DAQ configuration system and method for configuring channels in a data acquisition device

• US 5,764,546 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Bryant, Deborah E., Harvey, Audrey F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US08/756,401
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 364/580, 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/570, 364/146, 395/500, 395/701, 395/702, 395/326, 395/339, 395/651, 395/965, 395/966, 395/967, 395/970, 345/326, 345/339, 345/348, 345/349, 345/465, 345/966, 345/967, 345/970
• US Class Current: 702/108
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output

Abstract

A data acquisition configuration system and method for facilitating the creation of data acquisition applications. The present invention enables the user to create channel configurations which include information for a respective DAQ hardware channel, such as the physical phenomena being measured and how the phenomena is being measured. The user then assigns a name to each respective channel configuration. This channel configuration name is then usable in a data acquisition application to specify the channel configuration, thus simplifying application development. After specifying a channel configuration and assigning a name, the user then constructs a program which controls the data acquisition system. The program construction includes providing the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device. The program can then be executed to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein the executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing the data acquisition operation. The user is thus not required to create code to specify the channel configuration. Further, the program can execute in units of the physical quantity being measured/generated according to the channel configuration, and the user is not required to create code to operate in the units of the physical quantity being measured/generated.

Claims

1. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated by a data acquisition device;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the units and range of the physical quantity being measured/generated and how the physical quantity is being measured/generated for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

constructing a program in response to user input which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said constructing includes receiving the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

executing the program to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein said executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing said data acquisition operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to specify the channel configuration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said executing includes operating in units of the physical quantity being measured/generated according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to operate in the units of the physical quantity being measured/generated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected channel is an analog input channel, wherein said executing includes returning data in units of the physical quantity being measured according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to return data in the units of the physical quantity being measured.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected channel is an analog output channel, wherein said executing includes generating data in units of the physical phenomenon of interest according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to generate data in the units of the physical quantity being measured.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a physical quantity panel, wherein the physical quantity panel includes input fields for units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated;

wherein said input from a user regarding what units and range are being measured/generated is received in response to said displaying on the screen said physical quantity panel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a sensor panel, wherein the sensor panel includes an input field for selecting a sensor type to connect to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated comprises receiving a selected sensor type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured comprises receiving a scaling selection option for said selected sensor type.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an actuator panel, wherein the actuator panel includes an input field for selecting an actuator type to connect to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated comprises receiving a selected actuator type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a channel on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said constructing the program comprises constructing a graphical program.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said constructing the graphical program comprises connecting the assigned name to a node of the graphical program.

13. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding what units and range of a physical quantity are being measured;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the units and range being measured and how the physical quantity is being measured for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

constructing a program in response to user input which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said constructing includes receiving the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

executing the program to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein said executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing said data acquisition operation.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to specify the channel configuration.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said executing includes operating in units of the physical quantity being measured according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to operate in the units of the physical quantity being measured.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the selected channel is an analog input channel, wherein said executing includes returning data in units of the physical phenomenon being measured according to the channel configuration.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a physical quantity panel, wherein the physical quantity panel includes input fields for units and range of a physical quantity being measured;

wherein said input from a user regarding what units and range are being measured is received in response to said displaying on the screen said physical quantity panel.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a sensor panel, wherein the sensor panel includes an input field for selecting a sensor type to connect to a DAQ channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured comprises receiving a selected sensor type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured comprises receiving a scaling selection option for said selected sensor type.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a channel on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein said constructing the program comprises constructing a graphical program.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said constructing the graphical program comprises connecting the assigned name to a node of the graphical program.

23. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding what units and range of a physical quantity are being generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the units and range being measured and how the physical quantity is being measured for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

constructing a program in response to user input which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said constructing includes receiving the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

executing the program to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein said executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing said data acquisition operation.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to specify the channel configuration.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said executing includes operating in units of the physical phenomenon being measured according to the channel configuration.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the selected channel is an analog output channel, wherein said executing includes generating data in units of the physical phenomenon of interest according to the channel configuration.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a physical quantity panel, wherein the physical quantity panel includes input fields for units and range of a physical quantity being generated;

wherein said input from a user regarding what units and range are being generated is received in response to said displaying on the screen said physical quantity panel.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an actuator panel, wherein the actuator panel includes an input field for selecting an actuator type to connect to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be generated comprises receiving a selected actuator type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a channel on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said constructing the program comprises constructing a graphical program.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said constructing the graphical program comprises connecting the assigned name to a node of the graphical program.

32. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, wherein the method configures the one or more channels for digital input/output (I/O), the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a signal type that is being acquired/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected port/line of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the signal type and the selected port/line of the data acquisition device;

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

constructing a program in response to user input which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said constructing includes receiving the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

executing the program to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein said executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing said data acquisition operation.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding said signal type comprises receiving input regarding whether a read or write is desired.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding said signal type comprises receiving a selection from one or more of read from port, read from line, write to port, or write to line.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to specify the channel configuration.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a port and/or line on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected port/line of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

37. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an initial state panel, wherein the initial state panel includes an input field for selecting an initial value of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port;

wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user comprises receiving and storing input from a user regarding an initial value of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port.

38. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an invert signal panel, wherein the invert signal panel includes an input field for selecting an option to invert a state of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port;

wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user comprises receiving and storing input from a user regarding whether said invert signal option is selected.

39. A data acquisition system, comprising:

a data acquisition device for performing data acquisition operations, wherein the data acquisition device includes one or more channels;

a computer system coupled to the data acquisition device, wherein the computer system includes a CPU and memory

wherein the memory stores at least one channel configuration which specifies a configuration of at least one channel of said data acquisition device, wherein said memory further stores a channel configuration name which corresponds to said configuration of said at least one channel;

wherein the memory further stores a program which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said program receives the channel configuration name and specifies the channel configuration for the at least one channel of the data acquisition device;

wherein the program is executable to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein the program uses the channel configuration referenced by the channel configuration name in performing said data acquisition operation.

40. The data acquisition system of claim 39, wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated and how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated for a selected channel of the data acquisition device.

41. The data acquisition system of claim 39, wherein said program does not include code to specify the channel configuration.

42. The data acquisition system of claim 41, wherein said program comprises a graphical program, wherein said graphical program includes the channel configuration name connected to a node of the graphical program.

43. The data acquisition system of claim 39, further comprising:

a sensor coupled to the at least one channel configuration;

wherein the at least one channel configuration includes a selected sensor type to connect to the at least one channel of the data acquisition device.

44. The data acquisition system of claim 39, further comprising:

an actuator coupled to the at least one channel configuration;

wherein the at least one channel configuration includes a selected actuator type to connect to the at least one channel of the data acquisition device.

45. A computer-readable storage media for operating in a computer system, the computer system including a data acquisition (DAQ) device having at least one channel, wherein the storage media stores data, the storage media comprising:

instructions for receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, said instructions including instructions for;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device; and

instructions for assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

wherein said assigned name is usable in a data acquisition program to assign said at least one channel configuration to said selected channel of said DAQ device.

46. A computer-readable storage media for operating in a computer system, the computer system including a data acquisition (DAQ) device having at least one channel, wherein the storage media stores data, the storage media comprising:

instructions for receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, said instructions including instructions for;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a signal type that is being acquired/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected port/line of a data acquisition device; and

instructions for assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

wherein said assigned name is usable in a data acquisition program to assign said at least one channel configuration to said selected channel of said DAQ device.

47. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the units and range of the physical quantity being measured/generated and how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated for the selected channel of the data acquisition device; and

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

wherein said assigned name is usable in a data acquisition program to assign said at least one channel configuration to said selected channel of said DAQ device.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a physical quantity panel, wherein the physical quantity panel includes input fields for units and range of a physical quantity being measured/generated;

wherein said input from a user regarding what units and range are being measured/generated is received in response to said displaying on the displaying on the screen said physical quantity panel.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a sensor panel, wherein the sensor panel includes an input field for selecting a sensor type to connect to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated comprises receiving a selected sensor type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured comprises receiving a scaling selection option for said selected sensor type.

51. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an actuator panel, wherein the actuator panel includes an input field for selecting an actuator type to connect to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding how the physical quantity is being converted to units which can be measured/generated comprises receiving a selected actuator type to connect to the selected channel of the data acquisition device.

52. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a channel on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected channel of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

53. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, wherein the method configures the one or more channels for digital input/output (I/O), the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user, wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification comprises;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a signal type that is being acquired/generated;

receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected port/line of a data acquisition device;

wherein said at least one channel configuration comprises the signal type and the selected port/line of the data acquisition device; and

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

wherein said assigned name is usable in a data acquisition program to assign said at least one channel configuration to said selected channel of said DAQ device.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding said signal type comprises receiving input regarding whether a read or write is desired.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding said signal type comprises receiving a selection from one or more of read from port, read from line, write to port, or write to line.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

displaying on the screen a DAQ Hardware panel, wherein the DAQ Hardware panel includes an input field for selecting a DAQ device and an input field for selecting a port and/or line on the DAQ device that is to be assigned the channel configuration;

wherein said receiving and storing input from a user regarding a selected port/line of a data acquisition device is performed in response to said displaying on the screen said DAQ Hardware panel.

57. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an initial state panel, wherein the initial state panel includes an input field for selecting an initial value of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port;

wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user comprises receiving and storing input from a user regarding an initial value of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port.

58. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

displaying on the screen an invert signal panel, wherein the invert signal panel includes an input field for selecting an option to invert a state of one or more digital output lines in a selected digital port;

wherein said receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user comprises receiving and storing input from a user regarding whether said invert signal option is selected.

59. A method for configuring one or more channels on a data acquisition device in a data acquisition system, the method comprising:

receiving at least one channel configuration specification from a user;

assigning a name to said at least one channel configuration;

constructing a program in response to user input which controls the data acquisition system, wherein said constructing includes receiving the assigned name which specifies the channel configuration for the selected channel of the data acquisition device;

executing the program to perform a data acquisition operation, wherein said executing includes using the channel configuration referenced by the assigned name in performing said data acquisition operation.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to specify the channel configuration.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said executing includes operating in units of the physical quantity being measured/generated according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to operate in the units of the physical quantity being measured/generated.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein the selected channel is an analog input channel, wherein said executing includes returning data in units of the physical quantity being measured according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to return data in the units of the physical quantity being measured.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein the selected channel is an analog output channel, wherein said executing includes generating data in units of the physical phenomenon of interest according to the channel configuration;

wherein said constructing the program does not require the user to create code to generate data in the units of the physical quantity being measured.