Programmable photoelectric sensor and a system for adjusting the performance characteristics of the sensor

• US 20030014217A1
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tri-Tronics Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tri-Tronics Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Warner, Robert, Hacquebord, Daniel, Seehawer, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,950,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00

Abstract

A programmable photoelectric sensor and a system for programming/controlling the photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of the photoelectric sensor. The system includes a processor coupled to the photoelectric sensor, which is operative for generating at least one graphical user interface and for programming/adjusting the operation of the photoelectric sensor; and a display device coupled to the processor for displaying the graphical user interface. The processor programs/adjusts the operation of the photoelectric sensor in accordance with selections of an operator utilizing icons displayed on the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor, said system comprising:

a processor coupled to said photoelectric sensor, said processor operative for generating at least one graphical user interface and for programming the operation of said photoelectric sensor; and

a display device coupled to said processor for displaying said graphical user interface;

said processor controlling said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selection of an operator utilizing said graphical user interface.

2. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface depicts a plurality of modes of operation for said photoelectric sensor, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in a given one of said plurality of modes of operation upon selection of said given mode of operation via said graphical user interface.

3. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of modes of operation is represented utilizing a separate icon.

4. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 2, wherein said system further comprises a memory device, said memory device having a plurality of prestored configuration settings, each of said plurality of prestored configuration settings corresponding to a given mode of operation of said photoelectric sensor.

5. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 4, wherein upon selection of a mode of operation by said operator, said processor retrieves the corresponding prestored configuration settings from said memory device and programs said photoelectric sensor in accordance with the retrieved configuration settings.

6. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of modes of operation of said photoelectric sensor include a beam break mode of operation, a beam make mode of operation and a mark sensing mode of operation.

7. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 2, wherein said depiction of each of said plurality of modes of operation includes an illustration of the operation of said sensor in said mode of operation.

8. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 4, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a store settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the storage of current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor in said memory device.

9. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 4, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a recall settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the retrieval of any previously stored operational settings of said photoelectric sensor from said memory device.

10. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 8, wherein said current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor includes a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

11. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 9, wherein said stored operational settings of said photoelectric sensor includes a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

12. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface comprises icons representing a plurality of variable performance attributes of said photoelectric sensor, said operator being able to vary each performance attribute by selecting the icon corresponding to the given performance attribute, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in accordance with the selected performance attribute.

13. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of variable performance attributes contained in said graphical user interface include an autoset mode attribute, a light state autoset point attribute, an output mode attribute, an automatic contrast tracking attribute, a hysteresis attribute, a response time attribute and a signal processing timer attribute.

14. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface provides a display of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor.

15. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 14, wherein said graphical user interface provides the display of the level of the signal received by said photoelectric sensor on a substantially real time basis.

16. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface provides a plot of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor contrasted against the dynamic range of the photoelectric sensor versus time.

17. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 16, wherein said graphical user interface provides said plot on a substantially real time basis.

18. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 17, wherein said display further includes a first line and a second line defining a portion of the dynamic range of the sensor, said sensor having a first trip point defined relative to the position of said first line, and said sensor having a second trip point defined relative to the position of said second line.

19. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 18, wherein said first line and said second line are movable by selecting a bar control area on said graphical user interface, said first line and said second line moving in unison with one another, said first trip point and said second trip point of said sensor being adjusted in accordance with the new position of said first line and said second line.

20. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface includes a contrast indicator, said contrast indicator comprising a bar graph.

21. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface includes an output event indicator, said output event indicator being activated upon occurrence of an output event.

22. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface includes a dynamic range indicator, which is activated when said photoelectric sensor is operating near or out of the limit of the available dynamic range.

23. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface includes a plurality of signal conditioning timer settings for controlling when said photoelectric sensor generates an output response, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selected signal conditioning timer setting.

24. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said graphical user interface includes an LED intensity indicator.

25. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said photoelectric sensor comprises a microprocessor which is programmed to automatically adjust operational settings of said photoelectric sensor so as to maintain an acceptable contrast response to light and dark state conditions.

26. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 25, wherein once said photoelectric sensor is programmed by said processor in accordance with selections made by an operator utilizing said graphical user interface, said photoelectric sensor remains operational when disconnected from said processor and said display device.

27. A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein said processor communicates with said photoelectric sensor utilizing the RS-232 protocol.

29. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface depicts a plurality of modes of operation for said photoelectric sensor, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in a given one of said plurality of modes of operation upon selection of said given mode of operation via said graphical user interface.

30. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 29, further comprising the step of generating a separate icon for each of said plurality of modes of operation.

31. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 29, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of predetermined configuration settings in a memory device, each of said plurality of predetermined configuration settings corresponding to a given mode of operation of said photoelectric sensor.

32. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 29, wherein upon selection of a mode of operation by said operator, said processor retrieves the corresponding predetermined configuration settings from said memory device and programs said photoelectric sensor in accordance with the retrieved configuration settings.

33. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 29, wherein said plurality of modes of operation of said photoelectric sensor include a beam break mode of operation, a beam make mode of operation and a mark sensing mode of operation.

34. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 29, wherein said depiction of each of said plurality of modes of operation includes an illustration of the operation of said sensor in said mode of operation.

35. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 31, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a store settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the storage of current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor in said memory device.

36. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 31, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a recall settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the retrieval of any previously stored operational settings of said photoelectric sensor from said memory device.

37. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 35, wherein said current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor include a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

38. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 36, wherein said stored operational settings of said photoelectric sensor include a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

39. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface comprises icons representing a plurality of variable performance attributes of said photoelectric sensor, said operator being able to vary each performance attribute by selecting the icon corresponding to the given performance attribute, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in accordance with the selected performance attribute.

40. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 39, wherein said plurality of variable performance attributes contained in said graphical user interface include an autoset mode attribute, a light state autoset point attribute, an output mode attribute, an automatic contrast tracking attribute, a hysteresis attribute, a response time attribute and a signal processing timer attribute.

41. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface provides a display of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor.

42. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 41, wherein said graphical user interface provides the display of the level of the signal received by said photoelectric sensor on a substantially real time basis.

43. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface provides a plot of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor contrasted against the dynamic range of the photoelectric sensor versus time.

44. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 43, wherein said graphical user interface provides said plot on a substantially real time basis.

45. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 41, wherein said display further includes a first line and a second line defining a portion of the dynamic range of the sensor, said sensor having a first trip point defined relative to the position of said first line, and said sensor having a second trip point defined relative to the position of said second line.

46. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 45, wherein said first line and said second line are movable by selecting a bar control area on said graphical user interface, said first line and said second line moving in unison with one another, said first trip point and said second trip point of said sensor being adjusted in accordance with the new position of said first line and said second line.

47. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface includes a contrast indicator, said contrast indicator comprising a bar graph.

48. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface includes an output event indicator, said output event indicator being activated upon occurrence of an output event.

49. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface includes a dynamic range indicator, which is activated when said photoelectric sensor is operating near or out of the limit of the available dynamic range.

50. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said graphical user interface includes a plurality of signal conditioning timer settings for controlling when said photoelectric sensor generates an output response, said processor programming said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selected signal conditioning timer setting.

51. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said photoelectric sensor comprises a microprocessor which is programmed to automatically adjust operational settings of said photoelectric sensor so as to maintain an acceptable contrast response to light and dark state conditions.

52. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 51, wherein once said photoelectric sensor is programmed by said processor in accordance with selections made by an operator utilizing said graphical user interface, said photoelectric sensor remains operational when disconnected from said processor and said display device.

53. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor according to claim 28, wherein said processor communicates with said photoelectric sensor utilizing the RS-232 protocol.

28. A method for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor, said method comprising the steps of:

generating at least one graphical user interface utilized for programming the operation of said photoelectric sensor, said graphical user interface generated by a processor; and

displaying said graphical user interface on a display device;

said processor controlling said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selection of an operator utilizing said graphical user interface.

54. A computer program product for controlling a computer comprising a recording medium readable by the computer, instructions recorded on the recording medium for directing the computer to program a photoelectric sensor and to monitor the performance of the photoelectric sensor by performing the steps of:

generating at least one graphical user interface utilized for programming the operation of said photoelectric sensor; and

displaying said graphical user interface on a display device;

said computer controlling said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selection of an operator utilizing said graphical user interface.

55. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface depicts a plurality of modes of operation for said photoelectric sensor, said computer programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in a given one of said plurality of modes of operation selection of said given mode of operation via said graphical user interface.

56. The computer program product according to claim 55, further comprising the step of representing each of said plurality of modes of operation utilizing a separate icon.

57. The computer program product according to claim 55, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of predetermined configuration settings in a memory device, each of said plurality of predetermined configuration settings corresponding to a given mode of operation of said photoelectric sensor.

58. The computer program product according to claim 57, wherein upon selection of a mode of operation by said operator, said computer retrieves the corresponding predetermined configuration settings from said memory device and programs said photoelectric sensor in accordance with the retrieved configuration settings.

59. The computer program product according to claim 55, wherein said plurality of modes of operation of said photoelectric sensor include a beam break mode of operation, a beam make mode of operation and a mark sensing mode of operation.

60. The computer program product according to claim 59, wherein said depiction of each of said plurality of modes of operation includes an illustration of the operation of said sensor in said mode of operation.

61. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a store settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the storage of current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor in a memory device.

62. The computer program product according to claim 57, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a recall settings icon which, when selected by said operator, results in the retrieval of any previously stored operational settings of said memory device.

63. The computer program product according to claim 61, wherein said current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor include a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

64. The computer program product according to claim 65, wherein said stored operational settings of said photoelectric sensor include a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

65. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface comprises icons representing a plurality of variable performance attributes of said photoelectric sensor, said operator being able to vary each performance attribute by selecting the icon corresponding to the given performance attribute, said computer programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in accordance with the selected performance attribute.

66. The computer program product according to claim 65, wherein said plurality of variable performance attributes contained in said graphical user interface include an autoset mode attribute, a light state autoset point attribute, an output mode attribute, an automatic contrast tracking attribute, a hysteresis attribute, a response time attribute and a signal processing timer attribute.

67. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface provides a display of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor.

68. The computer program product according to claim 67, wherein said graphical user interface provides the display of the level of the signal received by said photoelectric sensor on a substantially real time basis.

69. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface provides a plot of the level of a signal received by said photoelectric sensor contrasted against the dynamic range of the photoelectric sensor versus time.

70. The computer program product according to claim 69, wherein said graphical user interface provides said plot on a substantially real time basis.

71. The computer program product according to claim 70, wherein said display further includes a first line and a second line defining a portion of the dynamic range of the sensor, said sensor having a first trip point defined relative to the position of said first line, and said sensor having a second trip point defined relative to the position of said second line.

72. The computer program product according to claim 71, wherein said first line and said second line are movable by selecting a bar control area on said graphical user interface, said first line and said second line moving in unison with one another, said first trip point and said second trip point of said sensor being adjusted in accordance with the new position of said first line and said second line.

73. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface includes a contrast indicator, said contrast indicator comprising a bar graph.

74. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface includes an output event indicator, said output event indicator being activated upon occurrence of an output event.

75. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface includes a dynamic range indicator, which is activated when said photoelectric sensor is operating near or out of the limit of the available dynamic range.

76. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said graphical user interface includes a plurality of signal conditioning timer settings for controlling when said photoelectric sensor generates an output response, said computer programming said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selected signal conditioning timer setting.

77. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said photoelectric sensor comprises a microprocessor which is programmed to automatically adjust operational settings of said photoelectric sensor so as to maintain an acceptable contrast response to light and dark state conditions.

78. The computer program product according to claim 77, wherein once said photoelectric sensor is programmed by said computer in accordance with selections made by an operator utilizing said graphical user interface, said photoelectric sensor remains operational when disconnected from said computer and said display device.

79. The computer program product according to claim 54, wherein said computer communicates with said photoelectric sensor utilizing the RS-232 protocol.

80. A programmable photoelectric sensor, said sensor comprising:

an data input port for receiving serial configuration data from an external processor;

a processor coupled to said data input port for receiving said configuration data regarding a predetermined mode of operation, said processor controlling said photoelectric sensor such that said photoelectric sensor operates in said predetermined mode of operation; and

a memory device coupled to processor, said processor operative for storing a plurality of operational settings in said memory upon receiving an instruction to store settings from said external processor, said plurality of operational settings defining the operation of said photoelectric sensor is said predetermined mode of operation.

81. A programmable photoelectric sensor according to claim 80, wherein said current operational settings of said photoelectric sensor includes a serial number of said photoelectric sensor.

82. A programmable photoelectric sensor according to claim 80, wherein said photoelectric sensor includes a contrast indicator comprising a bar graph.

83. A programmable photoelectric sensor according to claim 80, wherein said data input port receives serial data utilizing the RS-232 protocol.