JPS638815A - Up/down key input method of analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a low-cost simplified device where the number of parts is smaller, by not using numeric keys but using up/down keys to input data. CONSTITUTION:When an up key 13 is inputted, the numerical value is incremented by one step to increase a set value; and when a down key 1q4 is inputted, the numerical value is decremented by one step to reduce the set value. A timer is started simultaneously with this key input to judge whether the key is continuously depressed over x-number of seconds or not, and the numerical value is increased/reduced by n-number of counts per second when the up/down key is continuously depressed for x-number of seconds (for example, one second). That is, increase/reduction of the input set value is fast forwarded. Since the up/down key is used to input data like the set value, the number of keys and switches is reduced and the device is made low-cost, and a panel and a keyboard are simplified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a key input method used for inputting numerical values in various analytical instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatographs, and in particular, the present invention relates to a key input method used for inputting numerical values in various analytical instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatographs. The present invention relates to a key input method for inputting data values necessary for unit devices that constitute equipment.

Analytical instruments such as high performance liquid chromatograph (1) PLC
) consists of a pump that delivers liquid as a mobile phase at high pressure, a preparative/injection device that separates the required amount of the sample to be analyzed and injects it into the mobile phase, and a column. A detection device such as a visible/ultraviolet absorption photometer to detect substances in the mobile phase flowing out from the liquid, a constant temperature bath to maintain the sample in the preparative/injection device at a constant temperature, or a device to record the detection signal. A large number of devices (unit devices) such as recorders
The configuration is a combination of the following.

Recently, however, there has been a growing demand for automated analysis operations in analytical instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatographs. Autosamplers that perform fractionation and injection have been developed. Furthermore, recently there has been a demand for full automation of the entire operation of analytical instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatographs.

The present applicant has previously discovered that in various analytical instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatographs, there are multiple unit devices that make up the analytical instruments, such as liquid pumps, autosamplers, thermostats, detectors, and even system controllers. We proposed a device suitable for transmitting signals between unit devices to control the operation of each unit device and to transfer data.

When aiming at LA (laboratory automation) using such a device, first of all, it is necessary that the HPLC system itself can be regarded as a fully integrated system when viewed from outside the system, for example, from the host computer side. In this case, the following requirements are required for the individual modules: pump, autosampler, column oven, and detector.

(1) Each unit is intelligent.

(2) Bidirectional communication is possible within the HPLC system, and a small local area network can be established.

(3) A small local area network is also capable of bidirectional communication with higher-level computers.

In the intelligent individual units constituting such HPLC systems, setting numerical values necessary for their operation have conventionally been entered using digital switches, volume switches, or numerical keys.

However, digital switches and volume switches are expensive and difficult to maintain uniformity among devices. Using numeric keys also requires more space and costs more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to use up/down keys instead of numerical keys when inputting data such as setting values, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key input method that provides a simplified device and also has excellent operability by rapidly forwarding set values when the up/down key is pressed for a certain period of time.

In order to achieve this object, the key input method according to the present invention is a key input method used for inputting numerical values in an analytical instrument consisting of a plurality of unit devices, in which each necessary unit device has at least a central processing unit section, a memory section, and a memory section. The present invention is characterized in that the keyboard is provided with at least an edit declaration key, an up key, a down key, and a registration key, and numerical values are entered from the keyboard by operating the amplifier key and the down key.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to improve operability,
If you hold down the up or down key for a certain period of time, the input value will count up or down faster.

The above-mentioned input numerical values are usually set values necessary for controlling the operation of the unit device, and among the above-mentioned keys, the edit declaration key and the registration key for registering the input numerical values can be used together.

Implementation (2) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to unit devices constituting an HPLC system or the like, such as liquid pumps, detectors, autosamplers, column ovens, etc. whose operations are controlled based on set values. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration when the present invention is implemented in such a unit device.

As shown in the figure, each unit device includes a keyboard 1 for input, a display 2 for output, a part (C-RAM) for storing data such as setting values, 3, a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling all of these, and 4 at the minimum. I need.

A keyboard 1 and a display 2 are connected to a CPU 4 via an input port 5 and an output port, respectively. Although not shown, each unit device is also provided with an interface (for example, an interface for connecting to a motor and its driver in the case of a pump) necessary for transmitting and receiving data and for specific operations. Also, keyboard 1
requires a declaration key, an up key (m), a down key (m), to move to the edit routine (EDIT routine) that changes the setting value, and a registration (ENTER) key to register the input setting value. Become.

Next, the up/down key input method of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, which show flowcharts of the EDIT routine.

First, in step S1, an edit declaration key (EDIT key) is operated and input, thereby moving to an edit routine. At this time, after displaying in step S2 that editing is in progress, the key data (KEY DA
TA) is in a waiting state for input (step S3). It is determined in steps 34 to S6 whether the key input is an up key, a down key, or a registered key, and if the key input is an up key, the process goes to the numeric apple-chin (S7), and if it is a down key, the process goes to the numeric down routine (S7). S8) If it is a registered key, the set numerical value is registered and the display during editing is stopped (S9).

Figure 3.4 shows flowcharts of the numerical up-down and numerical down routines, respectively. The only difference between the two charts is whether the numbers are incremented or decremented, and the other structures are the same.

When the up key is input, the numerical value is incremented by one step (SIO). When the down key is input, the numerical value is decremented by one step (SIO'). This increases or decreases the set value. Simultaneously with this key input, a timer is started (Sll, Sll') and it is determined whether the key has been pressed for more than x seconds (S12.
12'). Here, if the up/down key is pressed for more than X seconds (for example, 1 second), the numerical value will be n counted 7
Up/down in seconds (S13. S13', n
is greater than 1, for example 20). In other words, the increase/decrease in the input setting value is fast-forwarded.

Next, as an example, a front view of an HPLC pump to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIG. In the figure, 10 is the power switch, 1)
is a display corresponding to 2 in Fig. 1, 12 is an edit declaration/registration key, 13 is an up key, 14 is a down key, 15 is a parameter key, 16 is a CF/CP key, 1
7 is a program run/stop key.

When you press the parameter key 15 and the CF/CP key, the setting items and setting values displayed on the display 1) screen change as follows: On each screen, the edit declaration/registration key '-1
When 2 is pressed, the editor 7) routine shown in FIG. 6 is entered, and the set value data flashes to indicate that editing is in progress. Then press up key 13 or down key 1
4 to change the data, and when the desired set value is reached, the edit declaration/registration key 12 is pressed again to register the set value.

The routine in Figure 6 is basically the same as the routine in Figure 2, but the difference is that the edit/edit declaration key, which was explained separately in Figure 2, also serves as the registration key, and there is also a key to indicate that editing is in progress. The display is performed by flashing the set value. The numerical up/down routine is the same as that in Figure 3.4, so it is not shown, but the variables x and n are set to x=
1. n=20 is input. That is, if the up/down key is held down for more than one second, the set value data is fast-forwarded at a rate of 20 force counts/second.

Although the above embodiment has been described in relation to an HPLC system, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to unit devices that constitute various analytical instruments, and which require input of setting values, etc. be.

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained because data such as set values are input using the up/down keys.

■ Compared to the conventional method, the number of keys and switches is reduced, so it is cheaper and the panel and keyboard are simpler.

■ By changing the displayed items on the display screen,
All setting items can be entered using the same keystrokes, improving operability.

■ The input method is simple and can be unified with other devices in the system.

■ Only configurable values are displayed, reducing key input errors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a unit device of an analytical instrument to which the present invention is applied, Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an edit routine, Figures 3.4 are flowcharts of numerical up/down routines, and Figure 5. 6 is a front view of a liquid feeding pump to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an edit routine in the liquid feeding pump of FIG. 1...Keyboard, 2.1)...Display, 3
...Memory part, 4...Central processing unit part (CPU)
, 12...Edit declaration/registration key, 13...
Up key, 14...down key. Applicant JASCO Corporation Agent Yukio Maruyama HL Figure 2 Figure RSru N Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5t2!

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A key input method used for inputting numerical values in analytical instruments consisting of multiple unit devices, in which each necessary unit device incorporates at least a central processing unit portion, a memory portion, a display, and a keyboard, and the keyboard has at least an editing function. The up/down device has a declaration key, an up key, a down key, and a registration key, and inputs numerical values from the keyboard by operating the up key and down key.
Down key input method. (2) The up/down key input method according to claim 1, wherein when the up key or down key is pressed for a certain period of time or more, the input numerical value is counted up or down faster. (3) The up/down key input method according to claim 1, wherein the input numerical value is a set value necessary for controlling the operation of the unit device. (4) The up/down key input method according to claim 1, wherein the edit declaration key and the registration key are also used.