Light weight, self-contained programmable data-acquisition system

• US 5,638,299 A
• Filed: 06/22/1995
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith Miller
• Original Assignee: Keith Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US08/493,794
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.06, 340/870.16, 340/870.28, 364/550, 364/551.01, 395/653
• US Class Current: 702/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers

Abstract

A self-contained, light-weight, programmable data-acquisition system is constructed largely from readily available personal computer (PC) subassemblies. It operates as a paperless recorder and event recorder, storing data from a plurality of analog inputs to a fixed disk for later retrieval by a PC. It also operates as a PC peripheral device permitting real-time viewing and analysis, as well as recording, of a plurality of analog inputs. As an event recorder it can store a fixed amount of data preceding the triggering event, which can be in the form of either a contact closure or the value of an analog input exceeding a preset minimum or maximum value. Configuration is performed at the PC and subsequently downloaded to the recorder where it is stored in non-volatile memory. Converted and recorded data display at the host PC is both graphical and numerical form. Channel data displayed at the host PC is uniquely identified in that each channel'"'"'s data is uniquely colored.

Claims

1. A remotely configurable data-acquisition system operating both independently of and dependent upon a remote computer comprising:

a programmable controller comprising;

program execution means;

digital memory means for temporary storage of digitized analog data from a plurality of inputs;

digital memory means for permanent storage of digitized analog data from a plurality of inputs;

digital memory means for permanent program storage;

a software program stored in said permanent program storage means;

communication means for the receipt of commands and configuration parameters from a remote computer, end for the transmission of digitized and recorded analog data and record pertinent data to said remote computer;

power supply means;

data converter means to convert a plurality of analog input signals to digital data;

means responsive to digital input signals to start data-acquisition, and to signal the occurrence of a triggering event;

software means executed in said remote computer to permit said remote computer to;

configure said programmable controller;

accept digitized and recorded analog input data from said programmable controller;

display digitized and recorded analog Input date on said remote computer'"'"'s display console;

copy any part of data in said remote computer'"'"'s data buffer to said remote computer'"'"'s disk drives;

print the current display screen to said remote computer'"'"'s attached printer.

2. A remotely configurable data-acquisition system operating both independently of and dependent upon a remote computer comprising:

a programmmable controller comprising;

a compatible motherboard in which the supplied read-only-memory firmware has been replaced by

the firmware of this present invention;

a compatible integrated-drive-electronics interface and serial port card;

compatible integrated-drive-electronics fixed disk;

a compatible triple output power supply;

data converter means to convert a plurality of analog input signals to digital data;

means responsive to digital input signals start data-aquisition, and to signal the occurrence of a triggering event;

software means for execution in said remote computer to permit said remote computer to;

configure said data-acqusition system;

accept digitized and recorded analog input data from said data-acquisition system;

display digitized and recorded analog input date from said data-acquisition system on said remote computer'"'"'s display console;

copy any part of said remote computer'"'"'s data buffer to said remote computer'"'"'s disk drives;

print said remote computer'"'"'s current display screen to said remote computers attached printer.