Communication of Information

This chapter examines how humans communicate in general, and explains the example of an analog portrayal of a parameter such as time. Display elements consist of letters, numbers, shapes, and/or colors. In developing display elements, it is important to consider the best coding method for proper communication with the intended audience. A number of display elements are described in ISATR77.60.04-1996, which include numerical value, analog indicator, discrete indicator, mimic, plots or graphs, trends, tables and lists, and text. Combining these elements into a standard library for the process or for plantwide use is highly recommended. Sometimes the vendor offers something of a library to use as a start. The idea of the graphical monitor is to show more than the functions that were originally on the control panel. These were meters, gauges, recorders, hand switches, controllers, annunciators, and sometimes a static mimic display.