METHOD, SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIA FOR GLOBAL SYNCHRONIZATION OF TIME

• US 20110181608A1
• Filed: 01/22/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Bhat, Anuradha, Sunkara, Chandra
• Granted Patent: US 9,256,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/522
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/393 Arrangements for updating the contents of the bit-mapped memory

Abstract

A method for synchronizing time in a plurality of graphical displays provided within a human-machine interface (HMI) includes displaying stored data via the plurality of graphical displays, receiving data refresh configuration parameters via a configuration tool within the HMI, and storing the data refresh configuration parameters in a memory. The method also includes generating, by the HMI, a data refresh message that includes the data refresh configuration parameters, and refreshing, by at least a portion of the plurality of graphical displays, display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing time in a plurality of graphical displays provided within a human-machine interface (HMI), said method comprising:

displaying stored data via the plurality of graphical displays;

receiving data refresh configuration parameters via a configuration tool within the HMI;

storing the data refresh configuration parameters in a memory;

generating, by the HMI, a data refresh message that includes the data refresh configuration parameters; and

refreshing, by at least a portion of the plurality of graphical displays, display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising receiving the stored data, by the HMI, from a server via a network.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein receiving data refresh configuration parameters comprises receiving a data refresh rate and a start time of a desired time period.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein receiving data refresh configuration parameters further comprises receiving an end time of the desired time period.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein receiving data refresh configuration parameters further comprises receiving a duration of the desired time period.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

receiving navigation commands via at least one navigation control button; and

refreshing, by at least a portion of the plurality of graphical displays, display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters and the navigation commands.

7. A system comprising:

a server comprising a memory configured to store data; and

a client coupled to said server via a network, said client configured to display a human-machine interface (HMI) comprising a plurality of graphical displays, said client configured to;

display the stored data via said plurality of graphical displays;

receive data refresh configuration parameters via a configuration tool interface;

generate a data refresh message that includes the data refresh configuration parameters; and

broadcast the data refresh message to said plurality of graphical displays, at least a portion of said plurality of graphical displays configured to refresh display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the data refresh configuration parameters include a data refresh rate and a start time of a desired time period.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the data refresh configuration parameters include an end time of the desired time period.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the data refresh configuration parameters include a duration of the desired time period.

11. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the data refresh configuration parameters include a scroll rate.

12. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said client further comprises a memory, said HMI is further configured to save the data refresh configuration parameters in said memory.

13. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said client is configured to selectively one of refresh display of the stored data based on the data refresh message and ignore the data refresh message.

14. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said HMI further comprises a global time control display comprising a plurality of navigation control buttons, said client is further configured to selectively advance the display of the stored data and reverse the display of the stored data.

15. One or more computer-readable storage media having a plurality of computer-executable components for synchronizing time within a human-machine interface (HMI), said plurality of computer-executable components comprising:

a plurality of graphical display components that when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to display stored data; and

a global time control component that when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to;

receive data refresh configuration parameters via a configuration tool within the HMI;

store the data refresh configuration parameters in a memory;

generate a data refresh message that includes the data refresh configuration parameters; and

broadcast the data refresh message to the plurality of graphical displays components such that at least a portion of the plurality of graphical display components refresh display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters.

16. One or more computer-readable storage media in accordance with claim 15, wherein the plurality of graphical display components receive the stored data from a server via a network.

17. One or more computer-readable storage media in accordance with claim 15, wherein the global time control component receives a data refresh rate and a start time of a desired time period.

18. One or more computer-readable storage media in accordance with claim 17, wherein the global time control component receives an end time of the desired time period.

19. One or more computer-readable storage media in accordance with claim 17, wherein the global time control component receives a duration of the desired time period.

20. One or more computer-readable storage media in accordance with claim 15, wherein the global time control component:

receives navigation commands via at least one navigation control button; and

broadcasts the data refresh message to the plurality of graphical displays components such that at least a portion of the plurality of graphical display components refresh display of the stored data based on the data refresh configuration parameters and the navigation commands.