Abstract:
A display for monitoring a device group that includes at least one analytical device. The display has a primary section that shows device information for each analytical device in the device group. The device information has a plurality of information fields. A first visual element in the primary section corresponds to a filter action. The filter action filters the device information shown in the primary section based on a value in a chosen information field.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Analytical devices are used to analyze biological and chemical substances. Analytical devices include, but are not limited to: gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs, mass spectrometers, other chromatographic and spectrometry devices, and chromatographic and spectrometry accessories such as sample introduction and automation devices, trays, injector towers, pumps, auto-samplers, headspace samplers, etc. The analytical device can usually be controlled using a graphical user interface in a display that is located on the analytical device itself, or on a separate monitor of a computer that is in electronic communication with the analytical device. 
         [0002]    Often, it is necessary to monitor multiple analytical devices at a time. For example, a laboratory commonly has several analytical devices in use at any given time. It may also be necessary to monitor multiple analytical devices across multiple laboratories at a time, as well. However, user interfaces in the past have lacked features that facilitate the monitoring of multiple analytical devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary group of analytical devices in which the present invention may be practiced. 
           [0004]      FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate a user interface according to one embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  illustrates a user interface according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary device group  10  of analytical devices in which the present invention may be practiced. The device group  10  includes at least one analytical device, and the word “group” as used in this application is defined to include a group having just a single analytical device. Analytical devices  12 A-D are in electronic communication with a processing unit  18  having a display  20 . The processing unit  18  in  FIG. 1  is shown as a standalone computer, but can be any device having a processor and a corresponding display. For example, the processing unit can be another analytical device. 
         [0007]    Each analytical device  12  communicates with the processing unit. In one embodiment, analytical devices  12 A-D are connected to a network  22  to which the processing unit  18  is also connected. Exemplary networks  22  include (but are not limited to) local and wide area networks (LAN/WAN), wired and wireless networks, such as those based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB, also referred to as standard number IEEE 488.1), RS232, and Universal Serial Bus (USB). The processing unit  18  may also be connected directly to the analytical devices it needs to monitor, as illustrated by the connection with analytical device  12 D. Exemplary direct connections include (but are not limited to) those based on GPIB, RS232, and USB. 
         [0008]      FIGS. 2A-C  and  3  illustrate one embodiment of a user interface  30 . The user interface  30  as shown in both  FIGS. 2A and 3  has three main sections: an information window  36 , a control section  32 , and a monitored count section  34 . The user interface  30  may be implemented using any programming language suitable for building graphical user interfaces. In an actual reduction to practice, the user interface was implemented using Microsoft&#39;s C-sharp (C-#, .NET 2.0) Other exemplary languages include (but are not limited to): Microsoft Managed C++ .NET, and Microsoft Visual Basic .NET. 
       Information Window 
       [0009]    The information window  36  is split into rows  44 A-N, each row corresponding to a monitored analytical device. Within each row  44  are fields of information relating to the monitored analytical device. In one embodiment (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), each row is divided into 4 columns of information. The first column is a status field  46 , the second column is a device image field  47 , the third column is a summary field  48 , and the fourth column is an update field  49 . 
         [0010]    The status field  46  indicates the operational status of the analytical device, such as whether the device is functioning normally or if there is a problem with the device that needs to be fixed. In one embodiment, the status field  46  is a simple image representative of the operational status. When the analytical device is functioning normally, a normal status image should be displayed. When a problem exists, an error status image should be displayed. The error status image should contrast visually with the normal status image (e.g. different color, size, or shape) so that a user will be able to tell with a glance at the status field whether a problem exists. Examples of normal status images include, but are not limited to: a check mark, a green light, a green flag, thumbs-up image, etc. Examples of error status images include, but are not limited to: a cross-mark, a red light, a red flag, a thumbs-down image, etc. The image is a simple yet concise way of informing a user about the operational status of each analytical device. This is especially useful when multiple analytical devices are being monitored, since the user will be able to tell with a glance at the status field whether a problem exists. 
         [0011]    The image field  47  is an image of the analytical device itself that is being monitored. In one embodiment, the image is an actual picture of the analytical device. Using the actual picture of the analytical device allows the user to quickly identify the device that is being monitored. 
         [0012]    The summary field  48  is a descriptive summary of the monitored analytical device and includes 4 information fields: a user-given name  50 , a model name  52 , a location  54 , and error messages  56 . 
         [0013]    The user-given name field  50  displays the user&#39;s preferred name for the analytical device being monitored. Similar to a nickname, this field allows the user to choose a name for the analytical device that is easier to remember than the actual model name of the device. For example, a user can enter “User Test Gas Chromatograph” in this field. This is simpler to remember than a manufacturer&#39;s model name that is often just a string of letters and numbers. This field also allows the user to easily differentiate between multiple analytical devices of the same model type. 
         [0014]    The model name field  52  displays the manufacturer&#39;s model name and serial number for the monitored analytical device. 
         [0015]    The location field  54  displays the physical location for the analytical device being monitored. For example, the user can enter “Laboratory Room  101 ” in this field. This allows the user to locate the analytical device quickly. This field is useful when problems crop up in a particular analytical device, and the user needs to locate the malfunctioning device for repair. This is also useful as a sort or filter control option, to be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0016]    The error messages field  56  displays information regarding any errors or problems in the analytical device. If the analytical device is functioning normally, this field may be left blank, or a normal message can be displayed. However, if an error exists, this field will show an error message that contrasts visually with the normal message so that a user may see it more easily. For example, the error message can be in a contrasting font, color, or size from the normal message. Examples for differentiating the error message include, but are not limited to: using a bold font, using a color such as red or yellow, using a blinking font, and/or using a larger font. 
         [0017]    The updates field  49  displays information regarding any updates in software, firmware, or documentation that may exist for the analytical device. This requires that the processing unit  18  be connected (e.g. via the network  22 ) to an information source (such as a central web server, computer, an update CD mailed periodically to the user, or other update delivery mechanism selected by the manufacturer of the analytical device) that provides information regarding such updates. If such a connection is not available, the updates field  49  may be left blank. This allows the user to retrieve updates for the analytical devices when they become available. 
         [0018]    The information window  36  includes one row  44  for each analytical device being monitored, as indicated by rows  44 A-N in  FIG. 2 . This layout and format allows the user to determine the status of multiple analytical devices with a quick glance at the information window  36 . 
       Control Section 
       [0019]    The control section  32  consists of view altering elements  38 - 42  that change the information that the user sees in the information window  36 . In one embodiment, view altering elements  38 - 42  are icons that represent actions that can be performed to change the information displayed in the information window  36  to the user&#39;s preference. These actions are triggered when a user selects the proper icon. In the figures, the icons used to represent view altering elements  38 - 42  are a circle, star, and a square, respectively; however, any icons may be used. 
         [0020]    View altering element  38  represents a sort action, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Sort” button. The Sort button  38  includes a pull-down arrow  38 A. When the pull-down arrow  38 A is selected, a sort menu  39  is displayed (e.g. via a pull-down or pop-up menu) that allows the user to select which information field should be used in sorting the rows  44 A-N. An exemplary sort menu  39  is shown in  FIG. 2A . The options in the sort menu  39  are the different information fields that are displayed in the information window  36  such as those previously described above, with the exception of the image field  47 . 
         [0021]    When the Sort button  38  is selected, the rows  44 A-N in the information window  36  are sorted into ascending order, by the information field selected in sort menu  39 . The order used will differ depending on the type of data in the information field being sorted. For example, there can be ascending alphabetical order, ascending numerical order, ascending chronological order, ascending status order, etc. In one embodiment, the Sort button  38  is also a toggle button. Selecting the Sort button  38  will toggle the rows  44 A-N between an ascending sort order and a descending sort order, based on the information field selected in sort menu  39 . The icon used to represent Sort button  38  can also be toggled between different images to indicate the method currently being used (e.g. ascending vs. descending) to sort rows  44 A-N. In one embodiment, the icon for Sort button  38  toggles between two images: an image with a down-arrow to indicate a descending sort; and an image with an up-arrow to indicate an ascending sort. 
         [0022]    View altering element  40  represents a filter action, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Filter” button. When the Filter button  40  is selected, a filter menu  41  is displayed (e.g. via a pull-down or pop-up menu) that allows the user to select which information should be filtered. An exemplary filter menu  41  is shown in  FIG. 3C . The options shown in the filter menu  31  will depend on what information field is selected in the sort menu  39 . For example, suppose that the user selected the information field Location  54  in the sort menu  39 . Then, a subsequent selection of the Filter button  40  would display the filter menu  41  listing the location fields for every monitored analytical device. A user must first select an information field from the sort menu  39  to populate the filter menu  31  with options, before the Filter button  40  can be used. In one embodiment, the icon for Filter button  40  is an image of a funnel. 
         [0023]    The filter menu  41  shown in  FIG. 3C  is the result of previously selecting the Location field  54  in the sort menu  39 . The options are the different location fields of the monitored analytical devices in the information window  36 : Laboratory A, where the analytical device of row  44 B is located; Laboratory B, where the analytical device of row  44 C is located, and Laboratory C, where the analytical device of row  44 N is located. 
         [0024]    After an option is selected from the filter menu  41 , the information window  36  is updated to display only the analytical devices with values that match the selected filter option. For example, if Laboratory A is selected from the filter menu  41  in  FIG. 3C , then the information window  36  will change to display only the analytical device in row  44 B. 
         [0025]    View altering element  42  represents a toggle action, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Toggle” button. When the Toggle button  42  is selected, the information window  36  switches from picture mode to list mode, or vice versa. The information window  36  as shown in  FIG. 2  and as described above is in picture mode  60 .  FIG. 3  shows the information window  36  in list mode  62 . The list mode  62  will be described in greater detail below. 
       Monitored Count Section 
       [0026]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the monitored count section  34  shows a count of how many devices are currently being displayed in the information window  36 , and how many devices are being monitored in total. For example, the monitored count section  34  can display a message reading “Displaying 3 of N Monitored Instruments”. When no Sort or Filter option has been selected, the number of devices displayed should equal the number being monitored. However, if the user filters the information using the Filter button  40 , some devices will no longer show up in the information window  36 . The monitored count section  34  informs a user when only some of the monitored devices are being displayed in the information window  36 . 
       List Mode 
       [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates the information window  36  as it appears in list mode  62 . As mentioned previously, the user can toggle the information window  36  between list mode  62  and picture mode  60  by selecting the Toggle button  42 . In list mode, the information window  36  is split into rows  64 A-N, each row corresponding to a monitored analytical device. In one embodiment, each row  64  is divided into 7 columns of information. The information in these columns has already been described previously for the picture mode  60  of the information window  36 . However, the information is arranged differently in list mode  62  to give the user a different perspective on the status of the monitored analytical devices. 
         [0028]    The first column contains the status field  46 . In one embodiment, the status field  46  is a simple image representative of the operational status. The status field  46  has already been described in greater detail above. 
         [0029]    The second column contains the user-given name field  50 . The user-given name field  50  displays the user&#39;s preferred name for the analytical device being monitored. The user-given name field  50  has already been described in greater detail above. 
         [0030]    The third column contains a model name field  65 . The model name field  65  displays the manufacturer&#39;s model name for the monitored analytical device. 
         [0031]    The fourth column contains a serial number field  66 . The serial number field  66  displays the serial number of the monitored analytical device. 
         [0032]    The fifth column contains the location field  54 . The location field  54  displays the physical location for the analytical device being monitored. The location field  54  has already been described in greater detail above. 
         [0033]    The sixth column contains the error messages field  56 . The error messages field  56  displays information regarding any errors or problems in the analytical device. The error messages field  56  has already been described in greater detail above. 
         [0034]    The seventh column contains the updates field  49 . The updates field  49  displays information regarding any updates in software, firmware, or documentation that may exist for the analytical device. The updates field  49  has already been described in greater detail above. 
         [0035]    In list mode  62 , the information window  36  provides the user with a detailed summary of the analytical devices being monitored. Since there is no image field  47  in list mode  62 , information about more analytical devices can be packed into a single window. The user can still use the Sort button  38  and Filter button  40  as before in picture mode  60  to change the order and number of analytical devices being shown in the information window  36 . 
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.