Interface system for use with microprocessor based control systems and method therefor

• US 5,440,325 A
• Filed: 12/22/1994
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karl W. Edmark III
• Original Assignee: Karl W. Edmark III
• Inventors: Edmark, Karl W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US08/363,962
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/146, 345/184, 345/160, 345/162, 345/157, 273/148 B, 273/438
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

An interface system and a method therefor are disclosed for cooperating with a microprocessor based control system that presents at least one of a plurality of options for selection on a display. The system provides a first and a second rotatable dial each of which provide at least one of a plurality of inputs to the microprocessor controlled display. The combination of inputs from the first dial and the second dial define one or more menu-like options that a user can select from the display via a selection push button. A second push button is provided to enable the user to reject or step out of a menu option. This interface system, unlike keyboards and mouses, is particularly compact and rugged. Consequently, this interface system is exceptionally well suited for interacting with a microprocessor based control system in an industrial environment or any other type of harsh operating environment.

Claims

1. A system for interfacing with a microprocessor based control system that presents at least one of a plurality of options for selection on a display comprising, in combination:

first rotatable dial means for providing at least one of a first plurality of inputs to said microprocessor controlled display;

second rotatable dial means coupled to said first rotatable dial means for providing at least one of a second plurality of inputs to said microprocessor controlled display;

display means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means and to said second rotatable dial means for displaying one of said options defined by the combination of at least one of said first plurality of inputs and at least one of said second plurality of inputs;

single selection means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means and to said second rotatable dial means for selecting any one of said options after preselecting a position for said first rotatable dial means and said second rotatable dial means;

dial function transformation means comprising at least one of said options for changing said first rotatable dial means to an X direction dial and for changing said second rotatable dial means to a Y direction dial for moving a pointer on said display means to another option displayed on said display means for selection by said single selection means;

rejection means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means an to said second rotatable dial means for rejecting said option;

said first rotatable dial means being coupled to a first rotary encoded shaft means for providing said first plurality of inputs and said second rotatable dial means being coupled to a second rotary encoded shaft means for providing said second plurality of inputs;

said first rotary encoded shaft means being coupled to a first quadrature decoder circuit means for determining the direction of rotation of a shaft of said first rotary encoded shaft means and said second rotary encoded shaft means being coupled to a second quadrature decoder circuit means for determining the direction of rotation of a shaft of said second rotary encoded shaft means;

said first quadrature decoder circuit means being coupled to a first binary counter circuit means for counting said first plurality of inputs and said second quadrature decoder circuit means being coupled to a second binary counter circuit means for counting said second plurality of inputs;

said first binary counter circuit means, said second binary counter circuit means, said single selection means, and said rejection means being coupled to a latch bank means for transferring data from each of said first binary counter circuit means, said second binary counter circuit means, said single selection means, and said rejection means via a microprocessor interface to said microprocessor, said microprocessor delivering data to a display driver means for driving said display means; and

printer means coupled to said microprocessor for providing hard copy output.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first rotatable dial means, said second rotatable dial means, and said single selection means are coaxially coupled to a single shaft.

3. A method for interfacing with a microprocessor based control system that presents at least one of a plurality of options for selection on a display comprising the steps of:

providing first rotatable dial means for providing at least one of a first plurality of inputs to said microprocessor controlled display;

providing second rotatable dial means coupled to said first rotatable dial means for providing at least one of a second plurality of inputs to said microprocessor controlled display;

providing display means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means and to said second rotatable dial means for displaying one of said options defined by the combination of at least one of said first plurality of inputs and at least one of said second plurality of inputs;

providing single selection means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means and to said second rotatable dial means for selecting any one of said options after preselecting a position for said first rotatable dial means and said second rotatable dial means;

providing dial function transformation means comprising at least one of said options for changing said first rotatable dial means to an X direction dial and for changing said second rotatable dial means to a Y direction dial for moving a pointer on said display means to another option displayed on said display means for selection by said single selection means;

providing rejection means coupled to both said first rotatable dial means and to said second rotatable dial means for rejecting said option;

providing said first rotatable dial means being coupled to a first rotary encoded shaft means for providing said first plurality of inputs and said second rotatable dial means being coupled to a second rotary encoded shaft means for providing said second plurality of inputs;

providing said first rotary encoded shaft means being coupled to a first quadrature decoder circuit means for determining the direction of rotation of a shaft of said first rotary encoded shaft means and said second rotary encoded shaft means being coupled to a second quadrature decoder circuit means for determining the direction of rotation of a shaft of said second rotary encoded shaft means;

providing said first quadrature decoder circuit means being coupled to a first binary counter circuit means for counting said first plurality of inputs and said second quadrature decoder circuit means being coupled to a second binary counter circuit means for counting said second plurality of inputs;

providing said first binary counter circuit means, said second binary counter circuit means, said single selection means, and said rejection means being coupled to a latch bank means for transferring data from each of said first binary counter circuit means, said second binary counter circuit means, said single selection means, and said rejection means via a microprocessor interface to said microprocessor, said microprocessor delivering data to a display driver means for driving said display means; and

providing printer means coupled to said microprocessor for providing hard copy output.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said first rotatable dial means, said second rotatable dial means, and said single selection means are coaxially coupled to a single shaft.