Operator assistance in an automation system

A consequence determining device for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, the consequence determining device being configured to:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system settings,
• receive a simulation selection from the operator, which simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system settings that differ from automation system settings used in the current operation,
• determine a difference in operation between the automation system as operated with the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation, and
• display said difference through manipulating graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation, in order to allow the operator to determine the consequences if the automation system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automation system.

An automation system comprising a consequence determining device for assisting an operator of an automation system, where an automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, the consequences determining device being configured to:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system settings,
• receive a simulation selection from the operator, which simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system settings that differ from automation system settings used in the current operation,
• determine a difference in operation between the automation system as operated with the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation, and
• display said difference through manipulating graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation, in order to allow the operator to determine the consequences if the automation system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automation system.

A computer program for assisting an operator of an automation system, where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, said computer program including a computer program code configured to cause a consequence determining device to, when being loaded into the consequence determining device:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system settings,
• receive a simulation selection from the operator, which simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system settings that differ from automation system settings used in the current operation,
• determine a difference in operation between the automation system as operated with the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation, and
• display said difference through manipulating graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation, in order to allow the operator to determine the consequences if the automation system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automation system.

A computer program product for assisting an operator of an automation system, said computer program product being provided on a data carrier comprising said computer program with computer program code where the automation system implements a process flow that is displayed to the operator through a number of linked graphical objects representing elements in the process flow, said computer program including a computer program code configured to cause a consequence determining device to, when being loaded into the consequence determining device:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system settings,
• receive a simulation selection from the operator, which simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system settings that differ from automation system settings used in the current operation,
• determine a difference in operation between the automation system as operated with the current automation system settings and the automation system settings used in the simulation, and
• display said difference through manipulating graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation, in order to allow the operator to determine the consequences if the automation system settings of the simulation were to be used in the operation of the automation system.