Man-machine interface for a virtual annunciator panel display

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S960000, C345S950000, C700S286000, C700S292000, C700S293000, C700S083000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219046

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a power management control system and in particular, to software that implements and automates the development of a virtual 3-D annunciator panel display including built-in event mapping to the annunciator tiles.
Power management control systems monitor and control a variety of intelligent electronic devices of an electrical distribution system. These control systems, generally, include an annunciator panel or board provided at a console of the operator or user. The annunciator panel includes an array of buttons that provide status information of selected devices of the distribution system. Each button is indicative of the status of a corresponding device of the distribution system. Each of the buttons illuminates with different colors, wherein each color is representative of the status of the selected device. For example, a green button may represent that the corresponding device is operating properly, and a red light may indicate that a fault condition exists. The panel provides an easy method of visually monitoring the condition or status of the electrical system. If a fault occurs that requires acknowledgement by the operator of the system before resetting the fault, the operator may attempt to reset the failure by depressing the button to acknowledge the fault.
Some power management control systems include a computer connected to a common bus that allows communication between the intelligent monitoring/control devices and a server. The control system provides graphical representations of and links to the devices of the distribution system to enable a user to monitor and operate the distribution system.
For these computer control management systems, there is a need for an equivalent virtual annunciator panel display that provides the same function of the annunciator panel described hereinbefore. Some power management control systems do offer a virtual three-dimensional annunciator panel displays; however, the system is not easily configurable without having programming knowledge and capability as well as intimate knowledge of each of the devices of the distribution system.
Current virtual annunciator panel displays also include an array of buttons or tiles that provide the status of selected intelligent devices of the distribution system. In order to functionally link buttons of the virtual annunciator panel to the selected devices, each virtual annunciator panel requires custom programming by a knowledgeable integrator.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing an Annunciator Panel Wizard for a power management control system that automates the development of a virtual annunciator panel display. The Panel Wizard provides the automated configuration of the annunciator panel graphic as well as a built-in event mapping to the annunciator buttons, which is user configurable. The Panel Wizard provides a rapid and cost effective method by which to develop a virtual annunciator panel display. The Panel Wizard allows the user to generate the virtual annunciator panel display without any programming skills or detailed device knowledge.
In accordance with a present invention, a method is provided for generating an annunciator panel display having at least one indicator for monitoring a device of a power control system. The method includes selecting an annunciator panel wizard and selecting an indicator of the annunciator panel. An event logger is provided for monitoring events of a device of the power control system. A navigational link is provided between the selected indicator and the event logger. A visual display is assigned to the selected indicator that is indicative of the occurrence of the monitored event.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5295062 (1994-03-01), Fukushima
patent: 5452415 (1995-09-01), Hotka
patent: 5751965 (1998-05-01), Mayo et al.
patent: 5768119 (1998-06-01), Havekost et al.
patent: 5859885 (1999-01-01), Rusnica et al.
patent: 5896138 (1999-04-01), Riley
patent: 6031535 (2000-02-01), Barton
patent: 6040834 (2000-03-01), Jain et al.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Man-machine interface for a virtual annunciator panel display does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Man-machine interface for a virtual annunciator panel display, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Man-machine interface for a virtual annunciator panel display will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2477031

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.