Patent Publication Number: US-2017371528-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for managing navigation on industrial operator console using touchscreen

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to industrial process control and automation systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for managing navigation on an industrial operator console using a touchscreen. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Industrial process control and automation systems are often used to automate large and complex industrial processes. These types of systems routinely include sensors, actuators, and controllers. Some of the controllers receive measurements from the sensors and generate control signals for the actuators. Other controllers perform higher-level functions, such as planning, scheduling, and optimization operations. 
     These types of control and automation systems also typically include numerous operator consoles. Operator consoles are often used to receive inputs from operators, such as setpoints for process variables in an industrial process being controlled. Operator consoles are also often used to provide outputs to operators, such as to display warnings, alarms, or other information associated with the industrial process being controlled. Large collections of operator consoles are often used in control rooms where a number of operators assemble and work. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for managing navigation on an industrial operator console using a touchscreen. 
     In a first embodiment, a method includes presenting a representation of a multi-panel display of an operator console on a touchscreen separate from the multi-panel display. The representation includes multiple placeholders associated with multiple panels of the multi-panel display. The method also includes receiving user input via the touchscreen, where the user input identifies at least one of the placeholders associated with at least one of the panels and a desired function. The method further includes performing the desired function to one of change first content presented in the at least one panel or change second content presented on the touchscreen based on the first content presented in the at least one panel. 
     In a second embodiment, an apparatus includes a touch-sensitive display and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is configured to present a representation of a multi-panel display of an operator console on the touch-sensitive display. The representation includes multiple placeholders associated with multiple panels of the multi-panel display. The touch-sensitive display is configured to receive user input identifying at least one of the placeholders associated with at least one of the panels and a desired function. The at least one processing device is configured to perform the desired function to one of change first content presented in the at least one panel or change second content presented on the touch-sensitive display based on the first content presented in the at least one panel. 
     In a third embodiment, a system includes an operator console having at least one display device configured to present a multi-panel display to at least one user, where the multi-panel display includes multiple panels. The system also includes a touchscreen device separate from the at least one display device. The touchscreen device is configured to present a representation of the multi-panel display, where the representation includes multiple placeholders associated with the multiple panels of the multi-panel display. The touchscreen device is also configured to receive user input identifying at least one of the placeholders associated with at least one of the panels and a desired function. The touchscreen device is further configured to perform the desired function to one of change first content presented in the at least one panel or change second content presented on the touchscreen device based on the first content presented in the at least one panel. 
     In a fourth embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium contains instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device of a touchscreen separate from a multi-panel display of an operator console, causes the at least one processing device to present a representation of the multi-panel display on the touchscreen. The representation includes multiple placeholders associated with multiple panels of the multi-panel display. The medium also contains instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing device, causes the at least one processing device to receive user input via the touchscreen. The user input identifies at least one of the placeholders associated with at least one of the panels and a desired function. The medium further contains instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing device, causes the at least one processing device to perform the desired function to one of change first content presented in the at least one panel or change second content presented on the touchscreen based on the first content presented in the at least one panel. 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example industrial process control and automation system according to this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 through 4  illustrate example operator consoles and related details according to this disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example multi-panel display for presentation on an operator console according to this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an example display for presentation on a touchscreen of an operator console according to this disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate example methods for managing navigation on an industrial operator console using a touchscreen according to this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 8 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example industrial process control and automation system  100  according to this disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes various components that facilitate production or processing of at least one product or other material. For instance, the system  100  can be used to facilitate control over components in one or multiple industrial plants. Each plant represents one or more processing facilities (or one or more portions thereof), such as one or more manufacturing facilities for producing at least one product or other material. In general, each plant may implement one or more industrial processes and can individually or collectively be referred to as a process system. A process system generally represents any system or portion thereof configured to process one or more products or other materials in some manner. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes one or more sensors  102   a  and one or more actuators  102   b . The sensors  102   a  and actuators  102   b  represent components in a process system that may perform any of a wide variety of functions. For example, the sensors  102   a  could measure a wide variety of characteristics in the process system, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. Also, the actuators  102   b  could alter a wide variety of characteristics in the process system. Each of the sensors  102   a  includes any suitable structure for measuring one or more characteristics in a process system. Each of the actuators  102   b  includes any suitable structure for operating on or affecting one or more conditions in a process system. 
     At least one network  104  is coupled to the sensors  102   a  and actuators  102   b . The network  104  facilitates interaction with the sensors  102   a  and actuators  102   b . For example, the network  104  could transport measurement data from the sensors  102   a  and provide control signals to the actuators  102   b . The network  104  could represent any suitable network or combination of networks. As particular examples, the network  104  could represent at least one Ethernet network, electrical signal network (such as a HART or FOUNDATION FIELDBUS network), pneumatic control signal network, or any other or additional type(s) of network(s). 
     The system  100  also includes various controllers  106 . The controllers  106  can be used in the system  100  to perform various functions in order to control one or more industrial processes. For example, a first set of controllers  106  may use measurements from one or more sensors  102   a  to control the operation of one or more actuators  102   b . A second set of controllers  106  could be used to optimize the control logic or other operations performed by the first set of controllers. A third set of controllers  106  could be used to perform additional functions. 
     Controllers  106  are often arranged hierarchically in a system. For example, different controllers  106  could be used to control individual actuators, collections of actuators forming machines, collections of machines forming units, collections of units forming plants, and collections of plants forming an enterprise. A particular example of a hierarchical arrangement of controllers  106  is defined as the “Purdue” model of process control. The controllers  106  in different hierarchical levels can communicate via one or more networks  108  and associated switches, firewalls, and other components. 
     Each controller  106  includes any suitable structure for controlling one or more aspects of an industrial process. At least some of the controllers  106  could, for example, represent proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers or multivariable controllers, such as Robust Multivariable Predictive Control Technology (RMPCT) controllers or other types of controllers implementing model predictive control or other advanced predictive control. As a particular example, each controller  106  could represent a computing device running a real-time operating system, a WINDOWS operating system, or other operating system. 
     Operator access to and interaction with the controllers  106  and other components of the system  100  can occur via various operator consoles  110 . As described above, each operator console  110  could be used to provide information to an operator and receive information from an operator. For example, each operator console  110  could provide information identifying a current state of an industrial process to the operator, such as values of various process variables and warnings, alarms, or other states associated with the industrial process. Each operator console  110  could also receive information affecting how the industrial process is controlled, such as by receiving setpoints or control modes for process variables controlled by the controllers  106  or other information that alters or affects how the controllers  106  control the industrial process. 
     Multiple operator consoles  110  can be grouped together and used in one or more control rooms  112 . Each control room  112  could include any number of operator consoles  110  in any suitable arrangement. In some embodiments, multiple control rooms  112  can be used to control an industrial plant, such as when each control room  112  contains operator consoles  110  used to manage a discrete part of the industrial plant. 
     Each operator console  110  includes any suitable structure for displaying information to and interacting with an operator. For example, each operator console  110  could include one or more processing devices  114 , such as one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, discrete logic devices, or other processing or control devices. Each operator console  110  could also include one or more memories  116  storing instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the processing device(s)  114 . Each operator console  110  could further include one or more network interfaces  118  that facilitate communication over at least one wired or wireless network, such as one or more Ethernet interfaces or wireless transceivers. 
     Human operators are typically responsible for managing industrial processes and often need to act quickly and efficiently to maintain safe and profitable operations of industrial plants. To do this, operators are often constantly engaged in a process of orienting themselves to the current state of an industrial process, evaluating whether the current state requires human intervention, and (if so) performing the interventions and assessing the outcomes of the interventions. 
     A conventional operator console supporting these functions typically includes one or more display screens and one or more keyboards and pointing devices, such as mice or trackballs. Unfortunately, this arrangement often requires operators to divide their attention between the visualization of process information on the display screens (which are often oriented substantially vertically) and user input devices (which are often located on substantially horizontal work surfaces). For example, changing a process parameter often involves an operator selecting the parameter on a display screen using a mouse, finding and pressing the relevant keys on a keyboard, and viewing the results on the display screen. Because of this, operators often need to look back and forth between their display screens and their user input devices, and the operators often need to move their hands back and forth between different input devices in order to change process parameters. Divided attention and the need to switch between input devices make the overall process less efficient than it could be. 
     In accordance with this disclosure, an operator console  110  includes or operates in conjunction with a touchscreen. The touchscreen combines the visualization of process information with a mechanism for interacting with that information. The touchscreen also supports a mechanism for moving content between the touchscreen and at least one other display screen of the operator console  110 . The touchscreen further allows for the management of where content being moved from the touchscreen is placed on the at least one other display screen, as well as management of which content on the at least one other display screen is moved to the touchscreen. 
     Although  FIG. 1  illustrates one example of an industrial process control and automation system  100 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 1 . For example, industrial control and automation systems come in a wide variety of configurations. The system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is meant to illustrate one example operational environment in which touchscreens can be incorporated into or used with operator consoles.  FIG. 1  does not limit this disclosure to any particular configuration or operational environment. 
       FIGS. 2 through 4  illustrate example operator consoles  110  and related details according to this disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 2 , one example of the operator console  110  is positioned on a desk  202 . The desk  202  supports components of the operator console  110  and could be used to hold or retain electronics of the operator console  110 . For example, a computing device that includes the components  114 - 118  could be retained (and possibly hidden) under the desk  202 . 
     The operator console  110  includes one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b  placed on, mounted to, or otherwise associated with the desk  202 . The display screens  204   a - 204   b  can be used to present various information to an operator. For instance, the display screens  204   a - 204   b  could be used to present human-machine interface (HMI) displays that include diagrams of an industrial process being controlled and information associated with the current state of the industrial process being controlled. The HMI displays could also be used to receive information from an operator. Each display screen  204   a - 204   b  includes any suitable display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or a light emitting diode (LED) display device. In this example, there are two display screens  204   a - 204   b  adjacent to and angled with respect to one another. However, an operator console  110  could include a single display screen or multiple display screens in any suitable arrangement. 
     The operator console  110  in this example also includes a touchscreen  206 . The touchscreen  206  here is placed on the desk  202  and can be positioned at an angle, such as about 15° to about 35° . The angle of the touchscreen  206  could be adjustable. The touchscreen  206  can be used to interact with the HMI displays presented on the display screens  204   a - 204   b  and to control the content on the display screens  204   a - 204   b . The touchscreen  206  could also present additional HMI displays and other information not presented on the display screens  204   a - 204   b . The touchscreen  206  includes any suitable display device with touch sensitivity, such as an LCD or LED touchscreen. 
     The operator console  110  further includes an ambient display  208 , which in this example is positioned at the top of the display screens  204   a - 204   b . The ambient display  208  can output light having different characteristic(s) to identify the current status of an industrial process (or portion thereof) being monitored or controlled using the operator console  110 . For example, the ambient display  208  could output green light or no light when the current status of an industrial process or portion thereof is normal. The ambient display  208  could output yellow light when the current status of an industrial process or portion thereof indicates that a warning has been issued. The ambient display  208  could output red light when the current status of an industrial process or portion thereof indicates that an alarm has been issued. Note that other or additional characteristics of the ambient light can also be controlled, such as the intensity of light or the speed of transitions in the light. The ambient display  208  here represents an edge-lit glass segment or other clear segment, where one or more edges of the segment can be illuminated using an LED strip or other light source. Note, however, that the use of the ambient display  208  is optional. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , another example of the operator console  110  is positioned on the desk  202  and includes the display screens  204   a - 204   b  and the ambient display  208 . The operator console  110  in this example also includes multiple instances of the touchscreen  206 , where each touchscreen  206  is associated with a different display screen  204   a - 204   b.    
     The operator console  110  in this example also includes at least one mobile device  302 . The mobile device  302  can be used to support interactions between an operator and HMI displays presented on the display screens  204   a - 204   b . For example, the mobile device  302  could include a touchscreen that can be used to control the content on the display screens  204   a - 204   b  and to interact with the HMI displays presented on the display screens  204   a - 204   b . Moreover, the mobile device  302  could receive and display information to an operator, such as current process variable values or process states, when the operator moves away from the operator console  110 . The mobile device  302  includes any suitable device that is mobile and that supports interaction with an operator console, such as a tablet computer or smartphone. Note, however, that the use of the mobile device(s)  302  is optional. 
     The operator console  110  in this example further includes one or more desktop telephones  304  and one or more keyboards  306 . Each desktop telephone  304  could represent any suitable analog or digital telephone. Each keyboard  306  includes any suitable structure for providing physical keys that can be depressed by an operator. Note, however, that the use of the desktop telephone(s)  304  and the keyboard(s)  306  is optional. 
     As an alternative to conventional operator console interfaces, the operator consoles  110  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  combine both visualizing and interacting with industrial processes within one user interface device (a touchscreen  206 ). The touchscreen  206  features high-resolution graphics for visualization and touchscreen technology for interaction. The touchscreen  206  presents process visualizations that allow direct touch gesture interactions. Example operations that could be triggered using the touchscreen  206  include navigating information in a display (such as scrolling a trend) and manipulating process parameters (such as changing a setpoint). An operator can manipulate visualizations directly with touch gestures on the touchscreen  206  rather than using separate input devices like a keyboard and a mouse/trackball. 
     Any suitable touch gestures could be supported by the touchscreen  206 , such as discrete tapping gestures to select pre-defined values presented on the touchscreen  206  and continuous sliding, dragging, or pinching gestures to select values from a continuous range. Examples of these types of touch gestures are described more fully in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/487,276 filed on Sep. 16, 2014 (which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). As another example, the touchscreen  206  can support a mechanism to easily move content between the touchscreen  206  and one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b  (or vice versa) using the touchscreen  206 . These “content management” operations could include selecting a panel or other area of a display screen  204   a - 204   b  using the touchscreen  206  and pushing a selected HMI display (which may or may not be currently presented on the touchscreen  206 ) to the selected area of the display screen  204   a - 204   b . These “content management” operations could also include selecting a panel or other area of a display screen  204   a - 204   b  using the touchscreen  206  and pulling the HMI display in the selected area onto the touchscreen  206 . 
     The ergonomically-sound arrangement of the touchscreens  206  and the direct manipulation interfaces allow operators to work more effectively and efficiently over long periods of time. All touch-based data entry operations can be optimized for efficiency and safety to exclude inaccurate or accidental inputs. Moreover, the operator consoles  110  allow operators to efficiently bring HMI displays onto the touchscreens  206  or display screens  204   a - 204   b  for direct interaction or viewing without having to divide their attention or move their hands between different input devices. 
     In particular embodiments, a touchscreen  206  can be driven by a computing device (either within the touchscreen  206  or external to the touchscreen  206 ), and the display(s)  204   a - 204   b  could be driven by a separate computing device (such as one containing the components  114 - 118 ). This could provide a form of fault tolerance in an operator console  110 . That is, if the computer driving the display(s)  204   a - 204   b  fails, the touchscreen  206  could still be used to maintain control over an industrial process (or vice versa). Note that a keyboard  306  could be provided in a hidden or other storage location that is accessible if and when the touchscreen  206  of an operator console  110  fails. 
     Also, in particular embodiments, an operator console  110  could be implemented using a modified form of the EXPERION HMI platform from HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. The modifications can include modifications enabling safe and reliable touch-based interaction with HMI displays, modifications enabling the movement of content between screens of a console, and modifications controlling which content is moved between screens of a console. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a touchscreen  206  includes at least one processing device  402 , which controls the overall operation of the touchscreen  206 . For example, the processing device  402  may control interactions with an operator console  110 , such as by identifying gestures related to displaying, changing, or moving content on one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b  of the operator console  110 . The processing device  402  may also control interactions with an external control system, such as by identifying gestures related to retrieving process variable values or other content from the control system and changing process variable values or other content that is delivered to the control system. As noted above, the operator console  110  could include a separate computing device (such as the components  114 - 118 ), and the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the separate computing device to control or modify the contents on the one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b . The processing device  402  includes any suitable structure for controlling the operation of a touchscreen. As particular examples, the processing device  402  could include one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, discrete logic devices, or other processing or control devices. 
     At least one memory  404  stores any of a wide variety of information used, collected, or generated by the touchscreen  206 . For example, the memory  404  could store instructions executed by the processing device(s)  402 , as well as data transmitted to or received from the operator console  110  and data received from an operator. The memory  404  includes any suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storage and retrieval device or devices. 
     At least one interface  406  supports interaction with external devices or systems, such as a computing device within the operator console  110  or an external control system. Each interface  406  includes any suitable structure supporting communications over physical or wireless paths. For example, a touchscreen  206  could include a wired USB, FIREWIRE, THUNDERBOLT, Ethernet, or other physical connection(s) to an operator console or other devices. A touchscreen  206  could also or alternatively include a wireless WIFI, BLUETOOTH, or other wireless connection to an operator console or other devices. Any number of interfaces  406  could be supported. 
     The touchscreen  206  further includes a display  408 . The display  408  represents a touch-sensitive display for presenting text, images, or other data to an operator and receiving inputs from an operator. The display  408  includes any suitable touch-sensitive display, such as an LCD or LED touchscreen. 
     Depending on the implementation, the touchscreen  206  could include various other components, such as a microphone  410  and a speaker  412 . The microphone  410  can be used to capture audio information, such as voice communications from an operator. The speaker  412  can be used to generate audio information, such as audible alarms or voice information received from another operator engaging in a voice communication session with the touchscreen  206 . 
     A touchscreen  206  could support various other functions as needed or desired. For instance, the touchscreen  206  could be portable, and the processing device(s)  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the computing device coupled to the display screen(s)  204   a - 204   b  of an operator console  110 , such as when the touchscreen  206  is moved to within a specified distance of or physically docks with the operator console  110 . The touchscreen  206  could do this each time the touchscreen  206  is moved to a different operator console  110 , and information stored in the touchscreen  206  or elsewhere could be used to update a specific operator console  110  each time the touchscreen  206  interfaces with that specific operator console  110 . 
     Although  FIGS. 2 through 4  illustrate examples of operator consoles  110  and related details, various changes may be made to  FIGS. 2 through 4 . For example, an operator console  110  could have any combination of the features shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , such as when a feature shown in one figure is used in another figure. Also, various components in  FIGS. 2 through 4  could be combined, subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. As a particular example, the processing device  402  could be implemented using a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU). In addition, an operator console  110  could include any number of display devices and touchscreens, with any suitable association between the display devices and touchscreens. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example multi-panel display  500  for presentation on an operator console according to this disclosure. For example, the multi-panel display  500  could be presented on at least one of the display screens  204   a - 204   b  of the operator console  110 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the multi-panel display  500  includes multiple separate panels  502 - 512  in which different content can be presented to one or more users. For instance, each of the panels  502 - 512  can be used to present an HMI display to one or more operators. As a particular example, each HMI display could graphically represent all or a portion of an industrial process and provide data related to the displayed industrial process, such as process variable values or notifications (like warnings or alarms). 
     In this example, there are six panels  502 - 512  arranged in two rows and three columns, each of the panels  502 - 512  is rectangular, and all panels  502 - 512  have the same size and shape. This is for illustration only. Other numbers and arrangements of panels could be used on one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b . Also, each of the panels could have any suitable size and shape, and the panels may or may not be identical in size or shape. In addition, the number and sizes of panels could vary, such as when fewer panels of larger size or more panels of smaller size can be presented. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , only five panels  502 - 510  currently contain HMI displays, while the sixth panel  512  does not include an HMI display. This means, for example, that a user could use a touchscreen  206  to select an HMI display for presentation in the panel  512 . Note that while shown as being blank here, one or more messages could be presented to a user in the panel  512 . For instance, based on the user currently logged into an operator console  110  and the responsibilities of that user or based on the current status of an industrial process, the panel  512  could present a note indicating that the user should select a particular HMI display or type of HMI display for presentation in the panel  512  or another panel  502 - 510 . 
     In some embodiments, the panels  502 - 512  shown in  FIG. 5  could be presented on a single display screen, and the layout of panels  502 - 512  shown in  FIG. 5  could be replicated across multiple display screens of an operator console  110 . In the examples shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , this allows the operator console  110  to present up to twelve different HMI displays to one or more operators simultaneously. The one or more operators could then use one or more touchscreens  206  to control the content that is presented in the various panels as described below. 
     Although  FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a multi-panel display  500  for presentation on an operator console, various changes may be made to  FIG. 5 . For example, a display screen  204   a  or  204   b  could include multiple panels in any suitable arrangement. Also, the actual contents of the panels  502 - 512  in  FIG. 5  are for illustration only, and any other or additional types of content could be presented on the multi-panel display  500 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an example display  600  for presentation on a touchscreen of an operator console according to this disclosure. In particular,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an example display  600  for a touchscreen  206  that can be used to select content for and move content to and from the panels  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500  in  FIG. 5 . However, a touchscreen  206  could be used with any other suitable multi-panel display. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , the display  600  includes an HMI display area  602  in which at least one HMI display can be presented to a user. The HMI display area  602  in  FIG. 6A  currently contains an HMI display that could be used by a user to review the operational status of an industrial process or make changes to the industrial process. As particular examples, the user could review any warnings or alarms associated with the industrial process or modify setpoints, control modes, or other values of process variables associated with the industrial process. 
     Any suitable mechanism could be supported allowing a user to select one or more HMI displays for presentation in the HMI display area  602 . In this example, a list  604  is presented to the user, where the list  604  identifies various HMI displays that could be selected by the user. More specifically, the list  604  in this example contains eight different HMI displays identified by letter, any of which could be selected by the user. The HMI displays available for selection could be identified in any suitable manner, such as based on the specific user or user role of the operator currently using the operator console  110 . Of course, the list  604  could contain any number of HMI displays for selection, and the HMI displays could be identified in other ways, such as with more detailed descriptions of the HMI displays&#39; contents. Also note that other mechanisms besides a list could be used to select an HMI display. For instance, a hierarchical arrangement of equipment in an industrial process (with different equipment associated with different HMI displays) could be navigated to select a specific HMI display. 
     An input area  606  provides controls allowing users to enter data through touch input, such as for the HMI display currently presented in the HMI display area  602 . For example, a user could select a process variable identified in the HMI display area  602  and alter a value for that process variable using the numerical and up/down buttons in the input area  606 . SETPOINT and OUTPUT buttons allow the user to define an output (OP) value or a setpoint value (SP) for a selected process variable. The user could also select a process variable identified in the HMI display area  602  and change the control mode for that process variable using the MAN, AUTO, or NORM buttons in the input area  606 . The MAN button places a selected process variable under manual control. The AUTO button places a selected process variable under automatic control such that its output value is calculated using an operator-defined setpoint. The NORM button places a selected process variable under normal control of an associated process controller  106 . Note that these types of input values are examples only and could be based on what inputs might typically be needed for HMI displays to be presented in the HMI display area  602 . However, any other or additional controls could be provided in the input area  606  in order to receive input from a user, and the controls in the input area  606  could vary (such as in response to selection of a particular HMI display or type of HMI display for the HMI display area  602 ). 
     The display  600  could optionally include at least one additional area  608 , which could be used for any suitable purpose(s). For example, the additional area  608  could present information related to a specific HMI display being presented in the HMI display area  602 , such as information associated with warnings or alarms for the displayed portion of an industrial process. The additional area  608  could also present additional input controls for a specific process variable selected in the HMI display area  602  or for a specific HMI display presented in the HMI display area  602 . The additional area  608  could further present information related to the status of a connection between the touchscreen  206  and the associated operator console  110 . In general, any suitable information or controls related to the touchscreen  206 , operator console  110 , user, industrial process, or other aspects of a system could be presented in the additional area  608 . 
     As noted above, a user can use the touchscreen  206  to push content to, pull content from, or otherwise control the content presented on one or more display screens  204   a - 204   b . In the display  600  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a representation  610  of a multi-panel display is presented to a user, and the representation  610  includes a placeholder  612  for each panel of the multi-panel display. For example, the representation  610  could represent the multi-panel display  500  of  FIG. 5 , and each placeholder  612  could represent one of the panels  502 - 510  in the multi-panel display  500  of  FIG. 5 . The placeholders  612  in the representation  610  can be arranged in the same manner as the corresponding panels are arranged in the multi-panel display. As a result, in this example, the representation  610  includes six placeholders  612  arranged in two rows and three columns to match the layout of the multi-panel display  500 . However, the representation  610  could include any number of placeholders  612  in any suitable arrangement depending on the layout and arrangement of the multi-panel display. 
     The placeholders  612  in the representation  610  can be selected or used in different ways by a user to control the content presented in the panels of a multi-panel display or to control the content presented on the touchscreen  206 . For example, different touch inputs can be received by the touchscreen  206  on the placeholders  612  in the representation  610  in order to control the content presented in the panels  502 - 512  of the associated multi-panel display  500  or on the display  408  of the touchscreen  206 . 
     As one example of a touch input that can be received by the touchscreen  206 , assume a user has selected a particular HMI display for presentation within the HMI display area  602 . Also assume that the user now wishes for the same HMI display to be presented on (pushed to) a particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . In some embodiments, the user could identify the placeholder  612  associated with the particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500  and touch that placeholder  612  for at least a threshold period of time (such as one second or two seconds). In response to detecting the touch of the particular placeholder  612  for at least the threshold period of time, the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI display to be presented within the particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . 
     In other embodiments, to push an HMI display from the HMI display area  602  to a particular panel  502 - 512  of a multi-panel display  500 , the user could identify the placeholder  612  associated with the particular panel  502 - 512 . The user could then “drag” the HMI display currently being presented in the HMI display area  602  to that placeholder  612 . The drag could be performed by the user touching a specific portion or any portion of the HMI display area  602  or the presented HMI display and dragging his or her finger across the display  408  to the particular placeholder  612  in the representation  610 . The user could then release or “drop” the HMI display by removing his or her finger from the display  408 . In response to detecting the drag and drop, the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI display to be presented within the particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . 
     As another example of a touch input that can be received by the touchscreen  206 , assume a user has selected a particular HMI display for presentation within a panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . This could be done, for example, as described above or in any other suitable manner. Also assume that the user now wishes for the same HMI display to be presented on (pulled to) the touchscreen  206 . In some embodiments, the user could identify the placeholder  612  associated with the particular panel  502 - 512 . The user could then “drag” the identified placeholder  612  and “drop” the identified placeholder  612  into the HMI display area  602 . The drag could be performed by the user touching the identified placeholder  612  and dragging his or her finger across the display  408  to a specific portion or any portion of the HMI display area  602 . In response to detecting the drag and drop, the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI display from the multi-panel display  500  to be presented within the HMI display area  602 . 
     As yet another example of a touch input that can be received by the touchscreen  206 , assume a user wishes for a particular HMI display to be presented within a panel  502 - 512  of a multi-panel display  500 , but the particular HMI display is not currently being presented within the HMI display area  602  of the display  600 . In some embodiments, the user could identify the placeholder  612  associated with the particular panel  502 - 512  and quickly “tap” the particular placeholder  612 . The user could then select a particular HMI display from the list  604  or other data structure identifying HMI displays. Of course, the order of selection of the placeholder and HMI display could be reversed. In response to detecting a placeholder selection and an HMI selection, the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI display to be presented within the particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . A user could do this repeatedly for different panels  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500  in order to quickly populate most or all of the multi-panel display  500  with different HMI displays. 
     As still another example of a touch input that can be received by the touchscreen  206 , assume a user wishes for multiple HMI displays to be presented within multiple panels  502 - 512  of a multi-panel display  500 . The user could select multiple HMI displays from the list  604  or other data structure identifying HMI displays, such as by swiping left or right on specific HMI displays identified in the list  604 . The user could then select a particular placeholder  612  within the representation  610  for a particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 , where the selected HMI displays will be presented starting with the selected panel and moving in some pattern (such as clockwise, counterclockwise, left-to-right, or up-down). The processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could then interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI displays to be presented. 
     As a final example of a touch input that can be received by the touchscreen  206 , assume a user wishes for multiple HMI displays to be sequentially presented within a single panel  502 - 512  of a multi-panel display  500 . The sequence of HMI displays could be predefined (such as the entire set of HMI displays identified in the list  604 ), or the HMI displays could be selected from the list  604  or other data structure identifying HMI displays. The user could then select a particular placeholder  612  within the representation  610  for a particular panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 , such as by double-tapping the selected representation  610 . The processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  could then interact with the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  to cause the particular HMI displays to be presented in the identified panel  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . 
     Note that the above examples are merely illustrative of how a representation  610  of a multi-panel display  500  could be used on a touchscreen  206  to move content to or from the multi-panel display  500  or to control the content on the multi-panel display  500  or touchscreen  206 . There may be numerous other ways in which taps, swipes, or other gestures can be used with a representation  610  of a multi-panel display  500 . The above examples are provided for illustration only, and any specific implementation of an operator console  110  could use any combination of gestures (whether or not described above) in conjunction with a representation  610  of a multi-panel display  500 . Other example functions that could be supported using touch gestures on the touchscreen  206  could include clearing a selected panel (identified using a placeholder  612 ) of a multi-panel display, clearing all panels of a multi-panel display, and causing content on one panel of a multi-panel display to move to another panel of the multi-panel display. 
     In some embodiments, upon selection of a placeholder  612  in the representation  610 , the selected placeholder  612  could change color or pattern or otherwise change to indicate that it has been selected. This may allow a user to verify whether the proper placeholder  612  has been selected and, if not, to reselect an appropriate placeholder  612 .  FIG. 6B  contains an example of this, where the bottom right placeholder  612  has changed color or pattern upon being selected by a user. 
     Although  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate one example of a display  600  for a touchscreen of an operator console, various changes may be made to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For example, the content, layout, and arrangement of the display  600  are for illustration only. Content can be added, removed, or rearranged in any suitable manner according to particular needs. Also, while various input mechanisms (such as buttons and lists) are described above, a touchscreen  206  could support any suitable mechanisms for receiving input from a user. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate example methods for managing navigation on an industrial operator console using a touchscreen according to this disclosure. In particular,  FIG. 7  illustrates an example method  700  that could be performed by a touchscreen  206 , and  FIG. 8  illustrates an example method  800  that could be performed by an operator console  110 . For ease of explanation, the methods  700  and  800  are described with respect to the operator console  110  and touchscreen  206  of  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the multi-panel display  500  of  FIG. 5 , and the touchscreen display  600  of  FIG. 6 . However, the methods  700  and  800  could be used with any suitable operator console, touchscreen, multi-panel display, and touchscreen display. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a representation of a multi-panel display is presented on a touchscreen at step  702 . This could include, for example, the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  causing the display  408  to present the representation  610  with desired placeholders  612  in an appropriate pattern. The pattern can be based on the possible arrangement of panels in the multi-panel display, such as when the multi-panel display  500  includes panels  502 - 512  in a 2×3 pattern and the representation  610  includes six placeholders  612  in the same arrangement. 
     At least one touch input identifying at least one panel of the multi-panel display and a desired function is received at step  704 . This could include, for example, the processing device  402  detecting one or more specific gestures, such as specific taps, drags, or drops, on the display  408 . At least one of the touch inputs involves one or more of the placeholders  612 , thereby providing a selection of one or more of the panels  502 - 512  in the multi-panel display  500 . As noted above, different touch inputs (such as different gestures) could correspond to different functions, such as pushing content to or pulling content from one or more panels  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . 
     If it is determined that the desired function involves pushing content at step  706 , one or more HMI displays to be presented on the multi-panel display are identified at step  708 . Also, information identifying the panel(s) and the HMI display(s) is transmitted to an operator console at step  710 . This could include, for example, the processing device  402  identifying one or more of the panels  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500  based on one or more user gestures involving one or more placeholders  612 . As particular examples, this could include the processing device  402  identifying one of the placeholders  612  tapped by the user or identifying one of the placeholders  612  to which the user dragged an HMI display being presented in the HMI display area  602 . This could also include the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  sending information identifying the panel(s) and the HMI display(s) to the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  so that the processing device  114  can cause the operator console  110  to present the identified HMI display(s) on the identified panel(s). 
     Otherwise, if it is determined that the desired function involves pulling content at step  712 , information identifying one or more panels of a multi-panel display is transmitted to an operator console at step  714 . Information identifying one or more HMI displays presented in the identified panel(s) is received from the operator console at step  716 , and the one or more HMI displays are presented on the touchscreen at step  718 . This could include, for example, the processing device  402  identifying one of the placeholders  612  tapped, dragged, or otherwise selected by the user. This could also include the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206  sending information identifying the panel(s) to the processing device  114  of the operator console  110  so that the processing device  114  can identify the HMI display(s) currently presented on the identified panel(s). This could further include the processing device  402  using the identity of the HMI display(s) to retrieve necessary information from the operator console  110 , a control system, or other source(s) of information for presentation within the HMI display area  602 . 
     Otherwise, some other content-related function could be performed at step  720 . Any other suitable content-related function could be supported using a touchscreen, such as clearing one or more panels  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500  or swapping HMI displays presented in multiple panels  502 - 512 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the operator console can perform functions corresponding to the touchscreen operations described above. For example, during a push operation, information identifying one or more first HMI displays and one or more first panels is received from a touchscreen at step  802 . The one or more first HMI displays are presented in the one or more first panels of a multi-panel display at step  804 . This could include, for example, the processing device  114  receiving the information from the touchscreen  206 , retrieving HMI-related information for the HMI display(s) from a control system or other source(s), and presenting the HMI display(s) in the identified panel(s) of the multi-panel display  500 . 
     During a pull operation, information identifying one or more second HMI displays is received from the touchscreen at step  806 . One or more second HMI displays presented in the identified panel(s) are identified at step  808 , and information identifying the one or more second HMI displays is transmitted to the touchscreen at step  810 . This could include, for example, the processing device  114  identifying which HMI displays are currently being presented in the identified panel(s)  502 - 512  of the multi-panel display  500 . This could also include the processing device  114  sending an identification of those HMI displays, data associated with those HMI displays, or other information related to the HMI displays to the processing device  402  of the touchscreen  206 . 
     Although  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate examples of methods  700  and  800  for managing navigation on an industrial operator console using a touchscreen, various changes may be made to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . For example, while shown as a series of steps, various steps in each figure could overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times. 
     In some embodiments, various functions described above are implemented or supported by a computer program that is formed from computer readable program code and that is embodied in a computer readable medium. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer code (including source code, object code, or executable code). The term “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.