US 4,990,258 A · Monitor for the control and/or checking of two or more functions

Abstract

A control panel for regulating plural parameters is provided with plural displays, each associated with one parameter. A single manually moveable knob is provided for entering a manually variable signal. Individual actuators such as push buttons are disposed adjacent each of the display means. The control panel is arranged to interpret the variable signal provided by the maneuvering element or knob as a new value for a control constant associated with a particular parameter depending upon which push button is actuated. The operator may select a particular parameter for resetting by pressing the button adjacent the display for that particular parameter. The panel simplifies setting of plural parameters in complex control systems such as the control system for a hemodialysis apparatus. The control system may incorporate plural microprocessors. Control data input into the microprocessors is digitally duplicated and transferred between the microprocessors to avoid entry of conflicting data into the two separate microprocessors.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A control panel for use with a system having means for regulating a plurality of parameters according to at least one control constant associated with each parameter, said control panel comprising:

(a) a plurality of separate display means, one of said display means being associated with each of said parameters, each of said display means being operative to display the value of a control constant employed by said system for the associated parameter;
(b) variable signal means including a single manually-movable maneuvering element for providing a manually variable signal dependent upon the position of said maneuvering element;
(c) parameter selection means including a plurality of manually operably actuators, one of said actuators being associated with each of said display means and disposed on said control panel adjacent thereto on said panel for selecting the parameter associated with each of said display means upon operation of said manually operable actuator associated therewith;
and
(d) interpretation means for interpreting said variable signal provided by said variable signal means as a new value of said control constant for the parameter selected by said parameter selection means and supplying said new value to said system.

2 more elements

Control apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of microprocessors;
(b) a plurality of storage registers, the number of storage registers being at least equal to the number of said microprocessors, one of said storage registers being associated with each of said microprocessors, each of said microprocessors being arranged to control and/or monitor the same common parameters, each of said microprocessors applying values of control constants stored in the associated storage register in monitoring and/or controlling said parameters;
(c) manually controllable input means for supplying new values of said control constants;
(d) digital duplication means for digitally duplicating the new values of the said control constants supplied by said input means and entering said duplicated values into all of said storage registers, whereby identical values for said control constants are entered into all of said storage registers;
and
(e) display means for displaying said new values of said control constants as entered into at least one of said storage registers.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Monitor for the control and/or checking of two or more functions

Life of this patent

Monitor for the control and/or checking of two or more functions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20