Touch screen control system and method for controlling auxiliary devices of a printing press
First Claim
1. A system for controlling auxiliary devices associated with a printing press from a common location, the system comprising, a plurality of auxiliary devices connected to the printing press, each auxiliary device having individual operating parameters, a controller including a processor and a memory for storing values of the operating parameters, an input device for obtaining commands and connected to provide electrical signals to the processor corresponding to the commands, an interface for connecting the auxiliary devices to the processor such that signals from the processor control the operating parameters of the auxiliary devices, and a display connected to receive electrical image signals from the processor, the display including a first area for displaying images thereon representing control panels of the auxiliary devices and a second area for displaying an image thereon representing a selected one of the control panels, the processor operating the display to provide real-time status information in the control panel images of non-selected auxiliary devices concurrent with the display of the control panel image of the selected auxiliary device, at least some of the images of the non-selected control panels being displayed independent of the display of the selected control panel, and the processor providing signals to the interface to control the auxiliary device corresponding to the selected control panel image in accordance with commands from the input device.
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Abstract
A control system for controlling auxiliary devices of a printing press. Auxiliary devices are connected to a centralized system controller for operation thereof. The system controller provides an image of control panels for controlling each of the auxiliary devices on a single display screen. A touch screen controller is combined with the display screen and the system controller, allowing a press operator to set and control the operating parameters of the devices from control panel images on the display. The parameters for the auxiliary devices may be saved as a set and recalled for later use on similar job runs.
36 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A system for controlling auxiliary devices associated with a printing press from a common location, the system comprising, a plurality of auxiliary devices connected to the printing press, each auxiliary device having individual operating parameters, a controller including a processor and a memory for storing values of the operating parameters, an input device for obtaining commands and connected to provide electrical signals to the processor corresponding to the commands, an interface for connecting the auxiliary devices to the processor such that signals from the processor control the operating parameters of the auxiliary devices, and a display connected to receive electrical image signals from the processor, the display including a first area for displaying images thereon representing control panels of the auxiliary devices and a second area for displaying an image thereon representing a selected one of the control panels, the processor operating the display to provide real-time status information in the control panel images of non-selected auxiliary devices concurrent with the display of the control panel image of the selected auxiliary device, at least some of the images of the non-selected control panels being displayed independent of the display of the selected control panel, and the processor providing signals to the interface to control the auxiliary device corresponding to the selected control panel image in accordance with commands from the input device.
- 9. A system for controlling auxiliary devices associated with a printing press from a common location, the system comprising, in combination, a plurality of auxiliary devices connected to the printing press, each auxiliary device having individual operating parameters, a controller including a processor and a memory for storing values of the operating parameters, a display connected to receive electrical image signals from the processor, the display including a first area for displaying images thereon representing control panels for the auxiliary devices and a second area for displaying an image thereon representing a selected one of the control panels, a touch screen controller adjacent the display for detecting physical proximity to the displayed control panels and providing electrical signals to the processor corresponding thereto, and an interface for connecting the auxiliary devices to the processor, the processor including a translator for translating signals from the touch screen controller to commands for 1) selecting one of control panel images from the first area for display in the second area, 2) updating the contents of the memory and 3) providing signals to the interface to control the operating parameters of the auxiliary device corresponding to the selected control panel in accordance with the commands, the processor operating the display to provide real-time status information in the control panel images of non-selected auxiliary devices concurrent with the display of the control panel image of the selected auxiliary device, at least some of the images of the non-selected control panels being displayed independent of the display of the selected control panel.
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14. A method of controlling operating parameters of auxiliary devices connected to a printing press, comprising the steps of:
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displaying an image representing the control panels corresponding to each auxiliary device connected to the printing press on a first area of a display screen at a common location; receiving real-time status information from the auxiliary devices; updating the display of the control panel images of the auxiliary devices in the first area; selecting from the image one of the control panels; displaying an image representing the selected control panel on a second area of the display screen while concurrently displaying the images of the non-selected control panels, at least some of the images of the non-selected control panels being displayed independent of the display of the selected control panel; actuating the selected control panel on the display screen for inputting values of the operating parameters; selecting values for the operating parameters of the selected control panel of the auxiliary device; and outputting a signal corresponding to the selected operating parameter to control the operating parameter of the selected auxiliary device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling an operating parameter of an auxiliary device connected to a printing press, comprising the steps of:
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displaying at one area of a display screen an image of the control panels for each auxiliary device connected to the printing press; receiving real-time status information from the auxiliary devices; updating the display of the control panel images of the auxiliary devices in the first area; selecting one of the control panels; displaying an image representing the selected control panel on a second area of the display screen while concurrently displaying the images of the non-selected control panels, at least some of the images of the non-selected control panels being displayed independent of the display of the selected control panel; actuating a user input icon on the selected one of the control panels and providing a visual confirmation indicative of the actuation; entering by way of the user input icon a value for the operating parameter of the selected auxiliary device; and outputting a signal corresponding to the entered value of the operating parameter for controlling the selected auxiliary device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification