Inline and Integrated Trends

Based on the “sparklines” concept by Edward Tufte, which promotes small, rich graphs that are designed to fit inline with a line of text, we explored miniature graphs integrated into the operator’s plant diagrams. While too small to show precise detail, they maintain characteristics that allow the detection of the slope, state, and stability of the process.

In the design process, we moved from text-sized sparklines describing two-state components into larger-sized integrated trends for more variable components. By plotting the process variable (PV) over time and displaying it inside the component the trend describes, we hope to provide tighter integration between history and current values as well as increase the context of the history graph by placing it where it is most relevant.

Our prototype proposes a constantly updated PV trend, displayed on a semi-transparent background as shown in the picture below.

Because we wanted to include and promote the same types of interactions we had already seen between operators and graphs, we added a few controls onto the integrated trend, as seen below.

All of the controls in the picture below become visible upon rollover of the trend itself by the mouse cursor or other pointing device. The button in the upper left can be used to zoom in on, or magnify the graph, as demonstrated below:

If this type of interface was to be integrated within the current DeltaV structure, it would be a supplement to the existing interfaces used to view full-screen graphs or trends, and there should be a quick way of getting from this integrated trend line out to an isolated, larger view.