Method And Apparatus For Implementing Automatic Display Of Help Information With Detection Of Error Condition For Meter Connection
First Claim
1. A method for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system, the method comprising the acts of:
- monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter;
identifying an error when the meter is not communicating properly; and
responsive to a meter connection being identified and an error being identified, automatically displaying assistance information by the data collection computer system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system. A predefined port is monitored to detect the connection of a meter. When a meter connection is identified and the meter is not communicating properly, assistance information is automatically displayed for the user. A switch is provided for electromechanically detecting when an attempt is being made to connect a meter of a user selected type to a serial port of the data collection computer system. Then help information is automatically displayed when an error is detected.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system, the method comprising the acts of:
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monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter; identifying an error when the meter is not communicating properly; and responsive to a meter connection being identified and an error being identified, automatically displaying assistance information by the data collection computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system comprising:
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a processor for monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter; said processor for sending a communication initiation packet to the predefined port; said processor for identifying an error when the meter is not communicating properly; and said processor responsive to a meter connection being identified and an error being identified, for automatically displaying of assistance information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification