Combined hardware and software instrument simulator for use as a teaching aid
First Claim
1. An analytical instrument simulator comprising:
- a first instrument of a first analytical instrument type and capable of producing images of a specimen;
a simulated instrument of a second analytical instrument type, the simulated instrument being less than fully functional and having user controls which correspond to those of a functional instrument of the second instrument type which is being simulated;
a computer programmed to;
display images generated by the first instrument, display simulated data output corresponding to output from a functional instrument of the second instrument type, and manipulate the simulated data output in accordance with input from the user controls for the simulated instrument in substantially the same manner that data output produced by a functional instrument of the second instrument type would be manipulated by corresponding input from the user controls for the functional instrument.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved simulator for an analytical instrument that provides the student with an experience similar to that of operating the actual instrument. In one preferred embodiment, the invention combines real functionality and simulated functionality where at least one function of the analytical instrument is real. In another preferred embodiment, the invention combines a functional first instrument along with a simulation of a second instrument, the simulation including both hardware with limited functionality and software that simulates the output of a functional instrument to create a teaching aid for use in classrooms and teaching laboratories.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An analytical instrument simulator comprising:
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a first instrument of a first analytical instrument type and capable of producing images of a specimen;
a simulated instrument of a second analytical instrument type, the simulated instrument being less than fully functional and having user controls which correspond to those of a functional instrument of the second instrument type which is being simulated;
a computer programmed to;
display images generated by the first instrument, display simulated data output corresponding to output from a functional instrument of the second instrument type, and manipulate the simulated data output in accordance with input from the user controls for the simulated instrument in substantially the same manner that data output produced by a functional instrument of the second instrument type would be manipulated by corresponding input from the user controls for the functional instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An educational aid for teaching student about the operation of an instrument, the aid comprising:
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a first instrument functional to form an image of a specimen, the first instrument being of a first instrument type;
a second instrument of a second instrument type, the second instrument being less than fully functional and having user controls;
a computer-accessible memory storing images from a functional instrument of the second type;
a computer programmed to;
display images generated by the first instrument, display at least some of the stored images from the functional instrument of the second type, and manipulate the images from the functional instrument of the second type in accordance with input from the user controls on the second instrument to provide the user with a simulation of a functional instrument of the second type. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of teaching students to operate an instrument, comprising:
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providing hardware simulating an analytical instrument, the hardware including user controls and not being fully functional;
generating a computer simulated output for the simulated analytical instrument for a sample and displaying the simulated output on a computer display screen, the simulated output being responsive to operation of the user controls for the hardware. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for simulating the operation of a sample imaging instrument, the system comprising:
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a simulator that is not capable of imaging a sample, said simulator having user-operated controls which correspond to those of the sample imaging instrument being simulated;
a computer-accessible memory storing data output from a functional sample imaging instrument of the type being simulated;
a computer programmed to;
display at least some of the stored data output from the functional sample imaging instrument on a computer display screen, and alter the displayed data output from the functional sample imaging instrument in accordance with input from the user-operated controls for the simulator in substantially the same manner that displayed data output produced by a functional sample imaging instrument of the type being simulated would be altered by corresponding input from the user-operated controls for the functional instrument. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification