Rotary display for electrical measuring device

Abstract

An electrical measurement device includes an electrical signal input, a display, an accelerometer, and an electronic controller configured to receive an output signal from the accelerometer, determine an orientation of the device from the accelerometer output signal, determine an information output from the electrical signal input, a display orientation is selected from a plurality of display orientations according to the orientation of the device, and an information output is output on the display at the selected display orientation.

Description

Rotary display for electrical measuring devices Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to displays for electrical measuring devices and other electrical tools. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical measuring devices such as circuit testers and voltage testers can receive input signals and display one or more characteristics of the input signals, such as voltage and ampere values. Attached Figure Description

[0003] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example electrical measuring device.

[0004] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the example electrical measuring device in Figure 1.

[0005] Figure 3 is an end view of the example electrical measuring device in Figure 1 in the first orientation.

[0006] Figure 4 is an end view of the example electrical measuring device in Figure 1 in the second orientation downwards.

[0007] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the example electrical measuring device in Figure 1 in the second orientation.

[0008] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example electronic component of the electrical measuring device in Figure 1. Detailed Implementation

[0009] When using electrical measuring devices such as circuit testers, electricians or other users can install the electrical measuring devices in various positions and orientations, and can rotate or otherwise reorient the devices during use. For the display of such electrical measuring devices, rotating the information output on the display would be useful so that the information is always displayed "up" relative to the ground. Accordingly, the electrical measuring device according to this disclosure may include an accelerometer or other electronic or mechanical components for determining the orientation of the device, one or more displays, and a processor and memory or other program for rotating the output located on one or more displays according to the orientation of the device.

[0010] Figures 1-5 are various views of the example electrical measuring device 100. The device 100 and its measuring functions are substantially similar to the device disclosed in application number PCT / US23 / 23189, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] Device 100 may include a main body 102, and various electronic components may be disposed within the main body 102. Such electronic components will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 6. Device 100 may also include a front display 104 and an end display 106. Displays 104 and 106 may be used to measure or output the characteristics of electrical signals by output device 100. Front display 104 may be disposed in a first plane (e.g., a plane parallel to the front face 108 of the main body 102). End display 106 may be disposed in a second plane (e.g., a plane parallel to the end face 110 of the main body 102). The first plane of front display 104 may be substantially perpendicular to the second plane of second display 106, and therefore front display 104 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to end display 106. Each display 104 and 106 may be or may include an LCD display, LED display, OLED display, segment display, etc. Each display 104 and 106 may be located in a fixed position relative to the main body 102. Therefore, displays 104 and 106 may have fixed positions relative to each other.

[0012] The device 100 may further include a clamp 112 and a clamp release device 114. The clamp 112 is disposed at the opposite end of the body 102 and the end face display 106, and the clamp release device 114 is disposed on the body 102, close to the clamp 112. The jaws of the clamp 112 may be wrapped around an electrical conductor to provide an electrical signal on the conductor as an input to the device 100. The release device 114 can be operated by a user to close and release the jaws of the clamp 112.

[0013] The device 100 may also include one or more probe input ports 116 to which one or more probe cables 118 may be coupled. Similar to the clamp 112, the probe cables 118 may be coupled to electrical conductors to provide electrical signals on those conductors as input to the device 100.

[0014] As described above, in some embodiments, device 100 may receive input signals and measure the characteristics of these signals. Additionally or alternatively, device 100 may output one or more electrical signals. For example, signals may be output via clamp 112, while other signals from the same circuit may be input to device 100 via probe cable 118. In addition to or as an alternative to clamp 112 and probe port 116, other or different electrical conductor input or coupling mechanisms may be provided on device 100, such as fork-shaped components, permanent probes, etc.

[0015] The device 100 may also include one or more input buttons 120 and input dials 122. The buttons 120 and / or dials 122 can be used to change the signal measurement parameters of the device 10, thereby changing the information displayed by the device 100, changing the characteristics of one or more signals output by the device 100, etc.

[0016] Figure 6 is a block diagram view of device 100, showing the electronic components of device 100. The electronic components may include an accelerometer 124 and a controller 126, the controller 126 including a processor 128 and a non-transitory computer-readable memory 132. The memory 132 may store instructions that, when executed by the processor 128, cause device 100 to perform one or more of the steps, methods, operations, algorithms, etc. disclosed herein and, in particular, those of the controller 126.

[0017] Controller 126 is electrically communicable with clamp 116, probe 118, accelerometer 124, user input buttons 120 and dial 122, and displays 104, 106. Controller 126 can receive electrical signals from clamp 112 and probe 118 and determine one or more characteristics of these signals to output to the user. Additionally or alternatively, controller 126 can generate or guide the generation of one or more signals for output via clamp 116 and / or probe 118, and can output one or more characteristics of such generated signals to the user. For example, controller 126 can determine and output AC or DC voltage, current, frequency, resistance, circuit continuity, capacitance, temperature, and / or other electrical parameters on one or more of displays 104, 106.

[0018] Accelerometer 124 can generate an output signal indicating the direction of gravity ("downward") in a resting state (i.e., the stationary position of device 100). Controller 126 may include an orientation determination module 132 that receives the output signal from accelerometer 124 and determines, based on the signal, which direction is downward relative to the body 102 of device 100, and thus determines the orientation of device 100. In other words, controller 126 can determine the orientation of one or both screens 104, 106 based on the accelerometer output. For example, controller 126 can determine, in a first orientation of device 100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, a downward direction D based on the output of accelerometer 124, and thus determine that the back face 136 of device 100 is downward. This orientation can occur when the back face 136 is placed on the surface 140 below device 100, or simply because the user holds device 100 in that orientation.

[0019] With the orientation shown in Figures 4 and 5, the controller 126 can determine the downward direction D based on the output of the accelerometer 124, and thus determine that the side 138 is downward. This orientation can occur when the side 138 is placed on the surface 140 below the device 100, or simply because the user holds the device 100 in this orientation.

[0020] The controller 126 may also include a display rotation module 134 configured to orient information to be output to the displays 104, 106 according to a determined orientation of the device (e.g., a determined orientation of one or both displays 104, 106). That is, the controller can orient the presented information so that the "downward" direction of the information is the same as the "downward" direction of the device 100. For example, Figures 2 and 3 show information on the end-face display 106, where the information is oriented so that the "downward" direction of the displayed information faces the back face 136. In contrast, Figures 4 and 5 show the same information on the end-face display 106, where the information is oriented so that the "downward" direction of the displayed information faces the side face 138.

[0021] In some embodiments, controller 126 may rotate the orientation of the two displays 104, 106 according to a determination by device 100. More generally, in some embodiments, controller 106 may rotate the orientation of all displays of device 100 according to a determination by device 100. Alternatively, controller 106 may rotate the orientation of end-face display 106 according to a determination by device 100, without rotating the orientation of front display 104. Alternatively, controller 106 may rotate the orientation of front display 104 according to a determination by device 100, without rotating the orientation of end-face display 106. More generally, in some embodiments, controller 106 may rotate some, but not all, of the displays of device 100 according to a determination by device 100.

[0022] Modules 132 and 134 can be implemented in hardware and / or software. For example, one or both modules 132 and 134 may be implemented as instructions in memory 130. Additionally or alternatively, one or both modules 132 and 134 may be implemented as integrated circuits or other circuitry. For example, orientation determination module 132 may be implemented as circuitry that converts the output of accelerometer 124 into an orientation indication that is readable and understandable by display rotation module 134. In some embodiments, orientation determination module 132 may be integrated within accelerometer 124.

[0023] The controller 126 may provide menus and other browsable information on one or more displays 104, 106, which a user may browse using input devices 120, 122. Furthermore, the user may use input devices 120, 122 to select a usage mode of the device 100 (e.g., measurement mode, signal output mode, etc.). Accordingly, the controller 126 may receive user input via input devices 120, 122. In some embodiments, user input may include multiple aspects relating to information to be displayed on the device, including but not limited to whether and to what extent information is displayed when the device 100 is rotated according to its orientation. The user may provide input, for example, related to: which display to rotate, which rotations to apply (e.g., which “down” direction should cause the display to rotate), etc. The controller 126 may therefore receive user input and determine the orientation of the information to be displayed on one or more displays 104, 106 based on that user input.

[0024] The controller 126 may include one or more suitable processing devices. For example, the controller may include a processor 128 and a memory 130, a microcontroller, an FPGA, etc.

[0025] In a first aspect of this disclosure, an electrical measuring device is provided, comprising an electrical signal input terminal, a display, an accelerometer, and an electronic controller, the electronic controller being configured to: receive an output signal from the accelerometer, determine the orientation of the device based on the accelerometer output signal, determine an information output based on the electrical signal input, select a display orientation from a plurality of display orientations based on the orientation of the device, and output the information output on the display with the selected display orientation.

[0026] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the display is a first display, and the electrical measuring device further includes a second display, wherein the orientation of the second display does not change depending on the orientation of the device. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first display is located on an end face of the device, and the second display is located on the front face of the device, wherein the front face is substantially perpendicular to the end face. In yet another embodiment of the first aspect, the electrical measuring device further includes a plurality of user-actuable input mechanisms arranged on the front face of the device. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the electrical measuring device further includes a housing defining the end face and the front face, wherein the accelerometer and the electronic controller are housed within the housing.

[0027] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the display is on the end face of the device, and the electrical signal input terminal is located at the opposite end of the device.

[0028] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the device is a clamp meter.

[0029] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation, and the first orientation is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second orientation.

[0030] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation, and the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees relative to the second orientation.

[0031] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least four orientations, and each of the four orientations is rotated 90 degrees relative to two of the other four orientations.

[0032] In a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided comprising: receiving an output signal from an accelerometer via an electronic controller of an electrical measuring device including an electrical signal input terminal, a display, and an accelerometer; determining an orientation of the device via the electronic controller based on the accelerometer output signal; determining an information output via the electronic controller based on the electrical signal input; selecting a display orientation from a plurality of display orientations via the electronic controller based on the orientation of the device; and outputting the information output on the display with the selected display orientation via the electronic controller.

[0033] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the display is a first display, the electrical measuring device further includes a second display, and the electronic controller does not change the orientation of the second display according to the orientation of the device.

[0034] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the electrical measuring device is a clamp meter.

[0035] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation, and the first orientation is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second orientation.

[0036] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation, and the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees relative to the second orientation.

[0037] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the plurality of display orientations include at least four orientations, and each of the four orientations is rotated 90 degrees relative to two of the other four orientations.

[0038] In a third aspect of this disclosure, an electrical measuring device is provided, comprising a housing, an electrical signal input terminal disposed on the housing, a display disposed on the housing, an accelerometer disposed within the housing, and an electronic controller disposed within the housing, the electronic controller being configured to: receive an output signal from the accelerometer, determine the orientation of the device based on the accelerometer output signal, determine information output based on the electrical signal input, select a display orientation from a plurality of display orientations based on the orientation of the device, and output information on the display with the selected display orientation.

[0039] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the display is disposed on a first end of the housing, and the electrical signal input terminal includes a clamp disposed on a second end of the housing opposite to the first end.

[0040] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the display is a first display, and the electrical measuring device further includes a second display disposed on the housing, wherein the orientation of the second display does not change according to the orientation of the device. In another embodiment of the third aspect, the electrical measuring device further includes a plurality of user-actuable input mechanisms disposed on the same surface of the device as the second display.

[0041] While this disclosure describes specific embodiments, it should be understood that the claims are not intended to limit one to these embodiments unless expressly recited in the claims. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, numerous specific details are set forth in the detailed description of this disclosure to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that systems and methods consistent with this disclosure can be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of this disclosure.

[0042] Some portions of the detailed description in this disclosure are presented in the form of programs, logic modules, processes, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer or digital system memory. These descriptions and representations are the means by which those skilled in the art of data processing most effectively communicate the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In this document, programs, logic modules, processes, etc., are generally understood as self-consistent sequences of steps or instructions that achieve a desired result. These steps are steps that require physical operations on physical quantities. Typically (but not necessarily), these physical operations take the form of electrical or magnetic data that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system or similar electronic computing device. For convenience and with reference to general usage, and referring to various embodiments disclosed herein, such data are referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc.

[0043] However, it should be noted that these terms should all be understood as referring to physical operations and physical quantities, and are merely labels for ease of description. Further explanation is required in conjunction with commonly used terminology in the art. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, as is evident from the discussion herein, it is understood that throughout the discussion of this embodiment, the use of terms such as “determine,” “output,” “transmit,” “record,” “locate,” “store,” “display,” “receive,” “identify,” “utilize,” “generate,” “provide,” “access,” “check,” “notify,” or “deliver,” etc., relates to the actions and processes of computer systems or similar electronic computing devices that manipulate and transform data. Data is represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the registers and memories of a computer system, and is converted into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices, as described herein or otherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

[0044] Although certain exemplary methods and apparatuses are described herein, the scope of this patent is not limited thereto. Rather, this patent covers all methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture that fall within the scope of the appended claims literally or reasonably in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrical measuring device, comprising: Electrical signal input terminal; monitor; accelerometer; And an electronic controller, which is configured to receive output signals from the accelerometer; The orientation of the device is determined based on the output signal of the accelerometer. The information output is determined based on the electrical signal input; Select a display orientation from multiple display orientations based on the orientation of the device; And output information on the display with the selected display orientation.

2. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the display is a first display, and the electrical measuring device further comprises: A second display; wherein the orientation of the second display does not change depending on the orientation of the device.

3. The electrical measuring device according to claim 2, wherein: The first display is located on the end face of the device; and the second display is located on the front face of the device, wherein the front face is substantially perpendicular to the end face.

4. The electrical measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising: Multiple user-actuable input mechanisms are located on the front of the device.

5. The electrical measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising: A housing that defines the end face and the front face; wherein the accelerometer and the electronic controller are housed within the housing.

6. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the display is located on the end face of the device, and wherein the electrical signal input terminal is located on the opposite end of the device.

7. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a clamp meter.

8. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The orientation of the plurality of displays includes at least a first orientation and a second orientation; and the first orientation is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second orientation.

9. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation; and the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees relative to the second orientation.

10. The electrical measuring device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of displays are oriented in at least four directions; and each of the four directions is rotated 90 degrees relative to the other two of the four directions.

11. A method comprising: The electronic controller receives the output signal from the accelerometer through an electrical measurement device that includes an electrical signal input terminal, a display, and an accelerometer. The orientation of the device is determined by the electronic controller based on the output signal of the accelerometer; the information output is determined by the electronic controller based on the input electrical signal. The electronic controller selects a display orientation from multiple display orientations based on the orientation of the device. And output information on the display by means of an electronic controller to select the orientation of the display.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The display is a first display, and the electrical measuring device also includes a second display; and the electronic controller does not change the orientation of the second display according to the orientation of the device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical measuring device is a clamp meter.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein: The orientation of the plurality of displays includes at least a first orientation and a second orientation; and the first orientation is rotated 90 degrees relative to the second orientation.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The plurality of display orientations include at least a first orientation and a second orientation; and the first orientation is rotated 180 degrees relative to the second orientation.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein: The plurality of displays are oriented in at least four directions; and each of the four directions is rotated 90 degrees relative to the other two of the four directions.

17. An electrical measuring device, comprising: Housing; electrical signal input terminal disposed on the housing; display disposed on the housing; An accelerometer housed within the casing; An electronic controller, which is housed within the housing and configured to receive an output signal from the accelerometer; The orientation of the device is determined based on the output signal of the accelerometer. The information output is determined based on the electrical signal input; the orientation of a display is selected from multiple display orientations based on the orientation of the device. And output information on the display with the selected display orientation.

18. The electrical measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the display is disposed on a first end of the housing, and the electrical signal input terminal includes a clamp disposed on a second end of the housing opposite to the first end.

19. The electrical measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the display is a first display, and the electrical measuring device further comprises: A second display is disposed on the housing; wherein the orientation of the second display does not change depending on the orientation of the device.

20. The electrical measuring device according to claim 19, further comprising: Multiple user-actuable input mechanisms are disposed on the same surface of the device as the second display.

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