MULTI-SCREEN HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to Human Machine Interface used in industrial automation. In particular, the present invention relates to an energy efficient multi-screen Human Machine Interface (HMI).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are integral part of an industrial automation plant for monitoring and controlling multiple control operations, plurality of machines and of large volume of data. The process may include multiple PLCs, drives, servo motors and so forth. Any industry from the primary production or the secondary manufacturing segment requires this component of the automation system at different levels of usage. Any machine or a process regardless of the size requires this vital component that forms the interface between man and the machine.

In particular, HMIs are useful for monitoring and controlling complex industrial process involving large number of processes from collection of raw material, processing of products, packaging of products and storage. The HMIs help the operators to monitor the large amount information related to each of such complex processes.

The conventional HMIs (shown in FIG. 1) typically include single screen 102. In large machines or processes that generate huge amounts of data it is difficult to navigate across the entire set of graphic screens using a single HMI. Multiple HMIs are used to monitor multiple processes in such cases, (shown in FIG. 5 and 6).

Further, a single process system or a machine bay that requires preliminary set of operations and settings is managed by multiple operations. This requires concerted co-ordination between the multiple operators over varying distances which results in continuous presence of all the operators involved in the production. An improper or failed coordination could result in higher reaction time leading to frequent machine stoppage, loss of production, low productivity, sometimes even damage to machine or product, or accidents involving human beings.

In case of failure of a single HMI screen or touch functionality, the entire monitoring and controlling operation stops until it is repaired back. The down time may be saved with a use of a multi-screen HMI.

In view of the above discussion, it may be realized that there is a need to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which provides a single point of access for various operations in a single product process system or a large machine complex.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which may access the different areas of operation in very less time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which provides a single operator to monitor and control the entire system without the dependency on other operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which provides animated gesture to monitor and control the processes between various machines to obtain segregated information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which is a compact device and simple to operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which is cost effective by significant reduction of inventory and associated costs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a HMI with multi-screen having graphic screen segregation which allows the operator to move the content of one screen to another screen in case of fault or otherwise.

In order to achieve the above mentioned objects, the present invention discloses a multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) for monitoring and controlling one or more control processes of an industrial automation plant. The HMI includes a control unit, an external cover unit and plurality of display units, wherein each of the plurality of display units is configured to display one or more graphic screen segregations of the one or more control processes of the industrial automation plant.

In one embodiment, the control unit includes a HMI control board for controlling HMI functionalities, a device connectivity board for connecting the one or more control processes to the HMI, a single power board for supplying power to the HMI and a plurality of display interface boards for controlling display on the plurality of display units.

In another embodiment, each of the display units includes a touch glass, an LCD screen with backlight and a backlight power card.

In another embodiment, the external cover unit includes a front cover, a front sheet and a rear cover.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured to establish wireless connectivity with the one or more of control devices.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes detachable hardware accessories for carrying the HMI to different locations in the industrial automation plant for mobile operation.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes configurable LCD freeze area for handling the HMI.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes hardware accessories for enabling rotation capabilities in static installation.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured to segregate information generated in the one or more control processes on the plurality of display units based on the user specification. Further, such segregated information may be control and monitoring of parameters, reports in one or more forms, graphs and trends, event and operation logs, alarms and alarm Logs, recipes and file managers.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured to transfer content of one screen to one or more other screens in case of a fault.

In another embodiment, edges of the display screen of one or more display units is configurable to a minimum limit to increase the display area.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured for displaying seamless animation using multiple screens.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured for enlarging contents from one screen to multiple screens.

In another embodiment, the multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) is configured to store the information generated in the one or more control processes in memory devices for future use.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and other advantages of the invention will be better understood and will become more apparent by referring to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates an existing single screen HMI disclosed in prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cuboid multi-screen HMI according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a brick multi-screen HMI according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates various components of control unit of a multi-screen HMI according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrates displaying one or more control processes on multiple HMIs according to existing technique;

FIG. 7 illustrates a multi-screen cuboid HMI for displaying one or more control processes according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8-11 illustrate hardware optimization techniques in multi-screen HMI according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where ever possible same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

Disclosed herein is a multi-screen HMI having graphic screen segregation which provides a single point of access for various operations in a single product process system or a large machine complex.

As discussed before, Human Machine Interface (HMI) is an integrated part of an industrial automation system comprising control devices such as PLCs, VFDs and various other controllers. In particular, HMI is essential in machine complex comprising different machine segments or machine complexes within a shop floor area generating large amounts of data and Information such as F&B, automobile, pharma and so forth.

The large machines and process may generate huge amount of information and data related to different sub sections performing various functionalities. HMI is able to segregate Information and data based on the user specification on the various available screens. This results in lesser confusion for the operator to access the data and as well control and monitor the entire system. The various forms of data and information available from HMI may include:
• Control and monitoring of different parameters
• Different forms of reports
• Graphs and Trends
• Event and Operation logs
• Alarms and Alarm Logs
• Recipes
• File Manager and so forth.

The present invention discloses various embodiments of multi screen HMI. FIG. 2 illustrates a cuboid multi-screen HMI according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cuboid HMI may have four display screens 202, 204, 206, and 208 on four sides of the HMI. This embodiment is particularly useful for a mobile operator who may have complete control of the entire machine complex or process line from whichever point he moves. The equipment may be connected to the base unit via a reliable wireless connectivity and has the provision for on board power connection and power backup. For example, the wireless connectivity may include Bluetooth, Wi-fi, Near Field Communication (NFC) and so forth. The wireless connectivity may enable the multi-screen HMI to couple with other HMIs on the network. It also helps in establishing connectivity with Android application or iPhone application and so forth.

In another embodiment, Bluetooth connectivity may be used to connect the multi-screen HMI with other peripheral devices such as Mouse, Keyboard and so forth. For mobile operation, such cuboid HMI may be energized by battery.

One advantage of this embodiment is the multiple screens may generate seamless animation using multiple screens for better monitoring of the continuous process.

FIG. 3 illustrates a brick multi-screen HMI according to another embodiment of the present invention. The four display screens 302, 304, 306 and 308 may be arranged in shape of bricks for displaying one or more control processes. The present embodiment can be used where the operator desires to monitor and control the process lines, machine complex or the large machine from one particular location. There is no need for the operator to move to different locations within the automation plant to monitor the system.

Another advantage of the brick design of multi-screen HMI is to enable content enlargement from one screen to multiple screens for detail monitoring.
Typically the HMIs include a single set of internal components comprising the below listed components (shown in FIG.8):
• Front sheet
• Front cover
• Touch glass
• LCD with backlight
• Backlight power card
• Power card
• Main board
• Base board
• 10 board
• Rear cover

These can be further grouped as the components that form the external cover unit such as the front sheet and the front cover and the rear cover. The control units of the HMI are the various PCBs of the HMI which may be the internal components. Components specific to the display are the touch panel, LCD screen and the backlight control card (shown in FIG. 9).
A. Display unit
• Touch glass
• LCD screen with backlight
• Backlight power card
B. External cover unit
• Front cover
• Front sheet
• Rear cover
C. Control unit
• HMI control board (402)
• Device connectivity board (404)
• Single power board (406)
• Display interface board (408)

The cuboid design of the multi-screen HMI may include similar external cover unit and control units, but multiple sets of display units (shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10). In order to be used as a mobile as well as stationary equipment, additional accessories are essential so that it can be used for carrying the HMI unit and also fix it in a stationery location. A detachable rotating mechanism is fixed to the HMI so that the screens can be rotated. This requires hardware design to enable the rotating action as well as the connectivity to the various internal boards. It also requires configurable LCD freeze area while handling the HMI unit.

Additional Hardware requirements for cuboid multi-screen HMI:
• Detachable hardware accessory for mobility
• Rotation enabling hardware accessory for static installation

The brick design of the multi-screen HMI (shown in FIG. 11) has relatively simpler design variation with multiple display components apart from the additional hardware requirement for stationary mounting.

Additional Hardware requirements for Brick multi-screen HMI: • Hardware accessory for static installation.

Another advantage of multi-screen HMI is the outer edges of the screens are configurable and is set to minimum limit to increase the display area. Yet another advantage is in case one screen becomes faulty, the contents of the faulty screen can be transferred to one or more of the functional screens and thereby the break down period may be saved. The multi screen provides complete control of entire automation plant including one or more control processes from a single point of control. The time to access the different areas of operation is almost negligible using the segregated information displayed on the multiple screens. A single operator may monitor and control the entire system which eliminates dependency on multiple operators to operate the system. Further, animated gesture can be used to control the processes between various machines.

The present invention results in drastic reduction in Inventory and associated costs. The multi-screen HMI of the present invention is simple in construction and easy to operate. This also requires simple training process for new persons to learn operating the HMIs.

It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
1. A multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) for monitoring and controlling one or more control processes of an industrial automation plant, comprising: a control unit; an external cover unit; and plurality of display units, wherein each of the plurality of display units is configured to display one or more graphic screen segregations of the one or more control processes of the industrial automation plant.

2. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a HMI control board for controlling HMI functionalities; a device connectivity board for connecting the one or more control processes to the HMI; a single power board for supplying power to the HMI; and a plurality of display interface boards for controlling display on the plurality of display units.

3. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the display units comprises a touch glass, an LCD screen with backlight and a backlight power card.

4. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external cover unit comprises a front cover, a front sheet and a rear cover.

5. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured to establish wireless connectivity with the one or more of control devices.

6. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, comprises detachable hardware accessories for carrying the HMI to different locations in the industrial automation plant for mobile operation.

7. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, comprises configurable LCD freeze area for handling the HMI.

8. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, comprises hardware accessories for enabling rotation capabilities in static installation.

9. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured to segregate information generated in the one or more control processes on the plurality of display units based on the user specification.

10. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 7, wherein such segregated information comprises at least one of control and monitoring of parameters, reports in one or more forms, graphs and trends, event and operation logs, alarms and alarm Logs, recipes and file managers.

11. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured to transfer content of one screen to one or more other screens in case of a fault.

12. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, wherein edges of the display screen of one or more display units is configurable to a minimum limit to increase the display area.

13. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured for displaying seamless animation using multiple screens.

14. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured for enlarging contents from one screen to multiple screens.

15. The multi screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) as claimed in claim 1, is configured to store the information generated in the one or more control processes in memory devices for future use.