Operator Assistance in An Automation System

A simulation comparing 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 simulation comparing device being configured to:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data comprising current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a first simulation selection from the operator, which first simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a second simulation selection from the operator, which second simulation selection involves a selection of another simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter and from the automation system parameter settings used in the simulation of the first selection,
• determine at least one difference in operation for the simulations of the first and the second selection, and
• display said at least one difference in operation according to a display scheme where graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation are manipulated.

An automation system comprising a simulation comparing 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 simulation comparing device being configured to:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data comprising current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a first simulation selection from the operator, which first simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a second simulation selection from the operator, which second simulation selection involves a selection of another simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter and from the automation system parameter settings used in the simulation of the first selection,
• determine at least one difference in operation for the simulations of the first and the second selection, and
• display said at least one difference in operation according to a display scheme where graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation are manipulated.

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 comprising computer program code configured to cause a simulation comparing device to, when being loaded into the simulation comparing device:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a first simulation selection from the operator, which first simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a second simulation selection from the operator, which second simulation selection involves a selection of another simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings and from the automation system parameter settings used in the simulation of the first selection,
• determine at least one difference in operation for the simulations of the first and the second selection, and
• display said at least one difference in operation according to a display scheme where graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation are manipulated.

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 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, said computer program including computer program code configured to cause a simulation comparing device to, when being loaded into the simulation comparing device:

• obtain current status data of a current operation of the automation system, said current status data including current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a first simulation selection from the operator, which first simulation selection involves a selection of a simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings,
• receive a second simulation selection from the operator, which second simulation selection involves a selection of another simulation with automation system parameter settings that differ from the current automation system parameter settings and from the automation system parameter settings used in the simulation of the first selection,
• determine at least one difference in operation for the simulations of the first and the second selection, and
• display said at least one difference in operation according to a display scheme where graphical objects corresponding to elements in the process flow that experience the difference in operation are manipulated.