Peter F. Elzer

New Possibilities for the Presentation of Process Information in Industrial Control

Abstract The paper describes the prototype of a novel Man-Machine-Interface for Process Control Systems that utilizes knowledge-based techniques to support and advise the operator. It also supports new modes of presenting graphic process information (e.g. ’additive’ and ’alternative’ information zoom, automatic selection of relevant objects, etc.). It is explained how these novel features support various classes of operator tasks.

Knowledge-based system support for operator tasks in S&C environments

A description is given of the prototype of a comprehensive man-machine interface that utilizes knowledge-based techniques to support and advise the operator in conventional power plants. The approach is based on the use of a layered structure of the process pictures that allows the operator to move freely within one level or through the different levels of a picture (information zoom). The motion is guided by an online assessment of the process state, indicating failure states in a symbolic manner. It is suggested that such a knowledge-based operator support system along with an advanced graphical interface significantly changes behavioral aspects of operator tasks in supervision and control. To support this thesis, the human-computer interaction in GRADIENT (graphical dialogue environment) is mapped onto conceptual cognitive models.<<ETX>>

GRADIENT - Ein Schritt in Richtung Intelligenter Prozeßüberwachung

Auf dem Gebiet der Uberwachung und Steuerung technischer Prozesse, vom Auto bis hin zum Kraftwerk, wurden seitens des Bedieners schon immer hohe Anspruche an die „Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle“ gestellt und, naturlich im Mase des nach dem jeweiligen Stand der Technik Moglichen, auch erfullt. Sowohl die Komplexitat technischer Prozesse als auch ihre Grose haben aber inzwischen Grosenordnungen erreicht, die den Menschen bei Beibehaltung bisheriger Bedientechniken uberfordern und damit eine sachgerechte Fuhrung des Prozesses (wozu auch die Vermeidung von Storfallen gehort) erschweren konnen. Entsprechende Ereignisse sind ja in den vergangenen Jahren in ausreichender Zahl bekanntgeworden. Durch die ersten Anzeichen entsprechender Fehlentwicklungen wurde aber vor Jahren auch schon eine intensive Forschungstatigkeit auf internationaler Ebene ausgelost, die unter Einbeziehung „nichttechnischer„ Aspekte, wie z.B. aus der Experimentalpsychologie oder den Arbeitswissenschaften, aber auch neuerer technischer Disziplinen wie „Kunstliche Intelligenz“ oder „Cognitive Science“ zu auserordentlich vielversprechenden Losungsansatzen gefuhrt hat. Als herausragende Namen von Einzelpersonlichkeiten sind hier z.B. Sheridan vom MIT, Rasmussen von den Riso Labs oder Rouse vom Georgia Institute of Technology zu nennen. Als Institution hat sich besonders die IFAC (=International Federation of Automatic Control) hervorgetan, die mit der Serie ihrer “Man-Machine Conferences” eine international anerkannte Plattform fur die wissenschaftliche Diskussion auf diesem Gebiet geschaffen hat.

A Communication Protocol for Distributed Expert Systems

Abstract Todays developments of expert systems for supervisory control systems include complex architectures for distributed expert systems and distributed knowledge and data bases. In this paper, a communication protocol for such distributed systems is suggested that allows for efficient and flexible interconnection between the individual communication entities. The communication protocol is compared with existing protocols and standardization efforts. Finally, some of the open issues and problems in the architecture of distributed systems are identified and discussed.

KNOWLEDGE-SUPPORTED GENERATION OF CONTROL ROOM PICTURES

Abstract A software tool is described which supports the production of control room pictures by automatically generating picture proposals on the basis of an AI-oriented model of the underlying industrial process. The basic principles are shortly presented and a ‘sample session’ described which also shows the support for the designer for refining the aesthetic quality of such automatically generated pictures.

Expertensysteme und hochauflösende Grafik zur Unterstützung des Bedienpersonals in der Prozeßleittechnik

Es wird uber ein funktionsfahiges Modell eines “Leitsystems der nachsten Generation” berichtet, das wissensbasierte Systeme verschiedener Bauart enthalt, die z.B. folgende Aufgaben wahrnehmen: n n nErkennung von kritischen Prozeszustanden und Warnung des Bedieners, n n nAnalyse zusammengesetzter Bedienhandlungen, n n nAuswahl und on-line-Montage der fur eine schnelle Beurteilung des Prozeszustandes erforderlichen grafischen Darstellungen. n n n nAuserdem werden Beispiele der Fahigkeiten einer neuartigen Informationsdarstellungs- methode vorgestellt, die die Moglichkeiten eines hochauflosenden Bildschirms nutzt.

New Trends in Software for Real-time control

Abstract The paper describes some trends in the devel opment of software for real-time control that can be expected in the next years. It is tried to derive them to a certain extent from historical analogies . The following areas are cons idered: mass application of digital components, production of microchips, artifical intelligence techniques, personal workstations, distributed systems, standardized commercial software packages.

The GRADIENT Backbone Architecture

This paper describes a communication architecture for the exchange of knowledge and data between expert systems. Knowledge can be structured and represented in various forms. The expert systems can be implemented in different hardware and software environments. The overall system, therefore, can be regarded as a distributed system. Missing functionality of a module is handled gracefully. The implementation of the communication protocol on top of the buslike communication backbone architecture follows the ISO/OSI layer model specification. An application example of an operator support system (GRADIENT), based on multiple expert systems, illustrates the concept and operation of the communication backbone.

NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR THE PRESENTATION OF PROCESS INFORMATION IN INDUSTRIAL CONTROL

The paper describes the prototype of a novel Man-Machine-Interface for Process Control Systems that utilizes knowledge-based techniques to support and advise the operator. It also supports new modes of presenting graphic process information (e.g. ‘additive’ and ‘alternative’ information zoom, automatic selection of relevant objects, etc.). It is explained how these novel features support various classes of operator tasks.

Knowledge-Supported Generation of Control Room Pictures

Abstract A software tool is described which supports the production of control room pictures by automatically generating picture proposals on the basis of an AI-oriented model of the underlying industrial process. The basic principles are shortly presented and a ‘sample session’ described which also shows the support for the designer for refining the aesthetic quality of such automatically generated pictures.