Process Monitoring System and Method for Operating the Process Monitoring System

Abstract

A process monitoring system includes a control unit connected to a server that includes an alarm household, an alarm list that includes alarm messages and a visualization service that includes a variable household, wherein the visualization service is configured to supply the control unit with process values and alarm messages, the first control unit is configured to indicate a process object with its process values in an input/output window and indicate a message sequence display with alarm messages, the input/output window includes an input field and activation area, a manager creates an alarm instance for a process object assigned to the input field when a short message is input and an activation area is activated, and the first control unit stores the assigned short message as a further alarm message in the alarm list, where the message sequence display is extended to indicate the further alarm messages as short messages.

Claims

1. A process monitoring system comprising: a server having (i) a visualization service for monitoring an automation system, said visualization service being configured with a variable household for process values from a process image, (ii) an alarm list including alarm messages and an alarm household; at least one first control unit connected to the server, the visualization service being configured to supply the at least first control unit with the process values and the alarm messages, the at least one first control unit being configured to indicate a process object via the process values in an input/output window, the at least one first control unit being further configured to indicate a message sequence display with alarm messages from the alarm list, and the input/output window including an input field for short messages and furthermore includes an activation means; a management component for managing process objects, said management module being configured to create an alarm instance for a process object assigned to the input field when a short message is input and an activation means is activated, and being further configured to store an assigned short message as a further alarm message in the alarm list; wherein the message sequence display is extended to indicate further alarm messages from the alarm list as short messages.

2. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further alarm messages with the assigned short messages have a reference to the alarm instances.

3. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a message list is present as an archive for the assigned short messages.

4. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a message list is present as an archive for the assigned short messages.

5. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the process objects have a data network and the data network in addition to other data types has the reference.

6. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the process objects have a data network and the data network in addition to other data types has the reference.

7. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the message sequence display further includes means for detailed display of the process object assigned to the short message utilizing the reference.

8. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the message sequence display further includes means for detailed display of the process object assigned to the short message utilizing the reference.

9. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the message sequence display further includes means for detailed display of the process object assigned to the short message utilizing the reference.

10. The process monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message sequence display is configured to display the short message as an acknowledgement-requiring alarm message and accordingly an acknowledgement mechanism is available.

11. A method for operating a process monitoring system, the method comprising: exchanging data between at least one first control unit exchanges data and a server, the server being operated to monitor an automation installation with a visualization service which updates the process values from a process image with a variable household for process values; providing process values and alarm messages with an alarm household and an alarm list including alarm messages via a visualization service of the at least first control unit; indicating by the at least one first control unit, a process object with its process values when called up by a user in an input/output window; indicating, in the first control unit, a message sequence display with alarm messages from the alarm list, the input/output window providing an input field for short messages and the short message is activated via an activation means; operating a management component for managing the process objects such that, when a short message is input and an activation means is activated for the process object assigned to the input field, an alarm instance is created and the assigned short message is stored in the alarm list as a further alarm message; and indicating further alarm messages from the alarm list as short messages in the message sequence display.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a reference relating to the alarm instances is assigned to the further alarm messages with the assigned short messages.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a message list as an archive is filled with the assigned short messages.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein a message list as an archive is filled with the assigned short messages.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the process objects are produced with a data network and the reference is assigned to the data network in addition to other data types.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the process objects are produced with a data network and the reference is assigned to the data network in addition to other data types.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the message sequence display is operated with a means for detailed display of the process object assigned to the short message and to this end the reference is used to call up the details.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the message sequence display represents the short message as an acknowledgment-requiring alarm message and accordingly an acknowledgement mechanism is provided for a user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement in accordance with the invention; and

[0032] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a process monitoring system with a connected automation installation in accordance with the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an input/output window with input field for a short message in accordance with the invention;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an input/output window with a view of an activated short message in accordance with the invention;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an input/output window with a view of an acknowledged short message in accordance with the invention;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a message sequence display with embedded short messages; and

[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0039] A process monitoring system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The process monitoring system 100 is connected to a first control unit 1 and to a second control unit 2 via a first bus system 11. The process monitoring system 100 is connected to an automation installation 10 via a second bus system 12. The automation installation 10 has, for instance, automation devices, decentralized peripheral devices and servomotors.

[0040] A server 3 of the process monitoring system 100 forms a core of the system, where the server 3 includes a visualization service 6 for monitoring the automation installation 10, where the visualization service is equipped with a variable household 8 for process values PV from a process image 7. The visualization service 6 is configured to supply at least the first control unit 1 with process values PV and alarm messages A1, where the first control unit 1 is further configured to display a process object 15, 16 with its process values PV in an input/output window 4.

[0041] The second control unit 2 is configured to display a message sequence display 14, where the first control unit 1 is likewise also configured to display the message sequence display 14, but in FIG. 1 within the first control unit 1 the input/output window and within the second control unit 2 the message sequence display 14 are each shown, respectively.

[0042] The input/output window 4, see also in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, the corresponding input/output windows 4a, 4b, 4c, is configured with an input field 20 for short messages M1, M2, M3 and further has an activation means 21.

[0043] A management component 5 for managing the process objects 15, 16 is configured to create an alarm instance 15a, 16a for the process object 15, 16 assigned to the input field 20 (see FIG. 2) when a short message M1, M2, M3 is input and an activation means 21 is activated, and to store the assigned short message M1, M2, M3 as a further alarm message A′ in the alarm list 13. The message sequence display 14 is configured to display the extended alarm message A′ from the alarm list 13 as short messages M1, M2, M3 (see to this end FIG. 5).

[0044] In accordance with the invention, the first control unit 1 exchanges data with the server 3 to operate the process monitoring system 100, where the server 3 is operated to monitor the automation installation 10 with the visualization service 6. The visualization service 6 contains the variable household 8 for the process values, where the process values are updated from the process image 7. Alarm messages A1 are provided from the alarm household 9 and the alarm list 13 via the visualization service 6 of the at least first control unit 1. When the input/output window 4 is called up, a user can indicate a process object 15, 16 with its process values PV on the first control unit 1.

[0045] In accordance with the invention, an input field 20 is now provided for short messages M1, M2, M3 via the first input window 4, and the short messages M1, M2 are activated via an activation means 21 (see FIG. 2), where a management component 15 for managing the process objects 15, 16 is operated in a first step S1 so that when a short message M1 is input and an activation means 21 is activated, an alarm instance 15a, 15b is created for the process object 15, 16 assigned to the input field 20. In a second step S2, a message list 17 is filled with the short messages M1, M2, M3. In a third step S3, the assigned short messages M1, M2, M3 are stored as further alarm messages A′ in the alarm list 13, where within the message sequence display 14 the further alarm messages A′ from the alarm list 13 are shown in a fourth step S4 as short messages M1, M2 M3.

[0046] In terms of communication, the first control unit 1 and the second control unit 2 are connected to the server 3 via a first bus system 11, where the automation installation 10 is likewise connected to the server 3 via a second bus system 12, and where a process interface 12a for the preparation of the process values PV is integrated in the server 3.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an input/output window 4a with input field for a short message M1, M2, M3. The input field 20 for a short message M1, M2, M3 additionally has an activation means 21 in a tool bar. This activation means 21 is configured as a checkbox “trigger alarm”.

[0048] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 accordingly show an exemplary embodiment for illustrating the application and use of the short message service, interacting with an alarm management and introduced by this invention, of process objects for an improved operation and observation for the users or operators of the control units. The input/output window 4a with input field 20 for a short message M1, M2, M3 is formed as a face plate in accordance with FIG. 2. The input field 20 can be opened from this face plate, and it enables a user to store short messages for the corresponding process object 15, 16. The input field 20 has the activation means 21 with a checkbox “trigger alarm” as an option, if the user would also like to trigger a corresponding reminder alarm when creating the short message M1, M2, M3, if for instance a valve has to be closed again manually at a specific time, for instance, then he can enter this into the input field 20 as an important short message.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an input/output window 4b with a view of an activated short message M1, M2, M3. In a status field, it is indicated that a user (admin) has entered the short message M1=“close valve 10.00 pm” at time 1.55 pm on 20.02.2020. A confirmation means 24 indicates that it is desirable for this short message to subsequently appear in a message sequence display 14 as an alarm message and additionally to be activated.

[0050] As shown, a user can now identify that this is a still active memo or an active short message with an activated reminder alarm. Since according to the prior art it was previously disadvantageous that entries of memos or short messages could be overlooked, with the disclosed embodiments of the invention a triggered alarm from a short message is also visible in the message sequence display 14, and additionally in an acknowledgement-requiring manner, the short message can accordingly no longer get lost.

[0051] An input/output window 4c with a view of an acknowledged short message M1 is shown with FIG. 4. An acknowledgement 23 is shown in the status field 22. Accordingly, it is indicated in the input/output window 4c with the view of an acknowledged short message that an operator control action has been completed and confirmed. After completing the operator control action, here in the example “close valve 10.00 pm”, the short message is recorded in a history, from which it can likewise be determined that the short message is a triggered reminder alarm event which is advantageous for a subsequent audit trail.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a message sequence display 14, where the message sequence display 14 is shown in a table. Shown in a first column is a time stamp 50, in a second column a name of the process object 51, in a third column a host/IP address 52, in a fourth column a user 53, and in a fifth column a message text 54. An additional display 55 for a trigger alarm and a means for the detailed display 56 are additionally shown in the fifth column for the message text 54.

[0053] With the first time stamp T1, a first short message M1 occurred, with a second time stamp T2 a short message M2 occurred, and with a third time stamp T3 a third short message M3 occurred. With a fourth time stamp T4, a “normal” alarm A1 occurred. With a fifth time stamp T5, the event occurred that, for instance, the third short message M3 was acknowledged by the process object “monane 2”.

[0054] In accordance with the invention, FIG. 5 now shows the message sequence display 14 in the reminder alarms triggered by the short messages M1, M2, M3. If an alarm is active and is not yet acknowledged, that is made known by a change in color in an alarm row. The operator responsible for the operator control action is therefore continuously reminded of the outstanding operation of the instruction, such as the first short message M1, until he has acknowledged the execution of the operator control action relating to the first short message M1, or in the input field for short messages 20 himself revokes the “trigger alarm” option or sets the memo to inactive.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the method for operating a process monitoring system 100. The method comprises exchanging data between at least one first control unit 1 exchanges data and a server 3, as indicated in step 610. In accordance with the invention, the server 3 is operated to monitor an automation installation 10 with a visualization service 6 that updates the process values PV from a process image 7 with a variable household 8 for process values PV.

[0056] Next, process values PV and alarm messages A1 with an alarm household 9 and an alarm list 13 including alarm messages A1 are provided via a visualization service 6 of the at least first control unit, as indicated in step 620.

[0057] Next, the at least one first control unit 1 indicates a process object 15, 16 with its process values PV when called up by a user in an input/output window 4, as indicated in step 630.

[0058] Next, a message sequence display with alarm messages from the alarm list 13 is indicated in the first control unit 1, as indicated in step 640. Here, the input/output window 4 provides an input field 20 for short messages M1, M2, M3 and the short message M1, M2, M3 is activated via an activation means 21.

[0059] Next, a management component 15 for managing the process objects 15, 16 is operated such that, when a short message M1, M2, M3 is input and an activation means 21 is activated for the process object 15, 16 assigned to the input field 20, an alarm instance 15a, 16a is created and the assigned short message M1, M2, M3 is stored in the alarm list 13 as a further alarm message A′, as indicated in step 650.

[0060] Next, further alarm messages A′ from the alarm list 13 are indicated as short messages M1, M2, M3 in the message sequence display 14, as indicated in step 660.

[0061] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.