Process control and operator-machine interfaces.

摘要

A system including an operator-machine interface is described for enabling an operator readily to make a selection from a large number of options in the control of a process or the creation of a product. The options are stored on a computer disc as models or solutions together with associated scale values and rejection constraints of attributes of the model. The interface presents the operator with a plurality of graphics scales (301A-301E) each having a sliding member which can be manipulated by the operator to select a desired value on the scale. The interface also presents corresponding rejection constraint items (302) to the operator for entry of a binary reply. The system then selects those models having rejection constraints matching the input binary replies and which have scale values related to the selected values by a predetermined correlation function. Having presented the selected models to the operator, a desired one of these models is utilised by the system to control the final form of a product.