Programmable electronic display for a chart recorder

• US 5,243,696 A
• Filed: 12/09/1991
• Issued: 09/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Signal Corporation (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Signal Corporation (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Zecca, James W., Scally, Charles R., Satko, Thomas A., Kern, Scott L., Carr, Daniel J., Carney, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JANKUS, ALMIS R
• Application Number:
  US07/804,475
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413.06, 364/481, 364/487, 395/154-155
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/002 giving both analog and numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/38 Producing one or more recordings, each recording being produced by controlling the recording element, e.g. stylus, in accordance with one variable and controlling the recording medium, e.g. paper roll, in accordance with another variable

Abstract

A multipoint, multiple function recorder which can record, display, and process up to 135 input/output data points, either analog or discrete, in various combinations. A strip chart recorder is provided for permanently recording input and output data points and, in conjunction with the chart recorder, a separate programmable dot matrix display is provided, such display being responsive to the same input/output data points and operable for displaying data in both alphanumeric and graphic form, the display being independently operable from said chart recorder, such that said input/output points are displayable at different times from the times when they are being printed on the chart recorder.

Claims

1. A system for recording and displaying data originating from input/output data points in either analog or discrete from comprising:

a chart recorder for recording said data from said input/output data points in printed form;

a separate programmable display for presenting current data in graphic form, comprising a display responsive to said input/output data points, said display being operated independently of said chart recorder such that the current data from said input/output data points are displayed discretely on said display whether the same or different data or no data is being printed by said chart recorder;

and operating keyboard for independently operating said display and said chart recorder, said keyboard having individual function keys and at least six numeral keys for selectively controlling said display and said chart recorder; and

means for selecting a single, discrete presentation of said current data from one input/output point, in graphic form on said display in a variety of formats, said formats including a scale with pointer and a scale with bar graph;

said means for selecting including said numeral keys for calling up a particular format by first depressing the numeral key corresponding to format selection and subsequently depressing a numeral key corresponding to a particular formal; and

including variable, current configuration for the input/output data points, and means for establishing in one presentation all of said current configuration for said data points.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, in which a display comprises a dot matrix display.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, further including a trend indicator on said display means.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, including means for displaying simultaneously 15 input/output points.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, including a zoom means, and a key on said operating keyboard for controlling said zoom means so as to magnify the data on the chart recorder and on the display.