Method, apparatus, program and readable medium for setting menu system on terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, an apparatus, a program and a readable medium for setting a menu system on a terminal. A method of setting a menu system on a terminal, where the terminal is designed to display at least information from a sensor of a process automation technology, such as measurements from the sensor, the menu system comprising a menu page having menu elements, the method comprising: providing a generic basic set of menu elements, wherein the basic set is designed to implement all use cases of a menu system, in particular the display of information and the editing of settings, and can be displayed on a minimum system; providing at least a first extension set and / or a higher order extension set of menu elements, and providing an alternative description thereof using only the base set of menu elements; checking the technical capability of the terminal; and displaying the information on the terminal using the highest order extension set for which the terminal has technical capabilities, or if the terminal cannot display the extension set, displaying the information using the next lowest order extension set or the basic set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting a menu system on a terminal, a device for executing the method, a computer program and a computer readable medium. Background Art

[0002] DE102016124326 discloses a method for operating a measuring transducer in process automation technology. A measuring transducer is sometimes also referred to as a transmitter. DE102016124326 describes the subsequent expandability of a measuring transducer without having to replace its operating software. The transmitter described is capable of loading and running an "app (application)".

[0003] Such apps typically have a menu system that is designed to be displayed on a wide range of transmitters and devices. For example, an app for processing the measurements of a pH sensor should be operable on devices with minimal monochrome displays, devices with medium-sized monochrome displays, and devices with larger color displays using modern web technologies for user interface rendering.

[0004] DE 10 2017 109 711 discloses a method for setting up a menu system on a measuring transducer.

[0005] The mentioned system categories also differ greatly in terms of operating options, such as 2-button operation, 4-way softkey operation with navigator, and free multi-touch operation or mouse / keyboard operation.

[0006] In addition, the menu systems of launchers are constantly evolving and new menu elements are added to improve the presentation of information. However, newer apps that use new menu elements should still be usable on older launchers that are not yet familiar with or cannot display these new menu elements. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a novel menu system for modern measuring transducers, which can be implemented even on older or smaller measuring transducers and simplifies the maintenance and programming of the menu system.

[0008] The object is achieved by a method for setting up a menu system on a terminal, wherein the terminal is designed to display at least information from sensors of process automation technology, such as measured values ​​from the sensors, the menu system comprising menu pages with menu elements, the method comprising the following steps: providing a common basic set of menu elements, wherein the basic set is designed to implement all use cases of the menu system, in particular the display of information and the editing of settings, and can be displayed on a minimum system; providing at least a first extended set and / or a higher-order extended set of menu elements, and only using the basic set of menu elements to provide alternative descriptions thereof; checking the technical capabilities of the terminal device; and displaying the information on the terminal device using the highest-order extended set for which the terminal has technical capabilities, or, if the terminal is not capable of displaying the extended set, using the next lowest-order extended set or the basic set to display the information.

[0009] This allows elements of the menu system to be coded for the terminal app so that they can be displayed on a variety of different app-enabled terminals.

[0010] One embodiment provides that the base set is designed to be accessible, in particular Braille and speech output compatible.

[0011] One embodiment provides that a basic set includes at least one of the following basic elements: menu pages linked in a tree structure, where a menu page is a list of rows; abstract navigation to navigate through rows in a loop; rows representing references to subpages or top pages, in particular, "selection" of a row leads to the referenced page; rows representing plain text; rows representing read-only parameters including associated name / label text; rows representing only editable parameters including associated name / label text; rows representing buttons for control actions; or text in greatly abbreviated and longer forms.

[0012] One embodiment provides that the base set is designed to be scriptable, ie, designed for script creation and script processing, and the associated script is part of the alternative description.

[0013] An embodiment provides that the script includes one or more of the following options: use of variables, visibility and (de)activation of elements, access to the content of numeric and text fields, change of the content of numeric and text fields, input validation functions, reaction to events, in particular pressing / releasing of control elements, changing values, navigation and (de)selection of menu elements.

[0014] One embodiment provides for defining an extended set of alternative descriptions individually for each instance of a menu element.

[0015] One embodiment provides for extending the menu element by making it particularly optional in order to make it backward compatible.

[0016] The object is also achieved by a device, in particular a measuring transducer, which is designed to carry out a method as described above.

[0017] The object is also achieved by a computer program comprising instructions for causing a device as described above to perform at least some of the method steps as described above. A menu system having menu pages and a basic set of basic elements is defined by a user and then saved in a data format as a specific menu system. Thus, the computer program does not perform the entire method itself, but interprets it. Thus, the implemented computer program performs the steps of the method related to menu display and navigation.

[0018] The object is also achieved by a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] This is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0020] Figure 1 A menu page constructed using a basic collection is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 A menu page constructed using an extension collection is shown.

[0022] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 An alternative description for the menu page.

[0023] Figure 4 The measuring transducer is shown.

[0024] In the drawings, like features are marked with like reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] We will first discuss Figure 4 In general, a measuring transducer 10 (also called a transmitter) is a device which converts an input variable into an output variable according to a fixed relationship. "Measuring transducer" and "transmitter" are used synonymously in this document. A sensor is connected to a measuring transducer. Its raw measured values ​​are processed in the measuring transducer, for example, averaged with the aid of a calculation model or converted into another variable, for example a process variable to be determined and possibly transmitted, for example, to a control system.

[0026] Various sensors (not shown) can be connected to the measuring transducer 10. Under the above-mentioned name "Memosens", the applicant markets sensors for measuring pH, conductivity, oxygen, turbidity and the like.

[0027] The measuring transducer can also be a component of the sensor.

[0028] The measuring principle implemented in the sensor can often be used in more applications than originally provided. For example, a turbidity sensor which was actually developed for measuring sludge in wastewater plants can also be used to measure the fat content in milk by using the measuring principle. In order to be able to flexibly provide new applications, the corresponding model is not permanently stored in the sensor, but can be reloaded in the form of an app 11. An app 11 is therefore a loadable program code fragment which provides the measuring transducer with additional or different functionalities. The firmware of the measuring transducer is therefore designed so that apps can be received, stored (internally) and executed via an interface.

[0029] One or more of the mentioned sensors can be connected to the measuring transducer 10, for example via a cable. For example, up to eight sensors can be connected to the measuring transducer 10. For example, the raw measured values ​​of the sensors are processed in the measuring transducer 10, for example, averaged and / or converted into another variable, for example a process variable to be determined and possibly transmitted to, for example, a control system, by means of a calculation model. The measuring transducer 10 comprises a data processing unit 12 with a memory 13, which is large enough to store a plurality of apps 11.

[0030] The sensor comprises at least one sensor element for detecting a measured quantity for process automation. The sensor is then, for example, a pH sensor, also called ISFET, typically an ion-selective sensor, a sensor for measuring the redox potential, the absorption of electromagnetic waves in a medium, for example with a wavelength in the UV, IR and / or visible range, oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, the concentration of non-metallic materials or temperature with a corresponding measured variable.

[0031] The measuring transducer 10 can be connected via a cable to a superordinated unit 20, such as a control system. The measuring transducer 10 forwards the measurement data to the control system. In this case, the control system is designed as a process control system (PLC), a PC or a server. For this purpose, the measuring transducer 10 transmits the data via a communication protocol that the control system can understand, for example a fieldbus such as HART, Profibus PA, Profibus DP, Foundation fieldbus, Modbus RS485, or an Ethernet-based fieldbus such as EtherNet / IP, Profinet or Modbus / TCP. This is not shown here.

[0032] The measuring transducer 10 comprises a display 7 and one or more operating elements 8, such as keys, rotary knobs or rotary knobs, buttons or soft keys, via which the measuring transducer 10 can be operated. The measurement data of the sensor are displayed, for example, by the display 7. The sensor can also be configured and parameterized via the operating elements 8 and the corresponding views on the display 7. The display 7 can also be designed as a touch display; the operating element 8 can then also be part of the touch display, i.e. as a touch operating element. The measuring transducer 10 comprises a data processing unit 12. The measuring transducer 10 can also comprise an SD card slot 9, via which apps can be loaded onto the measuring transducer 10. The measuring transducer 10 can also comprise one or more wireless modules, such as Bluetooth, mobile radio (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) or other possible wireless, bus protocols, such as WirelessHART, via which apps 11 can be loaded.

[0033] As described above, the measuring transducer 10 or the sensor connected thereto can be operated and parameterized via the operating element 8. For this purpose, a menu or a menu structure is shown on the display 7. The menu structure describes the hierarchy, navigation and text of the various menu pages shown on the display 7. The menu structure makes it possible to select a desired command from the offered products and have it executed.

[0034] The menu structure comprises the entirety of all menu pages and the navigation therein. The menu structure thus describes the hierarchy, navigation and text of the various menu pages shown on the display of the measuring transducer in order to guide the user. The menu structure allows a selection to be made from the offered products and the desired settings or commands to be manipulated or executed. The measuring transducer and the field devices connected thereto (e.g. sensors) are adjusted via the menu structure. The terms "menu navigation" or "menu system" can also be used synonymously with "menu structure".

[0035] A menu page is a collection of elements that can act as static text, parameters, or links to other menu pages.

[0036] A menu element is a single graphic or text element on a menu page.

[0037] A menu description is a code that defines a single menu page.

[0038] The measuring transducer 10 described above is relatively powerful, having a large display 7 and a plurality of control elements 8 with buttons and rotary / push-button switches ("high-end transmitter"). However, the concept according to the invention is also applicable to less powerful measuring transducers, typically terminal "low-end transmitters" for example only have a small or medium-sized monochrome display, which for example only has one or two buttons.

[0039] The concept according to the invention is explained below using an application for fill level display and monitoring as an example: The variables of interest here are the current fill level and the upper and lower fill level limit values.

[0040] Version 1 of the app is based on version A of the menu system and uses plain text menu elements 3 to display information. Figure 1 This is illustrated using a basic set of menu elements 3. Even on a low-end transmitter, all elements 3 of version A of the menu system can be easily displayed.

[0041] Version B of the menu system is being finalized, which includes a bar graph as a new menu element. Figure 2 However, the bar graph can only be displayed on high-end transmitters.

[0042] Version 2 of the app provides the following improvements: increased precision and significantly improved performance when calculating fill levels and using bar graphs to display information. The bar graph is menu element 3 and consists of the sub-element "Fill Bar" and an indicator arrow and a text label attached to it. Other possible menu elements are diagrams, graphs, charts, etc. with or without superimposed text.

[0043] Due to the improved accuracy and performance of the fill level calculation, version 2 of the app can also be used with existing low-end transmitters. However, these transmitters still use version A of the menu system and may not display the bar graph even after a software update to version B.

[0044] Without appropriate measures, version 2 of the app will only be usable on launchers that have at least version B of the menu system and a display system that fits it. The only way to prevent incompatibility with existing systems is to abandon new, extended features in the menu system, which is not in the spirit of continuously improving the user interface or product features of the associated system.

[0045] This application explains and claims its solution. This basically consists of three parts:

[0046] 1. Definition of the common base set of menu elements

[0047] 2. For extended menu elements: only use menu elements from the base set to define alternative descriptions

[0048] 3. Code to maintain compatibility when extending existing menu elements.

[0049] The first step is to identify the smallest possible common set of menu elements.

[0050] It is sufficient to implement all use cases for menu navigation (e.g., displaying information and editing settings), and

[0051] Capable of display on minimal systems (e.g., tiny monochrome display, two buttons).

[0052] Such a common base set could contain:

[0053] Menu pages linked in a tree structure where a menu page is a list of rows

[0054] Abstract navigation to navigate through lines in a loop (no specific hardware input options specified)

[0055] A row that indicates a reference to a bottom or top page: "select" of the row leads to the referenced page

[0056] · Represents a plain text row

[0057] · Indicates an array of read-only parameters including associated name / label text

[0058] · rows showing only editable parameters including associated name / label text;

[0059] A row of buttons representing control actions;

[0060] Significantly shortened and longer-form text

[0061] This universal base set must be mappable to all conceptually considered systems. On very small systems, the biggest problems naturally arise in terms of interaction and display options. However, there are also possibilities such as numeric and text editors that can implement the above-mentioned editable parameters, e.g.

[0062] Keys for navigating the cursor forward and backward within numbers / text (short press moves the cursor right, long press moves the cursor left),

[0063] A key for selecting the next lower digit / previous letter in the alphabet, and

[0064] • Key for selecting the next higher digit / letter in the alphabet.

[0065] Of course, high-end systems offer significantly improved display and navigation options to this common basic set. Obviously the navigator and multiple soft keys have brought great improvements; free multi-touch interface or mouse / keyboard interface produces virtually unlimited degrees of freedom.

[0066] The elements of the generic base set should also be accessible, ie, the elements of the base set should be as easy as possible to describe, for example via speech output or a Braille interface.

[0067] If a new element is introduced into a new version of the menu system, it has to be defined for this new menu element how the information shown therein can alternatively be shown using only elements from the common base set.

[0068] for Figure 2 The bar chart of Figure 3 A part of the menu system is shown in . For the description, XML was chosen as an example for better structure understandability. However, many other formats are possible for encoding menu elements, such as JSON or a more space-saving binary encoding (DER encoding or proprietary encoding).

[0069] The bar graph to be displayed should contain two markers on the left for the upper and lower limits. The position of the markers on the Y-axis is determined dynamically based on the set values ​​of "lower_limit" and "upper_limit". In addition, the bar to be displayed should be filled (on a color display, for example, displayed in blue) and drawn from the range 0 to the current fill level ("current_level" is a parameter of the app and contains the currently calculated fill level). The range of the Y-axis is selected to be 0 to 6.

[0070] Older menu systems that are not yet familiar with bar graphs or launchers that cannot display them due to hardware limitations will find an alternative definition in the menu description of the bar graph, which must consist only of elements from the common base set (for example, the tool can ensure this when creating the app). In this case, all elements and constellations allowed in a valid menu description consisting only of common base elements are allowed. For example, the alternative description can also consist of a page structure with multiple subpages.

[0071] Menu systems unfamiliar with bar graphs will be presented with an alternative structure instead of a bar graph.

[0072] In the example, the alternative description consists of three lines of text similar to the first image.

[0073] There are different ways to define alternative descriptions:

[0074] It can be defined individually for each instance of a menu element, e.g. alternative descriptions for a bar graph instance in a menu description can look completely different (e.g. three lines of text for bar graph A, full sub-page structure for bar graph B)

[0075] For each type of menu element, there can be a parameterized schema (a template that describes how the alternative descriptions are structurally looked up; the template is then populated with data each time a specific menu element occurs), which describes how instances of the menu element are mapped to alternative descriptions (example: each instance of a bar chart with three values ​​essentially has three rows of text with the corresponding values ​​as alternative descriptions)

[0076] Combination of two methods

[0077] The decision whether an emitter must render an alternative description can be made based on various criteria, such as:

[0078] If the menu system on the launcher is outdated and the launcher doesn't even recognize the corresponding elements,

[0079] If some menu elements are saved permanently in the launcher (e.g. hardcoded in the source code), alternative descriptions must be rendered, e.g. if the launcher uses a display that is simply not suitable for graphical elements.

[0080] If the transmitter must meet technical possibilities or requirements stored in the description of the menu element for display, but it cannot (possibly temporarily) handle this (e.g. minimum display resolution, touch screen, color display, etc.),

[0081] For example, if an extended menu element cannot be displayed without an obstruction, but the user has activated the use of braille-compatible output.

[0082] In another embodiment of the invention, a menu element can have multiple alternative descriptions, where at least one alternative description must consist only of menu elements from the base set.

[0083] The selection of an alternative description to render can be done in the following ways, for example:

[0084] the alternative descriptions have been pre-ordered by the developer of the menu structure according to priority, for example, in descending order according to the power of the menu item (alternative descriptions for high-end devices first, alternative descriptions for low-end devices next, and alternative descriptions consisting of only the base set last); the launcher accordingly selects the first alternative description that can be displayed on the launcher for display according to priority,

[0085] • The alternative descriptions are unordered, and the emitter uses its own internal emitter-specific implementation evaluation function to determine the best alternative description from the displayable alternative descriptions.

[0086] The always-possible ability to map menu elements of any complexity to elements of the common base set is advantageous for supporting users with temporary or permanent limitations. For example, users with severely reduced vision often use, for example, supporting machine speech output describing the displayed information in addition to the graphical user interface. Since the elements of the common base set are substantially mapped to accessible interfaces, systems with appropriate hardware capabilities are able to use both the extended graphical representation and the descriptive machine speech output simultaneously.

[0087] In the ongoing development of the menu system, not only new elements are added, but also existing elements can be extended with new optional properties. For example, the menu element "text row" can receive properties such as bold or color.

[0088] In this case care must be taken to make such extensions compatible. Thus, existing attributes must not be removed and their original semantics must be preserved. The values ​​in the enumeration may not be changed but may only be supplemented by additional supplementary attributes.

[0089] Let's assume that menu element M is newly introduced in version X of the menu system. With version Y of the menu system, M is extended to M'. Apps developed for menu system Y and using M' can still be displayed on a launcher with menu system X, because the additional attributes in M' are only optional. These represent additional information assignable to the operation of the app, or simply improvements in the display of information. Instead of M', the launcher will display M.

[0090] The above description refers essentially to "passive" replacement descriptions, i.e. purely representative elements. In the following, the possibility of extending the basic concept also to "active" elements (i.e. elements for interaction) is described, even by replacing with simple basic elements.

[0091] The base set includes ways to interact with it programmatically via scripts; for the purposes of this document, this is referred to as "scriptability". This allows interaction with any element of the base set, which allows the implementation of more complex mappings of control elements (elements of the base set, see above). Alternative descriptions compose more complex control elements from multiple base elements, and any interactions between these elements are described as functionally equivalent alternatives via scriptability.

[0092] Such scripts are also part of the alternative description. Script capabilities include variables, visibility of elements, (de)activation of elements, access to the content of numeric and text fields, change of the content of numeric and text fields, input validation functions, reaction to events such as pressing / releasing control elements, changing values, (de)selection of navigation and menu elements, etc.

[0093] This will be demonstrated using the example of a new menu element also commonly referred to as a "slider", where the slider should be adjustable between two predefined limits, i.e., a lower limit and an upper limit. This should be represented by an alternative description using a base set. This can be achieved by a numeric input field, a "down button", an "up button", an increment function, a decrement function, a validation function, an "upper limit" variable, and a "lower limit" variable.

[0094] The Upper Limit and Lower Limit variables are linked through alternative descriptions to the data source provided for the extended set of menu elements (for example, parameter values ​​or constants).

[0095] The increment function is linked to the up button via the "button pressed" event; it takes the value from the input field, increments it if the current value has not yet reached the value of the upper limit variable, and then writes it back.

[0096] The decrement function is linked to the down button via the "button pressed" event; it takes the value from the input field, decrements it if the current value has not yet reached the value of the down variable, and then writes it back.

[0097] Validation functions monitor input values ​​entered directly by the user into numeric input fields; values ​​outside the valid limits are not accepted.

[0098] Reference numerals list

[0099] 1 Menu page built using basic collection

[0100] 2 Menu page built using extended collection

[0101] 3 Menu elements

[0102] 4 Alternative descriptions

[0103] 7 Display

[0104] 8 Operating elements

[0105] 9 SD card slot

[0106] 10 Measuring transducer

[0107] 11 App

[0108] 12 Data processing unit

[0109] 13 Memory

[0110] 20 parent unit.

Claims

1. A method for setting a menu system on a terminal, wherein: The terminal is designed to display at least information from sensors of process automation technology, such as measured values ​​of the sensors, the menu system comprises a menu page with menu elements, and the method comprises the following steps: - Provides a common base set of menu elements, Wherein, the basic set is designed to implement all use cases of the menu system, in particular the display of information and the editing of settings, and can be displayed on a minimum system; - providing at least a first extended set and / or a higher-order extended set of menu elements and providing alternative descriptions thereof using only said basic set of menu elements; - check the technical capabilities of the terminal equipment; and - displaying the information on the terminal device using the highest order extension set for which the terminal has technical capabilities, or if the terminal is not capable of displaying an extension set, displaying the information using the next lowest order extension set or the base set.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The base set is designed to be accessible, in particular Braille and speech output compatible.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, in, The basic set includes at least one of the following basic elements: - menu pages linked in a tree structure, where a menu page is a list of rows; - Abstract navigation to navigate through the rows in a loop; - a row indicating a reference to a bottom page or a top page, in particular the "selection" of said row leads to the referenced page; - represents a row of plain text; - represents a row of read-only parameters including associated name / label text; - rows that represent only editable parameters including associated name / label text; - a row of buttons representing control actions; or - Significantly shortened and longer form texts.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The base set is designed to be scriptable, ie, designed for script creation and script processing, and the associated script is part of the alternative description.

5. The method according to the preceding claim, in, The script includes one or more of the following options: use of variables, visibility and (de)activation of elements, access to the content of numeric and text fields, change of the content of said numeric and text fields, input validation functions, reaction to events, in particular pressing / releasing of control elements, changing values, (de)selection of navigation and menu elements.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The alternative descriptions of the extended set are specified individually for each instance of the menu element.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, Extends the menu element by making it backwards compatible by specifically making the attribute optional.

8. A device, in particular a measuring transducer, designed to carry out the method according to any of the preceding claims.

9. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus according to the preceding claim to perform at least some of the method steps according to at least one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A computer readable medium on which a computer program according to the preceding claim is stored.

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