Remote display module

• US 20050197722A1
• Filed: 03/04/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Vacuum, LLC (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Brooks Automation Incorporated (Azenta, Inc.)
• Inventors: Varone, John J., Chopy, Joseph Jr., Burroughs, John, Elsdoerfer, Norbert W., Machireddy, Rama, Clish, Timothy, Genatossio, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23135 Display to console, panel which sends parameters, commands
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer

Abstract

A portable display unit includes a serial port to connect to a device such as a vacuum network controller, cryopump, turbomolecular pump, gauges or compressor. In particular, the display unit can be plugged and unplugged to devices of different types. The portable display unit includes a display and control keys for programming, controlling and monitoring the functions of a device. The device accessible to the display unit includes a display interface having software code and files to interface with the display unit. Accordingly, the portable display unit can be used with any device having software code to interface with the display unit. The software code generates, refreshes and communicates menus to the portable display unit to provide graphical interface of the device'"'"'s functions. The portable display unit further includes inner and outer hand grips so that the display unit can be held by hands of different sizes. The hand grips allow user with different hand sizes to firmly hold and navigate the display using control keys with fingers.

Claims

1. A method of communicating with plural devices comprising:

storing a display controller in each of plural devices of different types, each display controller generating display menus specific to the type of device;

providing a portable display unit having a display and control keys;

connecting the portable display unit to a first device of a first type, selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a water pump, a gauge and a turbopump, receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys; and

connecting the portable display unit to a second device of a second type, receiving menus from the second device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a water pump, a gauge and a turbopump.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a remote session between the portable display unit and the first device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the plural devices are used in a fabrication plant.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the first device from the portable display unit which is connected to the second device to indicate activation of control keys.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the display menus include hidden menus specific to the first device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the display menus include menus to monitor the first device.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the hidden menus provide a command interface.

9. A method of communicating with plural devices comprising:

storing a display controller in each of plural devices of different types, each display controller generating display menus specific to the type of device;

providing a portable display unit having a display and control keys;

connecting the portable display unit to a first device of a first type, receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys;

connecting the portable display unit to a second device of a second type, receiving menus from the second device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys;

initializing the portable display unit and the first device subsequent to connecting the portable display unit to the first device to assure proper connection between the portable display unit and the first device; and

checking software on the display unit to determine whether the software version is compatible with the one on the first device.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of forwarding bitmaps specific to the first device.

11. A device comprising:

a processor;

a display interface in communication with the processor, the display interface providing a connection to a display unit;

a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer-readable medium storing computer-executable software code for;

providing a display driver for communication with the display unit;

generating a first menu specific to the device;

communicating the first menu to the display unit for display;

receiving a key entry from the display unit;

processing the key entry;

generating a second menu in response to the key entry, and

communicating the second menu to the display unit for display.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising software code for committing the key entry upon activation of the enter key.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a waterpump, a gauge and a turbopump.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the display interface is a serial port.

15. The device of claim 11 further comprising software code for retrieving monitor data from device components.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the software code generates the second menu by refreshing monitor data in the first menu.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein the software code generates the second menu by changing set data in the first menu.

18. A method for displaying a menu on a portable display unit comprising:

connecting the portable display unit to a device;

initiating the display unit and the device to assure a proper connection between the display unit and the device;

at the device, generating a first menu and communicating the first menu to the display unit;

from the display unit, forwarding a key entry; and

at the device, processing the key entry, generating a second menu in response to the key entry, and communicating the second menu to the display unit.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising resetting the device when the portable display unit is disconnected from the menu.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising periodically forwarding initialization messages from the device to the display unit to assure a proper connection between the display unit and the device.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising at the display unit, receiving the first menu from the device and displaying the menu.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein second menu is the menu having refreshed data.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising at the display unit, the step of receiving a key request from the device.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the second menu is a new menu with different regions and data.