GB2281790A

GB2281790A - Electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2281790A
Application number: GB9418400A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Milton Bernard Hollander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-09-14
Filing date: 1994-09-13
Publication date: 1995-03-15
Also published as: GB9418400D0; CA2131962A1; GB9319000D0

Abstract

An electronic apparatus, e.g. temperature controller, comprises a first housing 5, having an electronic display assembly 6, and a second housing including a first electronic control assembly e.g. key-pad 9. The second housing is inserted into a slot 7 in the first housing 5, with engagement of electrical contacts e.g. 10. The second housing may be removed and replaced by a data card, further display or dust cover. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS This invention relates to the field of electronic apparatus of the kind including a display portion to shown for example one or more parameters, resultants, and/or functions, and a control portion, eg a key pad, for manual insertion of, for example, instructions, data, parameters and functions to operate appropriately the internal electronics of the apparatus.

A first object of the invention is to provide an improvement whereby a control portion is applicable to and removable from the apparatus such that the internal electronics of the apparatus cannot be altered or otherwise tampered with when the control portion is not in position.

A second object of the invention is to permit a same control portion to be utilisable with a plurality of such display portions.

A third object of the invention is to provide a control portion wEch includes provision for additional storage and/or processing of information within it.

a fourth object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the control portion may include, or be substituted by, a replacement having additional display facility, particularly of items not normally displayed by the display portion.

A fifth object of the invention is to permit the control portion to be substituted by a replacement which may serve to blank off, and/or serve as a cover to, that part of the display portion to which the control portion is applicable.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising a first housing, including an electronic display assembly and electrical contacts thereon, a second housing including a first electronic control assembly means and electrical contacts thereon and means for connecting the first and second housings and said contacts on each housing with contacts on the other housing.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising a first housing having an electronic display assembly mounted thereto; a second housing having a first electronic control assembly mounted thereto; one of said housings having a first receptacle opening therein, and the other of said housings having a first substantially rigid member thereon dimensioned to be received within said receptacle opening for detachably coupling said second housing to said first housing in a substantially fixedpositioned mechanical relationship therewith; said member having mounted thereon a plurality of first electrical contact elements, and said receptacle opening having a plurality of second electrical contact elements positioned to electronically and mechanically engage said first electrical contact elements when said member is inserted into said receptacle opening.

Preferably the electronic apparatus further comprises; a third housing having a second electronic control assembly mounted therein, and further having one of a second substantially rigid member or a second receptacle opening dimensioned to telescopically mate with a corresponding one of said first member and said first receptacle opening, for detachably coupling said third housing to said first housing in a substantially fixed-position mechanical relationship therewith when said second housing is detached from said first housing; said one of said second member and said second receptacle opening.

In one embodiment said first receptacle opening is formed in said first housing and said first member is formed on said second housing.

In one preferred embodiment the electronic apparatus comprises a third housing member having a second electronic control assembly mounted therein, and further having a second substantially rigid member formed thereon dimensioned to telescopically mate with said first receptacle opening in said first housing for detachably coupling said third housing to said first housing in a substantially fixed-position mechanical relationship therewith when said second housing is detached from said first housing; said second substantially rigid member having mounted thereon a plurality of third contact elements positioned to mechanically and electrically engage the said first electrical contact elements within said receptacle opening when said second member is inserted therein.

Preferably the electronic apparatus comprises first data storage means mounted in said first housing; supplemental data storage means mounted in said second housing; manually operable switch means mounted on said second housing for altering the state of said first data storage means from a first condition to a second condition prior to separation of said second housing from said first housing.

Preferably said manually operable switch means is a keyboard.

In one embodiment the electronic apparatus comprises electronic date processing means associated with at least one of said first and second housings, and allowing said apparatus to function as a data logging device.

Preferably the electronic apparatus further comprises supplementary display means associated with said second housing to display information supplemental to the information displayed by said electronic display assembly on said first housing.

Preferably the said supplementary display means is adapted to display warning information indicating the existence of a predetermined electronic signal with said apparatus.

In one embodiment the electronic apparatus comprises. electronic data processing means associated with at least one of said first and second housings and capable of being set electronically to certain temperature control conditions, enabling said apparatus to function as a temperature controller; wherein said second housing includes manually settable switch means for setting temperature control conditions within said electronic display assembly, such that detachment of said second housing from said first housing substantially inhibits alteration of the said temperature control settings of said electronic display assembly.

In a further embodiment the rigid member is engageable with, and disengageable from, the display portion, the rigid member portion may be modified to serve to blank off, i.e. to prevent unauthorised access to, that part of the display portion to which it is applied, e.g. by replacement of the conventional key pad or the like by a blanking means which may also serve as a dust cover.

In another embodiment the substantially rigid member may be in the form of a card, e.g. a date-logging card, having suitable terminals to coact with the display portion, and serving for example to store, enter or offer additional controls, functions or indicators as a supplement to the inbuilt capability of the electronic apparatus.

An advantage of the structure of the invention is that, for a given size of electronic instrument having a display screen, the conventional key pad is no longer present, being replaced by, for example, a slot, so that the area of the display screen may be made relatively greater.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a typical known temperature controller; Fig 2 is a perspective view of a temperature controller incorporating the invention; Fig 3 is a perspective view of a "key card", for example a data logging storage card which can be used in accordance with the invention; Fig 4 is a perspective view of a key pad control member including a microprocessor; Fig 5 is a perspective view of a key pad control member structure in which the keys have been replaced by an auxiliary LCD number display; Fig 6 is a perspective view of a key pad control member structure in which the keys have been replaced by an emergency "stop" sign;; Fig 7 is a perspective view of a key pad control member structure in which the keys are modified to show different functions, including "alarm" and others; Fig 8 is a perspective view of a key pad control member structure in which the keys are replaced by a "blank" dust cover.

Fig 9 is a front elevation of a block of six known temperature controllers, to show limited screen area; Fig 10 is a front elevation of a block of six temperature controllers incorporating the invention and having relatively greater available screen area.

Referring to Fig 1, there is shown a typical known temperature controller I having a screen 2 and incorporating at its lower part a fixed key pad 3 including movable keys 4 each serving for the setting of various parameters and function, such as "on-off" points, high and low limits, alarms, timing, ramp and soak functions, calibration and the like, including the setting of various programs.

Referring to Fig 2, there is shown a temperature controller, by way of example, incorporating the invention and having a body 5 with a screen 6, there being provided in the body 5 a slot 7 for the insertion of a contact bearing portion 8 of a key pad 9 having movable keys as necessary. For operation of the apparatus, the removable key pad 9 is inserted fully into the slot 7, and slide contacts 10 on the key pad engage with corresponding counter-contacts (not shown) in the interior to the body 5, to permit the keyed functions to be transferred to the temperature controller circuitry. Once the keying operation has been completed, the key pad 9 is removed as a whole, and the temperature controller cannot then be tampered with or re-adjusted by an unauthorised user not in possession of such a key pad.

Referring to Fig 3 there is shown an example of a data logging card 11, having contacts 12, which may be inserted into the slot 7 of the temperature controller of Fig 2 to store recorded parameters, or to enter or to offer additional control or indicators to the temperature controller of Fig 2 as a supplement to the inbuilt capability of the controller.

Referring to Fig 4, there is shown an example of a key pad 13 having a contact bearing portion 14 with contacts 15, and a plurality of operating keys 16 at the front for manual operation. Between the contact bearing portion 14 and the part of the key pad incorporating the keys 16 there is included a micro-processor 17, and the key pad as a whole may be used for purposes similar to those described above for Fig 3.

With this arrangement it is possible to pre-program the device when remote from the temperature controller, and then insert the remotely programmed microprocessor without interfering with the ongoing process while the controller is on-line. Further, once a particular program or sequence has been set, e.g. for a first meter or indicator, the key pad incorporating the microprocessor can be used to provide other such instruments with the same program or sequence.

Referring to Fig 5 there is shown an insertable member 18, having a similar body 19 with contacts (not shown), in which the individual keys of the key pad of Fig 2 have been replaced by an auxiliary LED display 20 to shown one or more functions as required.

Referring to Fig 6 there is shown an insertable member 21, having a similar body 22 with contacts (not shown), incorporating an "emergency stop" switch which can be used in place of the key pad, e.g. the pad 9 of Fig 2, when the pad is removed from service.

Referring to Fig 7 there is shown an insertable member 23, having a similar body 24 with contacts (not shown), which includes in place of the usual keys a plurality of illuminated presentations 25 of, for example, further important items of information or alarms which are not normally displayed on the screen of the temperature controller.

Referring to Fig 8 there is shown an insertable member 26 which has a similar body 27, devoid of contacts, and which can serve as a dust cover for the slot 7 of Fig 2.

Reference is now made to Fig 9 and 10. Fig 9 shown a bank of six of the typical known temperature controllers seen in Fig 1. A considerable portion of the frontal area of each controller is occupied by the key pad 3, and this correspondingly reduces the area available for viewing screen 2.

Frequently, several controllers are used on a process, and it is only desired to be able to view the presentation of the controlled parameters. Once a particular set of parameters has been determined for a particular indicator or controller, the setting keys are then somewhat redundant. Fig 10 shows a bank of six of the temperature controllers of Fig 2 incorporating the invention, each of which can be set up using an insertable and withdrawable key pad 3. It will be seen that the relatively small slot 7 provided in each controller, to receive the insertable key pad, occupies a relatively much reduced proportion of the total front area of the controller, so that the viewing screen 2A can be made that much larger within a similar total frontal area.

Other features and advantages of the invention are: 1. A single portable control key pad can be used to operature a plurality of controllers in the manner of a "master key" used for opening and closing a plurality of locks: 2. A removable key pad can be provided with both additional indictors and further microprocessor power. Such indicators might be, for example, LED or liquid crystal displays, or indicator lights such as incandescent bulbs or LED lights, or again additional alarm or relay or control functions.

It will be appreciated that there may be a considerable economy effected by using a portable interchangeable key pad to communicate with a plurality of controls and/or indicating devices, and in a preferred form the portable key pad is standardized to permit it to have a standard connector pin or key slot configuration, for example a BCD port or an IEEE port of a memory card type slot or an RS 232 port type connection.

The same key slot or connection portion may be used to add additional processing power or to connect and/or multiplex a number of controls or recording or data-logging devices. For example, the measurement and control of a process utilizing a differential temperature as a parameter can, by use of this invention, be accomplished with two control devices connected together to act in unison through the same key slot and key pad arrangement.

A further feature is that, with the use of a portable key pad and an associated memory card, it is possible to clone the parameters or settings from one meter to another, or to retain the settings from time to time.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising a first housing, including an electronic display assembly and electrical contacts thereon, a second housing including a first electronic control assembly means and electrical contacts thereon and means for connecting the first and second housings and said contacts on each housing with contacts on the other housing.

2. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a first housing having an electronic display assembly mounted thereto; a second housing having a first electronic control assembly mounted thereto; one of said housings having a first receptacle opening therein, and the other of said housings having a first substantially rigid member thereon dimensioned to be received within said receptacle opening for detachably coupling said second housing to said first housing in a substantially fixed-positioned mechanical relationship therewith; said member having mounted thereon a plurality of first electrical contact elements, and said receptacle opening having a plurality of second electrical contact elements positioned to electronically and mechanically engage said first electrical contact elements when said member is inserted into said receptacle opening.

3. An electronic apparatus according to Claim 2, further comprising; a third housing having a second electronic control assembly mounted therein, and further having one of a second substantially rigid member or a second receptacle opening dimensioned to telescopically mate with a corresponding one of said first member and said first receptacle opening, for detachably coupling said third housing to said first housing in a substantially fixed-position mechanical relationship therewith when said second housing is detached from said first housing; said one of said second member and said second receptacle opening.

4. An electronic apparatus in accordance with claims 2 or 3, wherein; said first receptacle opening is formed in said first housing and said first member is formed on said second housing.

5. An electronic apparatus in accordance with Claims 2, 3 or 4, comprising; a third housing member having a second electronic control assembly mounted therein, and further having a second substantially rigid member formed thereon dimensioned to telescopically mate with said first receptacle opening in said first housing for detachably coupling said third housing to said first housing in a substantially fixed-position mechanical relationship therewith when said second housing is detached from said first housing; said second substantially rigid member having mounted thereon a plurality of third contact elements positioned to mechanically and electrically engage the said first electrical contact elements within said receptacle opening when said second member is inserted therein.

6. An electronic apparatus in accordance with Claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, comprising first data storage means mounted in said first housing; supplemental data storage means mounted in said second housing; manually operable switch means mounted on said second housing for altering the state of said first data storage means from a first condition to a second condition prior to separation of said second housing from said first housing.

7. An electronic apparatus in accordance with Claim 6, wherein; said manually operable switch means is a keyboard.

8. An electronic apparatus in accordance with Claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, comprising; electronic date processing means associated with at least one of said first and second housings, and allowing said apparatus to function as a data logging device.

9. An electronic apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims, further comprising; supplementary display means associated with said second housing to display information supplemental to the information displayed by said electronic display assembly on said first housing.

10. An electronic apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said supplementary display means is adapted to display warning information indicating the existence of a predetermined electronic signal with said apparatus.

11. An electronic apparatus in accordance with any preceding claims further comprising; electronic data processing means associated with at least one of said first and second housings and capable of being set electronically to certain temperature control conditions, enabling said apparatus to function as a temperature controller; wherein said second housing includes manually set stable switch means for setting temperature control conditions within said electronic display assembly, such that detachment of said second housing from said first housing substantially inhibits alteration of the said temperature control settings of said electronic display assembly.

12. An electrical apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.