Device for dynamic display of information relating to an electronic system of variable configuration and/or composition

• US 5,594,465 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sextant Avionique
• Original Assignee: Sextant Avionique
• Inventors: Poulachon, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US08/674,992
• Time in Patent Office: 195 Days
• Field of Search: 345/98, 343/702, 364/464.02, 364/464.01, 340/825.44-825.48, 455/343, 358/22
• US Class Current: 345/98
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/04 Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/00 Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes

Abstract

Device for the dynamic display of information relating to an electronic system of variable configuration and/or composition which uses, on the one hand, an autonomous display module comprising, mounted in a support of small dimensions, a display circuit comprising a display, preferably of the liquid crystal type, driven by a display controller coupled with a status memory and a source of renewable energy connected to the display circuit, and, on the other hand, a means of elaborating, by said system, digital data characterizing it, from both the hardware and software points of view, and a means enabling said data to be transmitted into said status memory, with a view to displaying them on said display. Such a device applies notably to the modular electronics used in aeronautics.

Claims

1. A device for the dynamic display of information relating to an electronic system comprising a plurality of removable electronic modules, said device comprising:

a plurality of local display modules each being connected to a respective electronic module, each local display module comprising, mounted in a support of small dimensions, a display circuit comprising a display driven by a display controller connected to a status memory for displaying on said display digital data stored in said status memory, and a source of renewable energy connected to the display circuit, said digital data relating to hardware and software configuration of the associated electronic module, and

a central display module connected to said system and connected to said local display modules, said central display module comprising means for scanning the status memories of said different local modules, and a microprocessor-managed table of correspondence enabling system identification information to be deduced as a function of the combination of data recorded in the status memories of said local display modules,

each electronic module comprising;

means for elaborating digital data characterizing hardware and software of said electronic module every time said hardware is modified, and

means for transmitting said data into the status memory of the local module connected to said electronic module every time a memory of the electronic module undergoes a downloading operation, said elaborating means being connected through transmitting means to the status memory of the local module connected to said electronic module.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status memory of each of said display modules is of the EEPROM type which saves the data recorded even in the event of a cutoff of the power to said display module.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said source of renewable energy consists in a photovoltaic cell.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each display module comprises counting means for counting the time the associated electronic module is in use, said counting means being connected to a feed circuit of said associated electronic module, for detecting when the associated electronic module is in use.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said counting means comprises a detector of the presence of serviceable voltage in said associated electronic module and a counter designed so as to count the pulses of a clock, throughout the time said detector detects the presence of said voltage.

10. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising counting means for counting the time the system is in use, said counting means being connected to a feed circuit of said system, for detecting when the system is in use.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said counting means comprises a detector of the presence of serviceable voltage in said system and a counter designed so as to count the pulses of a clock, throughout the time said detector detects the presence of said voltage.

6. A device for the dynamic display of information relating to an electronic system comprising a plurality of removable electronic modules, said device comprising:

a plurality of local display modules each being connected to a respective electronic module, each local display module comprising, mounted in a support of small dimensions, a display circuit comprising a display driven by a display controller connected to a status memory for displaying on said display digital data stored in said status memory, and a source of renewable energy connected to the display circuit, said digital data relating to hardware and software configuration of the associated electronic module, and

a central display module connected to said system and connected to said local display modules, said central display module comprising means for scanning the status memories of said different local modules, and a microprocessor-managed table of correspondence enabling system identification information to be deduced as a function of the combination of data recorded in the status memories of said local display modules, said table of correspondence being designed so as to detect problems with the compositions and configurations of said system,

each electronic module comprising;

means for elaborating digital data characterizing hardware and software of said electronic module every time said hardware is modified, and

means for transmitting said data into the status memory of the local module connected to said electronic module every time a memory of the electronic module undergoes a downloading operation, said elaborating means being connected through transmitting means to the status memory of the local module connected to said electronic module.

7. A single autonomous display module which dynamically displays information identifying hardware configuration and software configuration of an electronic apparatus, apparatus having interchangeable electronic circuit boards, a processor and an apparatus memory for storing programs, and being housed in a housing,

said processor also having:

means for locating in memories of said electronic circuit boards first digital identification data identifying each of said electronic circuit board every time one of said electronic circuit boards is modified;

means for locating in said apparatus memory second digital identification data identifying programs stored in the apparatus memory every time the memory of said apparatus undergoes a program downloading operation; and

means for transmitting said first and second digital identification data from said apparatus memory and said electronic circuit boards memories through an output line every time said first and second digital identification data are determined;

said single autonomous display module comprising;

a casing of dimensions smaller than said housing;

means for fixing said casing on said housing of said apparatus;

a display of the liquid crystal type;

a status memory disposed within said casing;

a display circuit disposed within said casing and comprising a display controller connected to said display and to said status memory for displaying, on said display, data stored in said status memory;

a source of renewable energy connected to the display circuit; and

means for coupling said status memory to said output line.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said status memory is of the EEPROM type which saves the data recorded even in the event of a cutoff of the power to said display module.

9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said source of renewable energy consists in a photovoltaic cell.