Testing machine with graphical user interface with situational awareness
Inventors
Shulz, Bradley Dean • Buth, Michael Ray • Breece, Jeffrey Allan • Tillman, David Martin • Bitney, Maureen • Bennington, Darrell Robert • Patel, Pinkiekumar D.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9904258-B2
Publication Date
2018-02-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A testing machine for testing a test specimen includes an actuator assembly configured to be coupled to the test specimen; and a computing device configured to control the actuator assembly, the computing device including a graphical user interface that renders at least a visual representation or a simulated visual representation of at least a parameter of the component or the component changing in accordance with changes of the actual corresponding component on the testing machine.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a testing machine for testing a test specimen. The testing machine includes an actuator assembly coupled to the test specimen and a computing device configured to control the actuator assembly. The computing device includes a graphical user interface that renders a simulated visual representation of a physical component of the actuator assembly and a simulated visual representation of a configurable parameter of the physical component, wherein the configurable parameter is configurable prior to operating the actuator assembly.
The graphical user interface further renders simulated visual representations of limits corresponding to actual limit values stored in a controller of the actuator assembly. The simulated visual representations of limits are adjustable in the graphical user interface, and the computing device controls the actuator assembly according to the limits.
In addition, the graphical user interface provides guided setup through a guide and plurality of tasks for configuring the testing machine prior to operating the testing machine. At least some tasks used to configure the testing machine are graphically represented in the graphical user interface and, in certain embodiments, graphically represented in the simulated visual representation of the physical component.
Further, the controller includes a graphical user interface that visually renders a simulated relative location of parameters of a fixture with respect to location of parameters of the actuator, with at least some fixture-related task representations and adjustable simulated limits.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims (four total: clm-00001, clm-00009, clm-00013, and clm-00015) define a testing machine that uses a computing device with a graphical user interface to render simulated visual representations, including simulated limits mapped to actual limit values stored in a controller, with the actuator controlled according to those adjustable limits, and with additional GUI support for guided setup tasks.
Simulated visual representation of actuator physical component and configurable parameter with adjustable limits
A computing device includes a graphical user interface that renders a simulated visual representation of the physical component and a simulated visual representation of a configurable parameter configurable prior to operating the actuator assembly, where the simulated visual representation of configurable parameter includes simulated visual representations of limits corresponding to actual limit values stored in a controller, wherein the simulated visual representation of limits is adjustable in the graphical user interface, and wherein the computing device controls the actuator assembly according to the limits.
Gui with spaced guide and tasks for setup linked to simulated limits
A computing device includes a graphical user interface rendering a simulated visual representation of the testing machine on a first portion, with a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a guide that provides navigation for a user to set up the testing machine and lists a plurality of tasks for configuring the testing machine prior to operating the testing machine, wherein the simulated visual representation of the testing machine includes a simulated visual representation of limits corresponding to actual limit values stored in a controller of the actuator assembly, wherein the simulated visual representation of limits is adjustable in the graphical user interface, and wherein the computing device controls the actuator assembly according to the limit.
Simulated relative location of fixture parameters to actuator parameters with adjustable limits
A controller accesses a storage device having information related to operating parameters of the actuator and information related to operating parameters of the fixture, and the controller has a graphical user interface to visually render a simulated relative location of the parameters of the fixture with respect to location of the parameters of the actuator, wherein at least some tasks used to configure the testing machine prior to operating the testing machine are graphically represented in the graphical user interface, wherein the simulated relative location of the parameters of the actuator includes a simulated visual representation of limits corresponding to actual limit values stored in the controller, wherein the simulated visual representation of limits is adjustable in the graphical user interface, and wherein the controller controls the actuator according to the limits of the actuator.
Simulated visual representation of actuator moving part and physical component with gui-linked moving part control and adjustable limits
A computing device includes a graphical user interface that renders a simulated visual representation of the physical component and a simulated visual representation of the moving part, wherein the simulated visual representation of the moving part includes simulated visual representation of limits corresponding to actual limit values of the moving part stored in a controller of the actuator assembly, wherein the simulated visual representation of limits is adjustable in the graphical user interface, wherein the simulated visual representation of the moving part moves in accordance with actual movement of the moving part of the actuator assembly, wherein a parameter associated with the moving part is configurable through the graphical user interface such that the moving part is controlled at least partially through the graphical user interface, and wherein at least some tasks used to configure the testing machine prior to operating the testing machine are graphically represented in the simulated visual representation of the physical component.
Across the independent claims, the invention centers on GUI-rendered simulated visuals, including adjustable simulated limit representations mapped to actual limit values stored in the actuator controller, and controlling the actuator according to those limits, together with graphical representation of configuration tasks and, in additional embodiments, simulated relative positioning between fixture and actuator parameters or simulated motion of the moving part.
Stated Advantages
Provides control of the actuator assembly according to adjustable simulated limits mapped to actual limit values stored in the controller.
Provides navigation and plurality of tasks for configuring the testing machine prior to operating the testing machine, with at least some tasks graphically represented in the graphical user interface.
Visually renders simulated relative location of fixture parameters with respect to actuator parameter locations on a graphical user interface.
The simulated visual representation of the moving part moves in accordance with actual movement of the moving part of the actuator assembly.
Documented Applications
Guided setup for configuring a testing machine prior to operating the testing machine, including navigation and tasks represented in GUI portions and simulated visuals.
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