FR2604807A1 - Real-time event and management monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

This compact, self-contained, miniature and economic system makes it possible, from external electrical signals, to display alphanumeric, graphic and audible messages preprogrammed by the user. It allows for simultaneous display of several images as well as backing them up on a printer. This invention can be configured for any system by virtue of its different input modes. Programming of it requires no special training. It consists of a case comprising input 3 and output 4 interfaces allowing for display on the video screen 8 of several simultaneous messages prerecorded on the keyboard 5. A printer 7 prints the messages. A speech synthesizer 6 speaks the messages. A clock 9 allows time-stamping use. This invention can be used as a peripheral for any system requiring display and/or memory storage and/or enunciation of alarm, of monitoring and of management messages, and is particularly intended for the industrial environment.

Description

 The present invention relates to a real-time, compact, autonomous, miniaturized and economical real-time management and event controller with video screen making it possible, from external electrical signals, to display the alphanumeric, graphic and sound messages preprogrammed by the user. .

Currently, on the market, there are two systems
I) segment displays or electroluminescent dots or liquid crystal displays which can only display one message at a time. These messages are often frozen on an Eprom memory which requires the implementation of an external emulator system which requires the operator to know a computer language.

These systems only allow the display of an alphanumeric message and have not been grouped in one box: a voice synthesizer, a printer output, outputs allowing various electrical commands and the simultaneous display of several messages.

2) industrial microcomputers equipped with input and output cards. These systems require the implementation of several peripherals (microcomputer, video monitors, memories, input and output cards). They have the disadvantage of being bulky and not compact, complicated to implement, expensive and require the user to master a computer language.

 The present invention aims to overcome all these drawbacks. Indeed, it comes in the form of a small box, including the electronic part, about 120 mm high by 250 mm wide and 200 mm deep intended to be embedded either on a panel [see figure li (cabinet electric or other), either in a table-top box. This box includes on its front side a video screen, a socket for the connection of a programming keyboard, a message acknowledgment button, the various operating indicators and switches and, as a variant, a mini-printer.

 At the rear of the box are the terminal blocks for connection to the external systems.

When the operator connects his programming keyboard to the system, previously powered up, the programming mode is automatically executed. At this time, a menu appears allowing the choice of the desired operations. To know
l -programming of inputs, outputs and messages
2-monitor selection
3-setting the clock time.

-1- If the operator selects proposition 1, the system offers him 7 different modes for triggering the display of messages
10) all or nothing mode memorized
this mode allows you to assign a different message to each entry in the system (24 entries = 24 messages). One or more outputs can be triggered following each example message: Input 4 = "pump on"; outlet 3 = 1; output 2 = 1
Entry 6 = "Ml disjunction"; output 1 =); output 2 =
The messages will remain displayed on the screen as long as the operator does not erase them by pressing the acknowledgment button.

20) fleeting all or nothing mode
identical to the previous mode (1) but the message will be erased at the same time as the disappearance of the corresponding input signal.

3) stored matrix mode
to allow increased capacity of the inputs and messages, the system has 8 static seams which allow the multiplexing of the 24 inputs which will be connected in a matrix fashion. The 8 rows of 24 columns provide 192 combinations of entries, thus 192 different possible messages [see diagram No. 2]. It is possible to display 24 simultaneous message rows. The priority messages are the first displayed. As in the ( 10) messages will remain displayed until acknowledged by the operator.

40) fleeting matrixed mode:
identical to the previous mode but as for mode (2) the message will be deleted when the corresponding entry disappears.

5) BCD code multiplexed mode
this mode allows you to receive information from an advanced system such as a programmable logic controller or industrial microcomputer. Indeed, in this mode the first 8 inputs are automatically reserved for a transmission coded in BCD on 6 bits. The inputs 7 and 8 being reserved respectively for the data for displaying or erasing the message and for the data for validation of reading the BCD code. In this mode, the other 16 inputs remain in all or nothing mode, memorized or fleeting depending on the choice offered. This mode allows transmission with increased safety against interference thanks to a high transmission voltage (24 V DC).

6) advanced RS 232 mode
the system is equipped with a standardized RS 232 coupler allowing transmission with another advanced system equipped with this type of coupler.

The transmission is of the serial type on 4 bytes. The first 3 being intended to define the number of the message is 999 possibilities, and the 4th byte being intended to display or erase the message.

The message programming principle remains the same as in the other modes.

8) RS 232 mode (ASCII code):
This transmission mode allows the system to be used as a traditional terminal by directly managing the 40 columns and lines of the screen with the character generator integrated into the system.

-2- If the operator selects the "market selection of
monitor ", the system offers to indicate the duration of the video screen lighting up (in minutes). In the case where the time is equal to O, the system will be in permanent display. In the other cases, the screen will light up each time a change of state occurs on one of the inputs and will remain on for the programmed time.

 -3- If the operator selects the proposal "set the time to the clock", the system offers him the correction of the year, month, day, hour and minutes.

 A buzer sends a beep every time you press the keyboard.

 As long as the keyboard is connected, the system is in programming mode. To be able to try the program, the operator must press a function key.

 When the operator disconnects the keyboard, the system automatically turns on.

 As a variant, a speech synthesizer integrated into the system makes it possible to launch the spoken messages as well as the visual messages.

 Another variant offers the system with liquid crystal display, which allows use in more aggressive industrial atmospheres.

 It should be noted that on each display, the text is preceded by the annotation of the hour, minutes, at which the change of state of the input considered took place.

 The diagram n ° 3 shows the principle of design of the system. The electronic part is dissociated in several subsets. A stabilized power supply provides the various voltages necessary to the system (1). A central unit with microprocessor (2) dialogs permanently with the input (3), output (4), video (5) and speech synthesizer (6) interfaces.

 This system is particularly intended for the management, control and display of events in an industrial environment.

Claims (2)

 1.- Apparatus for event control and management in real time, compact, autonomous, miniaturized and economical with video screen allowing, from external electrical signals, to display alphanumeric, graphic and sound messages preprogrammed by the user , characterized in that it includes, in an integrated and compact manner, a video monitor (8), a microprocessor (2), a voice synthesizer (6), an asynchronous RS 232 coupler (3), a video interface with generator character and graphic symbol (5), a system for automatically switching off the monitor, a stabilized switching power supply (1), a saved RAM / EPROM memory (7), input interfaces (3), output interfaces ( 4) and a real time clock saved (9).  2.- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a withdrawable programming keyboard for using it for several devices and allows to reprogram indefinitely all messages independently.