Method for configuring an electric drive system and machine

Abstract

Method for configuring an electric drive system, wherein, for configuring the electric drive system, a parameter value of a drive system parameter is selected from a set of selectable parameter values ​​of the drive system parameter, the method comprising the following steps: - Determining a number of parameter values ​​selectable from the set, - Comparing the number with a threshold value, - if the number is less than or equal to the threshold, display a list of all parameter values ​​selectable from the set, - if the number is greater than the threshold, display a dialog (10) with a search field (20), whereby when a string is entered into the search field (20), only those parameter values ​​selectable from the set in which the string is contained are displayed, - Receiving an input that is associated with a displayed parameter value, and - Selecting the parameter value to which the input is assigned.

Description

Application area and state of the art

[0001] US 8 078 970 B1 reveals a graphical user interface with a user-configurable list.

[0002] US Patent 2011 / 0265035A1 discloses a system and method for displaying a graphical context menu on the screen of a mobile device.

[0003] The invention relates to a method for configuring an electric drive system, in which a parameter value is selected from a set of parameter values ​​for configuring the electric drive system. The invention further relates to a machine comprising a control device, wherein the control device is configured to execute such a method.

[0004] Currently, surface controls appropriate to the parameter type are typically used when setting parameter values ​​in electric drive systems. For parameters with a long list of textual selection options (1 out of n), a user-friendly graphical control is still lacking.

[0005] Currently, pull-down menus are used, where the current setting is displayed as text when collapsed. Clicking on such a field opens a selection list with all possible choices. After selecting an entry, the field collapses again.

[0006] This solution is typically useful when the number of possible texts is small. With a larger number, for example more than 15 texts, a scroll bar is often added to the expanded list. However, this can make it difficult to find the desired entry. Task and solution

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method that allows simple input even with a large number of selection options. It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine configured to execute such a method.

[0008] This is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1 and a machine according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments can be found, for example, in the respective dependent claims.

[0009] The invention relates to a method for configuring an electric drive system, in which a parameter value is selected from a set of parameter values ​​of a drive system parameter for configuring the electric drive system, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Determining a number of parameter values ​​selectable from the set, - Comparing the number with a threshold value, - if the number is less than or equal to the threshold, display a list of all parameter values ​​of the set, - if the number is greater than the threshold, display a dialog with a search field, whereby when a string is entered into the search field, only those parameter values ​​from the set in which the string is contained are shown, - Receiving an input that is associated with a displayed parameter value, and - Select (and accept and, if necessary, save) the parameter value to which the input is assigned.

[0010] In the method according to the invention, for a drive system parameter that has a specific parameter type, a parameter value is selected from n possible or selectable parameter values. The parameter values ​​are presented to the user, for example, in text format, but are typically of the integer data type (enumeration data type) for machine processing.

[0011] The number of selectable parameter values, the selectable parameter values ​​themselves, and their corresponding representation depend on the parameter type of the drive system parameter. For example, the drive system parameter might be of the parameter type "Input," where selectable parameter values ​​such as "analog," "digital," "not connected," etc., are assigned to this parameter type. Another parameter type might be, for example, "Output," where selectable parameter values ​​such as "voltage," "current," "PWM," "not connected," etc., could be assigned to this parameter type.

[0012] The method according to the invention allows for significantly simpler input, particularly when dealing with a large number of selection options, while simultaneously maintaining the familiar interface when dealing with a small number of options. This considerably simplifies the configuration of electric drive systems.

[0013] Preferably, the threshold corresponds to the maximum number of displayable parameter values. This allows the search field to be used precisely when more than the maximum displayable number of parameter values ​​can be selected; otherwise, the standard display is used.

[0014] The threshold can, for example, have a value between 10 and 20, in particular 15.

[0015] When the dialog box with the search field is displayed, the parameter values ​​from the set are preferably shown simultaneously, either partially or completely. This allows the user to see at least some of the possible parameter values, which makes orientation easier.

[0016] When the dialog box is displayed, a scrollable selection list is shown by default, allowing you to scroll through all parameter values. This makes it easier to select a specific parameter value.

[0017] When a string is entered, the parameter values ​​containing that string are preferably displayed immediately following each input. This allows for fast operation without unnecessary delays.

[0018] The input associated with a parameter value is entered, according to one implementation, by clicking on a displayed parameter value with the mouse pointer. Alternatively, according to another implementation, the input associated with a parameter value can be entered by moving a marker between the displayed parameter values ​​to the parameter value, particularly using keys such as cursor keys, and pressing a confirmation key. This allows for simple and reliable selection of a specific parameter value.

[0019] The procedure and / or the comparison step, and the subsequent steps, are preferably executed in response to the activation of a field, in particular a mouse click on the field. This corresponds to typical user input, indicating that the user wants to select a parameter value. Accordingly, it makes sense to execute the procedure or the corresponding steps precisely at this moment.

[0020] According to one interpretation, the dialog is a modal dialog. This allows the suppression of other functions, such as on a display, while the user selects a parameter value, thus avoiding distractions and incorrect input.

[0021] The invention further relates to a machine comprising a control unit, a display, and an input device. A set of parameter values ​​of a drive system parameter can be set on the machine. The control unit is configured to execute a method according to the invention. All described embodiments and variants can be used for this purpose. The dialog is displayed on the screen, and input is made via the input device.

[0022] This means that the machine is preferably designed to carry out the method according to the invention, thereby achieving the advantages already described above.

[0023] The machine may in particular be a machine which includes an electric drive system or is itself an electric drive system.

[0024] The invention further relates to a non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium on which program code is stored, the execution of which causes a processor to perform a method according to the invention. All described embodiments and variants can be used in this context.

[0025] It should be noted that the new dialog or control behaves as is known from previous technologies when dealing with a smaller number of possible texts. With a larger number, clicking the control can display either a modal or a non-modal dialog. In this modal dialog, in addition to the selection list with the many texts, an input field is offered, which can be used to filter the text bar. Initially, the field is typically empty. As soon as the user enters text, the selection list is filtered so that only texts containing the text from the input field are displayed. As a rule, after entering just a few characters, the list is significantly reduced, making it easy to select the appropriate entry. After double-clicking the appropriate entry or making another type of selection, such as with the OK button, the modal dialog closes and the selected text is deleted.The parameter value appears in the standard control.

[0026] It should be mentioned that instead of the previously mentioned modal dialog, for example, any search text can be entered directly at the control location, which filters and thus shortens the expanded list.

[0027] According to one possible implementation, the behavior of the control or dialog is not used directly on a user interface, but rather the behavior is used, for example, in a field of a table control, which also allows access to a parameter value of a drive system parameter of this type.

[0028] Further features and advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiment described below with reference to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1: a dialogue which may occur during an execution of the method according to the invention.

[0029] Fig.Figure 1 shows a modal dialog 10, which can be displayed when a method according to the invention is executed. The method can, in particular, be executed by a drive system on which a number of parameter values ​​of one or more drive system parameters can be set. The drive system can, in particular, include display means such as a display and input means such as a keyboard and / or a mouse.

[0030] The modal dialog 10 is displayed, in particular, when a user clicks on a control field and it is determined that the number of possible parameter values ​​to be selected exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can, in particular, correspond to the maximum number of parameter values ​​that can be displayed in a specific field.

[0031] Dialog 10, as shown, has a search field 20 and a list 30 below it. In principle, all possible parameter values ​​can be selected from list 30, although only a subset of these values ​​are actually displayed. To allow scrolling through all parameter values, a scroll bar 35 is located to the right of the text field. Therefore, not all possible parameter values ​​can be displayed simultaneously, but they can be accessed via the scroll bar.

[0032] When text is entered into search field 20, the parameter values ​​are filtered, and only those containing the entered text are displayed. The text thus acts as a search string. Normally, after entering just a few letters, the list can be narrowed down sufficiently to unambiguously identify the desired parameter value.

[0033] Incorrect inputs can be effectively prevented by using the method according to the invention or the dialog box 10 shown. Furthermore, operation is simplified and significantly faster than with prior art designs.

Claims

[1] Method for configuring an electric drive system, wherein, for configuring the electric drive system, a parameter value of a drive system parameter is selected from a set of selectable parameter values ​​of the drive system parameter, the method comprising the following steps: - Determining a number of parameter values ​​selectable from the set, - Comparing the number with a threshold value, - if the number is less than or equal to the threshold, display a list of all parameter values ​​selectable from the set, - if the number is greater than the threshold, display a dialog (10) with a search field (20), whereby when a string is entered into the search field (20), only those parameter values ​​selectable from the set in which the string is contained are displayed, - Receiving an input that is associated with a displayed parameter value, and - Selecting the parameter value to which the input is assigned. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that - the threshold corresponds to a maximum number of displayable parameter values. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - when displaying the dialog (10) with the search field (20), the parameter values ​​from the set are displayed partially or completely. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by , that - when the dialog is displayed, a scrollable selection list (30) is shown, which allows scrolling through all parameter values. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - when the string is entered, the display of the parameter values ​​containing the string occurs immediately following each input. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the input associated with a parameter value is made by clicking on a displayed parameter value with a mouse pointer. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the input associated with a parameter value is made by moving a marker that can be moved between the displayed parameter values ​​to the parameter value and pressing a confirmation button. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the procedure and / or step of comparing and the following steps are executed in response to an activation of a field, in particular a click with a mouse pointer on the field. [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the dialogue (10) is a modal dialogue. [10] Machine comprising a control device, a display and an input device, - where a parameter value of a drive system parameter can be set on the machine, - wherein the control device is configured to execute a method according to any of the preceding claims, and - where the dialog is displayed on the screen and the input is made via the input device.

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