Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for determining the location of a worker in a plant, such as a petrochemical manufacturing or refining facility in order to render an augmented view of at least one asset in the vicinity of a fiducial marker. A field worker mobile device may scan the fiducial marker and render operating values for a measurable element of the assets in the field of view of the mobile device. Location of the mobile device with respect to the assets in the vicinity of the fiducial marker may be determined based upon the known location and orientation of the fiducial marker and/or the known location and orientations of the assets relative to the fiducial marker.

Abstract: A method includes identifying one or more first devices contained in at least one image captured by a mobile device. The method also includes obtaining data associated with at least one of: the one or more first devices and one or more second devices connected to or interacting with the one or more first devices. The method further includes presenting information overlaid over the at least one image by the mobile device to a user, where the presented information includes the data or information based on the data. The presented information varies based on perceived distance or proximity of the mobile device to the one or more first devices.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for determining the location of a worker in a plant, such as a petrochemical manufacturing or refining facility in order to render an augmented view of at least one asset in the vicinity of a fiducial marker. A field worker mobile device may scan the fiducial marker and render operating values for a measurable element of the assets in the field of view of the mobile device. Location of the mobile device with respect to the assets in the vicinity of the fiducial marker may be determined based upon the known location and orientation of the fiducial marker and/or the known location and orientations of the assets relative to the fiducial marker.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for integrating production process information into field worker mobile workflows in a plant, such as a petrochemical manufacturing or refining facility. A field worker mobile device may receive a mobile workflow of a scheduled series of actions corresponding to completion of a maintenance task associated with a piece of equipment, such as a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit, commonly used in many petrochemical and refinery processes. The mobile device also may receive operating limits for a measureable element of the equipment, such a threshold pressure value. When a current operating condition of the measurable element of the petrochemical manufacturing or refining facility fails to meet the operating limits, the mobile workflow may be automatically modified, based on equipment sensor data, to an alternate mobile workflow in connection with corrective action to address the failure.

Abstract: A method includes identifying one or more first devices contained in at least one image captured by a mobile device. The method also includes obtaining data associated with at least one of: the one or more first devices and one or more second devices connected to or interacting with the one or more first devices. The method further includes presenting information overlaid over the at least one image by the mobile device to a user, where the presented information includes the data or information based on the data. The presented information varies based on perceived distance or proximity of the mobile device to the one or more first devices.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a plurality of windows in a graphical display. Each window corresponds to a representation of at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes, responsive to a first window being in an active state, subscribing to first operational data associated with the process system. The method further includes, responsive to a second window being in an inactive state, unsubscribing from second operational data associated with the process system.

Abstract: A method implemented in an operator console includes receiving a captured image of an operator at the operator console. The method also includes identifying whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console. The method further includes performing a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receive a captured image from a camera including an image of an operator at the operator console. The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises one or more executable instruction that, when executed by processing circuitry, also cause the processing circuitry to identify whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console and perform a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console.

Abstract: A system includes an operator console having at least one graphical display configured to present information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes a mobile extension associated with the operator console. The mobile extension is configured to present first process-related information to an operator and receive second process-related information from the operator for the control system. The operator console is configured to provide state information to the mobile extension, where the state information is associated with operations of the operator console. The mobile extension could be configured to base at least part of the first process-related information or at least part of the second process-related information on a location of the apparatus. The operator console could be configured to provide an indication that the mobile extension is currently in use by the operator.

Abstract: A system includes at least one graphical display configured to display information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes at least one processing device configured to identify a current state of the industrial process or the control system. The system further includes an ambient display configured to generate ambient lighting having one or more characteristics based on the current state. The one or more characteristics could include a color, an intensity, and/or a speed of transitions in the ambient lighting. The color could be based on whether the industrial process is operating normally and whether the control system has generated any warnings or alarms associated with the industrial process. The ambient display can be configured to transition the ambient lighting from a first color to a second color based on a change in the current state.

Abstract: A method implemented in an operator console includes receiving a captured image of an operator at the operator console. The method also includes identifying whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console. The method further includes performing a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receive a captured image from a camera including an image of an operator at the operator console. The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises one or more executable instruction that, when executed by processing circuitry, also cause the processing circuitry to identify whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console and perform a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console.

Abstract: A method includes receiving activity data from a plurality of sensors associated with at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes monitoring the activity data to identify a period of inactivity of all of the plurality of sensors. The method also includes responsive to identifying the period of inactivity, issuing an alarm.

Abstract: A method includes receiving activity data from a plurality of sensors associated with at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes monitoring the activity data to identify a period of inactivity of all of the plurality of sensors. The method also includes responsive to identifying the period of inactivity, issuing an alarm.

Abstract: A method includes presenting process-related information associated with an industrial process control and automation system to an operator using at least one display device and a touchscreen of an operator console. The method also includes receiving user input via the touchscreen and, based on the user input, (i) controlling the process-related information presented on the at least one display device and the touchscreen and (ii) adjusting operation of the industrial process control and automation system. For example, based on the user input, content can be moved from the display device(s) to the touchscreen or from the touchscreen to the display device(s). As another example, the operation of the industrial process control and automation system can be adjusted by receiving a new value of a process variable based on a first user input and receiving an acceptance of the new value of the process variable based on a second user input.

Abstract: A method of operating a system (e.g., an industrial pant) that runs a physical process involving a console operator and a plurality of field operators including a first field operator. The first field operator sends a wireless message that reaches the console operator. Responsive to receiving the wireless message, selected information is read from a system database including information for equipment in the system and process event data obtained from or relating to the equipment. The selected information includes the equipment which is proximate to a current location of the first field operator (proximate equipment) and process related data from the proximate equipment. The selected information is displayed on the display device viewable by the console operator. To complete a collaboration, the console operator can provide information relevant to the current location to the first field operator.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first audio data from an operator associated with an industrial control and automation system. The method also includes identifying one or more recognition events associated with the first audio data, where each recognition event is associated with at least a portion of the first audio data that has been recognized using at least one grammar. In addition, the method includes performing one or more actions using the industrial control and automation system based on the one or more recognition events. The at least one grammar is based on information associated with the industrial control and automation system. The method could further include generating the at least one grammar. The information associated with the industrial control and automation system could include definitions of process variables, controllers, assets, trends, alarms, reports, and displays available in the industrial control and automation system.

Abstract: A system includes an operator console having at least one graphical display configured to present information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes a mobile extension associated with the operator console. The mobile extension is configured to present first process-related information to an operator and receive second process-related information from the operator for the control system. The operator console is configured to provide state information to the mobile extension, where the state information is associated with operations of the operator console. The mobile extension could be configured to base at least part of the first process-related information or at least part of the second process-related information on a location of the apparatus. The operator console could be configured to provide an indication that the mobile extension is currently in use by the operator.

Abstract: A system includes at least one graphical display configured to display information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes at least one processing device configured to identify a current state of the industrial process or the control system. The system further includes an ambient display configured to generate ambient lighting having one or more characteristics based on the current state. The one or more characteristics could include a color, an intensity, and/or a speed of transitions in the ambient lighting. The color could be based on whether the industrial process is operating normally and whether the control system has generated any warnings or alarms associated with the industrial process. The ambient display can be configured to transition the ambient lighting from a first color to a second color based on a change in the current state.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a plurality of windows in a graphical display. Each window corresponds to a representation of at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes, responsive to a first window being in an active state, subscribing to first operational data associated with the process system. The method further includes, responsive to a second window being in an inactive state, unsubscribing from second operational data associated with the process system.

Abstract: A method of operating a system (e.g., an industrial pant) that runs a physical process involving a console operator and a plurality of field operators including a first field operator. The first field operator sends a wireless message that reaches the console operator. Responsive to receiving the wireless message, selected information is read from a system database including information for equipment in the system and process event data obtained from or relating to the equipment. The selected information includes the equipment which is proximate to a current location of the first field operator (proximate equipment) and process related data from the proximate equipment. The selected information is displayed on the display device viewable by the console operator. To complete a collaboration, the console operator can provide information relevant to the current location to the first field operator.

Abstract: A method for providing an operational context-based desktop environment for a physical system. The method includes displaying a desktop comprising a plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions representing a different operational context of the physical system, and wherein the plurality of regions include visual indicia corresponding to their operational context, visual indicia of one or more active graphical user interfaces corresponding to the operational context and visual indicia of dynamic operational data corresponding to the operational context. The method further includes enlarging the active graphical user interfaces corresponding to the operational context of the region, responsive to user activation of a first region. The plurality of regions can be arranged according to a physical layout of the physical system or as a flow sheet reflecting an order of process steps for a process run by the physical system.