SE1500055A1 - Method and data presenting device for facilitating work at an industrial site assisted by a remote user and a process control system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relätes to a method, data presenting device (32) and computer program product for assisting a user (53) at a location in an industrial site where a process control system is operated to collaborate with a remote user. The data presenting device (32) comprises a communication interface, a camera having a field of view in which images are captured, a projector having a presentation area (PA) in which presentation items (Pl, PI2) may be presented and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the camera to detect a gesture of the local user and recognize the gesture as an annotation command. The control unit is also configured to control the projector to project the annotation (PI2) associated with the annotation command in the presentation area and to transfer the annotation to the remote user.Fig. 12

Description

1 METHOD AND DATA PRESENTING DEVICE FOR FACILITATING WORK AT AN INDUSTRIAL SITE ASSISTED BY A REMOTE USER AND A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to process control systems. More particularly the present invention relates to a method, data presenting device and computer program product for facilitating work at an industrial site assisted by a remote user and the process control system.

BACKGROUND In process control systems it is very important to keep production running at all times as even a minor halt in production will cost large amounts of money. Because of this, maintenance is seen as very important in order to keep the production up and running.

Maintenance can be very expensive as it is sometimes necessary to bring in external experts to help with advanced operations the regular personnel might not have the expertise to handle by themselves. Collaboration over a telephone line between the local worker and the expert is not effective enough in all situations as the expert is not able to see what the local worker is doing. Sending pictures back and forth is also a slow way of sharing information. The expert may need to see what happens on site and may need to be able to instruct the personnel on site without the risk of any misinterpretation.

It can take a long time to get hold of the correct expert and fly in this expert to the site. In the case of an unexpected breakdown this can lead to long downtimes in the process control system as the expert might have to travel long distances to get to the site. 2 Some efforts have been made for improving on the situation. US 2011/0310122 does for instance describe a remote instruction system provided in relation to circuit boards. In this system an image is captured of an object and an annotation image and an attention images are projected on to such an object.

Similar systems are disclosed in JP 2009-194697 and JP 2003-209832.

WO 2014/206622 Al describe a method and equipment that assist a remote user to provide instructions to a location in an industrial site where a process control system is operated. A data presenting device comprises a communication interface, a camera and a projector. By means of the camera images of the industrial site may be captured and communicated to a remote user while the remote user and a person located in the industrial site may communicate verbally. Also the remote user may communicate with the data presenting device to instruct the projector to project presentation items to the person located at the industrial site. The presentation items may e.g. be instructions that assist the person located at the industrial site to perform repair or maintenance work.

However, there is still room for improvement within the field to further assist a person at the industrial site in his/her work.

SUMMARY The present invention is concerned with the problem of assisting a user at a location in an industrial site where a process control system is operated to collaborate efficiently with a remote user.

This object is according to different embodiments achieved by means of a method, a data presenting device and a computer program product according to the independent claims. 3 The invention has a number of advantages. The invention improves the ability of the user at the location to communicate efficiently with the remote user by allowing the user at the location to make annotations which are transferred to the remote user. The user at the location is according to some embodiments able to control the data presenting device to a certain extent to retrieve information and also work independently in addition to collaborating with the remote user. Further advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will in the following be described with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, where Fig. 1 schematically shows an industrial plant with a process control system operating an industrial process together with a data presenting device, Fig. 2 schematically shows a block schematic of units inside a housing of the data presenting device, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the data presenting device in the form of the housing on a tripod, Fig. 4a and 4b show perspective views of the data presenting device indicating various possibilities of movement of the housing, Fig. 5 schematically shows the data presenting device communicating with a computer of a remote user via the Internet, Fig. 6 schematically shows the remote user with his computer on which video of a location in the process control system is shown, Fig. 7 schematically shows the use of a camera of the data presenting device for capturing a video of part of a process control object at the location, Fig. 8 schematically shows the presentation of the video together with a three-dimensional view of the location and the data presenting device, 4 Fig. 9 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of transmitting video to the remote user being performed by the data presenting device, Fig. 10 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device providing a projecting area in which a presentation item is provided, Fig. 11 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of operating the data presenting device by the remote user, Fig. 12 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device providing a projecting area in which two different presentation items are provided, Fig. 13 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device providing a projecting area in which a presentation item is provided as requested by a local user, Fig. 14 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of operating the data presenting device by a local user, and Fig. 15 schematically shows a data carrier with computer program code, in the form of a CD-ROM disc, for implementing a control unit of the data presenting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention presents a way for a remote user to gather relevant data and provide instructions and directions for local engineers at a location of an industrial plant where a process control system operates as well as ways for the local engineers to efficiently interact with a process control system and/or the remote user.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an industrial plant where a process control system 10 is provided. The process control system 10 is a computerized process control system for controlling an industrial process. The process can be any type of industrial process, such as electrical power generation, transmission and distribution processes as well as water purification and distribution processes, oil and gas production and distribution processes, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical and food processes, and pulp and paper production processes. These are just some examples of processes where the system can be applied. There exist countless other industrial processes. The processes may also be other types of industrial processes such as the manufacturing of goods. A process may be monitored through one or more process monitoring computers, which communicate with a server handling monitoring and control of the process.

In fig. 1 the process control system 10 therefore includes a number of process monitoring computers 12 and 14. These computers may here also 10 be considered to form operator terminals and are connected to a first data bus BI. There is also a gateway 16 connected to this first data bus B1, which gateway 16 is connected to at least one wireless network WN. The gateway is also connected to a public data communication network, which is here the internet IN. To the wireless network WN there is connected a data presenting device 32. The wireless network WN may be a local network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN). It may also be a Bluetooth network, i.e. a network with a number of interconnected Bluetooth nodes. It may also be a mobile communication network.

There is furthermore a second data bus B2 and between the first and second data busses B1 and B2 there are connected a server 18 providing control and protection of the process and a database 20 where data relating to control and protection of the process is stored. Such data relating to control and protection may here comprise process data such as measurements and control commands, while data relating to protection may comprise alarm and event data as well as data on which alarms and events can be generated, such as measurements made in the process. It may also provide face plates of process control objects, which face places may comprise process control data from the database 20 regarding the process control object. There is furthermore an optional object data server 21 connected between the two buses B1 and B2. The object data server 6 21 comprises data about all process control objects, such as blueprints, instructions and manuals regarding the process control objects.

To the second data bus B2 there is furthermore connected a number of further devices 24, 26, 28 and 30. These further devices 24, 26, 28 and are field devices, which are devices that are interfaces to the process being controlled. A field device is typically an interface via which measurements of the process are being made and to which control commands are given. Because of this the field devices are furthermore process control objects. In one variation of the invention a first field device is a first process control object 24, a second field device is a second process control object 26 and a third field device is a third process control object 28.

Fig. 2 shows a block schematic of a number of units that are provided in an example embodiment of the data presenting device 32. The data presenting device 32 is provided with a housing 49. In the housing 49 there is provided a bus 33, and to this bus 33 there is connected an optional short range communication unit 46 or proximity sensor, a video projector 48, a camera 34, a recording controller 36, a program memory 39, a processor 40 as well as a radio communication circuit 42. It may also comprise at least one further sensor, for instance a temperature sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and gyroscope (not shown). The radio communication circuit 42 is furthermore connected to an antenna 44, where the radio communication unit 42 and antenna 44 are provided for communication with the wireless network WN. The radio communication circuit 42 and antenna 44 together form one type of communication interface for communicating with the process control system as well as with other entities. It may for this reason be a WiFi or WLAN interface. It may also be a mobile communication interface. It should also be realized that there may be two communication interfaces in the data presenting device, one mobile communication interfaces and one WiFi interface. The 7 recording controller 36 is in turn connected to a microphone 35. The recording controller 36 and microphone 35 together form a recording unit that may be used for recording sound in a location of the process control system. Although it is not shown, the data presenting device 32 may also comprise sound emitting units such as speakers and earphones. It is also possible that a microphone and earphone are combined into a headset connected to the data presenting device 32. The short range communication unit 46 may also be regarded as a type of sensor, an object sensor or proximity sensor, for sensing a process control object to be serviced. This sensor may be implemented through Near Field Communication (NFC) technique. The short range communication unit 46 or the camera is according to this embodiment configured to sense certain gestures of a person located in the vicinity of the data presenting device as explained in further detail below.

In the program memory 39 there is provided software code which when being run by the processor 40 forms a control unit 38. The control unit 38 is more particularly configured to perform a number of functions under the control of a remote user or in response to sensed gestures of a person located in the vicinity of the data presenting device.

The data presenting device 32 may be moved within the premises of the industrial plant. It may thus be moved from one location to another location. It may also be placed so that it will be able to capture video images and present digital presentations via the projector 48. For this reason the housing 49 may be placed on a tripod 50, which is schematically shown in fig. 3. The camera 34 has a field of view, i.e. an area in which it detects its environment. This field of view may be changed in different ways. It may be increased through zooming out commands and it may be decreased through zoom in commands. The field of view may also be shifted or moved using various type of pan commands. In order to obtain panning, the orientation of the camera may be changed. In a similar 8 manner the projector has a presentation area or projection area, i.e. an area within which it is able to visually present information. The presentation area may be centred on a line of sight of the projector and may have any suitable shape, such as circular, rectangular and quadratic.

Also this presentation area may be moved through changing the orientation of the projector. The camera 34 may change its orientation in three dimensions. Also the projector 48 may change its orientation in three dimensions. They may furthermore be independently changeable. In one variation the orientations may be changed jointly through the whole housing 46 being able to change orientation. Fig. 4a and 4b schematically show movement achieving such reorientation. It can be seen that the housing 49 may be rotated in a horizontal plane 360 degrees around a vertical axis of rotation of the tripod 50. It can also be seen that the housing 49 may be tilted vertically upwards or downwards. In order to obtain such movement the data presenting device 32 may be provided with at least one motor for obtaining such movement. As was mentioned above, it may also be provided with more than one motor, for instance one for providing vertical movement and another for providing horizontal movement. In order to obtain separate movements of the camera and projector, there may also be two such pairs of motors provided, where one pair is provided for the camera 32 and the other for the projector 48. These separate movements may furthermore be provided while the camera and projector are still provided inside the same housing.

As was indicated above, the projector 48 may change orientation independently of the camera. The camera 34 and projector 48 may thus point in different directions.

As can be seen in fig. 1 the data presenting device 32 may access the Internet IN via the wireless network WN. This allows the data presenting device 32 to be operated remotely, i.e. from some other site than the plant. The data presenting device 32 may thereby be operated by a remote user, 9 for instance via a computer of a remote user 52. This situation is schematically shown in fig. 5. Here it can be seen that a computer 51 of the remote user 52 may communicate with the data presenting device 32 via the Internet. The control unit 38 of the data presenting device 32 may in this way be able to receive commands from the remote user 52, for instance through a web site to which the remote user 52 may log in. As an alternative a control command may be sent directly from the computer 51 of the remote user 52.

Thereby the remote user 52 may be able to obtain video images captured by the camera 34 of the data presenting device 32, which video images are then presented for the remote user 52 via the display of his or her computer 51. This is shown in fig. 6. Fig. 5 schematically indicates the transmission of a video stream VS, a three-dimensional model 3DM and camera data CD from the data presenting device 32 to the computer 51 of the remote user 52. Information from the sensors may also be sent wirelessly through Internet to the remote user. Information provided by the remote user back to the plant may also be sent through Internet. More information about the transmission will be given shortly.

Now some variations of the invention will be described in more detail.

In the industry, for instance in an industrial plant where a process is being run by a process control system, it is very important to keep production running at all times as even a minor halt in production will cost large amounts of money. Because of this, maintenance is seen as very important in order to keep the production up and running.

Maintenance can be very expensive as it is sometimes necessary to bring in external experts to help with advanced operations the regular personnel might not have the expertise to handle by themselves. Collaboration over a telephone line between a local worker and the expert is often not good enough. The expert may need to see what happens on site and may need to be able to instruct the personnel on site without the risk of any misinterpretation. Sending pictures back and forth is also a slow way of sharing information, so this is also not really good.

It can thus take a long time to get hold of the correct expert and fly in this expert to the site. In the case of an unexpected breakdown requiring help from an external expert in order to continue production this can lead to long downtimes as the expert might have to travel long distances to get to the site. Flying in an external expert can be very expensive. Not only from the costs associated with the expert (travels, accommodation etc.) but a halt to production as the plant personnel is waiting for the expert to arrive can be very expensive for the owner.

The data presenting device described above allows users on site and the remote expert to communicate verbally and also allows the remote expert to get an overview of the environment through the camera. When the expert wants to instruct the field worker, the remote expert may project annotations on top of the environment by using the projector that is included in the data presenting device. The user on site is able to look at the annotation and use a voice communication to talk back to the remote expert.

In order to better support collaboration between the user on site and the remote expert, the user on site is by means of embodiments of the data presenting device described herein also able to interact with the remote expert in an effective way. Voice communication alone cannot be considered optimal if the user on site desires to directly refer to the process equipment or annotations made by the remote expert. In addition, embodiments of the data presenting device described herein will also support the user on site to work independently and receive 11 information from the process control system without needing to always bother the remote expert.

In operation, i.e. when there is some kind of problem at a location in the plant, the data presenting device can be brought out to this location of the industrial site and placed at a position in the location where assistance is needed. The device may for instance be placed in the centre of a room. The data presenting device may be placed at this location by a local user in order to be used for solving a problem at the location, for instance the fact that one or more of the machines or process control objects may be faulty or that the process has a strange behaviour at the location.

As the device is brought to the location a number of activities may thus be performed.

In a first variation the remote user is provided with contextual data in relation to a video stream. Now this first variation will be described with reference being made to fig. 7, 8 and 9, where fig. 7 schematically shows the use of a camera of the data presenting device for capturing a video of a part of a process control object at a location of the industrial site, fig. 8 schematically shows the presentation of the video together with a three-dimensional view of the location and the data presenting device and fig. 9 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of transmitting video to the remote user being performed by the data presenting device.

According to the first variation, the control unit 38 first makes the data presenting device 32 scan the area at the location, step 56. This may be done through the control unit 38 controlling a motor to rotate the housing 49 around a vertical rotational axis combined with controlling a motor to tilt the housing 49 up and down with different tilt angles as shown in fig. 4a and 4b. In this way a three-dimensional space around the position of the 12 data presenting device is captured with different video images using the camera 34.

After the area has been scanned, the control unit 38 analyses the captured images and investigates if it recognises them with regard to a pre-existing three-dimensional model of the location and objects at this location, i.e. of the process control objects and possible other objects present at the location. If it recognizes the video images and that therefore there is a pre-existing model, step 58, then this model is fetched, step 60.

The pre-existing three-dimensional model may be provided in the data presenting device 32. As an alternative it may be obtained or fetched from a server, such as server 21. If there is a pre-existing model then data about a previous position of the data presenting device at the location as well as camera orientations and video streams recorded as the data presenting device was placed at this previous position may be stored together with the model. Also this previous position data and associated historic video streams may be fetched. If any three-dimensional model has been made of the location, then this is thus fetched. However, if there was no pre-existing model, step 58, a new three-dimensional model 3DM of the location and the various objects in it is created by the control unit 38, step 62. A model may for instance be created using augmented reality functionality. If the data presenting device comprises an infrared sensor it is also possible to use infrared technology, such as Microsoft Kinect. A 3D map of natural features at the location can be built using a variety of feature extraction methods such as corner or edge detection both with RGB data and 3D RGBD (Red, Green, Blue, Depth) data. Using this sparse map it is also possible to determine the location of the data presenting device 32 with camera 34. It is also possible to determine the orientation or pose of the camera 34. It is thus possible to determine in which direction the camera 34 is pointing. The orientation may be calculated based on Registration algorithms. These algorithms can be used to locate the features of a current frame or video image in the map of 13 the real world and based on this the orientation of the camera 34 may be determined.

The process control objects, i.e. the real world objects, may be provided with object identifiers, such as NFC tags or bar codes. If these are read it is possible to obtain information about what types of objects they are. The type may be identified through the camera 34 detecting a visual object identifier, like a bar code. As an alternative the short-range communication unit may be set to read a tag with the object identifier. Such a code may be used to fetch data associated with the object for instance from a database in the process control system. In order to simplify the fetching of such data, the control unit 38 may therefore store an association of the object identifiers to the objects in the model 3DM of the location. As an alternative or in addition, it is also possible to use a gyro and/or accelerometer for determining the orientation.

The above mentioned steps may have been performed before a communication session is started with the remote user 52. Such a session may be performed using a TCP connection set up using WiFi and the Internet. As an alternative the steps are performed after a communication session is started. In both cases the control unit 38 investigates if a communication session is in place or on-going, which in this case at least involves a voice communication session between the remote user and a local user via sound generating equipment and sound recording equipment of the data presenting device 32 and the computer 51. It also involves transmission of a live video stream VS, which may be a one way video stream from the data presenting device 32 in the process control system to the computer 51 of the remote user 52. In some instances it may involve a two-way video conference, i.e. where also video is provided by the computer 51 of the remote user 52 and conveyed to the data presenting device 32. Video images captured by the camera 34 may thus be transferred to the remote user 52. Also data of the remote user 52 may 14 be made to be projected at the location under the control of the remote user.

If no session is in place, step 64, the control unit 38 waits for one to be started either by the local user or the remote user 52.

If however one is on-going, step 64, the control unit 38 controls the camera 34 to record a video stream, step 66. It also determines the camera orientation, step 68, for instance based on the line of sight of a viewfinder of the camera 34. The orientation may be provided as a solid angle related to the position of the data presenting device and a reference angle.

In the communication session, the model 3DM may be transmitted from the data presenting device to the remote user 52. The three-dimensional model 3DM may more particularly be transmitted together with camera data CD in the video stream VS, step 70, where the camera data may comprise the position of the camera, i.e. of the data presenting device, as well as the camera orientation. It is furthermore possible that the control unit 38 modifies the model of the location so that the data presenting device and orientation is a part of the model. The camera data may thus be provided as a part of the model.

The remote user then receives the video stream together with the model 3DM and camera data CD. The remote user may then see both the captured video as well as obtain a three-dimensional view of the location using the model 3DM. It is in this way possible for the remote user to see where in the site he is looking.

An example of this is shown in fig. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 shows how the data presenting device 32 is at the same location as the first, second and third process control objects 24, 26 and 28 and how it captures video images of a part of the second process control object 26. It thus records the video for the remote user 52. Fig. 8 shows a video image VI in the video stream VS as it would look when displayed on the computer 51 of the remote user 52. This video image may comprise a lot of useful information. However, it may lack context. This context is provided through also transmitting the model 3DM and camera data CD with the video stream VS. Fig. 8 shows the screen that the remote user 52 is able to see on the display of his or her computer 51. The view contains the live video stream from the camera, of which the image VI is presented. Furthermore, contextual information is provided through an overview image 01 of the location, which overview image 01 is obtained through visualizing the model 3DM of the location with the data presenting device DPD and its orientation. It is here possible that the remote user computer 51 is able to place a representation of the data presenting device with the orientation of the image into the model. Alternatively this has already been done by the control unit 38 of the data presenting device 32. In the later case a modified model which shows the data presenting device and orientation is provided.

The control unit 38 then investigates if the communication session is ended. If it is not, step 72, then video is continued to be recorded and camera orientation determined, step 68 and transferred together with the model to the remote user, step 70. However, if the communication session is ended, step 72, operation is also ended, step 74.

It can in this way be seen that according to this first variation, it is possible to track the current position and orientation of the camera 34 in a video conferencing situation while also building a map of the environment so that the remote user 52 can have a better situational awareness of the location. As can be seen in fig. 8, the remote user 52 sees both the current camera view VI, but can also use the small picture 01 in the right corner to get an excellent overview of the surroundings. 16 The remote user may here also be able to navigate in the constructed 3D view and is therefore not limited to observing the current frame from the video transition but is free to "explore" the known 3D model built from the video frames.

A video conference call, where the goal is to share one user's environment, will not be limited to simply streaming video data but may also include data regarding the position as well as current pose or orientation of the camera, where the orientation may be set as the orientation of a line of sight of a view finder of the camera.

If a previous model existed, it is furthermore possible for the remote user to fetch video streams previously recorded at the location together with positions of the data presenting device and camera orientations when these historic video streams were recorded.

A second variation will now be described with reference being made to fig. 10 and 11, where fig. 10 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device 32 providing a projecting area PA in which a presentation item PI is projected and fig. 11 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of operating the data presenting device 32 by the remote user 52.

When at the location the data presenting device 32 is with advantage used for obtaining data from the location for provision to the remote user 32 and for receiving instructions from the remote user 52 to the local user at the location. This may be done via a two-way voice or video communication.

When a communication session is on-going the control unit 38 therefore fetches sensor measurements from sensors, such as the temperature sensor and the ambient light sensor and transfers these sensor measurements to the computer 51 of the remote user 52, step 76. The 17 camera 34 also captures and transfers video VS to the remote user 52, step 78.

The remote user 52 may now want to obtain some more data about the process control objects that he sees in the video stream VS. He may for instance desire to obtain data of the temperature in a tank or the voltage of a transformer. In order to do this he may select an object in the video, or in the previously obtained model of the location. He may for instance detect an object identifier in the video and send the object identifier to the data 10 presenting device. He may also select an object in the model and the selection may be transferred to the control unit 38. The control unit 38 may then fetch data about the object from a database 20. It may for instance fetch a face plate with current data of the process control object.

The control unit 38 may therefore receive a process control object selection from the remote user 52, step 80, and based on this selection it fetches process control object data from the process control system such as from the database 20, and transfers the process control object data to the computer 51 of the remote user 52, step 82. A remote user 52 may thus select an object in the model of the location and when the object is selected he can obtain additional data such as faceplates with information of the operation.

After a process control object is selected or if no process control object is selected, the control unit 38 may receive a presentation item PI from the remote user. The remote user 52 may more particularly provide presentation items to be projected by the projector. The presentation item PI may be a digital presentation item and may be a digital still image such as an image of an arrow or a circle, a presentation such as a slide show or a string of text with an instruction. It may also be a drawing made by the remote user 52. The presentation item may thus be a remote user generated presentation item comprising instructions and visual indicators. The presentation item PI may therefore be an annotation image that is to 18 be presented to the local user via the projector 48. If such a presentation item PI is received, step 84, it is also possible that a selection of position of the presentation item is received. The remote user may select a position for the presentation item PI in the 3D model 3DM of the location. This position selection may also be transferred to the control unit 38. The control unit 38 then associates the presentation item with the selected position, step 86. The position of the presentation item may be set using a solid angle and a radius related to the position of the data presenting device and to a reference angle. A presentation item may thereby be assigned to a space in the three-dimensional model of the location. It is also possible to assign more than one presentation item in this way.

Thereafter the control unit 38 awaits possible camera control commands from the remote user 52. The camera control commands may comprise field of view control commands, such as zooming commands that change the size of the field of view but retains the same line of sight or orientation control commands that change the line of sight. Orientation control commands typically comprise panning commands. The remote user 52 may thus change the orientation of the camera 34 through rotating or tilting it. He may also zoom in and out. If commands are received, step 88, these commands are then used by the control unit 38. If the commands are field of view commands these are then used for controlling the field of view of the camera, step 90. Zooming commands are forwarded to the camera 34, which then zooms in or out depending on the type of control command. If tilting or rotation is required, the control unit 38 controls a corresponding motor to obtain the required movement.

Thereafter the control unit 38 may receive a projector control command from the remote user 52. The projector control command may comprise a command to project a presentation item Pl. In some instances such a command may also be a command to project the presentation item at a specific desired position. If a projector control command is received, step 19 92, the projector 48 is controlled by the control unit 38 according to the command, which involves, if the control command is a command to project a presentation item PI, controlling the projector 48 to project the presentation item PI in the presentation area PA of the projector, step 94.

If the command is to project at a specific position the projector is controlled to project the presentation item PI at this position. A command may also comprise a command to change the orientation of the presentation area. In this case the projector may be moved, using the same or another motor than the one used for the camera 34, and controlled to project the presentation item so that it appears at the desired position, step 94. The remote user may thus control the data presenting device to project the presentation item at a selected space or position in the location. This may involve projecting the presentation item to a real world position corresponding to the associated position in the three-dimensional model. If a real world object at the location would be in front of the presentation item according to the presentation item position, then parts of the presentation item that would be blocked by the real world object are refrained from being presented.

If the projector is reoriented so that the presentation area PA is moved, the presentation item PI may be set to stay at the user selected position. Furthermore the projection of the presentation item is made independently of the presentation of the video. As the presentation item is associated with the model, this also means that it is possible to retain the presentation item for later session at the location.

The control unit 38 may therefore control the projector 48 separately from or independently of the control of the camera 34. If for instance the camera 34 stream is zooming in on a detail so that the presentation item PI is outside of the field of view of the camera 34, then the presentation item PI will still be presented. The controlling of the presentation in the presentation area is thus performed independently of the controlling of the field of view of the camera. As is evident from the zooming example given above, this thus means that the position of presentation item in the presentation area PA of the projector 48 may be outside of the field of view of the camera. This also means that the presentation area PA may differ from the field of view of the camera 34. When the camera control are commands controlling the orientation of the camera and the projector control commands are commands controlling the orientation of the projector it can likewise be seen that the control of the orientation of the projector is performed independently of the control of the orientation of the camera, which thus means that the control of orientation of the camera does not influence the control of the orientation of the projector.

The projecting area PA of the projector 48 may be movable. If there are several presentation items that may fit in the presentation area when located at a current position, these may be presented singly or simultaneously based on the commands of the remote user.

If for instance several presentation items are provided, where some are outside of the current location of the presentation area PA, the projector 48 may be reoriented so that one or more of these are projected. After assignment, the remote user may simply select a presentation item for being presented and the control unit 38 will control one or motors for reorienting the projector so that the presentation area covers the selected presentation item.

Thereafter the capturing of video, is continued, step 78 as well as waiting, step 80, 84, 88 and 92 for various commands from the remote user. This type of operation is continued as long as the session is on-going.

The remote user 52 may also send commands controlling the projector 48, the camera 34 as well as various sensors, such as the temperature sensor. 21 Through the data presenting device 32 it is possible for the remote user to obtain knowledge of the operation of process control objects at the location as well as to obtain other information such as temperature at the location. In order to observe the location the remote user 52 may also rotate the camera and obtain visual data of the location. Through the voice connection the remote user may also communicate with a local user and receive audible comments on possible problems at the location.

The remote user may then determine appropriate actions, such as what process control objects and part of the these that are to be actuated and when. The remote user may for instance provide a number of presentation items, such as arrows and explaining text and assign these to different positions in the virtual model. The remote user may also provide a timing instruction, providing a sequence in which presentation items are to be presented. The commands and presentation items may then be sent to the data presenting device 32, which presents them via the projector 48 in an order decided by the remote user 52. If the presentation items are provided in the presentation area at a current position, then these may be presented simultaneously. When a new presentation item needs to be presented that is outside the current field of view of the projector 48, i.e. outside the presentation area when in its current position, the projector 48 may be moved or reoriented so that the presentation area covers the position of the new presentation item. This movement of the projector 48 may be made independently of the camera 34. In this way it is possible for the remote user 52 to present information at one place, for instance instructions about actuating a certain process control object, while at the same time monitoring another object at another place not covered by the projector 48.

The second variation thus provides a way to allow a remote user to remotely guide personnel on site via a live video stream. The data 22 presenting device will also allow the local user and the remote user to communicate verbally. It will also allow the remote user to get an overview of the environment through the camera. The remote user can also scroll, pan and zoom the camera on site to get a superior overview of the situation from the remote location. As a 3D camera is used the remote user will be able to see a 3D model of the environment in case he needs additional space information about the location.

It is also possible for the remote user to add presentation items or information, such as annotations and drawings to the physical world by using the projector to project information onto the real world, i.e., the remote user can visually share information and annotations with the local user at the location.

All the sensors together with camera and sound recording equipment will enable a remote connected user to see, hear and feel the situation at the plant. The projector and sound generating equipment, may in turn be used to communicate information back from the remote user to the personnel on site. The projector is used to for the remote user to visually communicate information back to the plant personnel.

By allowing the remote user to take control of the data presenting device, the remote user can browse the surroundings using the camera, by rotating, tilting and zooming. Once the remote user has information that he/she wants to share with the local users on site he can "draw" this information on to the presentation area using the projector. The remote user can use text, images, or simply draw objects on the remote screen. The drawings will then be projected on site using the projector. As the camera records a 3D model of the environment, the notes can also be left behind objects.

All visual information provided by the remote user may be augmented reality information, meaning that any annotations or drawings that the 23 remote user adds are saved and connected with the point where they were added by using the constructed 3D model of the environment. This means that if the remote user rotates the camera after an annotation has been added the annotation will stay in the same spot. With reference to Fig. 10, as the remote user rotates the data presenting device 32, for instance in order to get a better overview of the presentation item PI is still projected correctly even through the position of the presentation area PA has been changed. Thereby the real world position in which the presentation item is projected is retained even if the presentation area is 10 moved.

Through the second variation remote users are offered the possibility to instantly give support to any place in the world. No longer are they required to go to a site every time their assistance is needed, instead in many cases they can solve problems from their office. 15 Remote users are offered a level of situational awareness that cannot be achieved with video streams alone by building a 3D model of the world.

Local users, such as maintenance-engineers are offered an unobtrusive and natural way of viewing augmented reality information which, in a lot of situations is superior to viewing AR information on a pair of head mounted glasses or via a hand held screen.

The remote user is able to add notes to the environment that are projected onto the actual surface of the equipment for the local maintenance engineer to view.

•There is a possibility to add notes to a 3D model of the world and display those notes on spot by using projectors Notes added to the 3D model stick to their place even if the camera covers another position. 24 The annotations and notes added to the environment and/or the 3D model of the world may also be recorded and saved as part of the maintenance history for the industrial plant. They may also be later retrieved, if the data presenting device is brought back to a known location.

A third variation will now be described with reference being made to figs. 12, 13 and 14. Fig. 12 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device 32 providing a projecting area PA in which a first presentation item PI is projected at the request of the remote user and a 10 second presentation item PI2 is presented in response to detection of a gesture of a local user for making an annotation. Fig. 13 schematically shows the location with the data presenting device 32 providing a projecting area PA in which a third presentation item PI3 is projected in response to detection of a gesture of the local user for retrieving data from the process control system. Fig. 14 schematically shows a flow chart of a method of operating the data presenting device 32 by a local user.

The third variation presents a way to allow a local user 53, i.e. a field worker such as a maintenance engineer, to communicate back to the remote expert when using the data presenting device for remote collaboration. The local user 53 is able to interact with the projection and annotations made by the remote expert by adding his/her own annotation that are also sent back to the remote user. The local user can also point to some equipment to request that the data presenting device retrieves more information related to that equipment from the process control system and projects the information in the presentation area.

When the local user wants to draw on top the projection in the presentation area, the local user can touch the projection surface and "draw" on top of it by moving his/her finger. The camera included in the data presenting device 32 can recognize when this gestures of the local user touching the projection surface and can interpret this as an annotation gesture. There are 3D cameras on the market that are able to track if a person is touching a surface and thus support multi-touch on any surface.

Such a scenario is visualized in Fig. 12, where the local user is presented with an instruction from the remote user through the presentation item PI which is an annotation to check a meter. In response the local user 53 has "drawn" a circle on the projection server around the meter that the local user has checked to ask the remote user if the meter is the correct one. 10 The drawing gesture of the local user is detected by the data presentation device as an annotation gesture, step 95. The annotation is recorded, step 96 and projected on the presentation area, step 97, as a second presentation item P12. The annotation is also saved to the 3D model that the data presenting device has created from the environment, step 98.

Therefore the annotations are placed to the corrects position in the model and when the updated 3D model is transferred to the remote user, step 99, the remote user can view the annotations on his computer by viewing the 3D model of the environment.

In addition, according to the third variation, the local user can interact with the environment independently, without involving the remote user. If the local user, for example, taps on one piece of process equipment at the industrial site, this can be detected and interpreted as an information retrieval gesture, step 100, such as a gesture to show a faceplate, fetched from the process control system, of that piece of process equipment. A double-tab could be interpreted as a different kind of information retrieval gesture, such as a command to show a trend related to the process equipment. In Fig. 13 local user has double-tapped one the meters and is able to see a trend associated with that meter as a third presentation item P13. 26 In response to a detection of an information retrieval gesture the data presenting device is able to detect the concerned process equipment, step 101, by recognizing the 3D form of the equipment and compare it to a database of 3D models for process equipment. As an alternative, the process equipment can be marked with RFID or QR tags, or can have a Bluetooth chip to inform about the identity of the process equipment. When the data presenting device has identified the process equipment, the data presenting device can retrieve the information associated with the detected gesture and identified process equipment from the process control system, step 102. The retrieved information is then projected as a presentation item on the presentation area, step 103.

In case the local user brings up a faceplate for a piece of process equipment, the local user may according to some embodiments be able to use the projected faceplate to interact with the process equipment and control it. For example, the local user may be able to start and stop the process equipment if the local user conducts maintenance work for that equipment.

Imagine the following scenario which can be handled by means of a data presentation device according to the third variation: 1. A local user who is a maintenance engineer is doing a complex procedure in the process. He has contacted a remote expert to guide him through the complex procedure. 2. The local user places the data presenting device next to the area where he knows he will be working. 3. The remote expert can now "draw" onto the surface at the local user's location, and give the local user help of what he is supposed to do. 4. The remote expert gives an advice regarding which part of the equipment to check and the local user follows the suggestion. The local user sees something wrong in one of the meters. He informs 27 the remote expert about this by "drawing" a circle around the meter, which is detected by the data presenting device. The data presenting device adds a circle to the projection and also sends the information to the remote expert. 5. The local user wants to check the historical values related to the meter and double-taps it to notify the data presenting device to show the trend related to the meter. The data presenting device adds the trend to the projection so that the local user is able to see it. 6. Now the local user has enough information to fix the equipment and complete the complex procedure.

As illustrated by the above described scenario the data presenting device according to the third variation is able to: • recognize local users' annotations related to the projection and sharing it with the expert, trigger showing of interactive annotations above the process equipment in response to detecting that the local user touches the equipment, • provide more information about the equipment to a local user in response to a local user touching the equipment and provide the local user the possibility to interact with the projection.

Several benefits can be listed for this third variation: Improved collaboration: As the local user can also annotate on top of the projection and the annotations are synced back to the remote expert, the collaboration between them is improved.

Efficiency: As the local user can also independently interact with the data presenting device and the projection to get more information, the local user can be more effective in his work. 28 Cost savings: Industries that need help from an expert if they experience any problems will be able to save large amounts of money if they can get hold of an expert that can help them correct the problem faster.

• Time saver: No longer do industries have to wait for an expert to travel to site. Instead instant support will be available.

It should also be realized that the three variations may be combined. The activities in the three variations may thus be carried out in the same 10 communication session. In this case the knowledge that the remote user gets of the location in the first variation may be used to control the data presenting device and especially in the use of presentation items.

The control unit may, as was mentioned above, be provided in the form of 15 a processor together with memory including computer program code for performing its functions. This computer program code may also be provided on one or more data carriers which perform the functionality of the control unit when the program code thereon is being loaded into the memory and run by the processor. One such data carrier 96 with computer 20 program code 98, in the form of a CD ROM disc, is schematically shown in fig. 15.

The invention can be varied in many more ways than the ones already mentioned. It should therefore be realized that the present invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims (9)

29 CLAIMS

1. A method for assisting a user at a location in an industrial site where a process control system (10) is operated to collaborate with a remote user, the method being performed by a data presenting device (32) when being involved in a communication session with a device (51) of the remote user, the data presenting device comprising a camera (34) and a projector (48), the method comprising: detecting (95) at least one gesture of the local user by means of the data presenting device recognizing one of the at least one gesture as a predetermined annotation command, - recording (96) the annotation associated with the annotation command, controlling the projector to project the recorded annotation in a presentation area (PA) of the projector (48), and transferring the recorded annotation to the device (51) of the remote user through the communication session.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: recognizing (100, 101) one of the at least one gesture as a predetermined information retrieval command associated with a process equipment of the industrial site, retrieving information associated with the information retrieval command and the associated process equipment from the process control system (10), and controlling the projector to project the retrieved information in the presentation area (PA).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the presentation area (PA) may differ from the field of view of the camera.

4. The method according to any previous claim, wherein a three- dimensional model (3DM) of the location is retrieved (60) and further comprising associating (98) the recorded annotation to a position in the three-dimensional model and transferring the recorded annotation to the device (51) of the remote by means of transferring the three-dimensional model through the communication session.

5. A data presenting device (32) for assisting a user at a location in an industrial site where a process control system (10) is operated, the data presenting device comprising: a communication interface (42, 44) for providing a communication session with a device (51) of a remote user (52), a camera (34) having a field of view in which images are captured, a projector (48) having a presentation area (PA) in which presentation items may be presented, and a control unit (38) configured to: control the camera to detect at least one gesture of the local user, recognize one of the at least one gesture as a predetermined annotation command, record the annotation associated with the annotation command, control the projector to project the recorded annotation in the presentation area (PA), and control the communication interface to transfer the recorded annotation to the device (51) of the remote user.

6. The data presenting device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is further configured to: recognize one of the at least one gesture as a predetermined information retrieval command associated with a process equipment of the industrial site, 31 retrieve information associated with the information retrieval command and the associated process equipment from the process control system (10), and control the projector to project the retrieved information in the presentation area (PA).

7. The data presenting device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the presentation area (PA) may differ from the field of view. 10

8.The data presenting device according to any one of claims 5- 7, wherein the control unit is further configured to retrieve a three-dimensional model (3DM) of the location and to associate the recorded annotation to a position in the three-dimensional model, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the communication interface to transfer the recorded annotation to the device (51) of the remote user by means of transferring the three-dimensional model.

9. A computer program product for assisting a user at a location in an industrial site where a process control system (10) is operated to collaborate with a remote user, said computer program product being provided on a data carrier (96) comprising computer program code (98) configured to cause a data presenting device (32) comprising a camera (34) and a projector (48) to, when the data presenting device is involved in a communication session with a device (51) of the remote user, detect at least one gesture of the local user by means of the camera, recognize one of the at least one gesture as a predetermined annotation command, record the annotation associated with the annotation command, control the projector to project the recorded annotation in a presentation area (PA) of the projector (48), and - transfer the recorded annotation to the device (51) of the remote user through the communication session. 1/9 18 24