GAS CHROMATOGRAPH WITH CONFIGURABLE USER INTERFACE

Abstract: A gas chromatograph (12) is operably coupled to a user interface (52) in which manipulation of graphical elements (54) of the interface (52) affect chromatograph parameters. The user interface (52) can be coupled directly to the gas chromatograph (12), or can be operably coupled to the gas chromatograh (12) through a network (18). The user interface (52) facilities chromatograph setup.

Description: GAS CHROMATOGRAPH WITH CONFIGURABLE USER INTERFACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gas chromatographs (GC's) are used to measure various gas species in a gas sample. A portion of the gas sample is received at an inlet of the gas chromatograph. The gas sample is moved through a column that has an interior that is lined with one of any number of known materials, depending on the particular application or gas chromatograph being used. The column separates the larger and smaller molecules in the gas sample. Thus, the gas sample exits the column in such a manner that the first gas species out of the column is the one with the smallest and lightest molecules (a typical example is helium) , while the last species is the one with the largest and heaviest molecules. The length of the column varies with each application. Typically, however, where there are a large number of species that the user desires to separate out from a single gas sample, the column must be quite lengthy. A detector can be used to measure relative concentration of each gas species. One specific type of gas chromatograph is known as a process gas chromatograph. Such devices are useful in a variety of industries, including the chemical, petrochemical, pipeline, and pharmaceutical industries. Generally, a process gas chromatograph includes a field mountable, compact, explosion-proof enclosure. One such device is known as the GCX Gas Chromatograph Transmitter, available from Rosemount Analytical Inc., Process Analytic Division, of Orrville, Ohio. The GCX includes an internally powered and heated sample handling module that is able to handle a variety of process streams. The gas chromatograph operates according to a number of pre-selected parameters. Such parameters specify the type and extent of signal processing performed by the GC during analysis . The parameters include the specific gas specie of interest, the gate time on, the gate time off, the peak detection method, whether baseline correction is used and what type of baseline correction is used. For anything but simple analyses, chromatograph setup can be a laborious process involving the configuration of a number of chromatograph parameters . Such complexity increases setup time, intimidates users, and can potentially reduce the effectiveness of chromatographic analysis. Thus, there is a need for a gas chromatograph user interface that is user friendly, and simplifies chromatograph setup. SUMMARY A gas chromatograph is operably coupled to a user interface where manipulation of one or more graphical elements on the interface affects one or more chromatograph parameters . The user interface can be coupled directly to the gas chromatograph, or can be operably coupled to the gas chromatograph through a network. The user interface facilitates chromatograph setup and effective analysis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an environment of a process gas chromatograph. Fig. 2 is a system block diagram of a computer . Fig. 3 is a system block diagram of a gas chromatography system. Fig. 4 is a screen shot of a user interface of a gas chromatography system. Fig. 5 is a screen shot of a user interface of a gas chromatography system. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a method of configuring a process gas chromatograph. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments of a configurable user interface for a gas chromatograph, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which are defined by the appended claims. Fig. 1 is a diagram of an environment of a process gas chromatograph (GC) . Fig. 1 shows gas chromatography system 10 including process GC 12 operably coupled to a process fluid container, such as pipe 14, and to computer 16. A sample of process fluid in pipe 14 is conveyed to GC 12. The process fluid can include a gas or vapor. The sample is analyzed by GC 12, in accordance with known gas chromatography techniques, to provide an output based upon various species of gas present within the sample, as well as relative concentrations of the individual gas species. The output of GC 12 is provided to computer 16, which will be described in greater detail later in the specification. GC 12 can communicate with computer 16 in any number of ways . GC 12 can communicate to computer 16 through an associated infrared input/output port (not shown) . Additionally, if computer 16 is disposed relatively close to GC 12, a serial link can be used and the output can be provided in RS232-C format. In embodiments where GC 12 is located farther from computer 12, other protocols can be used, such as the RS422 protocol, or the RS485 protocol. Further, in embodiments where GC 12 and computer 16 are located far from one another, the output can be provided in accordance with a protocol suitable for internet transmission, such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) . Fig. 2 illustrates computer 16 in greater detail. Fig. 2, and the related discussion provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which embodiments can be implemented. Although not required, the various embodiments will be described, at least in part, in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by computer 16. Generally, program modules include routine programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types . Tasks performed by the program modules are described below with the aid of block diagrams and flowcharts. Those skilled in the art can implement the description, block diagrams and flowcharts to computer-executable instructions. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including multi-processor systems, networked personal computers, mini-computers, main frame computers, and the like. The embodiments can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computer environment, program modules and/or data may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices . Computer 16 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a conventional computer having a central processing unit (CPU) 32, memory 34 and a system bus 36 that couples various system components, including memory 34 to the CPU 32. System bus 36 can be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus, a network bus and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Memory 34 includes read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) . A basic input/output (BIOS) containing the basic routine that helps to transfer information between elements within computer 16, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM. Storage devices 38, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, etc., are coupled to the system bus 36 and are used for storage of program modules and data. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random access memories, read only memories, and the like, can also be used as storage devices. Commonly, programs are loaded into memory 34 from at least one of the storage devices 38 with or without accompanying data. Input device 40 can be a keyboard, pointing device (mouse) , touchscreen, or the like, that allows an operator to provide commands to computer 16. A monitor 42 or other type of output device is further connected to the system bus 36 via a suitable interface and provides feedback to the user. Computer 16 communicates with GC 12, or other process devices, through communications link 18 (shown in Fig. 1) , and an interface 44, such as a modem. As discussed above, link 18 can include the Internet. In one embodiment, computer 16 can organize, present and solicit information to and from GC 12 through a "Website" commonly used on the Internet . In such a situation, computer 16 is identified as a client, while GC 12 is identified as a server. Operators can access the GC Website using a conventional browser such as MICROSOFT EXPLORER or NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR. Fig. 3 is a system block diagram of a gas chromatography system. Gas chromatography system 10 includes process gas chromatograph 12, display 50, and input device 40. Display 50 is operably coupled to GC 12, and is adapted to provide user interface 52. GC 12 is of the type known in the art, and is able to provide a GC output related to presence and concentration of individual gas species in samples analyzed by GC 12. GC 12 can include a field- mountable enclosure, that can be explosion-proof. The GC output can be communicated in any appropriate manner, such as those listed above. Display 50 is operably coupled to GC 12. Display 50 can be any device that generates a graphical output, and receives user input through an input device. Thus, display 50 can include computer 16 and its associated input device 40. Display 50 is coupled to GC 12 in any appropriate manner. The coupling is bi-directional, such that the graphical output is indicative of process analysis, and user manipulation of the graphical output effects parameter changes within GC 12 (as will be described later) . Display 50 provides user interface 52. User interface is a graphical user interface (GUI) and is operable in accordance with known graphical operating systems, such as Microsoft ® Windows 98. Interface 52 can be created from suitable program instructions such as C programming instructions executed upon display 50, or JAVA instructions sent by GC 12 to display 50 for execution. Interface 52 displays information about process analysis, GC configuration, errors, or other appropriate information. User interface 52 includes at least one graphical element 54 that can be manipulated with an input device. For example, element 54 can moved with respect to interface 52 by dragging element 54 with the input device. A characteristic of element 54, such as its position on interface 52, is related to a parameter within GC 12. When the characteristic of element 54 is changed, information is sent from display 50 to GC 12 to modify the associated parameter accordingly. For example, if the position of element 54 is related to a "peak-gate- on" time, then movement of element 54 by a user will cause the peak-gate-on time parameter of GC 12, associated with element 54, to change according to the movement of element 54. The user interface can include any number of graphical elements 54, and such elements can be related to any suitable GC parameters . Further, one element can be related to more than one GC parameter such that manipulation of the element modifies more than one GC parameter. Fig. 4 is a screen shot of a user interface of a gas chromatography system. User interface 52 can include multiple screens 60, such as screen 62 shown in Fig. 4. Screen 62 shows a sample chromatogram including sample trace 64 in relation to vertical axis 66 and horizontal axis 68. Horizontal axis 68 depicts analysis time (in seconds) . As is known, substances with smaller molecular weights are first to exit the column and be detected, thus substances on the left side of Fig. 4 have smaller molecular weights. Individual species of interest are generally configured prior to analysis. Such configuration includes specifying the name of the gas specie (also known as component name) , setting peak-gate-on time, setting peak-gate-off time, selecting peak detection method, selecting baseline correction, selecting a calibration standard and tolerance. Peak-gate-on time and peak-gate-off time are GC parameters that correspond to analysis time when integration of the area under a given peak begins and ends, respectively. Peak detection method can be any suitable method such as Slope; Slope Ht ; Forced + ; Forced - ; Forced -t-Ht ; and Forced -Ht, all of which are currently used in conjunction with the GCX transmitter of Rosemount Analytical, Inc. Baseline correction options include Automatic correction; Base-Base correction; Base- Perpendicular correction; and Perpendicular-Base correction, which options are also usable with the GCX. Fig. 5 illustrates such parameters for analysis of five components within a sample. Screen 62 of interface 52 includes graphical element 54 disposed near horizontal axis 68. Graphical element 54 corresponds to peak-gate-on and peak-gate-off times for the component labeled METHANE. Element 54 includes a left boundary 70, and a right boundary 72. User manipulation of element 54 with pointing device 40 allows the peak gate times for methane to be changed on GC 12. For example, dragging element 54 to the right would increase both peak gate times, while maintaining the distance between left boundary 70 and right boundary 72. However, user manipulation of left boundary 70 changes the peak- gate-on time for GC 12, while leaving the peak-gate- off time unaffected. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a method of configuring a process gas chromatograph. The method begins at block 80, where a GC is operably coupled to a display. As discussed above, the manner in which the coupling is effected can vary immensely. The coupling can be created once, such as when the system is set up, or many times, such as when the GC operates as a web server, and a connection to a given display occurs with each session. Once the GC has been coupled to the display, block 82 indicates that a graphical user interface is created upon the display. The interface is any graphical representation of process GC parameters or data that can be manipulated with an input device. Generally, the user interface is created on a general purpose computer in response to the execution of appropriate programming instructions, either stored on the computer, or transmitted to the computer. The user interface can be stored as Hypertext Markup Language commands such that their execution upon the display generates the user interface. The user interface can also be stored in the form of JAVA commands that generate the user interface on the display upon execution. The user interface includes one or more graphical elements that are associated with one or more GC parameters . At block 84, GC parameters are modified by graphically manipulating associated graphical elements on the display. By providing GC configuration through intuitive manipulation of graphical elements on the user interface, GC configuration is facilitated. Such facilitation can enhance analysis while decreasing the amount of time spent on configuration. Although embodiments have been described with respect to a general purpose computer, it is contemplated that embodiments can be practiced with any suitable device capable of graphical display, and user input. For example, some personal digital assistant devices (PDA's), or next generation digital phones may employed as a display. Additionally, although numerous techniques have been disclosed for coupling GC 12 to the display, any bi-directional coupling will suffice.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A gas chromatography system comprising: a gas chromatograph adapted to receive an input gas and provide data indicative of individual gas species in the input gas; a display operably coupled to the gas chromatograph, the display adapted to show an user interface; an input device operably coupled to the display; wherein the user interface includes a graphical element representative of a first parameter of the gas chromatograph; and wherein manipulation of the graphical element with the input device affects the first parameter. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is operably coupled to the gas chromatograph through a network. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the network is a local area network. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the network is a wide area network. 5. The system of claim 4, the network includes the internet . 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is transferred to the display in accordance with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is stored in the form of Hypertext Markup Language . 8. The system of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the graphical element affects a second parameter of the gas chromatograph. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first parameter is a peak gate on time, and the second parameter is a peak gate off time. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter is related to peak gate time. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the parameter is related to a peak detection method. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the parameter is indicative of a baseline correction method. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is a pointing device. 14. A gas chromatography system comprising: means for receiving an input gas and providing data indicative of individual gas species in the input gas; means for displaying an user interface; means for representing a chromatograph parameter with a graphical user element ; and wherein manipulation of the graphical element affects the chromatograph parameter. 15. A method of configuring a process gas chromatograph, comprising: operably coupling the process gas chromatograph to a display; generating a graphical user interface on the display, the graphical user interface having at least one graphical element related to at least one parameter of the gas chromatograph; manipulating the at least one graphical element to affect the at least one parameter. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one parameter is a peak gate time. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the process gas chromatograph to the display includes providing a coupling through the internet. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one parameter is a plurality of gas chromatograph parameters .

Inventors: LATTIMER D ROBERT, LATTIMER, D., ROBERT
Applicants: ROSEMOUNT ANALYTICAL INC, ROSEMOUNT ANALYTICAL INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G01N30
IPC codes: G01N30