When operators view an HMI, they are often presented with numerous values. Even with just a few values, it can be difficult to determine their quality. Operators may wonder if a value is acceptable or if they should attempt to increase it.
In HELIO, there is a feature called Ranges for numerical variables that enables you to easily assess the quality of variables across different elements in your HMI. Instead of manually setting background and foreground colors for each element, you can define semantic ranges for your variable, effectively conveying meaning. By adopting this range, all elements in your HMI can support operators in making informed decisions.
»Ranges help operators assess the quality of values.«
Each range is tied to a specific status, which informs HELIO and your operators about the quality of the current value of a variable. You can use these ranges throughout your HMI and each HELIO Element Types can choose colors, icons, and labels apply them to the use case at hand.
A Range typically consists of:
Lower Bound which sets a minimum value for the range. Only values greater than or equal to this bound will be included.Upper Bound sets the maximum value for the range. Only values that are smaller than or equal to this bound will be included.Status is used to inform machine operators about the quality of values within this range. Refer to the table below to understand the four different types of statuses and the corresponding messages they send to your operators.| Type | Description | Message This Status Communicates to Operators |
|---|---|---|
Good |
This is the default level. | »No worries! Everything is fine!« |
| 😎 | ||
Warning |
The first level of negative escalation. | »This number seems a little off. Take a look just to make sure your machine is working alright.« |
| ☝️🤔 | ||
Critical |
Second and highest level of negative escalation. | »Hey, drop everything and check out this number! It is significantly outside the acceptable range! It is crucial to take immediate action to prevent (potentially disastrous) consequences.« |
| ✋😲 | ||
| Noteworthy | Denotes a positive escalation. Use it to highlight values that are performing exceptionally well and should therefore be in the center of the Operators attention. | »Wow, check this out for a sec. This number is performing exceptionally well!« |
| 👊🥳 |
In this example, we have activated ranges and defined three range rules for this variable, which is used to display a percentage value.