US4902469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Status tree monitoring and display system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1988-07-07
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A display, a display method and an apparatus are disclosed which produce a summary display depicting function states using discrete state bars centered in one window of a two-window display. The status bars represent the states of functions in a process as determined by status decision trees. The discrete states are emphasized by reference lines which indicate the state of each function. Priority among functions is indicated by vertically ranking the bars with the most important function bar appearing at the top. Each bar includes the name of the function, the state of the function and a procedure name for a procedure which can be used to solve the problem identified. The discrete function state is also indicated by the width of the bar and the bar color. On both sides of each bar, a data quality indicator can appear when the quality of the data is less than the best. The other window on the summary display includes meters for the parameters along the active path of the status tree for the most relevant function as determined by the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig D. Watson
- 👤 Mary C. Eastman
- 👤 David D. Woods
- 👤 John P. Carrera
- 👤 James R. Easter
- 👤 Melvin H. Lipner
- 👤 William C. Elm
- 👤 A. Dean Mundy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:05
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G05; G05B; G05B23/00; G05B23/02; G05B23/0205; G05B23/0208; G05B23/0213; G05B23/0218; G05B23/0224; G05B23/0227; G05B23/0259; G05B23/0267; G05B23/0272; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of producing a discrete state status display for a process control system monitoring process control data, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sampling the process control data and determining discrete process control parameters; (b) producing a status display, indicating values of the discrete process control parameters, having a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the scale, and each status bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of predetermined fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of producing a discrete state status display for a process control system monitoring process control data, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sampling the process control data and determining discrete process control parameters; (b) producing a status display, indicating values of the discrete process control parameters, having a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the scale, and each status bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of predetermined fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each status bar includes status wording in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said status display further comprises a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data used to determine the parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each status bar includes a bar color and a procedure name in dependence on the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said status display further comprises: a meter image spatially associated with said status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the item actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the steps of: (c) producing an operator accessible status tree display comprising: a status tree for the process represented by said status bars and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said status display spatially associated with said status tree; and (d) producing an operator accessible parameter display comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said status display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each bar has a color dependent on the parameter value.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of producing a discrete state status display for a pressurized water nuclear reactor control process, comprising the steps of: (a) sampling process control data and determining a discrete process parameter; (b) producing a status display indicating the discrete process parameter, the status display comprising: a status bar display, comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameter; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, each bar each having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; and an item meter display, comprising: a meter image spatially associated with said status bar display and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers; (c) producing an operator accessible status tree display, comprising: a status tree for the process represented by said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said status bar display spatially associated with said status tree; and (d) producing an operator accessible parameter display, comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said status bar display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of producing a discrete state status display for a pressurized water nuclear reactor control process, comprising the steps of: (a) sampling process control data and determining a discrete process parameter; (b) producing a status display indicating the discrete process parameter, the status display comprising: a status bar display, comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameter; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, each bar each having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; and an item meter display, comprising: a meter image spatially associated with said status bar display and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers; (c) producing an operator accessible status tree display, comprising: a status tree for the process represented by said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said status bar display spatially associated with said status tree; and (d) producing an operator accessible parameter display, comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said status bar display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for producing a discrete state display for a process control system monitoring process control data, said apparatus comprising: data acquisition and status tree computation means for sampling the process control data, determining discrete process control parameters and creating a first display in dependence on the parameters; display means for displaying the first display, said first display comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the reference scale, and each status bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for producing a discrete state display for a process control system monitoring process control data, said apparatus comprising: data acquisition and status tree computation means for sampling the process control data, determining discrete process control parameters and creating a first display in dependence on the parameters; display means for displaying the first display, said first display comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the reference scale, and each status bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each status bar includes status wording in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said first display further comprises a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data used to determine the parameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each status bar includes a bar color and a procedure name in dependence on the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said first display further comprises: a meter image spatially associated with said status bar and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value indicated and including variable value range change threshold markers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said data acquisition and status tree computation means creates a second display and said display means displays the second display comprising: a status tree for the process represented by said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said data acquisition and status tree computation means creates a third display and said display means displays the third display comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each bar has a color dependent on the parameter value.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
334 words
An apparatus for producing a discrete state display for a pressurized water nuclear reactor process, comprising: data acquisition and status tree computation means for sampling process control data, determining a value of a discrete process parameter and creating first through third accessible displays in dependence on the parameter value; and display means for displaying the first through third displays independence upon the parameter and an operator request, said first display comprising: a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameters; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, each bar having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by the operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; a meter image spatially associated with status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value indicated thereby and including variable value range change threshold markers; said second display comprising: a status tree for said status bars and having a highlighted active path; a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree; and said third display comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
334 words
An apparatus for producing a discrete state display for a pressurized water nuclear reactor process, comprising: data acquisition and status tree computation means for sampling process control data, determining a value of a discrete process parameter and creating first through third accessible displays in dependence on the parameter value; and display means for displaying the first through third displays independence upon the parameter and an operator request, said first display comprising: a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameters; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each of the sizes dependent on the value of the parameter, each bar having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by the operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; a meter image spatially associated with status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value indicated thereby and including variable value range change threshold markers; said second display comprising: a status tree for said status bars and having a highlighted active path; a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree; and said third display comprising: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
A display group for a process control system monitoring process control data which determines discrete process parameters, said display group comprising: a first display comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the reference scale, and each status bar representing value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each size dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and second and third displays accessible from said first display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
A display group for a process control system monitoring process control data which determines discrete process parameters, said display group comprising: a first display comprising a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the possible discrete values of the parameters, and at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in the reference scale, and each status bar representing value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of fixed sizes, each size dependent on the value of the parameter, a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and second and third displays accessible from said first display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein each bar has a color dependent on the parameter value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein each status bar includes status wording in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein said first display further comprises a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data used to determine the parameter value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein each status bar includes a bar color and a procedure name in dependence on the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
82 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein said first display further comprises: a meter image spatially associated with said status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of an item of the process control data and the quality of the item; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein said second display comprises: a status tree for said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display group as recited in claim 18, wherein said third display comprises: a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said sensor values.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
288 words
A display group for a pressurized water nuclear reactor control system monitoring process control data and which determines discrete process parameters, said display group comprising: a first display, comprising: a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameters; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of predetermined fixed sizes, each size dependent in the value of the parameter, each bar having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; a meter image spatially associated with said status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of a portion of the process control data and data quality; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers; a second display comprising: a status tree for said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree; and a third display comprising a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said values.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
288 words
A display group for a pressurized water nuclear reactor control system monitoring process control data and which determines discrete process parameters, said display group comprising: a first display, comprising: a reference scale providing a plurality of parallel reference lines indicating the discrete values of the parameters; at least two simultaneously displayed horizontal status bars transverse to the parallel lines, the bars centered in said reference scale, each bar representing the value of a respective discrete parameter and having a plurality of predetermined fixed sizes, each size dependent in the value of the parameter, each bar having a color, status wording and a procedure name in dependence upon the parameter value, the procedure name indicating a procedure performed by an operator in dependence on the parameter value, and having a status bar name identifying the process represented by the status bar and a priority indicated vertically; and a data quality indicator spatially associated with each status bar indicating the quality of the process control data; a meter image spatially associated with said status bars and including an actual value indicator indicating an actual value of a portion of the process control data and data quality; and variable range brackets spatially associated with said meter image indicating ranges for the actual value, the brackets having a color in dependence on the parameter value and including variable value range change threshold markers; a second display comprising: a status tree for said status bar and having a highlighted active path; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said status tree; and a third display comprising a status tree node equation representation and sensor values; and a miniature of said first display spatially associated with said representation and said values.
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