Configuration manager for configuring a data acquisition system

• US 6,096,094 A
• Filed: 10/03/1997
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Tsoi, Howard, Carlson, Kurt, Brumley, Jonathan, Kay, Meg F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US08/943,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 395/712, 395/828, 710/8, 713/100, 717/1
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers

Abstract

A data acquisition system comprising a Configuration Manager for intelligently managing access to DAQ configuration information. The data acquisition system comprises a computer system coupled to a data acquisition device, a data acquisition application (user application) executing on the computer system, and DAQ driver level software executing on the computer system. The memory of the computer system stores a hardware database which includes information on DAQ objects in the DAQ system, and the memory stores configuration files which comprise desired configurations of the DAQ system. The Configuration Manager of the present invention executes in the computer system to control access to the hardware database and configuration files stored in the computer system. The present invention also includes a method for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in the DAQ system. The Configuration Manager accesses the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values stored in the memory, and the Configuration Manager otherwise accesses the configuration information from the hardware database. The present invention also includes a method for providing access to additional or new information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system. The user of the DAQ system can receive an updated hardware database, and an existing configuration file can automatically access the additional capabilities of the DAQ object from the installed updated hardware database.

Claims

1. A data acquisition (DAQ) system, comprising:

a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory;

at least one data acquisition device coupled to the computer system, wherein the data acquisition device is operable to generate/receive data;

a separate hardware database stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which stores information regarding a plurality of DAQ objects of which only a subset are installed in the DAQ system;

one or more configuration files stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which each store a configuration of the DAQ system;

a configuration manager stored in the system memory of the computer system which controls access to the hardware database and which controls access to the configuration files;

at least one user application stored in the system memory of the computer system which is executable by the CPU to perform a data acquisition function in the DAQ system, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the hardware database, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the configuration file;

wherein the hardware database is operable to be updated with new information regarding additional capabilities of a DAQ object, thereby producing an updated hardware database;

wherein an existing configuration file created before the hardware database is updated with said new information is operable to access the new capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

2. The DAQ system of claim 1, wherein the hardware database stores default settings of DAQ objects;

wherein the user application is executable to request a default setting of a DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager is executable to access the hardware database to obtain the default setting of the DAQ object in response to the user application request.

3. The DAQ system of claim 1 wherein the hardware database stores capabilities for one or more DAQ objects;

wherein the user application is executable to request capabilities for a DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager is executable to access the hardware database to obtain the capabilities for the DAQ object in response to the user application request.

4. The DAQ system of claim 1, wherein the user application is executable to request a current parameter value for a DAQ object;

wherein, in response to the request for the current parameter value of the DAQ object, the configuration manager is executable to locate the DAQ object, wherein the configuration manager accesses the current parameter value from the system memory if the current parameter value is stored in the system memory, wherein the configuration manager retrieves the current parameter value from the hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the current parameter value is not stored in the system memory.

5. The DAQ system of claim 4, wherein the user application is executable to request to set a parameter value for a DAQ object;

wherein, in response to the request to set the parameter value of the DAQ object, the configuration manager is executable to set the parameter value in the system memory;

wherein the configuration manager sets the parameter to a value different than its default value.

6. The DAQ system of claim 5, wherein the configuration manager accesses the current parameter value from the system memory if the current parameter value has been set to a value different than its default value, wherein the configuration manager retrieves the current parameter value from the hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the current parameter value has not been changed from its default value.

7. The DAQ system of claim 1, further comprising:

a system settings manager stored in the memory of the computer system which stores information regarding detected devices in the DAQ system, wherein the system settings manager further stores system settings for DAQ devices in the computer system;

wherein the configuration manager communicates with the system settings manager to access system settings for DAQ devices in the computer system.

8. The DAQ system of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more configuration files stores modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

wherein the configuration manager is executable to access modified parameter values of DAQ objects from the one or more configuration files.

9. The DAQ system of claim 8, wherein the configuration manager is executable to load a first configuration file from the nonvolatile memory into the system memory to apply a first configuration to the DAQ system, wherein the first configuration is specified by the first configuration file;

wherein, when the configuration manager loads the first configuration file, the configuration manager is executable to match up DAQ objects in the configuration file with DAQ objects detected in the DAQ system to ensure that the first configuration file is applicable to the DAQ system.

10. The DAQ system of claim 1, wherein DAQ objects include DAQ devices and virtual channels, wherein virtual channels identify a configuration of a physical DAQ channel.

11. The DAQ system of claim 1, further comprising:

a configuration utility stored in the system memory of the computer system which is executable to create a configuration file.

12. A method for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the DAQ device is operable to generate/receive data, the method comprising:

a user application executing in the DAQ system;

the user application requesting configuration information on one or more DAQ objects;

a configuration manager executing in the computer system receiving the request for configuration information from the user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

installing a DAQ object in the computer system;

installing a first hardware database in the computer system;

creating a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database, wherein the configuration file includes settings for the DAQ object;

installing an updated hardware database in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding additional capabilities of the DAQ object;

the configuration file automatically accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ object after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the additional capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hardware database stores default settings of DAQ objects;

wherein the user application requesting configuration information comprises the user application requesting a default setting of a DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager accesses the hardware database to obtain the default setting of the DAQ object in response to the user application request.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the hardware database stores capabilities for one or more DAQ objects;

wherein the user application requesting configuration information comprises the user application requesting capabilities for a DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager accesses the hardware database to obtain the capabilities for the DAQ object in response to the user application request.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the DAQ system includes one or more configuration files which each store modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

wherein the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory comprises the configuration manager accessing the modified parameter values of DAQ objects from the one or more configuration files.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

the configuration manager determining if the configuration information includes system-specific parameters after receiving the request for parameter information;

the configuration manager obtaining the configuration information from a system settings manager if the configuration information includes system-specific parameters.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

the user application requesting to set a parameter value for a DAQ object;

the configuration manager setting the parameter value in the system memory in response to the request to set the parameter value of the DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager sets the parameter to a value different than its default value.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the configuration manager accesses the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information has been set to a value different than its default value, wherein the configuration manager retrieves the configuration information from the hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information has not been changed from its default value.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the DAQ system includes one or more configuration files which each store modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

the method further comprising;

the configuration manager loading a first configuration file from the nonvolatile memory into the system memory to apply a first configuration to the DAQ system, wherein the first configuration is specified by the first configuration file;

wherein the configuration manager loading the first configuration file includes the configuration manager matching up DAQ objects in the configuration file with DAQ objects detected in the DAQ system to ensure that the first configuration file is applicable to the DAQ system.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

the user application requesting to set a parameter value for a DAQ object;

the configuration manager receiving the request to set the parameter value;

the configuration manager setting the parameter value in the system memory.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein DAQ objects include DAQ devices and virtual channels, wherein virtual channels identify a configuration of a physical DAQ channel.

22. A method for providing access to new information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) object comprised in the computer system, the method comprising:

installing a DAQ object in the computer system;

installing a first hardware database in the computer system;

creating a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database;

installing an updated hardware database in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding additional capabilities of the DAQ object;

the configuration file automatically accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ object after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the additional capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the DAQ object is a DAQ interface card.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the configuration file automatically accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ object comprises a configuration manager accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the updated hardware database includes one or more additional parameters for the DAQ object.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the configuration file is not required to be modified in order to automatically access the additional capabilities of the DAQ object.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

installing an updated DAQ object in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated DAQ object comprises new capabilities not included in the first hardware database;

wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object;

wherein the configuration file automatically accesses the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object after installing the updated hardware database and after installing the updated DAQ object.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said creating the configuration file includes setting one or more parameters for the DAQ object.

29. A method for providing access to new information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) object comprised in the computer system, the method comprising:

installing a first hardware database in the computer system;

creating a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database;

installing an updated DAQ object in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated DAQ object comprises new capabilities not included in the first hardware database;

installing an updated hardware database in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object;

the configuration file automatically accessing the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object after installing the updated DAQ object and after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the new capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the DAQ object comprises a DAQ interface card;

wherein said installing an updated DAQ object in the computer system comprises installing an updated DAQ interface card in an expansion slot of the computer system.

31. A method for providing access to new information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) object comprised in the computer system, the method comprising:

installing a DAQ device in the computer system;

installing a first hardware database in the computer system;

creating a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database, wherein the configuration file includes settings for the DAQ device;

installing an updated hardware database in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding additional capabilities of the DAQ device;

the configuration file automatically accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ device after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the additional capabilities of the DAQ device from the updated hardware database.

32. A method for configuring a data acquisition (DAQ) system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition device coupled to the computer system, wherein the data acquisition device is operable to generate/receive data, the method comprising:

powering up the computer system;

loading a configuration file in the computer system to apply a configuration specified by the configuration file to the DAQ system, wherein said loading comprises;

loading the configuration file into the memory of the computer system;

matching up DAQ objects in the configuration file with DAQ objects detected in the DAQ system to ensure that the configuration file is applicable to the DAQ system;

determining if a new DAQ object is present in the system in response to said matching;

creating a transient object in the system memory for the new DAQ object if a new DAQ object is determined to be present in the system, wherein the transient object is operable to store modified parameter values for the new DAQ object;

linking the transient object to a reference to an entry in a hardware database which corresponds to the new DAQ object;

saving the transient object in the configuration file.

33. A memory media which stores a program module for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the program module includes program instructions which are executable to implement:

a configuration manager executing in a computer system and receiving a request for configuration information from a user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

wherein a DAQ object is installed in the computer system;

wherein a first hardware database is installed in the computer system;

wherein the DAQ system includes a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database, wherein the configuration file includes settings for the DAQ object;

wherein an updated hardware database is installed in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding additional capabilities of the DAQ object;

wherein the program module further comprises program instructions which are executable to implement;

the configuration file automatically accessing the additional capabilities of the DAQ object after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the additional capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

34. The memory media of claim 33, wherein the hardware database stores capabilities for one or more DAQ objects;

wherein the user application requesting configuration information comprises the user application requesting capabilities for a DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager accesses the hardware database to obtain the capabilities for the DAQ object in response to the user application request.

35. The memory media of claim 33, wherein the DAQ system includes one or more configuration files which each store modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

wherein the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory comprises the configuration manager accessing the modified parameter values of DAQ objects from the one or more configuration files.

36. The memory media of claim 33, wherein the user application requests to set a parameter value for a DAQ object;

the program module further comprising program instructions which are executable to implement;

the configuration manager setting the parameter value in the system memory in response to the request to set the parameter value of the DAQ object;

wherein the configuration manager sets the parameter to a value different than its default value.

37. The memory media of claim 33, wherein the DAQ system includes one or more configuration files which each store modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

the program module further comprising program instructions which are executable to implement;

the configuration manager loading a first configuration file from the nonvolatile memory into the system memory to apply a first configuration to the DAQ system, wherein the first configuration is specified by the first configuration file;

wherein the configuration manager loading the first configuration file includes the configuration manager matching up DAQ objects in the configuration file with DAQ objects detected in the DAQ system to ensure that the first configuration file is applicable to the DAQ system.

38. A data acquisition (DAQ) system, comprising:

a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory;

at least one data acquisition device coupled to the computer system, wherein the data acquisition device is operable to generate/receive data;

a separate hardware database stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which stores information regarding a plurality of DAQ objects of which only a subset are installed in the DAQ system;

one or more configuration files stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which each store a configuration of the DAQ system;

a configuration manager stored in the system memory of the computer system which controls access to the hardware database and which controls access to the configuration files;

at least one user application stored in the system memory of the computer system which is executable by the CPU to perform a data acquisition function in the DAQ system, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the hardware database, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the configuration file;

wherein the DAQ device is operable to be updated with new capabilities;

wherein the hardware database is operable to be updated with new information regarding the DAQ device in response to the DAQ device being updated with new capabilities, thereby producing an updated hardware database;

wherein an existing configuration file created before the DAQ device is updated with new capabilities is operable to access the new capabilities of the DAQ device from the updated hardware database.

39. A data acquisition (DAQ) system, comprising:

a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory;

at least one data acquisition device coupled to the computer system, wherein the data acquisition device is operable to generate/receive data;

a separate hardware database stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which stores information regarding a plurality of DAQ objects of which only a subset are installed in the DAQ system;

one or more configuration files stored in the nonvolatile memory of the computer system which each store a configuration of the DAQ system;

a configuration manager stored in the system memory of the computer system which controls access to the hardware database and which controls access to the configuration files;

at least one user application stored in the system memory of the computer system which is executable by the CPU to perform a data acquisition function in the DAQ system, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the hardware database, wherein the user application calls the configuration manager to access information in the configuration file;

wherein each of said one or more configuration files stores modified parameter values of DAQ objects;

wherein the configuration manager is executable to access modified parameter values of DAQ objects from the one or more configuration files;

wherein the configuration manager is executable to load a first configuration file from the nonvolatile memory into the system memory to apply a first configuration to the DAQ system, wherein the first configuration is specified by the first configuration file;

wherein, when the configuration manager loads the first configuration file, the configuration manager is executable to match up DAQ objects in the configuration file with DAQ objects detected in the DAQ system to ensure that the first configuration file is applicable to the DAQ system;

wherein the configuration manager is operable to receive information on a new DAQ object added to the DAQ system;

wherein, in response to the new DAQ object, the configuration manager creates a transient object in system memory, wherein the transient object is operable to store modified parameter values for the new DAQ object, wherein the configuration manager links the transient object to a prototype reference, wherein the prototype reference references an entry for the new DAQ object in the hardware database.

40. A method for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the DAQ device is operable to generate/receive data, the method comprising:

a user application executing in the DAQ system;

the user application requesting configuration information on one or more DAQ objects;

a configuration manager executing in the computer system receiving the request for configuration information from the user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

installing a first hardware database in the computer system;

creating a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database;

installing an updated DAQ object in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated DAQ object comprises new capabilities not included in the first hardware database;

installing an updated hardware database in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object;

the configuration file automatically accessing the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object after installing the updated DAQ object and after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the new capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

41. A method for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the DAQ device is operable to generate/receive data, the method comprising:

a user application executing in the DAQ system;

the user application requesting configuration information on one or more DAQ objects;

a configuration manager executing in the computer system receiving the request for configuration information from the user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

the configuration manager receiving information on a new DAQ object added to the DAQ system;

the configuration manager creating a transient object in system memory in response to the new DAQ object, wherein the transient object is operable to store modified parameter values for the new DAQ object;

the configuration manager linking the transient object to a prototype reference, wherein the prototype reference references an entry for the new DAQ object in the hardware database.

42. A memory media which stores a program module for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the program module includes program instructions which are executable to implement:

a configuration manager executing in a computer system and receiving a request for configuration information from a user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

wherein a first hardware database is installed in the computer system;

wherein the DAQ system includes a configuration file which specifies a configuration of the DAQ system, wherein the configuration file is created using the first hardware database;

wherein an updated DAQ object is installed in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated DAQ object comprises new capabilities not included in the first hardware database;

wherein an updated hardware database is installed in the computer system after creating the configuration file, wherein the updated hardware database includes information regarding the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object;

wherein the program module further comprises program instructions which are executable to implement;

the configuration file automatically accessing the new capabilities of the updated DAQ object after installing the updated DAQ object and after installing the updated hardware database, wherein the configuration file obtains information on the new capabilities of the DAQ object from the updated hardware database.

43. A memory media which stores a program module for providing access to information on data acquisition (DAQ) objects in a DAQ system, wherein the DAQ system comprises a computer system including a CPU, a system memory, and a nonvolatile memory, and at least one data acquisition (DAQ) device coupled to the computer system, wherein the program module includes program instructions which are executable to implement:

a configuration manager executing in a computer system and receiving a request for configuration information from a user application;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from the system memory if the configuration information comprises modified parameter values;

the configuration manager accessing the configuration information from a hardware database in the nonvolatile memory if the configuration information does not comprise modified parameter values, wherein the hardware database stores default parameter values for DAQ objects;

the configuration manager receiving information on a new DAQ object added to the DAQ system;

the configuration manager creating a transient object in system memory in response to the new DAQ object, wherein the transient object is operable to store modified parameter values for the new DAQ object; and

the configuration manager linking the transient object to a prototype reference, wherein the prototype reference references an entry for the new DAQ object in the hardware database.