RD Controls Software Release Note 58.0
User Interface to the Cryo PLOT Program
Brian J. Kramper
Fri Mar 29 10:21:39 CST 1996
Introduction
This document is intended as an introduction to the use of the PLOT program
on the Epicure Control System.
The program is divided into three major areas, each of which has a workstation
window associated with it: graphics, parameters and help.
When the program is selected from the menu, only the graphics and parameters
windows appear on the workstation display;
the help window must be requested with the mouse.
Input to the program is made with either the mouse alone, or with the mouse
in conjunction with the keyboard.
The mouse position indicator on a workstation is normally the pointer; for
the PLOT program, this pointer is replaced by a cross-hair within a square.
For purposes of this document the ``cross-hair within a square" will be known
as the ``pick."
Mouse input is called picking and is accomplished by moving the pick to
a detectable segment on the display and depressing the leftmost button
on the mouse.
Segments are known to be detectable if, when moving the pick through a
segment, the extent rectangle of that segment is marked by a broken line.
Picking a detectable segment will result in either an immediate action or
the appearance of a dialog box for keyboard input,
depending on the segment picked.
All keyboard is terminated by depressing the RETURN key.
Any problems or bugs should be reported to Brian Kramper together with
as much information as possible about what was being done with the plot.
This would include the device names and their limits, the interval, and
any informational messages displayed on the screen.
The best method is to use the MAIL facility and send the information to
WARNER::KRAMPER.
Graphics Display Window
Detectable Segments
START
This segment is always detectable.
If there is no data acquisition taking place,
selecting this segment causes data acquisition and plotting to begin.
If data acquisition is already underway and there has been a change to any
of the input parameters in the parameters window, the appropriate changes
will be made, the graphics grid will be cleared and plotting will begin anew.
If data acquisition is already underway but there has been no change to any
of the input parameters in the parameters window, plotting will continue
uninterrupted.
STOP
This segment is detectable only when data acquisition and plotting are taking
place.
Selecting this segment causes data acquisition to cease.
The graphics window remains "as is" until the plot is restarted.
QUIT
This segment is always detectable.
Selecting this segment exits the program.
HELP
This segment is detectable whenever it appears on the display.
Selecting this segment causes the help window to be opened on the workstation
display. See the section on the Help Display Window for further information.
PARAMS
This segment is detectable whenever it appears on the display.
Selecting this segment causes the parameters window to be opened on the
workstation display. See the section on the Parameters Display Window for
further information.
Other Segments
Graphics Grid
This is a simple four square by four square area where the data is plotted.
All data is clipped to this grid, i.e., data that are less than the x- and
y-minima or greater than the x- and y-maxima are not plotted.
Device Names
Up to four device names may appear at the top of the graphics window.
Each device name is associated with one of four symbols: plus, asterisk,
diagonal cross or circle.
This association is made via the parameters window.
The data for each device is plotted using the appropriate symbol.
X-axis Coordinates
The coordinates for the x-axis are in seconds.
For single plot mode (see Modes under the Parameters Display Window) the
coordinates extend from 0.0 to 100 times the specified interval for taking
data.
For chart recorder mode the coordinates are initially as stated above; but
each time a data point extends beyond the x-maximum, the plot `slides' to
the left one square, the new data is plotted in the rightmost part of the grid,
and the coordinates are modified such that the x-minimum and x-maximum are
equal to the old values plus 25% of the difference between them.
Y-axis Coordinates
The coordinates for the y-axis are the scaled engineering units for each
device. Note that each minima and maxima is preceded by the symbol for the
appropriate device.
Date and Time
The date and time are printed immediately above the grid each time a plot
is started or re-started.
This means that, e.g., for chart recorder mode the date and time are NOT
updated each time the plot `slides,' but only at the beginning of a chart
recorder session.
Parameters Display Window
Detectable Segments
Device Names
Device names are limited to 12 characters. To change a device name, move the
mouse cursor until the dotted rectangle appears around the name you wish to
change. Depress the leftmost button on the mouse and a small window will appear.
Type the name of the new device and terminate with the return key. The new name
will appear in the parameter window; however, data acquisition for this new
device will NOT begin until another START of plotting is initiated.
Minima And Maxima
The minima and maxima (or limits) for the devices may have up to 10 characters
including a sign and decimal point if they are used.
Modes
Modes presently available are single pass and chart recorder.
In single pass mode, up to four devices will be plotted for a time equal to
100 times the interval of data acquisition (100 points per device), at which
time the plot stops.
In chart recorder mode, up to four devices will be plotted for a time equal to
100 times the interval of data acquisition (100 points per device).
When the next set of data points is received, the right three sections of the
plot 'slide' one section to the left, the x-minimum and x-maximum are modified
to reflect the change in the time scale, and the new data points are plotted
in the fourth section of the grid. This process continues until the plot is
re-started or stopped, or the program is exited.
Interval
At present the interval between data points must be at least 1.00.
If a value less than 1.00 is attempted to be input, the value is forced to
1.00.
Help Display Window
This window is supplied as a short informational summary for the user.
All the topics are detectable segments and contain information on the
use of the PLOT program.
DEVICES
A device name may contain up to 12 alphanumeric characters.
EDITING
Move the mouse cursor to the device name or limt in the parameter window which
is to be changed, click the leftmost button, type the new information in the
new window followed by a carriage return. The change will appear in red.
LIMITS
These are floating point numbers which may conatin up to 10 characters
including the sign and decimal point.
MODES
SNGL = single pass, CHRT = chart recorder.
PARAMS
Bring up the parameter window (5 minute timeout).
QUIT
Exit the program.
RATE
Variable floating point seconds.
START
Begin data acquisition and plotting.
STOP
Stop data acquisition and plotting but do not exit.
BUGS
Send bug report information to WARNER::KRAMPER.
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