible to also display data of the functioning of the elements
and devices in question, such as power being transmitted via a
power line, voltage levels and current levels. It is also possible
to show event and status data such as alarms. Alarms may also be
displayed in a separate view in an alarm list.
[0036] With all this information that can be shown in various
windows on an operator terminal, an operator may need to open up a
number of windows in parallel for obtaining information in relation
to an object such as a substation. This may lead to an "overflow"
of information, where it is impossible to discern important
information from less important and above all to get a clear grasp
of to which object in an overview picture such data is linked.
[0037] The present disclosure is provided for resolving this and
other related problems.
[0038] One exemplary embodiment of the disclosure will therefore
now be described with reference being made to FIG. 3 A-D, where a
number of display views presented on the work station are shown,
and to FIG. 4, which shows a flow chart of a number of method step
being performed in the method according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0039] On the display unit 34 of the work station 12, there is
shown an overview picture 1 of the technical process or a part of
the technical process, which overview picture here shows a number
of interconnected substations, which substations are interconnected
with power lines. These are presented as a number of graphical
objects on a geographical map, which objects thus represent a
process control entity, for example, an entity involved in the
control of the process. In this exemplary embodiment, the process
control entity is furthermore a process control device. It is
according to the disclosure possible to obtain further information
about these objects.
[0040] This overview picture is just one type of overview picture
with which the present disclosure can be used. It is for instance
also possible to use the present disclosure in overview pictures on
elements further down in the hierarchy, such as an overview picture
of a substation or an overview picture of an element in a
substation like a transformer. It is also possible to show overview
pictures at higher levels. The overview picture need furthermore
not be geographical but can be a logical overview picture such as
an overview of the electrical interconnection of elements, like a
single line diagram.
[0041] As is known in these types of systems, the work station also
provides a pointing and selection tool for the operator, such as a
cursor or pointer, in which various locations of the overview
picture 1 can be selected or marked. In FIGS. 3A-D, this pointer P
is shown as an arrow. The work station can therefore detect the
positions of the pointer P on the display unit 34 and determine
what objects are provided close to such positions. It is also
possible to select an object with this pointer, for instance in
combination with actuating a user input unit, such as clicking
using a mouse or track ball or with a tapping on a touch screen.
This means that through moving the tool P on the display unit 34
using a user input unit, the control unit 30 of the work station
will receive input signals related to selections made by the
operator.
[0042] In the following, an exemplary method will furthermore be
described in relation to one such object on the overview picture.
In this example, the object O1 is a graphical object representing a
power control device that is a substation and here a substation
named "Mapleton". It should be realized that the method steps
described below can be applied on other objects in the overview
picture, like objects representing other substations or power
lines. The method may be possible to perform in relation to all
objects in an overview picture. However, it is also possible that
it is limited to only some types of objects, for instance objects
representing process interface devices or process interface units
or objects representing other types of elements, such as elements
used for transfer of power. It is for instance possible that the
method steps to be described are only performed in relation to
substations, but are not possible to perform in relation to other
objects such as power lines. The method can also be performed on
objects in lower hierarchical levels. It is for instance possible
to perform the method steps for an object in an overview picture of
a substation, for instance single line diagram, where an object may
then for instance be a process interface unit comprising an element
such as a transformer.
[0043] As the operator thus moves the pointer P on the screen 34
across the overview picture 1, the control unit 30 detects the
movement of it, step 38. It then investigates if the pointer P is
in the vicinity of the first object O1. This may be done through
comparing the position of the pointer P with the position of the
object O1. It can also be the comparison of the position of the
pointer P with an area, like a rectangle, square, circle or ellipse
surrounding the object O1. The tool P may then be found to be in
the vicinity of the object O1, if the pointer P has the same
position as the object O1 or is within the area surrounding the
object O1. The situation that the pointer is in the vicinity of the
object O1, is schematically shown in FIG. 3A. It is therefore clear
that movement of the pointer P to the vicinity of the object O1
means that the control unit 30 receives input signals via a mouse
or other user input unit indicating a selection of the object O1
shown in the overview picture. The control unit 30 can therefore be
considered to include means for receiving input signals indicating
a selection of an object of interest shown in the overview
picture.
[0044] If the pointer P is then found to have a position in the
vicinity of the object, step 40, the control unit 30 determines
that the object is selected, step 41. This is then followed by the
control unit 30 displaying a graphical symbol indicating the
presence of the further information. In this embodiment, the
control unit 30 displays a further information icon I1 associated
with the object on the display unit, step 42. However, if the
pointer is not in the vicinity of the object, step 40, the movement
is again detected, step 38. This means that if the position of the
pointer P is the same as the position of the object O1 or inside
the area surrounding the object O1, then the control unit 30 makes
sure that the further information icon I1 is presented. The
presenting of the icon I1 is shown in FIG. 3B. This icon I1 is thus
presented merely through the movement of the pointer P and without
the object O1 having to be manipulated, for instance selected or
clicked on. It is sufficient that the pointer P hovers above the
icon O1. For this reason, the control unit 30 can also be
considered to include means for displaying a graphical symbol
indicating the presence of the further information if the object is
selected.
[0045] In this way it is possible for the operator to see that
there is further information in relation to an object without
having the overview cluttered with a lot of further information and
without blocking the overview picture with other windows and
screens. This icon I1 provides an easily seen indicator to the
operator that there exists further information about the object.
The size of this indicator is furthermore small and therefore only
occupies a small part of the screen and thus only provides a
marginal disturbance of the overview.
[0046] It is then possible for the operator to see at least some of
this further information in a detailed information view, which may
be made possible through the operator moving the pointer P to the
icon I1 and selecting this icon, which is schematically shown in
FIG. 3C. A selection of the icon can be made in the same way
through the operator merely moving the tool P over an area covered
by this icon. This is the case in the exemplary embodiment
described above. A selection of the icon can also be made through
keeping the pointer P above the object O1 also after the icon I1 is
shown. It is also possible to require some more active
participation of the operator such as a clicking on the icon. The
control unit of the work station in this way detects if the icon is
selected or not, step 44, and if it is selected the detailed
information view is displayed. In this embodiment, the detailed
information view is displayed through displaying a further
information window W1, step 46. However if the icon is not
selected, step 44, the movement of the tool P is again
investigated, step 38. If the pointer is moved away from the icon
and object O1, these will furthermore disappear.
[0047] The presenting of the further information window W1 is
schematically shown in FIG. 3D. As can be seen here the window is
shown over a part of the overview picture. However, the window W1
is fairly small, why the overview is still good. For this reason
the control unit can also be considered to comprise means for
displaying, on the display unit, a detailed information view W1 for
the object O1 at least partly overlapping the overview picture 1,
which is furthermore done based on the reception of the input
signals from the user input unit. Since this detailed information
view in this first embodiment is only displayed if both object and
icon are selected, it is clear that the means for displaying the
detailed information view is configured to only display this
detailed information view if input signals are received indicating
a selection of the icon.
[0048] In this way, the overview picture is thus retained while the
additional information is presented.
[0049] In the window W1 it may be possible to present a number of
pieces of additional information such as information about what
content is linked to the object. This additional information may be
information originally appearing in several different other
overview pictures. As an example, FIG. 3D shows a first piece of
overview data OD. This data can be context data relating to the
object like weather information. It is also possible that there is
process measurement data PM, such as process data measured at the
process control device or process control element, like power,
voltage and current data. This data can be data from a variety of
data sources inside the control system and outside the control
system. It is also possible that the data includes statistical data
Stat, like sizes and dates of power flows, and further activities
data FuAc like following actions such as switching operations,
alarm acknowledgement, etc. The control unit may thus receive input
commands related to a certain action in the technical process, such
as tripping a circuit breaker, and then that action is effectuated.
It is of course also possible to display alarm data.
[0050] It is here also possible that the window includes small
sized displays of further "navigatable" pictures, for example, a
set of miniaturized selectable overview pictures, which pictures
are different from the overview picture currently displayed. These
may here be selected and then the overview picture switched
according to the selection. As an example, there is here shown a
single line diagram of the station, an alarm list and a circuit
diagram of an element in the station. All these various elements
and diagrams can be selected in the detailed information view and
then it is possible that the overview picture is replaced by a
screen with the selected data or view. This means that the control
unit can also be considered to include means for receiving input
signals indicating a selection of a miniaturized overview picture
and means for displaying the selected overview picture as a new
overview picture.
[0051] The window W1 may here furthermore be customized to the
operator, for instance include measurements, alarms and small sized
views of favorite items of the operator. It may also be customized
to the object type, so that all objects of the same type, for
instance all substations, have the same type of additional
information. It is also possible to adapt the content independently
for an object. The presenting and selection of data can therefore
be configured by the operator, perhaps subject to access rights to
the information. This configuration can be made separately for each
object as well as according to each object per object type and
adapted according to power system state. This means that the
occurrence of an alarm may determine what information should be
provided in the window. Normally though the additional information
window is always available to an operator, for example, it can
always be selected independently of the system state. However, the
content of the window may be depending on the system state. It is
furthermore possible that the window can be "pinned" or provided as
a permanent window on to the screen. The exemplifying widow is an
opaque window. However, it is also possible that it is made
transparent or half way transparent in order to allow the overview
picture to be visible behind it.
[0052] It should also be realized that the further information icon
need not be displayed. It may be possible to directly select the
detailed information view from the object in the overview
picture.
[0053] The present disclosure eliminates the need of showing all
the pages or views that contain information, including but not
limited to real-time information, which the operator wants to view
in addition to the overview picture. This is furthermore done in a
simple way without the operator having to be distracted or perform
other activities or switch to other pictures. This is furthermore
also done without clogging the overview picture with a lot of
additional information.
[0054] The operator terminal may, as was previously described, be
provided in the form of one or more processors together with
computer program memory including computer program code for
performing the present disclosure. This computer program code may
also be provided on one or more data carriers which performs the
functionality of the present disclosure when the program code
thereon is being loaded in an operator terminal.
[0055] The disclosure may therefore also be provided as a computer
program product loadable into a computer of the supervisory control
system, including software code portions for carrying out the
method according to the disclosure. It may also be provided as a
computer program product (e.g., a computer program) tangibly stored
on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (e.g., a
non-volatile memory), including computer readable program code
means for causing a computer of a supervisory control system, to
carry out the method of the present disclosure. Such a computer
readable storage medium can be in the form of CD ROM disk 50 having
recorded thereon such a computer program product in the form of
computer program code 48 or software code portions is schematically
shown in FIG. 5.
[0056] Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore
considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted.
The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims
rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come
within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended
to be embraced therein.
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