Process controller with user-definable menuing system

• US 6,005,577 A
• Filed: 05/19/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Breitlow, Stanton H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John E.
• Application Number:
  US08/858,701
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326-358, 345/146, 364/188-190, 700/83, 700/84, 700/85
• US Class Current: 715/825
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

A user-definable menuing system for use in a process controller or other limited output computer. The process controller is adapted to receive user input from a limited number of buttons and display user output using seven-segment display units. The user may view the current value of and/or change the value of a variety of parameters. The more frequently used parameters may be associated with positions in an easily accessible customizable menu. The less frequently used parameters as well as the customization process are accessed through the conventional means of a menu tree. The parameters are associated with positions in the customizable menu through a special configuration mode. One button is used to cycle through each menu position and another is used to cycle through available parameters within a given menu position. The associations are stored in non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM to prevent the need to reprogram the menu each time.

Claims

1. In a process controller having a microprocessor, a display in communication with the microprocessor, memory in communication with the microprocessor, a device input allowing communication between a first device coupled to the device input and the microprocessor, a device output allowing communication between a second device coupled to the device output and the microprocessor, a predefined menu structure stored in memory and including a set of predefined parameters whose values are selectable within a predetermined range of values, an input mechanism in communication with the microprocessor and responsive to user input that allows selection of the predefined parameters and their values, the improvement comprising means for compiling a user defined menu structure composed of a subset of the predefined parameters and storing said user defined menu structure in the memory, wherein said subset consists of fewer than all of the predefined parameters.

2. The process controller of claim 1, wherein the process controller includes a plurality of pre-defined menu structures storable in memory each having a set of predefined parameters, and the parameters for said user defined menu structure are user selectable via said input mechanism from the plurality of sets of predefined parameters.

3. A process controller comprising:

a programmable microprocessor;

memory in communication with said programmable microprocessor unit;

a plurality of predefined menu structures stored in said memory, each said predefined menu structure having at least one predefined parameter whose value is variable and settable by a user;

an input mechanism in communication with said programmable microprocessor unit and operable by the user to set said predefined parameters;

a user definable menu structure storable in said memory and definable by the user through selection of at least one of said predefined parameters and fewer than all said predefined parameters; and

a display in communication with said programmable microprocessor unit adapted to show said parameters.

4. The process controller of claim 3, wherein said display is a seven-segment type display.

5. The process controller of claim 4, wherein said display consists of a plurality of rows, each said row having a plurality of seven-segment display units.

6. The process controller of claim 3, wherein said memory is non-volatile.

7. A process/temperature controller comprising:

an input for coupling the controller to a sensor;

an output for coupling the controller to a heater;

a user input mechanism;

memory;

a display;

a processing unit in communication with said display, said memory, said device input, said device output, and said user input mechanism;

a plurality of preset menu structures stored in said memory and accessible by said processing unit, each said preset menu structure defined by a plurality of process and device parameters whose values are settable by a user through said user input mechanism;

a blank menu structure stored in memory and accessible by said processing unit, said blank menu structure definable by the user through selection of any number of said process and device parameters from said plurality of preset menu structures; and

said processing unit programmed to control the heater according to the values of the menu structures and input from the sensor, and to show the parameters on the display.

8. The process/temperature controller of claim 7, wherein said display is a seven-segment type display.

9. The process/temperature controller of claim 8, wherein said display consists of a plurality of rows, each said row having a plurality of seven-segment display units.

10. The process/temperature controller of claim 9, wherein said memory is non-volatile.