Automatic configuration system for an operator console

An automatic configuration system for an operator console wherein one or more operators control and monitor physical facilities, operations or physically dispersed services. The system includes wearable personal identification devices worn by the operators and a control unit for communicating with the wearable personal identification devices in order to detect the presence of one or more operators within a defined control room area. Each personal identification device includes a sensor unit for monitoring operator data, and is adapted to communicate the operator data to the control unit, which is adapted to configure the operator console based on the operator data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an automatic configuration system for an operator console wherein one or more operators control and monitor physical facilities, operations or physically dispersed services. The system comprises wearable personal identification devices worn by the operators and a control unit for communicating with said wearable personal identification devices in order to detect the presence of said one or more operators within a defined control room area.

BACKGROUND

Control room environments, especially 24/7-type environments, are often static workplaces where little or no physical activity is required for the human operators in control. Such environments can be depressing, unwelcoming and uncomfortable to work in for extended time periods and human operators often suffer from mental fatigue and boredom that may impair their ability to stay alert and proactive at any given time. The importance of improved ergonomics in such control room environments have long been realized by control room designers and much effort is put into this technical field in order to ensure safe operation of the controlled systems or facilities. For example, modern operator consoles can be adjusted in many ways to fit the physical dimensions and personal preferences of an individual human operator. In the past, operator consoles were typically static and once and for all adapted to a theoretical average operator figure based on a “one size fits all” design approach.

Although modern operator consoles may be adjusted to an operator in many ways as described above, the individual settings in present control room systems are generally made manually or by way of separate motor powered or hydraulic activators. Individual settings range from the basic adjustments such as operator desk height, to climate settings and distance to information display monitors. Typically, a problem of inconvenience with current control room systems is that multiple settings must be made separately by the operator in order to achieve an individually adapted work setting for optimal work ergonomics.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to alleviate the problem mentioned above. Hence, the invention discloses an automatic configuration system for an operator console wherein one or more operators control and monitor physical facilities, operations or physically dispersed services. The system comprises wearable personal identification devices worn by the operators and a control unit for communicating with said wearable personal identification devices in order to detect the presence of said one or more operators within a defined control room area. The invention is especially characterized in that each personal identification device includes a sensor unit for monitoring operator data, and is adapted to communicate said operator data to the control unit, which is adapted to configure the operator console based on said operator data.

In a preferred embodiment the operator data includes vital signs and other medical health status parameters. Furthermore, the operator data favourably includes movement pattern data of an operator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the operator console includes an adjustable height desk, the control unit monitors the movement pattern of an operator and automatically raises the desk to a position corresponding to a standing position of the operator when a predetermined time-period of operator inactivity is detected.

Advantageously, the control unit automatically initiates a change in light intensity, light temperature, air ventilation, sound level or a combination thereof when the sensed operator data indicates a state of drowsiness of the operator.

Furthermore, in a useful embodiment, the control unit monitors the position of an operator relative to the operator console and adapts the information interface depending on the operator's position.

In a further embodiment, the control unit automatically moves the display of prioritized information closer to the sensed position of the operator from a first information display location located at a first distance from the operator to a second information display location located at a second distance from the operator, said first distance exceeding said second distance.

Alternatively, in a case where the control console includes two or more separate information display screens, the control unit automatically moves the display of prioritized information for a dedicated operator from a first information display screen located at a first distance from the operator to a second information display screen located at a second distance from the operator, said first distance exceeding said second distance.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit increases the sound volume for alarms and verbal messages with increased distance between the operator and the operator console.

Preferably, each personal identification device is adapted to be programmable with individually adapted operator settings including physical dimension configuration for the operator console. The operator settings are communicated to the control unit upon operator log-in to the operator console and the control unit controls the operator console so as to be configured according to the operator settings. Advantageously, the operator settings further include activation settings enabling or not enabling selective automatic configuration functions.

In one embodiment of the invention, said wearable personal identification and sensor device includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and may be shaped as a wristband. Accordingly, the control unit preferably includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. The system may be an Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) system or an Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT) system. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit7may alternatively communicate with the wearable identification devices by way of so called Near Field Communication technology (NFC) or any other short-range wireless communication technology suitable for the communication.

The invention can be applied in different types of control room environments, such as in electric power plants, ship bridge controls, manufacturing industry and similar environments where a round-the clock alertness must be upheld in order to secure a safe operation.

The invention will now be described with reference to embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended drawings. With initial reference toFIG. 1, this figure shows a schematic overview of an operator console1. The operator console1in this example is of a larger type designed for two or more operators A, B even though the invention is equally applicable to an operator console of a smaller type intended for one operator only. The operator console1includes a desk2provided with a multiplicity of information display screens3, as well as three larger information display screens4a,4b,4cwhich are supported by a height adjustable support structure5. A lighting armature6is mounted over the desk2and a control unit7is positioned on the light armature6in the shown example. In alternative embodiments, the control unit7may be positioned elsewhere on or adjacent to the control console1.

InFIG. 1, two human operators A, B are shown standing just in front of the desk2and within a defined control room area8indicated by the dashed square surrounding the operator console1.

The operators A, B control and monitor physical facilities such as nuclear power plants or physically dispersed services such as emergency rescue operations. The operator console1may also be a control bridge of a ship or other large vehicle. According to the invention, the operators A, B are wearing personal identification devices9in the shape of wristbands in the shown example. The control unit7is adapted to communicate with the personal identification devices9when an operator A is within the control room area8as indicated by the arrow10. Hence, the control unit7is adapted to detect the presence of the operators A, B within the control room area8.

According to the invention, each personal identification device9includes a sensor unit14—as shown inFIG. 2—for monitoring operator data, and is adapted to communicate said operator data to the control unit7, which is adapted to configure the operator console1based on said operator data. The sensor unit14includes a non-invasive biometrical sensor for gathering operator data in the form of vital signs and other medical health status parameters. As shown inFIG. 2, the wearable personal identification device9includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag12and may be shaped as a wristband as shown in the figure, but may alternatively be part of a garment such as a vest (not shown) or be in the form of an ID-card or similar. Accordingly, the control unit7preferably includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader13. The system may be an Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) system or an Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT) system. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit7may alternatively communicate with the wearable identification devices9by way of so called Near Field Communication technology (NFC) or any other short-range wireless communication technology suitable for the communication.

In order to keep the operators A, B alert and to favourably influence their general long term health status the monitored operator data includes movement pattern data of the operators A, B. Hence, the control unit7monitors the physical movement pattern of an operator A, B and automatically raises the desk2to a position corresponding to a standing position of the operator A, B when a predetermined time-period of operator inactivity is detected. In this case, the desk2and the three information display screens4a,4b,4care raised accordingly as indicated by the arrows15a,15b.

The personal identification device9is also adapted to send stored information about the operator's A, B individual qualification levels or job positions to the control unit7. Based on this information, the control unit7may selectively display certain information to certain operators depending on their individual job positions or levels of authorization within the system.

Another aspect of the automatic configuration system according to the invention is that the control unit7is adapted to automatically initiate a noticeable change in light intensity, light temperature, air ventilation, sound level or a combination thereof when the sensed operator data indicates a state of drowsiness of an operator A, B. In such a case, the control unit7sends control commands to the various units needed to be controlled in order to achieve the desired effect of a drowsiness alert. These units include the lighting armature5, an audio system with loudspeakers16a,16b, a micro climate unit17all of which are adapted for communication with the control unit7.

With reference now toFIG. 3aandFIG. 3b, these two figures show a schematic representation of an operator console1with three information display screens4a,4b,4c. It should be understood that the operator console1may include any number of separate information screens or even a single broad information screen adapted to display separate information display areas corresponding to the separate information screens in the drawings. InFIGS. 3aand 3bonly one operator A is shown for the sake of clarity and simplicity. According to the invention, the control unit7monitors the position of an operator A relative to the operator console1and adapts the information interface depending on the operator's A position. In the figures the information interface is divided into three information displays A, B and C. InFIG. 3athe operator A is in a position closer to display screen4athan to the two other display screens4band4c. The control unit7senses this fact via the wearable personal identification unit9worn by operator A and automatically displays the most relevant display interface on the information screen4awhich is located closest to operator A. The inherent relevance of various available display interfaces is stored in the wearable personal identification unit9and may depend upon the operator's individual level of training or designated authority within the system as described above.

InFIG. 3bthe operator A has now moved to the right side of the operator console1from an original position on the left side as shown inFIG. 3a. In this case the control unit7senses the new position of the operator A and automatically moves the display of prioritized information—here information display “A” closer to the sensed position of the operator A from a first information display location4alocated at a first distance d1from the operator A to a second information display location4clocated at a second distance d2from the operator A, said first distance d1exceeding said second distance d2. The term display location is here used to further include a wide single display monitor (not shown) on which separate information interfaces A, B, C are displayed. In the shown example, there are three separate information screens4a,4band4c, although the invention is not limited to such a setup.

InFIG. 4athe same operator console1as in the previousFIGS. 3aand 3bis shown displaying three different information contents ABCD, EFGH and IJKL on the three information screens4a,4band4crespectively. An operator A is positioned to the left of the operator console1near display screen4aat a first, close distance d3from the control unit7and the display screen4a. The information content is here displayed in a first font size suited for optimal readability at the distance d3.

InFIG. 4b, the operator A has moved further away from the operator console1at a second, greater distance d4from the control unit7and the display screen4a, relative to the shorter distance d3inFIG. 4a. The information content on the nearest two information screens4a,4bis here displayed in a second, larger font size suited for optimal readability at the distance d4. The information content IJKL at the right information screen4cmaintains its first, smaller font size since it is the least prioritized information content for the specific operator A. Again, this prioritization is made by the control unit7on the basis of the operator's individual level of training or designated authority within the system as described above. Furthermore, according to the invention, the control unit7increases the sound volume for alarms and verbal messages with increased distance between the operator A and the operator console1.

According to the invention the personal identification device9is adapted to be programmable with individually adapted operator settings including physical dimension configuration for the operator console1. The operator settings are communicated to the control unit7upon operator log-in to the operator console1, said control unit7controlling the operator console1so as to be configured according to the operator settings. The operator settings further include activation settings enabling or not enabling selective automatic configuration functions.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings and a skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example,—as mentioned initially—the control unit7may alternatively communicate with the wearable identification devices9by way of so called Near Field Communication technology (NFC) or any other short-range wireless communication technology suitable for the communication described above.