Display device for linearly displaying a non-linear input variable
First Claim
1. A display device for linearly displaying a non-linear input variable at an infinite number of input points over a finite range, comprising input means for receiving data representative of a non-linear input variable;
- computer means connected to said input means for receiving the data;
a substantially linear display having a display input connected to said computer means for providing an output indication which vary linearly with a signal applied to said display input;
non-volatile memory means connected to said computer means for storing a plurality of finite sets of predetermined points n of correlated input/output points (xn, yn) each defining a specific conversion function representative of an associated non-linear input variable for converting a given input (xn) at any given point (xn, yn) to an associated output (yn), each two adjacent points (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) defining a straight line segment, said computer means being programmed to interpolate for any given x between two inputs (x0, x1) to provide an output (y) between associated outputs (y0, y1) by making the following computation;
##EQU5## and personality means for selecting one of said plurality of sets of points for a given application which linearizes a predetermined specific non-linear input variable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display device, in form of a panel meter which includes a combination of a linear bar graph and digital numeric display, linearly displays a non-linear input variable at an infinite number of input points. A microprocessor receives a digital input, which can be a converted analog signal, representing a non-linear variable such as a liquid level height in a tank or reservoir or a corresponding analog input received through an analog to digital (A/D) converter. A non-volatile memory stores a finite set of predetermined number n of correlated input/output points (xn, yn ) which together define a conversion function for converting a given input (xn) at any given point (xn, yn ) to an associated output (yn). Each two adjacent points (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) define a straight line segment. The microprocessor is programmed to interpolate for any given input x between two points (x0, x1) to provide an output (y) between associated outputs (y0, y1) by making the following computation: ##EQU1##
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A display device for linearly displaying a non-linear input variable at an infinite number of input points over a finite range, comprising input means for receiving data representative of a non-linear input variable;
- computer means connected to said input means for receiving the data;
a substantially linear display having a display input connected to said computer means for providing an output indication which vary linearly with a signal applied to said display input;
non-volatile memory means connected to said computer means for storing a plurality of finite sets of predetermined points n of correlated input/output points (xn, yn) each defining a specific conversion function representative of an associated non-linear input variable for converting a given input (xn) at any given point (xn, yn) to an associated output (yn), each two adjacent points (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) defining a straight line segment, said computer means being programmed to interpolate for any given x between two inputs (x0, x1) to provide an output (y) between associated outputs (y0, y1) by making the following computation;
##EQU5## and personality means for selecting one of said plurality of sets of points for a given application which linearizes a predetermined specific non-linear input variable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- computer means connected to said input means for receiving the data;
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8. A tank level receiver for use with liquid level measurement in irregularly shaped tanks, comprising a meter assembly housing associated with a tank the liquid level in which is to be monitored and displayed;
- a display device for linearly displaying the liquid level in the irregularly shaped tank at an infinite number of points, said display device including input means for receiving digital data representative of a non-linear input variable;
computer means connected to said input means for receiving the digital data;
a substantially linear display having a display input connected to said computer means for providing an output indication which varies linearly with a signal applied to said display input;
non-volatile memory means connected to said computer means for storing a finite set of predetermined number n of correlated input/output points (xn, yn) which together define conversion function for converting a given input (xn) at any given point (xn, yn) to an associated output (yn) , each two adjacent points (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) defining a straight line segment, said computer means being programmed to interpolate for any given input x between two inputs (x0, x1) to provide an output (y) between associated outputs (y0, y1) by making the following computation;
##EQU6## - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- a display device for linearly displaying the liquid level in the irregularly shaped tank at an infinite number of points, said display device including input means for receiving digital data representative of a non-linear input variable;
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16. Method of linearly displaying a non-linear input variable at an infinite number of input points, comprising the steps of receiving digital data representative of a non-linear input variable;
- providing computer means connected to said input means for receiving the digital data, providing an output indication on a substantially linear display having a display input connected to said computer means which varies linearly with a signal applied to said display input;
storing in a non-volatile memory means connected to said computer means a plurality of finite sets predetermined number n of correlated input/output points (xn, yn) each defining a specific conversion function representative of an associated non-linear input variable for converting a given input (xn) at any given point (xn, yn) to an associated output (yn) each two adjacent points (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) defining a straight line segment; and
interpolating in said computer means for any given input x between two inputs (x0, x1) to provide an output (y) between associated outputs (x0, y1) by making the following computation;
##EQU7## and selecting one of said plurality of sets of points for a given application for linearizing a predetermined specific non-linear input variable. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- providing computer means connected to said input means for receiving the digital data, providing an output indication on a substantially linear display having a display input connected to said computer means which varies linearly with a signal applied to said display input;
Specification