Excavating
Patent
1984-06-08
1986-12-30
Atkinson, Charles E.
Excavating
371 20, G01R 3128, G06F 1100
Patent
active
046334696
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of indicating diagnostic results and, more particularly, to a method of indicating diagnostic results in which lamps provided on respective keys double as diagnostic result indicators.
Equipment which incorporates a computer, and which performs prescribed processing under the control of a control program on the basis of input information entered from a keyboard or the like, is usually equipped with a diagnostic function. Specifically, it is arranged so that a diagnostic program is registered or stored beforehand, various diagnostic processing is executed by starting the diagnostic program when a diagnostic mode is established, and the results of diagnosis are (1) displayed on a CRT or printed out by a printer, or (2) indicated by lighting error lamps provided on a panel.
With the former method of indicating diagnostic results by using the CRT or printer, it is necessary for one to read the diagnostic results. Moreover, there are instances where the CRT or printer develops a malfunction, making indication of the diagnostic results by these devices impossible. With the latter method of indicating diagnostic results by error lamps, the results can be readily understood based on whether or not the lamps are lit. However, a disadvantage with this arrangement is that costs are raised because it is necessary to provide an error lamp and drive circuit for each variety of diagnostic test.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of indicating diagnostic results in which separate error lamps need not be provided, yet which indicates the results of diagnosis with reliabilty.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of indicating diagnostic results in which lamps, which belong to keys provided for other purposes on a keyboard, can be used to indicate the results of diagnosis.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable method of indicating diagnostic results in which the diagnostic results are indicated by lamps provided in keys and by a CRT.
The present invention is a method of indicating the results of diagnosing an apparatus which normally performs prescribed processing under the control of a control program using input information entered from a keyboard having a plurality of keys each of which is equipped with a lamp, and which carries out various diagnostic tests in accordance with a diagnostic program. According to this method of indicating diagnostic results, lamps belonging to keys provided on a keyboard are used for their original purpose and are also used for indicating the results of diagnosis. The method includes the steps of starting a diagnostic program by introducing power from a power supply, executing various diagnostic process steps on the basis of the diagnostic program and, when the result of diagnostic processing step is determined representing a malfunction by, lighting a lamp corresponding to the processing step for which the malfunction has been determined.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an apparatus, to which the present invention can be applied, for automatically creating an NC tape;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, the apparatus being that for automatically creating an NC tape.
The top side of the apparatus 1 is provided with a printer 2, while the front side thereof is provided with a CRT display 3. Provided in front of the CRT display 3 is a keyboard 4 on which there are disposed a key group 5 of keys such as character keys, numeric keys and function keys. Disposed at the side of the CRT display 3 is a magnetic r
REFERENCES:
patent: 3575589 (1971-04-01), Neema et al.
patent: 4133477 (1979-01-01), Marino et al.
patent: 4158431 (1979-06-01), van Bavel et al.
patent: 4200224 (1980-04-01), Flint
patent: 4455653 (1984-06-01), Le Gars et al.
patent: 4497057 (1985-01-01), Kato et al.
patent: 4499581 (1985-02-01), Miazga et al.
patent: 4541057 (1985-09-01), Hagiwara
Kishi Hajimu
Tanaka Kunio
Atkinson Charles E.
Fanuc Ltd.
LandOfFree
Method of indicating diagnostic results does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of indicating diagnostic results, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of indicating diagnostic results will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1553549