Abstract:
A test and measurement apparatus is provided including a control panel; and a display. The display includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the display is covered by the control panel. The control panel is adjustable to reveal at least a portion of the second portion of the display. The second portion of the display is inoperable when covered by the control panel and is operable when revealed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is related generally to displays for displaying information, and more particularly to displays for displaying information where a control panel is available to aid in the control of the display of the information, and most particularly to an oscilloscope employing a front panel for controlling the oscilloscope and the display of information thereby. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When viewing information, it is well understood that having a larger display is generally better than having a small display. For example when using a test and measurement apparatus, information displayed on a smaller screen is more difficult to view. However, because of various additional, hardware constraints, such as control knobs, panels for controlling the apparatus, input and output ports, slots for receiving additional modules, increasing the size of the display has generally required a larger apparatus. 
         [0003]    In an attempt to address this issue, manufacturers have contemplated doing away with some of the hardware requirements, such as a control panel, in favor of a digitally displayed “soft” control panel shown to a use on a portion of a display screen. While this control panel is preferable closeable, thus allowing the entire display to be used for information display, many users prefer a hardware based display control. 
         [0004]    Therefore it would be beneficial to provide an improved apparatus that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
         [0005]    Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and the drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a test and measurement apparatus is provided including an adjustable or removable control panel. Preferably, behind this adjustable or removable control panel resides an additional extended portion of a display. The control panel is selectively connectable to the front of the apparatus over the extended portion of the display so that when attached in place, the apparatus displays information only on the visible portion of the display. However, when the control panel is adjusted or removed to reveal the extended portion of the display, information is displayed on the original and extended portions of the display. 
         [0007]    The control panel may be attached to the test and measurement apparatus in a wired or wireless manner in order to retain the functionality of the panel, even when physically detached from the apparatus. Of course, the control panel may also be disabled upon removal. In this case, displayed soft controls would allow for control of the apparatus by a user. 
         [0008]    Therefore, in accordance with the invention a user is able to select whether to use the apparatus in a traditional configuration, or in an extended display mode, and furthermore when in the extended display mode, whether to employ the removed control panel or rely of displayed soft commands for control of the apparatus. 
         [0009]    The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a representation of an oscilloscope in accordance with the invention in which a removable control panel is in place in a traditional manner; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts the oscilloscope of  FIG. 1  with the removable control panel removed; and 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Figure depicts the oscilloscope of  FIG. 1  with the removable control panel removed and showing a movable connector employed thereon. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , an oscilloscope  100  is shown. While the invention is described making reference to an oscilloscope, it should be understood that the invention is intended to apply to any type of test and measurement equipment, and to any apparatus including a display and an accompanying control panel. Oscilloscope  100  is preferably provided with a display  110 , input/output ports  120  and a control panel  130 . Control panel  130  includes knobs, indicators, buttons and the like as is well known in the industry. In  FIG. 1 , control panel  130  is depicted in a traditional location, thus providing a conventional oscilloscope layout. In such a layout, the screen has display diagonal distance of D=√{square root over (A 2 +C 2 )} while the width of the control panel is measured at B. However, as will be discussed below, control panel  130  is in fact a removable control panel constructed in accordance with the invention, located in a conventional position. 
         [0015]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , oscilloscope  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown with control panel  130  positioned adjacent oscilloscope  130 , thus revealing a portion  111  of display  110  that was previously covered by control panel  130 . As is shown, the display diagonal distance increases from the above value to E=√{square root over ((A+B) 2 +C 2 )}, including the area previously covered by control panel  130 . 
         [0016]    Control panel  130  preferably remains operable when physically disconnected from oscilloscope  100 . Thus, control panel may be adapted to communicate with oscilloscope  100  via a wired cable, a wireless link, or any other communication protocol that allows for signals to be transmitted to and from the control panel for use in controlling the operation of oscilloscope  100 , and/or the display of information of display  110 / 111 . Such wireless connection may comprise wireless USB, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, ultra wideband, or any other appropriate wireless communication protocol. 
         [0017]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary connection scheme is shown. In such a scheme a bezel  105  of oscilloscope is provided with magnetic or other retentive strips  107 .complimentary strips  137  are provided on a rear bezel  130  of removable control panel  130  (as shown). Thus, when replaced, the magnetic or other retentive strips  107  mate with those  137  to releasably fix control panel  130  to oscilloscope  100 . When connected, data transfer, power transfer, and battery charging of a rechargeable battery retained in control panel  130  are provided via a connector  109  of oscilloscope  100  mating with a connector  139  positioned also on the rear of control panel  130 . Thus, upon the removal of control panel  130 , oscilloscope  100  is aware of the movement, and the portion  111  of display  110  is enabled. Further control panel  130  begins data transfer via a provided wireless or wired link as noted above. Communication between connectors  109  and  139  may take place in accordance with any appropriate communication protocol, including but not limited to IEEE 1394, RS 232/422/485, USB, any of the wireless protocols noted above, or the like. 
         [0018]    When removed, a user may not prefer to continue use of the controls on control panel  130 . Thus, it is possible for a user to disable control panel  130 , either before or after removal. The user may further select whether a soft control panel should be available on display  110 . If desired, preferably a portion  111  of display  110  displays a simulation of a control panel that may be used by a user in the manner of control panel  130 . However, controls are accesses via touch screen control, or via designation by a pointer, such as a computer mouse or the like. This soft control panel may be designed to disappear when not in use to allow the user use of the complete area of display  110 , including portion  111  for the display of information when the control panel is not in use. The control panel may be recalled by the user when desired. 
         [0019]    Connector  139  may be provided as a slideable connector so that the position of control panel  130  relative to oscilloscope  100  is not fixed. Thus with connector  139  adapted to slide side to side as indicated by the arrows adjacent thereto, it is possible to place control panel in any position between that shown in  FIG. 1 , and a position in which control panel  130  is partially hanging off the side of oscilloscope  130  with connectors  109  and  139  remaining mated. Of course, any other appropriate connection and mating scheme may be utilized for the retention of control panel adjacent oscilloscope  100  and the mating of connectors  109  and  139 , including but not limited to cable connections, snap-fit connections, sliding connections and the like. Furthermore, while a horizontally sliding connector is shown, a vertically sliding connector may be employed. Further, the connector on the oscilloscope housing may also be provided as a moveable or sliding connector. 
         [0020]    Referring once again to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with the invention, a mechanism for attaching control panel to an outside edge of oscilloscope is provided. thus, after removal, control panel may be essentially clipped to the side of oscilloscope  130 , thus providing a traditional control panel feel with an improved and increased size display  110 , including portion  111  thereof, available to a user for display of information. Mechanisms for connection of control panel  130  in such a manner include those noted above, and any other appropriate mechanical connecting mechanism. Communication similarly may be provided via wireless or wired connection. 
         [0021]    Rather than being removed completely, coupling of control panel  130  to oscilloscope  100  may be provided employing a hinge mechanism positioned adjacent the outer edge of oscilloscope  100 . Thus, rather than fully detaching, the panel may rotate about the hinge, out of the way of display  110  and portion  111  thereof, giving full access thereto. 
         [0022]    While the invention has been described applicable to an oscilloscope, the invention is intended to be equally applicable to other test and measurement apparatuses and to electronic apparatuses in general. Indeed, any application in which a user may benefit from a choice for a larger display may incorporate the invention. Additionally, while the control panel has been shown in its traditional location on the left side of the oscilloscope, it may be provided at any other location covering a portion of the screen. This freedom in positioning may be useful when applying the invention to other test and measurement equipment, or electronic apparatuses in general. 
         [0023]    While the control panel is shown covering a portion of the display, it is possible to provide the control panel at any other location, not covering the display. In this manner, the control panel would still provide wireless and /or wired communication for controlling the oscilloscope. 
         [0024]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing(s) shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0025]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.