 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the storage and
displaying of operating parameters of a refrigeration system, and for
controlling such system in response to the stored parameters. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
arranging the operating parameters of a refrigeration system within the
cells of a plurality of data arrays whereby individual data arrays cells
may be displayed and adjustments made to parameters stored therein.
2. Background Art
A large refrigeration system, such as that required for commercial
refrigerators or air conditioners, will generally have a large number of
system operating parameters which must be adjusted and/or observed. Such a
system will comprise several air conditioning compressors, expansion coils
and condensing coils. Various temperature controlled areas within the
system will have individual thermostats for controlling the temperature in
their respective areas.
Operating parameters within the system may be categorized as either
adjustable parameters or measurable parameters. Measurable parameters may,
for example, comprise temperatures in various areas, compressor suction
line pressure, and compressor operating time. Adjustable parameters may,
for example, comprise compressor suction line cut-in and cut-out
pressures, defrost cycle times, maximum and minimum levels of humidity
within the building, and the like.
Control and display systems commonly used for refrigeration systems
generally comprise a large control panel with a large number of gauges for
reading measurable parameters, as well as control knobs, alphanumeric key
pads and thumbwheel switches for setting the values of adjustable
parameters. Control and display panels commonly used in the art frequently
require a great deal of space, thus limiting the number of locations
within a building where the control and display panel may be installed.
Such control panels are also very difficult for the user to understand and
to operate, and accordingly, require highly trained personnel when
adjustments to system settings are required. These prior art control
panels suffer the added disadvantage that changes in the control system
are not readily made, and often require modifications to the control
panels to accommodate additional control functions.
It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide a small, compact control
and display panel implemented with advanced display technology and
microcomputers which could be installed at any convenient point within the
building. Additionally, the flexibility of a control and display system
driven by a programmable microcomputer would permit a single type of
control and display system to be readily adapted to almost any
refrigeration system. As refrigeration units are added to the system,
simple changes in the stored program would permit the same control and
display panel to be used without physical or structural modifications.
Typically, only a small number of the operating parameters of the
refrigeration system must be displayed simultaneously to the system
operator. Alphanumeric display systems, such as liquid crystal display
panels, provide a suitable means for displaying a limited amount of
information. Under the control of a stored program microcomputer, a liquid
crystal display provides sufficient flexibility so as to adequately
display and label a small number of the system's operating parameters.
It is a general object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an
inexpensive and compact yet powerful and adaptable control and display
unit requiring only a small number of operator actuated input devices and
a single alphanumeric display for controlling a refrigeration system to
permit display and adjustment of operating parameters within the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a control system having a display
unit for displaying and adjusting system operating parameters is
disclosed. The control system comprises a memory for storing a plurality
of system operating parameters arranged conceptually within cells of a
plurality of data arrays. The display unit includes a moving window
display means for selectively displaying values of system parameters, and
for displaying a selector adjustable to allow vectoring of the moving
window display to display cells in the other data arrays. The control
system additionally comprises an input control means for selecting one or
more cells for display, and for adjusting parameters and selectors held
and displayed within the cell.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a stored program microcomputer
is employed to receive operator input from the control means, update
values of selectors and parameters contained within the memory responsive
to the operator input, and transmit parameter values to be displayed by
the moving window display.
According to a more particular aspect of the present invention, an
input/output system is employed for receiving measured values of
parameters within the refrigeration system and transmitting adjusted
values of parameters to the heating and cooling system. In this aspect of
the invention, the input/output unit comprises analog/digital conversion
means for converting measured parameter values in analog form into digital
form for storage within the memory. The input/output unit further
comprises means for transmitting and receiving discrete data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is better understood by reading a description of a
preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the
following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a portion of a refrigeration system controlled by the present
invention;
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram representation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention for controlling the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows, in an isometric perspective drawing, the storage arrangement
of typical operating parameters of the refrigeration system of FIG. 1
arranged in a plurality of data arrays and grouped according to operation
function;
FIG. 4 shows a control and display panel for displaying and adjusting
parameters contained in cells of data arrays, such as those shown in FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 illustrates one possible mapping between a plurality of data arrays
such as those shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a program run by the stored program
processor employed in the embodiment of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 shows a more detailed flow diagram of the Menu routine shown in the
flow diagram of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 shows a more detailed diagram of the System Control routine shown in
the flow diagram of FIG. 6.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the several
views of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A plurality of data values may be conveniently arranged for display in data
arrays, much like a spreadsheet, comprising a plurality of cells arranged
in a rectangular matrix. The present invention creates a virtual
spreadsheet from a plurality of data arrays where each data array is
comprised of cells of related data stored in a computer memory. The
various cells within the data arrays in the memory are linked together to
form the virtual spreadsheet. The cells may contain adjustable parameters,
measurable parameters, selectors, and labels in appropriate combinations
to provide groups of meaningful data which may be displayed to an
operator.
A moving window display is provided in accordance with the present
invention whereby the operator may select for viewing one or more of the
cells. A control means is provided for adjusting the values of adjustable
parameters which may be contained in the displayed cell. Additionally, in
a manner later to be described, the control means provides a way of
adjusting selectors whereby the operator may vector the moving window
display within the virtual memory from one data array to another.
Within the present invention, parameters are categorized as either
adjustable or measurable. One example of a measurable parameter is the
temperature measured by a temperature sensor within a temperature
controlled area serviced by the refrigeration system. Another example of a
measurable parameter is the suction line pressure measured at the inlet to
a compressor. These parameters may be thought of as adjustable in the
sense that the system may attempt to maintain their values within
specified limits for proper refrigeration system operation. However, these
parameters are not directly adjusted by an operator, but rather, they
typically respond to adjustments made during system control, such as the
"cutting in" of additional compressors to increase system compressor
capacity.
By contrast, adjustable parameters comprise parameters which an operator
may directly control, for example, compressor suction line pressure
control range limits, and the cut-in and cut-out pressures. The operator
may directly adjust the values of cut-in and cut-out pressure so that when
the measured suction line pressure reaches one of these values, system
compressor capacity may be changed as appropriate. Adjustable parameters
are in the nature of operating limits set by the operator while measurable
parameters are measured values used within the system indicating the
system's response to control.
A special example of adjustable parameters is configuration information
pertaining to the particular equipment within the refrigeration system
being controlled. One example of such configuration information is the
number of compressors used by the refrigeration system (see, for example,
FIG. 3, first cell, row 56). Another example of such configuration
information is a table of all the electrically actuated relay contacts
within the refrigeration system together with an indication of whether a
particular set of contacts is categorized as normally open or normally
closed (not shown in FIG. 3).
The present invention maintains a high degree of flexibility and
adaptability by storing this configuration information and, in a manner
later to be described, permitting change of the configuration information
through an easy to understand and operate control panel. The present
invention can thus adapt to configuration changes in the refrigeration
system being controlled without the necessity of redesign.
Turning now to the Figures and first to FIG. 1, a multi-compressor
refrigeration unit is shown for cooling a temperature controlled area 26.
Four compressor units 20, 21, 22 and N (labeled A, B, C and D,
respectively) are commonly piped to pump refrigerant through the line 40
into a condenser coil 28. Refrigerant is compressed to a liquid within the
condenser coil 28. Liquid refrigerant flows out of the condenser coil 28
into a receiver 18, then through a line 17 to an expansion valve 16.
Refrigerant passes through the expansion valve 16 into an evaporator coil
24 where it changes to vapor form and absorbs heat within the temperature
controlled area 26. Refrigerant then passes out of the evaporator coil 24
through a suction line 25 and returns to the compressor units 20, 21, 22
and N.
Each of the compressor units 20-N includes an electric motor for rotating
the respective compressors. The compressor unit 20 receives power from the
AC power bus 34 through the relay contacts 11, which are actuated by the
solenoid 10. In a similar fashion, power is supplied to the compressor
unit 21 through a pair of contacts 13 actuated by a solenoid 12. The
compressor unit 22 receives power through a pair of contacts 15 actuated
by a solenoid 14. An additional compressor N is shown in dotted lines
indicating that other compressor units may be added as needed to supply
the requisite cooling capacity.
An expansion valve controller 49 controls the opening and closing of the
expansion valve 16 in response to temperatures measured by a pair of
temperature sensors 42 and 43. The temperature sensor 42 senses the
temperature of the expansion coil 24 at the outlet end while sensor 43
senses the temperature at the inlet end. The temperature sensor 44 senses
the temperature within the area 26 and in certain cases may be used to
control the selection process for the compressors 20-N. One example of
such a use of the area temperature 44 to control refrigeration system
operation is disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 706,403 filed
Feb. 27, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,700, which application and U.S.
patent are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
The controller 49 uses the temperatures from sensors 42 and 43 as a measure
of the superheat of the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator coil. An
embodiment of a solenoid actuated expansion valve 16 and controller 49 are
disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 639,271, filed Aug. 8,
1984, which has now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,535. Application Ser.
No. 639,271 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,535 are incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
As disclosed in application Ser. No. 639,271, the controller 49 sends a
signal along a wire 46 which alternately opens and closes the expansion
valve 16. The average flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil 24,
hence the amount of cooling within the area 26, is determined by the ratio
of the time the expansion valve 16 is open to the time it is closed. When
the superheat temperatures sensed by the sensors 42 and 43 is too high,
the ratio is increased to allow a greater average flow of refrigerant.
Alternatively, when the sensed superheat is too low, the ratio is
decreased to reduce the average flow of refrigerant.
The refrigerant pressure within a suction line 25 is sensed by a pressure
sensor 38. A signal proportional to the sensed pressure is transmitted to
the control unit 1 on the wire 48. The present invention uses this sensed
pressure to switch the compressor units 20, 21, 22 and N on and off. One
such control stratagem for selecting the energized compressors in response
to the suction line pressure, i.e., selecting the system compressor
capacity, is disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 257,113,
filed Apr. 24, 1981, which has now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,776.
Application Ser. No. 257,113 and U.S. Pat No. 4,612,776 are incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
The wire 48 from the pressure sensor 38 is combined with the serial databus
47 and the wires supplying power to the solenoids 10, 12, 14 and 19 to
form a multibit data bus 36 which interconnects components of the
refrigeration system to the control unit of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a simplified functional block
diagram of the control unit 1 in accordance with the present invention.
Control Unit 1 comprises a digital computer 60 in communication with a
computer memory 62. The computer 60 may be any microprocessor of a type
commonly available in the electronics industry. The computer memory 62
includes a random access memory portion 64 for the storage of parameters
and other data computed by the computer 60 in the course of its operation.
The random access memory portion 64 also contains configuration
information. The memory 62 is further comprised of a read-only memory
portion 66 for storing a stored program for execution by the digital
computer 60.
A moving window display unit 80 is provided, and includes an alphanumeric
display panel. The display panel 80 is preferably implemented using liquid
crystal display technology well known in the electronic art. Operator
input is provided to the digital computer 60 by a keypad 72 comprising a
plurality of operator actuated input keys, at least four keys dedicated to
controlling the selection of data array memory cell contents, and the
modification of parameters stored therein. Additional keys may be provided
to permit rapid advancement to separate data array memory cells for
display and for adjustment of the contents therein.
An input/output (I/O) unit 70 allows the digital computer 60 to communicate
with a refrigeration system, such as that shown in FIG. 1. Inputs and
outputs from the unit 70 are connected to the multi-bit data bus 36 for
communication with the refrigeration system.
The I/O unit 70 includes a set of discrete outputs 74 which supply power to
the solenoids 10, 12, 14, and 19 (FIG. 1) to switch compressor units 20,
21, 22 and N, respectively, on and off. Additionally, other discrete
outputs may be provided as required for switching within the refrigeration
system of FIG. 1. Measurable parameters such as those sensed by the
temperature sensors 42, 43 and 44, and the pressure sensor 38 are
converted to digital form by an analog to digital (A/D) convertor 76
within the I/O unit 70. A serial databus interface 78 transmits operating
parameter values, such as setpoint temperatures to the controller 49 (FIG.
1) via the serial databus 47 interface.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the storage of the operating parameters for the
refrigeration system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. The parameters are stored in data cells which are
conceptually shown in FIG. 3 arranged as a plurality of data arrays, each
array representing a spreadsheet approach to the organization of
information While FIG. 3 does not represent the only way that such
information could be organized and stored in the memory of control unit 1,
it is illustrative of one efficient way that permits rapid and easy access
to the stored information with minimum operator input operations.
Generally, the operating parameters, both adjustable and fixed, for the
refrigeration system are arranged in a single spreadsheet 2 as shown in
FIG. 3. The stored parameters contained in the data cells for spreadsheet
2 are labeled in FIG. 3 by rows. That is, the top row of data cells for
spreadsheet 2 is labeled 30 while the bottom row is labeled 56. The
arrangement for FIG. 3 is for purposes of illustration only and is not
intended to represent the only arrangement for these required stored
information.
Row 30 of spreadsheet 2 contains three data cells, and conceptually can be
thought of as having X, Y, Z coordinates in a three dimensional cubic
arrangement. Thus, the three cells comprising row 30 may have (X.sub.1,
Y.sub.1, Z.sub.1), (X.sub.2, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.1) and (X.sub.3, Y.sub.1,
Z.sub.1) vector identifiers associated therewith for the computer to keep
track of where such cell is physically located in the computer's memory.
The parameters stored in any given row or cell of the spreadsheet 2 may
represent data for one element or component of the refrigeration system
where there are several identical or related components. It is efficient
therefore to provide depth of storage of the related parameters for the
related or identical components in separate spreadsheets conceptually
shown in FIG. 3 locatable in accordance with the third dimension Z. Thus,
row 30, which contains compressor information for one of the plurality of
compressors A-D of FIG. 1 (compressor A), is mappable into a plurality of
different spreadsheets 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with different values of
Z. The corresponding rows in these spreadsheets or data arrays 3, 4 and 5
are labeled in FIG. 3 as rows 31 (for compressor B, spreadsheet 3), 32
(for compressor C, spreadsheet 4) and 33 (for compressor D, spreadsheet
5). Row 32, therefore, would have its three data cells identified by the
coordinate vectors (X.sub.1, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.3), (X.sub.2, Y.sub.1,
Z.sub.3) and (X.sub.3, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.3).
As described below, the operator input required to accomplish the location
and display of the information contained in rows 30-33, and for that
matter any data cell in any spreadsheet, is quite minimal. FIG. 3
illustrates other examples of multiple spreadsheets for the storage of
related information for similar components in the system. While FIG. 3
illustrates additional spreadsheets having only a single row, it is quite
possible to have such further spreadsheets have multiple rows as well,
where the mapping of one spreadsheet to another occurs at a given row or
cell, and once into the other spreadsheet, movement around that
spreadsheet could be independent of into which cell the mapping took
place. FIG. 5 illustrates this feature of the present invention.
To further facilitate the ease and efficiency of locating for display and
adjustment the contents of a given data cell, the storage of system
operating parameters has been grouped into sections of related
information. For example, information for pressure control has been stored
in spreadsheet 2 at rows 30 and 35; information for temperature control
has been stored in rows 50 and 52. Although not shown in FIG. 3, further
logical divisions of the system parameters, such as defrost control and
alarms, may be contained in the spreadsheet 2. As is discussed with
respect to FIG. 4, the control unit 1 contains a plurality of switches 85,
87, 91 and 93 which, when actuated, caused a mapping to occur to the
section of spreadsheet 2 which contains the information generically
related to which of the switches was actuated. Thus, if switch 85 is
actuated when the system was displaying the contents of row 54, first cell
(Case No. 3 Temperature Setting) the next data cell to be displayed would
be from row 30 (Operating Time for Compressor A). In this manner, it is
not necessary for the operator to step sequentially through each data
cell, which is the normal progression, but may jump over cells by
actuation of the appropriate section selection switches 85, 87, 91 or 93.
Row 55 illustrates a special data cell that contains a "password" which
must be inputted by the operator to gain access to the lower rows of
stored system parameters. This security feature could be implemented at
any position in any of the data cells if it is desirable that not all
operators be given access to certain data cells. In the example shown in
FIG. 3, configuration information for the system of FIG. 1 is stored along
with certain operating parameters, such as the cycle times for cut-in and
cut-out.
Summarizing, parameters of the refrigeration system may be arranged
conceptually in spreadsheets such as those shown in FIG. 3 by creating
data arrays of cells within the random access portion 64 of the computer
memory 62 as shown in FIG. 2. The cells in each data array are linked
together to allow a moving window display to be moved over the virtual
spreadsheet created and display the contents of each of the cells. In most
cases, the moving window display will display only the contents of a
single cell. However, several cells may be displayed if required for
convenient operation.
Thus, the use of a moving window display in combination with directional
keys permits an operator to scan over operating parameters of the
refrigeration system as though these parameters were displayed on one or
more spreadsheets. Additionally, as will be shown, the operator is able to
conveniently and rapidly vector the moving window display from one
spreadsheet to the next and from one section of the data to another.
With reference now to FIG. 4, a control panel 81 is shown containing the
alphanumeric display panel 80 and the keypad 72. The keypad 72 comprises
four directional keys 86, 88, 90, and 92. The display panel 80 is shown
displaying the first cell from row 30 of the spreadsheet 2 shown in FIG.
3. Within the display panel 80, a label 94 indicates that the quantity "A"
displayed is a "COMPRESSOR UNIT NUMBER". The label 96 indicates that the
quantity "1014" is the "TOTAL OPERATING TIME" for the compressor unit A
shown in FIG. 1.
Also displayed within the display panel 80 in FIG. 4 is a cursor shown in
cursor position 100. The cursor may be moved to the left to be displayed
in cursor position 98 by depressing the key 90. The cursor may be moved to
the right into the cursor position 102 by depressing the key 92. The
cursor is moved within the cell displayed by the display panel 80 to
permit adjustments of parameters and selectors contained therein.
Positioning the cursor in the position 100 will permit the unit number to
be adjusted with the directional keys 86 and 88, key 86 causing an
increase in unit number, and key 88, a decrease. The unit number in the
displayed cell is a selector, in that adjustment thereof will permit
vectoring the field of the display from the spreadsheet 2, row 30, to the
spreadsheet 3, row 31. Depressing the key 86 will cause the displayed unit
number to be changed from "A" to "B". After key 86 is depressed, the cell
(X.sub.1, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.2) of the spreadsheet 3 will be displayed.
Vectoring of the field of the display from one spreadsheet to the other
may be accomplished only by adjusting the value of a selector. Within the
spreadsheets 2, 3, 4, and 5, only the unit number displayed in the first
cell of each row 30, 31, 32, and 33 are selectors. In practice, data
arrays may be so arranged as to have selectors in any position desired.
Thus, as the operator vectors the field of the moving window display with
the keys 86, 88, 90 and 92, there is an effect of moving horizontally and
vertically over the surface of a spreadsheet, as well as moving in a third
dimension from one spreadsheet to another. In actuality, the digital
computer 60 is responding to control panel entries by the operator and
calling up parameter values in cells of data arrays stored in the random
access portion 64 of the memory 62 for a display on the alphanumeric
display panel 80.
Referring still to FIG. 4, the field of the display may be vectored to the
right in the spreadsheet 2 (FIG. 3) by first moving the cursor to the
position 102 by depressing the key 92. Depressing the key 92 when the
cursor is in the position 102 will move the field of the display so that
the cell (X.sub.2, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.1) of row 30 is displayed. This cell
contains a measurable parameter indicating that the compressor unit A is
cut-in and operating. Depressing the key 92 once again will cause the
field of the display to move to cell (X.sub.3, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.1) of the
spreadsheet 2. This cell indicates the condition of a manual override on
the compressor unit A, and as shown in FIG. 3, indicates that compressor A
is cycling automatically. By contrast, cell (X.sub.3, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.3) in
the spreadsheet 4 of FIG. 3 indicates that the compressor unit C has been
manually overridden. The manual override parameter is an adjustable
parameter which can be changed by use of the keys 86 and 88 to toggle the
condition between "manual" and "auto" operation. To perform this
operation, the cursor must be positioned to the right of the parameter
appearing in the display 80, i.e., position 102.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the field of the display may be moved from
the cell (X.sub.1, Y.sub.1, Z.sub.1) of row 30 to display the cell
(X.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Z.sub.1) of row 35 on the spreadsheet 2 by first moving
the cursor to the position 98 by depressing the key 90. When the cursor
has moved to the position 98, the field of the display may be moved
downward by depressing the key 88. The cell (X.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Z.sub.1) of
row 35 containing "SUCTION LINE PRESSURE" as sensed by the pressure sensor
38 (FIG. 1) will then be displayed.
With the field of the display remaining on the spreadsheet 2, depressing
the key 88 (FIG. 4) will vector the field of the display downward from the
cell (X.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Z.sub.1) of row 35 to lower rows, such as row 55.
Row 55 contains a password which is adjustable upward by depressing the
key 86 and downward by depressing the key 88. The operator must adjust the
password to a pre-programmed value before the field of the display may be
moved downward to row 56. The first cell in row 56 displays configuration
information indicating that the compressor unit A (the compressor 20 in
FIG. 1) is installed in the system.
Typically, changes to the displayed parameter in response to actuation of
keys 86 and 88 occur at a slow rate so that the operator may correctly
change the value without overshooting his intended value. However, where
large changes in the displayed value are needed, holding either switch
depressed for a continuous short period of time will cause the rate of
change to increase thereby providing a more efficient and rapid
convergence to the desired value.
Also shown on the control panel in FIG. 4 are four regional move keys 85,
87, 91 and 93. These keys permit immediate movement of the field of the
moving window display to specific cell locations without the cell-by-cell
movement effected by the use of the move keys 86, 88, 90 and 92. For
example, the "PRESSURE CONTROL" regional move key 85, when depressed, will
move the field of the display to the first cell in row 30 of spreadsheet 2
to show the run time for compressor A. This instantaneous move will occur
irrespective of the current cell or cells being displayed by the display
panel 80. The regional move key 91 will cause movement of the field of
display to the first cell of row 50 to show the evaporator coil
temperature. Similarly, regional move keys 87 and 93 move the field of the
display to the appropriate cells for the functions selected.
Selection of the number of regional move keys and the particular regions to
which they move the field of the display is determined by the programming
of the computer 60, and a virtually unlimited number of combinations are
possible. Factors, such as the size and capacity of the refrigeration
system to be controlled, the tightness of limits on the control of
parameters within the refrigeration system, as well as other factors
dictated by the particular applications, will determine the size and
arrangements of the various spreadsheets and the location of the various
sections. The specific functions of the regional move keys 85, 87, 91 and
93 are, therefore, selected to be illustrative only.
A block of memory locations within the random access portion 64 of the
memory 62 (FIG. 2) is reserved for each of the cells. Each block contains
one or more parameters and/or selectors which are to be displayed as well
as any required display labels. Additionally, each block contains linking
information indicating the way that the cell associated with the block of
memory locations is linked together to form a data array. Linking
information is also contained within those blocks associated with cells
containing selectors to indicate one or more cells within other data
arrays to which the cell is linked by selector adjustment.
The linking information contained within each block therefore defines a
permissible path through which the field of the display may pass within
the data array to which the cell associated with the block is a part.
Additionally, linking information contained in blocks associated with
cells having selectors defines a permissible path for the field of the
display between various data arrays. Virtually unlimited flexibility to
define a plurality of permissible paths through the various data arrays is
available by selection of the linking information within the various
blocks.
Turning now to FIG. 5, four data arrays 110, 112, 114, and 116, each of
different dimensions, are shown being linked by permissible paths through
which field of the display may be vectored by adjusting values of
selectors. Within the data array 110, the value of a selector A is
indicated as "1". Adjustment of the value of the selector A from 1 to 2
will cause the field of the display (indicated by the dotted line 111) to
be moved along a permissible path segment 118 to a cell within the data
array 112. The field of the moving window display, now indicated by the
dotted line 113, will display the value of the selector A as 2. Adjustment
of the value of the selector A from 2 to 3 will cause the field of the
display to be moved along a permissible path segment 120 to a cell in the
data array 114.
Within the data array 114, the field of the display encompasses two cells.
The field of the display within the array 114 is shown by the dotted line
115. Movement of the cursor will allow selection of either selector A or
selector B to be changed. Adjustment of the selector B will allow the
field of the display to be moved along a permissible path to the array
116. Within the array 116, the field of the display indicated by the
dotted line 117 encompasses four cells.
The number of selectors and/or parameters which may be displayed is limited
only by the size of the alphanumeric display panel 80 in FIG. 4. A
virtually unlimited number of data arrays of assorted sizes having cells
displaying a variety of different selectors and parameters may be defined
by appropriately programming the computer 60 in FIG. 2. The number of
cells which may be included within the field of the moving window display
is similarly selectable by appropriate programming of the computer 60.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a simplified functional flowchart is shown for the
program run by the computer 60 (FIG. 2). A main program 130 begins at a
start location 131 and proceeds through a routine at 132 for | | |
