GB2116297A

GB2116297A - Data input an display arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2116297A
Application number: GB08206879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie A Birt; David A Bonham; Anthony D Grimer
Original assignee: Bowthorpe Holding PLC
Current assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Priority date: 1982-03-09
Filing date: 1982-03-09
Publication date: 1983-09-21
Also published as: GB2116297B

Abstract

A data input and display arrangement comprises an annular display 2 (e.g. a series of discrete light sources) disposed axially around a manually rotatable data input control knob 4, and means for detecting the rotational position of the control knob 4 to energise the annular display at a corresponding angular position (e.g. adjacent a pointer 8 of the control knob 4) and to record data representing that position. A digital display 6 may also be provided and the arrangement may be configured as a programmable time clock. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data input and display arrangement This invention relates to a data input and display arrangement.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a data input and display arrangement, comprising an annular display disposed coaxially around a manually rotatable data input control, and means for detecting the rotational position of said data input control to energise the annular display at a corresponding angular position and to record data representing the rotational position of the data input control.

Conveniently a digital display may be provided to give a digital indication of the rotational position of the data input control.

One use for the data input and display arrangement is as a programmable time clock. In display or non-programming mode, real time may be displayed by energisation of the annular display at a corresponding angular position thereof, and also by driving the digital display. Programming mode may be selected (e.g. by depressing a programming button), and then time data may be input into a memory by turning the control to a position representing the time which it is desired to record, and then operating a set button, for example. An interval of time may be set (for controlling energisation of associated equipment over that interval) by sweeping the control through the appropriate arc whilst the set button is held down. The annular display is preferably maintained energised to indicate that arc even after the return to the normal display mode.

In such a time clock, the set time intervals can be selected easily and the selected (and recorded or stored) intervals can be simulataneously displayed in a manner which can be clearly understood.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a data input and display arrangement in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section through the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the arrangement implemented as a programmable time clock; and Figure 4 is a front view of the arrangement implemented for control the rotational movement of for example a crane.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the data input and display arrangement comprises an annular display 2 disposed coaxially around a rotary knob 4 which forms the data input control. In the example shown, a digital display 6 is provided and is visible through a transparent disc 4 to which the knob 4 is secured and which carried a pointer 8. The annular display 2 comprises a series of light emitting diodes projecting through a front panel 1.

The control knob 4 drives the wiper of a rotary potentiometer 10 having an aimost 3600 track, and an analogue-to-digital coverter is provided under control of a microprocessor to sense the voltage at the wiper and calculate the rotary position of the control knob 4. The microprocessor is arranged to energise the LED adjacent the pointer 8 and to give a corresponding digital indications on the digital display 6.

Referring to Figure 3, the use as a programmable time clock is illustrated, a legend 20 for a 24 hours day being provided adjacent the annular display 2. When not in a progamming mode, the arrangement is such that the digital display 6 indicates the real time of day, and the annular display flashes at the point nearest this time on the legend. Thus the flashing point moves around the annular display as the day proceeds. A programming button is provided and may be operated to select a programming mode: the control knob 4 may then be manually rotated to a desired position (indicating a desired time) and a set button operated to cause that time to be stored in a memory associated with the microprocessor. The digital display gives a digital indication of the instataneous position (time indication) of the control knob during this programming mode.

The data input and display arrangement may be set for predetermined intervals of time, for the purpose of controlling energisation of associated equipment (e.g. central heating) for the duration of that period. Thus, with programming mode selected, the control knob is turned to the desired starting time and the set button is then depressed and held depressed as the control knob is swept through an arc to the desired finishing time, whereupon the set button is released. The relevant times are recorded in the microprocessor memory for control usage in real time. The interval of time which is "set" is indicated by constant illumination of the annualar display over the relevant arc and this illumination remains after return to nonprogramming mode.A number of "set" intervals may be programmed, and Figure 3 shows two such intervals, and there is no intereference with the previously-described real time flashing indication. There may be several programming buttons to select different days of the week, the display of set intervals being arranged to change according to the actual day. A set interval or part of a set interval may be removed by holding down a "clear" button while sweeping the control knob through the relevant arc. Return to the nonprogramming or display mode may be effected either upon pressing a "display mode" button, or at the end of a predetermined period (e.g. 10' seconds) after release of say the "set" button.

The data input and display arrangement may be used for data other than time. Figure 4 shows an example for rotational data which may be used for presetting a prohibited arc of travel of a crane (this arc being prohibited by an obstruction in the relevant sector).

The arrangements which have been described enable the entry of data in a simple and efficient manner, values being entered without the need to key them in. This avoids the risk of errors. The visual representation of the set intervals is unambiguous as there can be no confusion over the starting and finishing points: the user can see instantly all of the set intervals for the 24 hours and their positions, durations and relationships to each other, and he can see also the actual time.

The rotating of the control knob to sweep out the set interval during programming gives the user an effective "feel".

The annular display may for example comprise a series of light emitting diodes or liquid crystal display segments.

Claims

1. A data input and display arrangement, comprising an annular display disposed coaxially around a manually rotatable data input control, and means for detecting the rotational position of said data input control to energise the annular display at a corresponding angular position and to record data representing the rotational position of the data input control.

2. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the annual display is arranged to be energised at discrete angular positions or over angular ranges in accordance with recorded data.

3. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a digital display arranged to give a digital indication of the rotational position of the data input control.

4. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and configured as a programmable time clock have a nonprogramming mode wherein real time is displayed by energisation of the annular display at a corresponding angular position thereof (and also by driving the digital display when provided).

5. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in claim 4, the time clock having a programming mode wherein time data may be recorded on a memory by turning said control to an angular position representing the time which it is desired to record, and then actuating a setting means.

6. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein an interval of time may be recorded by sweeping said control through a corresponding angle whilst actuating said setting means.

7. A data input and display arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and configured as a control means for prohibiting an arc of movement of a rotary element (e.g. a crane).

8. A data input and display arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.