Interface with improved accessibility

Abstract

To provide an interface with improved accessibility.SOLUTION: An interface (402, 502, 602, 1202) with improved accessibility is provided. The interface (402, 502, 602, 1202) includes a housing (430, 530, 630, 1230) and a meter electronics (520, 620, 1220) disposed inside the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230). The meter electronics (420, 520, 620, 1220) is configured to be fixed to a connector (450, 550, 650, 1250) extending into the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230). Other aspects are also provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments described below relate to an instrument having an interface, and more particularly to an interface with improved accessibility. [Background technology]

[0002] Vibratory instruments, such as, for example, Coriolis mass flow meters, liquid densitometers, gas densitometers, liquid viscometers, gas / liquid specific gravity meters, gas / liquid relative density meters, and gas molecular weight meters, are commonly known and used to measure properties of fluids. Generally, a vibratory instrument comprises a sensor assembly and meter electronics. The material in the sensor assembly may be flowing or stationary. The vibratory instrument can be used to measure the mass flow rate, density, or other property of the material in the sensor assembly. The meter electronics typically performs calculations to determine values ​​of the mass flow rate, density, and other property of the material in the sensor assembly.

[0003] The meter electronics are typically located in an interface, sometimes referred to as a transmitter, that is communicatively and / or mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly. In addition to including the meter electronics, the interface may also include a display that can show various data, such as the vibrating instrument's parameters, historical data, communication status, etc. However, due to the installation of the vibrating instrument in an industrial environment, access to the interface may be limited, restricted, obscured, etc. For example, the interface may be located in a position where a pipe hides the display. For similar reasons, performing service or adjustments on the interface may be difficult. Thus, there is a need for an interface with improved accessibility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An interface with improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the interface includes a housing and meter electronics disposed inside the housing. The meter electronics is configured to secure to a connector extending into the housing. A method is provided for assembling an interface with increased accessibility. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a housing, providing meter electronics and disposing within the housing, providing a connector and extending into the housing, and securing the meter electronics to the connector extending into the housing.

[0005] An interface with improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the interface includes a housing and meter electronics. The meter electronics includes upper meter electronics, lower meter electronics, and a barrier plate disposed between and coupled to the upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics. The interface also includes a gasket disposed in contact between the barrier plate and the housing to form a watertight seal separating the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

[0006] A method of assembling an interface with improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a housing and providing meter electronics. Providing the meter electronics includes providing upper meter electronics, providing lower meter electronics, providing a barrier plate and disposing it between the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics, and coupling the barrier plate to the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics. The method also includes disposing a gasket between the barrier plate and the housing to form a watertight seal separating the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing. This includes placing the barrier plate and gasket in contact with the barrier.

[0007] An interface having improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the interface comprises a housing having a display opening and a fascia disposed inside the housing proximate the display opening. The fascia comprises a substrate and a wireless transceiver, the substrate having a front side facing the display opening and a rear side facing an interior portion of the housing. The wireless transceiver is disposed on the rear side of the substrate and configured to communicatively couple to a wireless device through the opening in the substrate.

[0008] A method of forming an interface with improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a housing having a display opening, providing a fascia and disposing it inside the housing proximate to the display opening, where providing the fascia includes providing a substrate, the substrate having a front side facing the display opening and a rear side facing an interior portion of the housing. The method further includes providing a wireless transceiver and disposing it on the rear side of the substrate, and configuring the wireless transceiver to communicatively couple to a wireless device through the opening in the substrate.

[0009] A communication system for improving accessibility of an interface is provided. According to one embodiment, the communication system includes a wireless device and a fascia disposed within a housing of the interface, the fascia having a substrate and a wireless transceiver, the substrate having a front side facing a display opening of the housing and a rear side. The wireless transceiver is disposed on the rear side of the substrate and configured to communicatively couple to the wireless device through the opening in the substrate.

[0010] Meter electronics are provided for improving interface accessibility. According to one embodiment, the meter electronics includes a processor disposed on an electronics board and a component disposed on the electronics board, the component coupled to a pin of the processor, the pin of the processor configured to couple to a component of a display board coupled to the electronics board. The display board component is redundant to the electronics board component.

[0011] A method is provided for improving interface accessibility. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a processor and disposing on an electronics board, providing components and disposing on the electronics board, coupling the components to pins of the processor, and configuring the pins of the processor to couple to components of a display board coupled to the electronics board, the components of the display board being redundant to the components of the electronics board.

[0012] An interface having improved accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the interface includes a housing, a fascia disposed within the housing and proximate an opening in the housing, and a translation rod pivotally coupled to the fascia, the translation rod configured to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing.

[0013] A method is provided for improving accessibility of an interface. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a housing, providing a fascia and disposing it within the housing proximate an opening in the housing, and providing a translating rod pivotally coupled to the fascia, the translating rod configured to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing.

[0014] A method is provided for improving accessibility of an interface. According to one embodiment, the method includes displacing a fascia through an opening in a housing along a translational axis, the fascia configured to at least one of rotate about the translational axis and pivot about a pivot axis.

[0015] A method is provided for improving the accessibility of an interface. According to one embodiment, the method includes determining an operating value and adjusting a drive voltage provided to the display based on the determined operating value and a drive voltage-actual contrast relationship. The operating value corresponds to a temperature of meter electronics providing the drive voltage.

[0016] Meter electronics for improving interface accessibility is provided. According to one embodiment, the meter electronics includes a processor configured to determine an operating value and a display driver configured to provide a drive voltage to the display and adjust the drive voltage based on the operating value and a drive voltage-actual contrast relationship. The operating value corresponds to a temperature of the meter electronics providing the drive voltage.

[0017] [Aspects] According to one aspect, the improved access interface (402, 502, 602, 1202) , a housing (430, 530, 630, 1230) and meter electronics (420, 520, 620, 1220) disposed inside the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230). , 620, 1220) is configured to secure to a connector (450, 550, 650, 1250) that extends into the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230).

[0018] Preferably, the housing (530, 1230) is rotatably coupled to a connector (550, 1250) that extends into the housing (530, 1230).

[0019] Preferably, meter electronics (1220) comprises an electronics board (1220b) and a shell (1220s) secured to electronics board (1220b), the shell (1220s) configured to secure to a connector (1250) extending into housing (1230).

[0020] Preferably, the connectors (450, 550) extend into the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230). , 650, 1250) are feeds extending from one of the sensor assembly and the junction box. It is part of Lu (415, 515, 615, 1215).

[0021] Preferably, the interface (602, 1202) further comprises a receiving disk (617, 1217) rotatably disposed about the connector (650, 1250), at least a portion of the receiving disk (617, 1217) being disposed between a retaining ring (618, 1218) of the connector (650, 1250) and a wall (632, 1232) of the housing (630, 1230).

[0022] Preferably, the meter electronics (1220) is adapted to mate with a groove (1217g) in the receiving disk (1217). and a bolt (1224b) configured to mate with a threaded hole (1217h) in the containment disk (1217).

[0023] Preferably, the receiving disk (617, 1217) includes a lobe (617l, 1217l) that mates with one of the groove (618g) and lip (1218b) of the retaining ring (618, 1218) to retain the meter electronics (620, 1220) in the connector (650, 1250) extending into the housing (630, 1230).

[0024] Preferably, the meter electronics (1220) includes a lower meter electronics (1224) configured to secure to a connector (1250) extending into the housing (1230) and a connector (1250) configured to secure to the housing (1230). and upper meter electronics (1222) configured to be stationary and configured to communicatively couple to the lower meter electronics (1224).

[0025] According to one embodiment, a method for assembling an enhanced access interface includes providing a housing, providing meter electronics and disposing within the housing, providing a connector and extending into the housing, and securing the meter electronics to the connector extending into the housing.

[0026] Preferably, the method further includes rotatably coupling the housing to a connector extending into the housing.

[0027] Preferably, providing the meter electronics and disposing inside the housing includes providing an electronics board, providing a shell and securing to the electronics board, providing a connector and extending into the housing, and securing the shell to the connector extending into the housing.

[0028] Preferably, providing a connector and extending into the housing includes providing a feedthrough and extending into the housing from one of the sensor assembly and the junction box.

[0029] Preferably, the method further comprises providing and rotatably disposing a containing disk about the connector, at least a portion of the containing disk being disposed between a retaining ring of the connector and a wall of the housing.

[0030] Preferably, providing the meter electronics further includes providing a post and providing the receiving disk includes providing a groove and a threaded hole in the receiving disk, the method further including providing a bolt, the post configured to mate with the groove and the bolt configured to mate with the threaded hole in the receiving disk.

[0031] Preferably, providing the containment disk includes providing a lobe that mates with one of a groove and a lip of the retaining ring to retain the meter electronics against a connector extending into the housing.

[0032] Preferably, providing the meter electronics includes providing lower meter electronics configured to secure to a connector extending into the housing, and providing upper meter electronics configured to secure to the housing and configured to communicatively couple to the lower meter electronics.

[0033] According to one aspect, the improved access interface (2202) includes a housing (2230) and meter electronics (2220). The meter electronics (2220) includes upper meter electronics (2222), lower meter electronics (2224), and a barrier plate (2223) disposed between the upper meter electronics (2222) and the lower meter electronics (2224) and coupled to the upper meter electronics (2222) and the lower meter electronics (2224). The interface (2202) also includes an upper meter electronics portion (2230u) of the housing (2230) and a lower meter electronics portion (2230u) of the housing (2230). The housing also includes a gasket 2230o disposed in contact between the barrier plate 2223 and the housing 2230 to form a watertight seal separating the barrier plate 2223 and the housing 2230l.

[0034] Preferably, the barrier plate (2223) includes a gasket (2230) extending beyond the interior of the barrier plate (2223). ) there is no hole leading to

[0035] Preferably, a gasket (2230o) is provided between the housing (2230) and the barrier plate (2223). Includes compressed O-ring.

[0036] Preferably, the gasket (2230o) disposed in contact between the barrier plate (2223) and the housing (2230) includes a gasket (2230o) disposed in contact between a boss (2230s) of the housing (2230) and the barrier plate (2223).

[0037] Preferably, the interface (2202) is disposed adjacent to the gasket (2230o). 2230s of the housing 2230. The housing further includes a number of fasteners (2230b).

[0038] Preferably, the plurality of fasteners (2230b) are disposed in an upper meter electronics portion of the housing (2230). (2230u) and at least one of the lower meter electronics portion (2230l) of the housing (2230).

[0039] Preferably, the plurality of fasteners (2230b) are connected to the housing (2230) through the barrier plate (2223). It will be placed inside the boss (2230s).

[0040] According to one aspect, a method of assembling an enhanced access interface includes providing a housing and providing meter electronics. Providing the meter electronics includes providing upper meter electronics, providing lower meter electronics, providing a barrier plate and disposing it between the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics, and coupling the barrier plate to the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics. The method also includes disposing a gasket between the barrier plate and the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the gasket to form a watertight seal separating the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

[0041] Preferably, providing the barrier plate includes forming a barrier plate that is free of holes beyond an interior of the barrier plate to the gasket.

[0042] Preferably, providing the gasket comprises providing an O-ring and a housing. and compressing the O-ring between the barrier plate.

[0043] Preferably, disposing the gasket between the barrier plate and the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the housing includes disposing the gasket between the barrier plate and a boss of the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the boss of the housing.

[0044] Preferably, the method further includes disposing a plurality of fasteners adjacent to the gasket and securing the barrier plate to the bosses of the housing using the plurality of fasteners.

[0045] Preferably, the method further includes disposing a plurality of fasteners in at least one of the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

[0046] Preferably, the method further includes disposing a plurality of fasteners through the barrier plate and into the bosses of the housing.

[0047] According to one aspect, an interface (2502) with enhanced accessibility includes a housing (2530) having a display opening (2532) and a fascia (2540) disposed within the housing (2530) proximate the display opening (2532). The fascia (2540) includes a substrate (2540b) and a wireless transceiver (2548). 2540b has a front side (2540ba) that faces the display opening (2532) and a rear side (2540bp) that faces an interior portion of the housing (2530). The wireless transceiver (2548) is disposed on the rear side (2540bp) of the substrate (2540b) and is configured to communicatively couple to the wireless device (2501) through the opening (2540bo) in the substrate (2540b).

[0048] Preferably, the fascia (2540) is a fascia that is mechanically coupled to the substrate (2540b). The fascia further comprises a chassis (2543), the chassis (2543) including a slot (2543s) adjacent to the wireless transceiver (2548).

[0049] Preferably, a display (2544) is coupled to the front side (2540ba) of the substrate (2540b). There are.

[0050] Preferably, the display 2544 is disposed adjacent to the opening 2540bo of the substrate 2540b. To be placed.

[0051] Preferably, the display (2544) is disposed opposite the wireless transceiver (2548) on the substrate (2540b). Preferably, the wireless transceiver (2548) is disposed through an opening (2540b) in the substrate (2540b). ) and an amplifier located adjacent to the slot (2543s) in the fascia chassis (2543) Includes Tena (2548a).

[0052] According to one embodiment, a method of forming an interface with improved accessibility includes providing a housing having a display opening, providing a fascia and disposing it inside the housing proximate to the display opening, where providing the fascia includes providing a substrate, the substrate having a front side facing the display opening and a rear side facing an interior portion of the housing, the method further includes providing a wireless transceiver and disposing it on the rear side of the substrate, and configuring the wireless transceiver to communicatively couple to a wireless device through the opening in the substrate.

[0053] Preferably, providing the fascia further comprises providing a fascia chassis, and mechanically coupling the fascia chassis to the substrate such that a slot in the fascia chassis is proximate to the wireless transceiver.

[0054] Preferably, the method further comprises providing a display and bonding it to the front side of the substrate.

[0055] Preferably, the method further comprises positioning a display proximate the opening in the substrate.

[0056] Preferably, the method further comprises disposing a display on the substrate opposite the wireless transceiver.

[0057] Preferably, providing the wireless transceiver includes providing an antenna and positioning the antenna relative to the opening in the substrate and the slot in the fascia chassis.

[0058] According to one aspect, a communication system (2500) for improving accessibility of an interface (2502) includes a wireless device (2501) and a fascia (2540) disposed within a housing (2530) of the interface (2502), the fascia (2540) having a substrate (2540b) and a wireless transceiver (2548), the substrate (2540b) being connected to the housing (2530). The display panel 2540 has a front side 2540ba facing the display opening 2532 of the display panel 2530, and a rear side 2540bp. The wireless transceiver 2548 is disposed on the rear side 2540bp of the substrate 2540b. and can communicate with a wireless device (2501) through an opening (2540bo) in the substrate (2540b). The device is configured to couple to the

[0059] Preferably, the fascia (2540) is a fascia that is mechanically coupled to the substrate (2540b). The fascia further comprises a chassis (2543), the chassis (2543) including a slot (2543s) adjacent to the wireless transceiver (2548).

[0060] Preferably, the communication system (2500) is coupled to the front side (2540ba) of the substrate (2540b). It further includes a display (2544).

[0061] Preferably, the display 2544 is disposed adjacent to the opening 2540bo of the substrate 2540b. To be placed.

[0062] Preferably, the display (2544) is positioned opposite the wireless transceiver (2548).

[0063] Preferably, the wireless transceiver (2548) is disposed through an opening (2540b) in the substrate (2540b). ) and an amplifier located adjacent to the slot (2543s) in the fascia chassis (2543) Includes Tena (2548a).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the meter electronics (3220) for improving the accessibility of the interface (3202) includes a processor (3228) disposed on an electronics board (3220b) and an electronics and a component (3226) disposed on the substrate (3220b), the component (3226) being a The pins of the processor (3228) are coupled to the electronics board (3220b). 3240b) is configured to couple to a component 3246 of a display substrate 3240b that is coupled to the display substrate 3240b. Components 3246 of the display board 3240b are redundant to components 3226 of the electronics board 3220b.

[0065] Preferably, the pins of the processor (3228) are connected to the display board (3240b) and the electronics board (3240c). It is configured to couple to a component 3246 of a display substrate 3240b via a connector 3247 that couples to plate 3220b.

[0066] Preferably, the component (3226) of the electronic device board (3220b) is one of an light emitting diode (3226l) and a switch (3226s) of the electronic device board (3220b), and the component (3246) of the display board (3240b) is one of an light emitting diode (3246l) and a switch (3246s) of the display board (3240b).

[0067] Preferably, the pins of the processor (3228) are connected to the components (3226) of the electronics board (3220b). ) and the second terminal of the component (3226) is coupled to ground (3220g). can be.

[0068] Preferably, the meter electronics (3220) further comprises a display board (3240b) and The pins of the processor (3228) are coupled to components (3246) of the display board (3240b). do.

[0069] Preferably, a pin of the processor (3228) is coupled to a first terminal of a component (3246) of the display substrate (3240b), and a second terminal of the component (3246) of the display substrate (3240b) is coupled to ground (3220g).

[0070] Preferably, the meter electronics (3220) further comprises amplifiers (3222a, 3222b) having outputs coupled to components (3226) disposed within the electronics board (3220), the amplifiers (3222a, 3222b) being inverters configured to invert signals from the processor (3228) to the components (3226).

[0071] According to one embodiment, a method for improving interface accessibility includes providing a processor and disposing on an electronics board, providing components and disposing on the electronics board, coupling the components to pins of the processor, and configuring the pins of the processor to couple to components of a display board coupled to the electronics board, the components of the display board being redundant to the components of the electronics board.

[0072] Preferably, configuring pins of the processor to couple to components of the display board includes configuring the pins to couple to components of the display board via a connector that couples the display board to the electronics board.

[0073] Preferably, providing the electronics board component includes providing one of a light emitting diode and a switch on the electronics board, and providing the display board component. Providing one of the light emitting diode and the switch of the display substrate. This includes: Preferably, coupling the component to the pin of the processor includes coupling the pin of the processor to a first terminal of the component on the electronics board and coupling a second terminal of the component to ground.

[0074] Preferably, the method further comprises providing a display substrate and coupling pins of the processor to components of the display substrate.

[0075] Preferably, coupling the pins of the processor to the display substrate component includes coupling the pins of the processor to first terminals of the display substrate component and coupling the pins of the processor to first terminals of the display substrate component. and coupling a second terminal of the substrate component to ground.

[0076] Preferably, the method further includes providing an amplifier having an output and coupling the output to a component disposed within the electronics board that is an inverter configured to invert a signal from the processor to the component.

[0077] According to one aspect, the enhanced access interface (3402) comprises a housing (3430) and an opening (3430o) in the housing (3430) that is disposed within the housing (3430). The housing (3430) includes a proximately disposed fascia (3440) and a translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440), the translation rod (3440t) configured to displace the fascia (3440) through an opening (3430o) in the housing (3430).

[0078] Preferably, a translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) is Rotates about a translation axis (3440at) that is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the forward rod (3440t) The present invention includes a fascia (3440) configured to

[0079] Preferably, a translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) is The forward rod (3440t) is configured to rotate about a pivot axis (3440ap) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forward rod (3440t). Includes a completed fascia (3440).

[0080] Preferably, the fascia (3440) is changed through an opening (3430o) in the housing (3430). The translating rod (3440t) configured to position the fascia (3440) includes a translating rod (3440t) configured to displace the fascia (3440) in a direction collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translating rod (3440t).

[0081] Preferably, the translation rod (3440t) is pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) at a pivot point (3440p).

[0082] Preferably, the pivot point (3440p) is such that the pivot axis (3440ap) and the translation axis (3440at) coincide with each other. The fascia 3440 is positioned at a location where it pivots about a pivot axis 3440ap and rotates about a translation axis 3440at.

[0083] According to one aspect, a method for improving accessibility of an interface includes providing a housing, providing a fascia and disposing the fascia within the housing proximate an opening in the housing, and providing a translating rod and pivotally coupling the fascia, the translating rod configured to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing.

[0084] Preferably, pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia includes configuring the fascia to rotate about a translation axis that is collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translation rod.

[0085] Preferably, pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia includes configuring the fascia to rotate about a pivot axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the translating rod.

[0086] Preferably, configuring the translating rod to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing includes configuring the translating rod to displace the fascia in a direction collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translating rod.

[0087] Preferably, pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia includes pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia at a pivot point.

[0088] Preferably, the pivot point is located where the pivot axis and the translation axis coincide, where the fascia pivots about the pivot axis and rotates about the translation axis.

[0089] According to one aspect, a method for improving accessibility of an interface includes displacing a fascia through an opening in a housing along a translational axis, the fascia configured to at least one of rotate about the translational axis and pivot about a pivot axis.

[0090] Preferably, the method further comprises at least one of rotating the fascia about a translation axis and pivoting the fascia about a pivot axis.

[0091] Preferably, the translation axis and the pivot axis are co-local at the pivot point, and the fascia is configured to rotate and pivot about the pivot point.

[0092] According to one aspect, a method for improving accessibility of an interface includes determining an operating value and adjusting a drive voltage provided to a display based on the determined operating value and a drive voltage-actual contrast relationship, the operating value corresponding to a temperature of meter electronics providing the drive voltage.

[0093] Preferably, the method further comprises determining a contrast value based on the determined operating value and the drive voltage-actual contrast relationship, and adjusting the drive voltage based on the contrast value.

[0094] Preferably, the method further comprises setting a register value in a display driver circuit based on the determined contrast value.

[0095] Preferably the operating value is a drive voltage provided to the display.

[0096] Preferably, the method further comprises determining the contrast value from a relationship between the drive voltage and the contrast value.

[0097] Preferably, the operating value is the temperature of the meter electronics which provides the drive voltage to the display.

[0098] Preferably, the method further includes determining the contrast value based on a relationship between the temperature of the meter electronics and the contrast value.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the meter electronics for improving the accessibility of the interface (4420) includes a processor (4420p) configured to determine an operating value, a display and a display driver circuit (4420d) configured to provide a driving voltage to the display device (4440) and adjust the driving voltage based on the operating value and the driving voltage-actual contrast relationship. corresponds to the temperature of the meter electronics that provides the drive voltage.

[0100] Preferably, the processor (4420p) is configured to calculate the determined operating value and the drive voltage-actual contrast. The optical fiber is further configured to determine a contrast value based on the contrast relationship and adjust the driving voltage based on the contrast value.

[0101] Preferably, the meter electronics (4420) is further configured to set a register value within the display driver circuit (4420d) based on the determined contrast value.

[0102] Preferably, the operating value is a drive voltage provided to the display (4440).

[0103] Preferably, the processor (4420p) determines the control from the relationship between the driving voltage and the contrast value. The device is further configured to determine a trust value.

[0104] Preferably, the operating value is the temperature of the meter electronics (4420) that provides the drive voltage to the display (4440).

[0105] Preferably, the processor (4420p) is adapted to measure the temperature and contrast values ​​of the meter electronics (4420). and further configured to determine a contrast value based on a relationship between [Brief description of the drawings]

[0106] The same reference numbers represent the same elements on all drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a vibrating instrument 5 having an interface 2 with improved accessibility. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a vibratory instrument 5 including an interface 2 with improved accessibility, where the housing for the interface 2 and sensor assembly 10 is not shown for clarity. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a vibratory meter 5 , including a block diagram representation of meter electronics 20 . [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vibrating instrument 405 that includes an interface 402 with improved accessibility. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a vibrating instrument 505 that includes an interface 502 with improved accessibility. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a vibratory instrument 605 including an interface 602 with improved accessibility. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a vibratory instrument 605 including an interface 602 with improved accessibility. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an interface 802 with improved accessibility. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an interface 802 with improved accessibility. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates an interface 1002 with improved accessibility. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an interface 1002 with improved accessibility. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a vibrating instrument 1205 that includes an interface 1202 with improved accessibility. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a vibrating instrument 1205 that includes an interface 1202 with improved accessibility. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a vibrating instrument 1205 that includes an interface 1202 with improved accessibility. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a vibrating instrument 1205 that includes an interface 1202 with improved accessibility. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 19A]FIG. 19A illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 19B] FIG. 19B illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 20A] FIG. 20A illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 20B] FIG. 20B illustrates the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 illustrates a method 2100 for constructing an interface with improved accessibility. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 illustrates an interface 2202 with improved accessibility. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an interface 2202 with improved accessibility. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 illustrates a method 2400 for assembling an interface with increased accessibility. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a communication system 2500 that includes an interface 2502 for improving the accessibility of the interface 2502. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 illustrates various views of a fascia 2540 for an enhanced access interface 2502. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 shows various views of a fascia 2540 for an enhanced access interface 2502. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 illustrates various views of a fascia 2540 for an enhanced access interface 2502. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 illustrates a method 2900 for creating an interface with improved accessibility. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 illustrates a display interface 3002 configured to enhance accessibility. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 illustrates a blind interface 3102 configured to improve accessibility. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a circuit diagram of an interface 3202 including a display board 3240b and meter electronics 3220 configured to enhance access to the interface by supporting the interface 3202 or blind fascia 3140 by detecting the display board 3240b. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 illustrates a method 3300 for improving the accessibility of an interface. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 illustrates an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 illustrates a method 3900 for creating an interface with improved accessibility. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 illustrates a method 4000 for improving the accessibility of an interface. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 shows a graph 4100 illustrating the relationship between temperature and contrast of a display. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 shows a graph 4200 illustrating the relationship between drive voltage and contrast of a display. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 shows a graph 4300 illustrating the relationship between drive voltage and contrast of a display. [Diagram 44]FIG. 44 illustrates meter electronics 4420 for improving interface accessibility. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 illustrates meter electronics 4420 for improving interface accessibility. [Diagram 46] FIG. 46 illustrates meter electronics 4420 for improving interface accessibility. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 illustrates a method 4700 for improving the accessibility of an interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0107] 1 to 47 and the following description will be understood by those skilled in the art to be able to implement an interface with improved accessibility. Specific examples are provided to teach how to make and use the best mode of the embodiments. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted in order to teach the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the description. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the use of the improved access interface. As a result, the embodiments described below are not limited to the specific examples described below, but are limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0108] FIGURE 1 illustrates a vibratory instrument 5 having an interface 2 with improved accessibility. As shown in FIGURE 1, the vibratory instrument 5 includes a sensor assembly 10 that is mechanically and communicatively coupled to the interface 2 via a feedthrough 15. The sensor assembly 10 includes a flange 10a, a 0b can be inserted into the pipeline to receive and measure material and then return it to the pipeline. Interface 2 has improved accessibility.

[0109] For example, the interface 2 can be rotated relative to the sensor assembly 10. This allows the display of interface 2 to be more easily viewed. Interface 2 may also be configured to, for example, allow the display to be removed and rotated without being separated from interface 2. The improved accessibility may also include improvements to the way the interface 2 operates. For example, The contrast of the displays in the Interface 2 has been adjusted to make them visible in different environmental conditions. The display may also be adjusted automatically by the meter electronics in the interface 2. The detection may be automatically performed by the IEEE 802.11b protocol, thereby simplifying configuration. These and other aspects are described in more detail below.

[0110] FIG 2 illustrates a vibratory instrument 5 including an interface 2 with improved accessibility, where the housing for the interface 2 and sensor assembly 10 is not shown for clarity. As shown in FIG 1, the vibratory instrument 5 includes a sensor assembly 10 and meter electronics 20, which is disposed within a rotatable interface 2 shown in FIG 1. The sensor assembly 10 is responsive to the mass flow rate and density of a process material. The meter electronics 20 is connected to the sensor assembly 10 via leads 100 to provide density, mass flow rate, and temperature information, as well as other information, via port 26.

[0111] The sensor assembly 10 includes a pair of manifolds 150 and 150', a flange neck 110 and and 110', a pair of parallel conduits 130 and 130', and a driver. a driver 180, a resistive temperature detector (RTD) 190, and a pair of pick-off sensors 170l and 170r. The conduits 130 and 130' include two essentially straight inlet legs 131 and 131', and a conduit The conduits 130 and 130' have outlet legs 134 and 134' that converge towards each other at the tube mounting blocks 120 and 120'. The conduits 130 and 130' have bends at two symmetrical locations along their length. The conduits 130, 130' are essentially parallel throughout their lengths. The brace bars 140 and 140' function to define axes W and W' about which each conduit 130, 130' oscillates. The legs 131, 131' and 134, 134' of the conduits 130 and 130' are fixedly attached to conduit mounting blocks 120 and 120' which are fixedly attached to manifolds 150 and 150'. This provides a continuous closure material path through the sensor assembly 10.

[0112] When flanges 103 and 103' having holes 102 and 102' are connected via inlet end 104 and outlet end 104' to a process line (not shown) carrying the process material being measured, the material enters the meter at inlet end 104 through orifice 101 in flange 103 and is passed through a microchannel. The manifold 150 leads to a conduit mounting block 120 having a surface 121. Within the conduit 150, the material is split and sent through the conduits 130, 130'. The process material is then concentrated within block 120' having surface 121' and manifold 150'. The streams are recombined into a single stream which is then delivered to an outlet end 104' which is connected to a process line (not shown) by a flange 103' having holes 102'.

[0113] The conduits 130, 130' are selected to have substantially the same mass distribution, moment of inertia and Young's modulus about bending axes WW and W'-W', respectively, and are appropriately mounted in the conduit mounting blocks 120, 120'. These bending axes pass through the brace bars 140, 140'. Insofar as the Young's modulus of the conduit changes with temperature and this change affects the flow rate and density calculations, an RTD 190 is attached to the conduit 130' to continuously measure the temperature of the conduit 130'. The temperature of the conduit 130', and therefore the voltage seen by the RTD 190 for a given current passing therethrough, is a function of the temperature of the conduit. The temperature dependent voltage seen by the RTD 190 is determined by the temperature of the material passing through the tube 130'. This is used in a well known manner by the electronics 20 to compensate for changes in the elastic modulus of the conduits 130, 130' due to any changes in the conduit temperature. The RTD 190 is connected to the meter electronics 20 by leads which carry an RTD signal 195.

[0114] Both conduits 130, 130' are driven in opposite directions about their respective bending axes W and W' and in what is referred to as the first out-of-phase bending mode of the flowmeter by a driver 180. This driver 180 is connected to a magnet attached to conduit 130' and a magnet attached to conduit 130. The driver 180 may comprise any one of a number of well known configurations, such as opposed coils through which an alternating current flows to vibrate both conduits 130, 130'. An appropriate drive signal 185 is applied by the meter electronics 20 through leads to the driver 180.

[0115] Meter electronics 20 receives the RTD signal 195 on lead 100 and the sensor signal 165 found on lead 100 carrying left and right sensor signals 165l and 165r, respectively. Meter electronics 20 generates a drive signal 185 found on lead 100 to driver 180 to vibrate conduits 130, 130'. Meter electronics 20 processes left and right sensor signals 165l, 165r and RTD signal 195 to calculate the mass flow rate and density of material passing through sensor assembly 10. This information, along with other information, is applied by meter electronics 20 as a signal via path 26. A more detailed discussion of vibratory meter 5 and meter electronics 20 follows below.

[0116] 3 illustrates a block diagram of the vibratory meter 5, including a block diagram representation of the meter electronics 20. As shown in FIG. As previously described with reference to FIG. 2, the sensor assembly 10 includes left and right pickoff sensors 170l, 170r, a driver 180, and an RTD 190, which are communicatively coupled to the meter electronics 20 via a set of leads 100 through a communication channel 112.

[0117] The meter electronics 20 provides a drive signal 185 via the lead 100. More specifically, the meter electronics 20 provides the drive signal 185 to a driver 180 within the sensor assembly 10. Additionally, sensor signals 165, including a left sensor signal 165l and a right sensor signal 165r, are provided by the sensor assembly 10. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the sensor signals 165 are provided by left and right pickoff sensors 170l, 170r within the sensor assembly 10. As can be appreciated, the sensor signals 165 are each provided to the meter electronics 20 through the communication channel 112.

[0118] The meter electronics 20 includes a processor 210 that is communicatively coupled to one or more signal processors 220 and one or more memories 230. The processor 210 is also communicatively coupled to a user interface 30. The processor 210 communicates with a communication port 26 over a port 26. The processor is communicatively coupled to the host via a power port 250. The processor 210 may be a microprocessor, although any suitable processor may be utilized. For example, the processor 210 may include a multi-core processor, a serial communication port, a peripheral In these and other embodiments, the processor 210 may comprise sub-processors, such as interfaces (e.g., serial peripheral interfaces), on-chip memory, I / O ports, etc. In these and other embodiments, the processor 210 performs operations on received and processed signals, such as digitized signals. The method is configured to perform the calculations.

[0119] The processor 210 receives digitized sensor signals from one or more signal processors 220. The processor 210 can also receive, via a port, a viscometer, a specific gravity meter, etc. The signal can be received from any transducer, i.e., the transducer can be communicatively coupled to the processor 210 via the port 26. The transducer may be fluidly coupled to the sensor assembly 10. The sensor may be upstream and / or downstream of the sensor assembly 10. The processor 210 receives digitized sensor signals and / or The signal generated can be configured to be used to determine fluid properties such as mass flow rate, density, viscosity, etc.

[0120] The processor 210 also processes information such as time delays, characteristics of the fluid within the sensor assembly 10, etc. The processor 210 is configured to provide information to the host through the port 26. The processor 210 may also be in communication with one or more memories 230. , may be configured to receive and / or store information in one or more memories 230. For example, the processor 210 may receive calibration coefficients and The calibration factor and / or the sensor assembly zero (e.g., time difference when there is no flow) can be received. Each of the calibration factor and / or the sensor assembly zero can be received by the vibration instrument 5 and / or the or the sensor assembly 10, respectively. The numbers can be used to process the received digitized sensor signals from one or more signal processors 220.

[0121] The one or more signal processors 220 are shown as consisting of an encoder / decoder (CODEC) 222 and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 226. The signal processors 220 condition the analog signals and digitize the conditioned analog signals. The CODEC 222 may provide digitalized and / or digitized signals. The CODEC 222 is configured to receive the sensor signals 165 from the left and right pickoff sensors 170l, 170r. The CODEC 222 is also configured to provide a drive signal 185 to the driver 180. In the embodiment, more or fewer signal processors may be utilized.

[0122] As shown, the sensor signal 165 is provided to the CODEC 222 via a signal conditioner 240. The drive signal 185 is provided to the driver 180 via the signal conditioner 240. Although the signal conditioner 240 is shown as a single block, the signal conditioner 240 may be comprised of signal conditioning components, such as two or more op-amps, filters such as low pass filters, voltage to current amplifiers, etc. For example, the sensor signal 165 may be amplified by a first amplifier and the drive signal 185 may be The sensor signal 165 may be amplified by a voltage-to-current amplifier, which can ensure that the magnitude of the sensor signal 165 is close to the full-scale range of the CODEC 222.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more memories 230 are comprised of a read only memory (ROM) 232, a random access memory (RAM) 234, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM®) 236. However, in alternative embodiments, the one or more memories 230 may be comprised of more or less memory. Additionally or alternatively, Alternatively, the one or more memories 230 may be composed of different types of memory (e.g., volatile, non-volatile, etc.). For example, instead of FRAM 236, for example, erasable programmable Different types of non-volatile memory are used, such as EEPROM and EEPROM. The one or more memories 230 may be storage devices configured to store process data, such as drive or sensor signals, mass flow or density measurements, and the like.

[0124] Mass Flow Measurement

number

number

[0125] With respect to density, the resonant frequency at which each conduit 130, 130' vibrates may be a function of the square root of the spring constant of the conduit 130, 130' divided by the total mass of the conduit 130, 130' with the material. The total mass of the conduit 130, 130' with the material may be the mass of the conduit 130, 130' plus the mass of the material in the conduit 130, 130'. The mass of the material in the conduit 130, 130' is directly proportional to the density of the material. Thus, the density of the material may be proportional to the square of the period at which the conduit 130, 130' containing the material vibrates multiplied by the spring constant of the conduit 130, 130'. Thus, the period at which the conduit 130, 130' vibrates may be the mass of the conduit 130, 130' plus the mass of the material in the conduit 130, 130'. By determining and appropriately scaling the result, an accurate measure of the density of the material contained in the conduit 130, 130' can be obtained. The meter electronics 20 determines the sensor signal 165 and And / or the drive signal 185 can be used to determine the period or resonant frequency.

[0126] As mentioned above, the meter electronics 20 is located within the enhanced access interface 2. Also, as mentioned above, the accessibility of the interface 2 can be improved by simply assembling the interface. To refine and / or allow the interface to rotate relative to the sensor assembly, the meter electronics can be secured to the feedthrough connector and enhanced in various ways, as described below.

[0127] [Instrument electronics attached to connector] The meter electronics may be connected to a connector that extends into the housing using a cable. However, using a cable can have associated problems. For example, the cable must be long enough to allow enough space between the housing and the meter electronics to access the cable. That is, the user who installs the cable on the connector must be able to access the cable. The cable can cause electromagnetic compatibility problems. For example, the cable may not have a sufficient ground to the ground or external body of the connector and housing to prevent electromagnetic noise from interfering with, for example, some electronic components in the meter electronics or electronics outside the housing.

[0128] 4 and 5 show block diagrams of a vibratory instrument 405, 505 including an interface 402, 502 with improved accessibility. The block diagram may represent the vibratory instrument 5 described above, but The block diagram may represent any suitable vibratory meter. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the interface 402, 502 is mechanically and / or communicatively coupled to the vibratory meter 410, 510 via a feedthrough 415, 515. The meter electronics 420, 520 are mounted within a housing 430. , 530 and secured to connectors 450, 550 extending into the housings 430, 530. The meter electronics 420, 520 is comprised of upper meter electronics 422, 522 and lower meter electronics 424, 524. The lower meter electronics 424, 524 is secured to a connector 450, 550.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper meter electronics 422 is not fixed to the housing 430 and is and upper meter electronics 422, 424 are secured together. The exemplary embodiment of the interface 402 shown in FIG. Description will be given with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper and lower meter electronics 522, 524 are not fixed to one another. 5 are communicatively coupled to each other via cable 527. Upper meter electronics 522, also shown in FIG. 5, is secured to housing 530. Connector 550, shown in FIG. 5, which extends into housing 530, includes connector flange 557. Connector flange 557 is secured to housing flange 530. 5. Connector flange 557 and housing flange 537 are shown abutting against flange 537. Connector flange 557 and housing flange 537 are compressed together axially relative to the longitudinal length of connector 550. Connector flange 557 and housing flange 537 are pressed together by coupler 516. More specifically, coupler 516 includes a housing flange 537 and a connector flange 557. The coupler 516 clamps around the connector flange 557 and the housing flange 537 so as to compress the connector flange 557 in a lateral direction. The present invention can prevent the displacement and / or bending of the interface 502. The embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-20 after an embodiment similar to the interface 402 shown in FIG. 4 is described below.

[0131] [Non-rotatable housing] 6 and 7 show partial perspective views of a vibratory instrument 605 including an improved access interface 602. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the interface 602 is mechanically and / or communicatively coupled to a sensor assembly (not shown for clarity) via a feedthrough 615. The feedthrough 615 is coupled into a housing 630 of the interface 602. 7, the housing 630 is not shown in order to show how the meter electronics 620 may be secured to the connector 650. The interface 602 and feedthrough 615 may be used to secure the meter electronics 620 to the housing 630 without necessarily securing the meter electronics 620 to the housing 630. 4 in that the meter electronics 620 is secured to a connector 650, which may be similar to the interface 402 and feedthrough 415, respectively, of FIG.

[0132] 6, the housing 630 includes a wall 632 that houses the meter electronics 620. The housing 630 is coupled to the connector 650 by a coupler 616. The coupler 616 is shown as a clamp having a screw, although any suitable coupler may be utilized. The housing 630 is secured to the connector 650 by a housing fastener. 6. The connector 650 includes a flange (not shown) and a connector flange 657 (shown in FIG. 7) of the connector 650. Coupler 616 can thus be , the housing 630 can be rigidly secured to the connector 650 .

[0133] 7, the meter electronics 620 is secured to the connector 650 using a receiving disk 617. The meter electronics 620 is coupled to the receiving disk 617 by two bolts 624b that extend through the meter electronics 620 and into threaded retainers 617h of the receiving disk 617. The bolts 624b 7, the receiving disk 617 is a clamp that engages the connector 650, although any suitable receiving disk may be utilized. The receiving disk 617 may be configured to immovably clamp to the connector 650, thereby holding or rigidly securing the meter electronics 620 to the connector 650.

[0134] In particular, the receiving disk 617 may engage with a retaining ring 618 of the connector 650. As shown in FIG. 7, the receiving disk 617 includes lobes 6171 that extend radially inward or inwardly into the receiving disk 617, although any suitable engagement mechanism may be utilized. The storage disk 617 is rotatably disposed about the connector 650. A portion of the storage disk 617 is disposed between the retaining ring 618 and the wall 632 of the housing 630. The retaining ring 618 is disposed around the connector 650. The lobes include circumferentially extending grooves 618g, however, any suitable retention mechanism may be utilized. 617l extends into and mates with groove 618g. By securing meter electronics 620 to connector 650, an interior portion of housing 630 may be made more accessible to a user and / or devices servicing interface 602, for example.

[0135] More specifically, if the meter electronics is not configured to be secured to a connector that extends into the housing of the interface, a cable may be required to communicatively couple the meter electronics to the connector. Because the meter electronics is disposed within the housing, the cable coupling the meter electronics to the connector must be of sufficient length to connect the cable to the connector while the meter electronics is at least partially outside of the housing. That is, the space between the meter electronics and the interior portion of the housing must be sufficient to allow a hand or device to reach the meter electronics and connect the cable to the meter electronics.

[0136] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described above, the meter electronics 620 is secured to the connector 650 by the use of two bolts 624b which secure the meter electronics 620 to the receiving disk 617. The containing disk 617 may be clamped to and / or around the connector 650. The containing disk 617 is disposed within the housing 630 around the connector 650. The receiving disk 617 may also be disposed about a connector flange 637 of a connector 650 to secure the meter electronics 620 to the connector 650 that extends into the housing 630. The housing 630 may also be secured to the connector 650 by using a coupler 616. As mentioned, coupler 616 may be any suitable coupler, such as the examples described below with reference to FIGS.

[0137] [Alternative Couplers] 8 and 9 show an interface 802 with improved accessibility. As shown, the interface 802 is mechanically and / or communicatively coupled to a sensor assembly (not shown for clarity) via a feedthrough 815. The interface 802 is mechanically coupled to the sensor assembly through the use of a coupler 816. As shown in FIG. 8 , the coupler 816 is clamped around a connector 850 that extends into a housing 830 of the interface 802. The coupler 816 also clamps around a portion of the housing 830. As shown in FIG. 8, the details of the clamped portion of the housing and connector 850 are not shown. As shown in FIG. 9, the coupling is removed from the connector 850 and the housing 830. La816 is removed.

[0138] 9, which extends into the housing 830, includes a connector flange 857. The connector flange 857 is shown abutting the housing flange 837. The connector flange 857 and the housing flange 837 are spaced apart relative to the longitudinal length of the connector 850. The connector flange 857 and the housing flange 837 are axially compressed together by the coupler 816. The connector flange 857 and the housing flange 837 are pressed together by the coupler 816. More specifically, the coupler 816 rotates the connector flange 857 and the housing flange 837 so as to press the connector flange 857 and the housing flange 837 together. The coupler 816 also clamps around the housing flange 837. And the lateral and bending displacement of the connector flange 857 can be prevented.

[0139] 10 and 11 illustrate an interface 1002 with improved accessibility. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the interface 1002 is mechanically and / or communicatively coupled to a sensor assembly (not shown for clarity) via a feedthrough 1015. The feedthrough 1015 includes a threaded coupler 1016 disposed on a connector 1050. The threaded coupler 1016 may be configured to rotate about the connector 1050. The threaded coupler 1016 has a threaded portion (not shown) configured to threadably engage with a threaded portion 1037 of a housing 1030 of the interface 1002.

[0140] The connector 1050 may be mechanically coupled to the housing 1030 by inserting the connector 1050 until the threaded coupler 1016 contacts the threads 1037. The connector 1050 may be inserted, for example, by lowering the housing 1030 onto the feedthrough 1015. The connector 1050 may remain stationary while the threaded coupler 1016 rotates until it engages with the housing 1030. The connector 1050 may be held stationary so that torque or bending moments do not displace the connector 1050.

[0141] [Rotatable housing] 12-15 show a vibrating meter 1205 including an interface 1202 with improved accessibility. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the vibrating meter 1205 including the interface 1202. A junction box 1203 is shown communicatively coupling a sensor assembly (not shown for clarity) to the interface 1202. 13 shows the meter electronics 1220 within the interface 1202. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the meter electronics 1220, and 15 is a cross-sectional view of the interface 1202. As shown in 14, the meter electronics 1220 includes an upper meter electronics 1222 and a lower meter electronics 1224. The upper meter electronics 1222 is communicatively coupled to the lower meter electronics 1224 via an intervening cable 1223. The intervening cable 1223 can carry a conditioned signal that does not cause electromagnetic compatibility issues. As described below, the intervening cable 1223 allows the upper gauge electronics 1222 to rotate relative to the lower gauge electronics 1224.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 15, the lower meter electronics 1224 is connected to the lower meter electronics connector 1224c via the lower meter electronics connector 1224c. 12. More specifically, the lower meter electronics 1224 is comprised of an electronics board 1220b secured to a shell 1220s, which is secured to the connector 1250. The ground planes of the shell 1220s, the connector 1250, and / or the electronics board 1220b can form a ground path to prevent electromagnetic noise from interfering with electronics outside the shell 1220s, such as the electronics in the upper meter electronics 1222. As shown, the lower meter electronics connector 1224c is mechanically coupled to the connector 1250 of the feedthrough 1215. A connector O-ring 1250c is disposed between the lower meter electronics connector 1224c. As can be appreciated, the lower meter electronics 1224 is not fixed to or directly coupled to the housing 1230.

[0143] The coupler 1216 is disposed around and compressed against the housing flange 1237 and the connector flange 1257. The ramps on the housing flange 1237 and the connector flange 1257 allow the coupler 1216 to compress the housing flange 1237 and the connector flange 1257 together, thereby securing and preventing relative rotation and other movement of the housing 1230 and the connector 1250. When the coupler 1216 is loosened, the housing 1230 can rotate relative to the connector 1250. Thus, the housing 1230 can be rotated relative to the connector 1250, and thus the sensor assembly or junction box, by loosening the coupler 1216 and applying a torque to the housing 1230. The manner in which the lower meter electronics 1224 can be mechanically coupled or secured to the connector 1250 is described in more detail below.

[0144] 16-20B show the installation of the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 of the sensor assembly. 12 and 13 are not shown for clarity. As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 19, the housing 1230 includes a containment disk 1217. The containment disk 1217 is rotatably disposed about the connector 1250 between the retaining ring 1218 and the wall 1232 of the housing 1230. The containment disk 1217 includes threaded holes 1217h and grooves 1217g configured to receive and mate with the bolts 1224b and posts 1224p of the lower meter electronics 1224, respectively. As shown in FIG. 16, the containment disk 1217 also includes lobes 1217l that extend radially inward or inwardly into the containment disk 1217. The lobes 1217l are threadedly threaded into the grooves 1217. The retaining ring 1218, which is part of the connector 1250, is adjacent to the housing disk 1217. 1217l and includes a lip 1218b configured to mate with the probe 1217l. An exemplary process for installing the lower meter electronics 1224 onto the connector 1250 is described below.

[0145] As can be seen by comparing Figures 16 and 17, the containment disk 1217 is rotated 90 degrees. As shown in Figure 16, the groove 1217g and the lobe 1217l are disposed between the lips 1218b. That is, That is, a line connecting the grooves 1217g to each other is perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of the lips 1218b. As shown in FIG. 17, the grooves 1217g are disposed close to the lips 1218b. The line connecting the two ends of the lip 1218b is either in the same line or parallel to the line connecting the centers of the two lips. This rotation is performed before the lower instrument electronics 1224 is attached to the receiving disk 1217.

[0146] After the receiving disk 1217 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 17, the lower meter electronics 1224 is attached to the receiving disk 1217. More specifically, referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the post 1224p of the lower meter electronics 1224 is aligned with the groove 1217g of the receiving disk 1217. That is, the lower meter electronics 1224 is inverted from the position shown in FIG. 18 and drops into the housing 1230 where the post 1224p is aligned with the groove 1217g. The groove 1217g and the post 1224p mate with each other. Similarly, the bolt 1224b of the lower meter electronics 1224 is aligned with and fits into the threaded hole 1217h of the receiving disk 1217.

[0147] 19A, 19B, 20A and 20B, there is shown details of the lower meter electronics 1224 which couple to the receiving disk 1217 and the connector 1250. In particular, details of the receiving disk 1217 and the connector 1250 are shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, respectively, with FIG. 20A showing the lower It shows how the side meter electronics 1224 is coupled to the receiving disk 1217. In FIG. 20B, the lower meter electronics 1224 is disassembled and separated from the receiving disk 1217. In particular, the bolts 1224b are shown disassembled from the threaded holes 1217h of the receiving disk 1217. FIG. 20B shows the lower meter electronics 1224 after it has been securely fastened to the connector 1250. , the relative positions of the threaded hole 1217h of the containment disk 1217 and the lip 1218b of the retaining ring 1218 are shown.

[0148] 18 and 19, when the bolt 1224b is engaged with the threaded hole 1217h, the threaded hole 1217h is adjacent to the lip 1218b. After the bolt 1224b is engaged with the threaded hole 1217h from the exploded position shown in FIG. 20A, the bolt serves to hold the lower meter electronics 1224 to the connector 1250. The lobe 1217l of the containment disk 1217 is then tightened to engage the lip 1218b, thereby securing the lower meter electronics 1224 to the connector 1250. , containing disk 1217, and connector 1250 are part of the ground path described above to reduce electromagnetic noise.

[0149] FIG 21 illustrates a method 2100 for assembling an interface with improved accessibility. As shown in FIG 21, the method 2100 includes providing a housing at step 2110. The housing may be any suitable housing, such as, for example, the housing 630, 1230 described above. In step 2120, the method 2100 provides meter electronics and places them in the housing. The meter electronics may be the meter electronics 620, 1220 described above, but may be any suitable electronics. Suitable meter electronics may be utilized. Method 2100, in step 2130, provides a connector and extends into the housing. The connector may be extended into the housing, for example, by assembling a sensor assembly including the extended connector and lowering the housing onto the sensor assembly, although any suitable method may be utilized. In step 2140, method 2100 secures the meter electronics to the connector that extends into the housing. Steps 2110-2140 may be performed in any suitable order. For example, the connector may be extended into the housing before the meter electronics is placed into the housing. The meter electronics may be secured to the housing by, for example, a screw, a bolt, a rotating cam or lip, a clamp, a retaining lip, or the like. The connector may be secured to the connector by using any suitable means such as a fastener, snap ring, cotter pin, etc. The meter electronics may be rigidly secured, rotatably secured, pivotally secured, etc.

[0150] Method 2100 may include additional steps such as rotatably coupling the housing to a connector that extends into the housing. For example, with reference to FIG. 15 above, the housing 1230 may rotate relative to a connector 1250 that extends into the housing 1230. The coupler 1216 may be clamped to a housing flange 1237 of the housing 1230 and a connector flange 1257 of the connector 1250, thereby preventing the housing 1230 from rotating.

[0151] In step 2120, providing the meter electronics may include providing upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics. The upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may be the upper meter electronics 1222 and lower meter electronics 1224 described above, respectively, although any suitable upper and lower meter electronics may be utilized. The upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may be fixed to one another or may not be fixed to one another. For example, the upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may be fixed to one another using a barrier plate, described below. The upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may be fixed to one another, for example, by using a potting material in combination with standoffs, although any suitable means may be utilized. Additionally or alternatively, the upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may not be mechanically coupled to one another in the sense that their relative movement is restricted. For example, the upper meter electronics and lower meter electronics may be communicatively coupled to one another using a cable, such as, for example, a communication cable. Thus, providing the meter electronics may include providing lower meter electronics configured to secure to a connector extending into the housing, and providing upper meter electronics configured to secure to the housing and configured to communicatively couple to the lower meter electronics. Providing the meter electronics may also include providing shielded meter electronics, such as the lower meter electronics 1224 described above, that prevents propagation of electromagnetic noise from the meter electronics.

[0152] As described above, in step 2130, the connector may be provided and extended into the housing, for example, by lowering the housing onto the sensor assembly, junction box, or other device from which the connector extends. However, alternative means may be utilized. For example, the housing may be coupled to the sensor assembly, junction box, or other device, and the connector may then be coupled through the housing to the sensor assembly, junction box, or other device. Additionally or alternatively, the connector may extend through the sensor assembly, junction box, or other device into the housing. For example, the sensor assembly may have an upper portion secured to the housing, and the sensor assembly is extended through the upper portion into the housing. The lower portion of the sensor assembly may then be secured to the upper portion of the sensor assembly. The connector that extends into the housing may be part of a feedthrough that extends from the sensor assembly, junction box, etc. That is, the connector may be part of a more complex assembly between the sensor assembly, junction box, etc. and the housing. For example, the feedthrough that extends into the housing may be feedthrough 1215 described above with reference to FIG. 15. Thus, the feedthrough may be comprised of portions that allow the housing to rotate relative to the sensor assembly, junction box, etc.

[0153] As described above with reference to step 2140, the meter electronics may be secured to the connector by any suitable means, such as, for example, screws, bolts, rotating cams or lips, clamps, retaining rings, snap rings, cotter pins, etc. The meter electronics may be secured to the connector by any suitable means, such as, for example, screws, bolts, rotating cams or lips, clamps, retaining rings, snap rings, cotter pins, etc. The connector may be fixedly secured, rotatably secured, pivotally secured, etc. For example, the connector may be similar to connectors 850, 1050, 1250 described above with reference to Figures 8, 10, and 15.

[0154] Thus, providing the connector can include providing a receiving disk and rotatably disposing it around the connector. At least a portion of the receiving disk can be disposed between a retaining ring of the connector and a wall of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, providing the meter electronics can further include providing a post, and providing the receiving disk can include providing a groove and a threaded hole in the receiving disk. Step 2140 can further include providing a bolt. The post can be configured to mate with the groove, and the bolt can be configured to mate with the threaded hole of the receiving disk. A lobe on the receiving disk can mate with the groove and / or lip of the retaining ring to hold the meter electronics against the connector extending into the housing.

[0155] The meter electronics 420, 520, 620, 1220 and feedthroughs 415, 515, 615, 1215 provide improved access to the interfaces 402, 502, 602, 1202. The meter electronics 420, 520, 620, 1220 do not necessarily need to be connected to the housing 430, 530, 630, 1230; The meter electronics 520, 1220 may be directly connected to the feedthrough 415, 515, 615, 1215. If the meter electronics 520, 1220 is not connected to the housing 530, 1230, the housing 530, 1230 may be allowed to rotate relative to the sensor assembly, junction box, etc., thereby allowing easier access to the interface 402, 502, 602, 1202. Additionally, connecting the meter electronics 420, 520, 620, 1220 to the feedthrough 415, 515, 615, 1215 reduces the risk of electromagnetic noise A grounded enclosure can be formed to prevent the propagation of the meter electronics 420. , 620 can be connected to the housing 430, 630. The connection towards the feedthrough 415, 615 can allow for easier assembly of the interface 402, 602. For example, a cable between the meter electronics 420, 620 and the feedthrough 415, 615 may not be used.

[0156] [Removable meter electronics with water barrier] The interface can have a single or dual compartment housing for the meter electronics. In a single compartment housing, the meter electronics, terminals, and wiring are located inside the same compartment. Traditionally, this requires protecting the meter electronics from water by encasing the entire meter electronics in a potting compound to prevent damage to the meter electronics if water gets inside the housing. This potting of the electronics to protect them from water can add significant cost to the interface due to the potting material, the electronics shell, and the additional manufacturing steps required to fill and cure the potting material.

[0157] An alternative to a single compartment housing that reduces the risk of water to the meter electronics is to utilize a dual compartment housing. In a dual compartment housing, the terminals and wiring are In dual compartment housings, the electrical wiring is placed inside one compartment while the meter electronics and circuitry are in a separate compartment sealed by a potted housing wall or bulkhead. This type of design allows the meter electronics to be sealed from water ingress in the terminal compartment. However, dual compartment housings are traditionally heavier and more expensive to manufacture than single compartment housings. The meter electronics are also inaccessible due to the potted housing wall.

[0158] 22 and 23 illustrate an interface 2202 with improved accessibility. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the interface 2202 includes a meter electronics 2220 having a gasket 2230o disposed between the barrier plate 2223 and the housing 2230. More specifically, the gasket 2230o is disposed between the barrier plate 2223 and the boss 2230s of the housing 2230. As shown in FIGS. As shown, gasket 2230o is an O-ring, although any suitable gasket may be utilized. Barrier plate 2223 is disposed between and coupled to upper meter electronics 2222 and lower meter electronics 2224. Upper meter electronics 2222 is disposed within upper meter electronics portion 2230u of housing 2230, and lower meter electronics 2224 is disposed within lower meter electronics portion 2230u of housing 2230. The barrier plate 2223 is secured to the housing 2230 using a number of fasteners 2230b. As shown, the number of fasteners 2230b are screws, although any suitable fasteners may be used. It may be utilized.

[0159] The housing 2230 may comprise any suitable material such as aluminum, stainless steel, polymers, etc. The housing 2230 may be comprised of a unitary integrally formed structure such as a cast, forged, milled, etc. structure. The housing 2230 has an opening through which the meter electronics 2220 can be inserted and removed from the housing 2230. The barrier plate 2223 can be free of vias or holes through which water can flow. This can be achieved by using blind and buried vias and by providing a seal around the holes beyond the barrier plate 2223. Thus, the barrier plate 2223 can be free of holes beyond the barrier plate 2223 inside the gasket 2230o. The plate 2223 does not include any holes beyond the barrier plate 2223 inside the gasket 2230o, so that water cannot pass through the barrier plate 2223. This prevents water from entering the lower meter electronics portion 2230l.

[0160] The barrier plate 2223 can have a periphery that corresponds to and overlaps the boss 2230s on the housing 2230 against which the gasket 2230o is disposed. The boss 2230s may extend in the axial direction. The boss 2230s may define a boundary between the upper meter electronics portion 2230u and the lower meter electronics portion 2230l of the housing 2230. When inserted, the plurality of fasteners 2230b can compress the barrier plate 2223 against the housing 2230, and more particularly, the bosses 2230s and the gasket 2230o, thereby forming a watertight compartment beneath the upper instrument electronics 2222.

[0161] The upper meter electronics 2222 may be comprised of hardwired components such as cables, terminals, etc., or may not include electronic components, although any suitable configuration may be utilized where exposure to water is not an issue. For example, environmentally sealed electronics may be utilized. The lower meter electronics 2224 may similarly be comprised of electronic components and cables, terminals, etc. The lower meter electronics 2224 may be communicatively and / or mechanically coupled to a sensor assembly, junction box, etc.

[0162] 22 and 23, the wiring terminals of the upper meter electronics 2222 can be placed above this barrier plate 2223, and additional electronic circuit boards of the electronics board stack can be suspended below the barrier plate 2223 to allow additional circuit board space without requiring potting of a portion of the meter electronics 2220. For example, the lower meter electronics 2224 may not need to be potted. As can be appreciated, the meter electronics 2220 includes a number of fasteners 2230b. It can be removed by removing it.

[0163] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, multiple fasteners 2230b are located on the exterior of gasket 2230o or within upper meter electronics portion 2230u of housing 2230. However, multiple fasteners The fasteners 2230b may be located in any suitable location. For example, the fasteners 2230b may be located inside the gasket 2230o or in the lower meter electronics portion 2230l of the housing 2230. Additionally or alternatively, the fasteners 2230b may include fasteners located both inside and outside the gasket 2230o. For example, the fasteners 2230b may be located inside the gasket 2230o. The fasteners located at may include a gasket coupled to the fastener to provide a watertight seal.

[0164] Although multiple fasteners 2230b are shown disposed through the barrier plate 2223, Any suitable configuration may be utilized. For example, a clamp such as a ring clamp disposed around the periphery of the barrier plate 2223 may be utilized, the clamp compressing the barrier plate 2223 against the bosses 2230s of the housing 2230. The fasteners 2230b may be disposed within or opposite the ring clamp. Additionally or alternatively, the fasteners 2230b may be disposed around the barrier plate 2223. For example, multiple fasteners 2230b may be disposed around the edge of the barrier plate 2223. 2230s, and the heads of the fasteners 2230b may abut the edge of the barrier plate 2223 against the bosses 2230s.

[0165] The gasket 2230o may include a compressible material such as rubber, a polymer, a soft metal, etc. Although gasket 2230o is shown as having a circular cross section, it may be any shape, such as rectangular. Any suitable cross-section may be utilized and may vary, such as increasing or decreasing the diameter. The gasket 2230o may form a watertight seal that prevents water from entering the lower meter electronics portion 2230l of the housing 2230. Thus, the gasket 2230o may form a watertight seal that prevents water from entering the lower meter electronics portion 2230l of the housing 2230. A boundary may be defined between the upper meter electronics portion 2230u and the lower meter electronics portion 2230l.

[0166] FIG. 24 illustrates a method 2400 for assembling an interface with improved accessibility. As shown in FIG. 24, the method 2400 provides a housing at step 2410. The housing may be the housing 2230 described above, although any suitable housing may be utilized. The method 2400 provides meter electronics at step 2420. For example, the method 2400 can provide upper meter electronics and provide lower meter electronics. At step 2430, the method 2400 can provide a barrier plate and place it between the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics. The method 2400 can also couple the barrier plate to the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics. At step 2440, the method 2400 can place a gasket between the barrier plate and the housing and contact the barrier plate and the gasket to form a watertight seal separating the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

[0167] The step of providing a barrier plate may include forming a barrier plate without holes extending beyond the barrier plate. For example, blind vias may be utilized in the barrier plate. Providing a gasket may include providing an O-ring, and the method 2400 may include providing a gasket between the housing and the barrier plate. The gasket is placed between the barrier plate and the housing. The step of contacting the barrier plate and the housing may include disposing a gasket between the barrier plate and a ledge of the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the ledge of the housing.

[0168] The method 2400 can also place a plurality of fasteners adjacent the gasket and secure the barrier plate to a shelf of the housing using the plurality of fasteners. The method can also place a plurality of fasteners in at least one of the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing. The method 2400 can also place a plurality of fasteners through the barrier plate and into the shelf of the housing.

[0169] The meter electronics 2220 and method 2400 can provide improved access to the interface 2202. For example, the meter electronics 2220 can include portions that are not potted, thereby allowing greater access to the components on the meter electronics 2220. Additionally, the meter electronics 2220 can be installed within the housing 2230 without necessarily using a potting material to seal the meter electronics 2220 to the housing 2230. That is, the gasket 2230o provides a seal between the meter electronics 2220 and the housing 2230. Thus, the meter electronics 2220 can be separated from the housing 2230 by a water seal. The mounting member may be removable.

[0170] [Wireless communication with the interface] The accessibility of the interface can be improved by improving the ability of the interface to communicate with other devices, such as by using a wireless communication protocol. However, the interface is typically not designed to include wireless functionality. For example, the housing of the interface may be designed to meet safety standards that require a thick metal housing formed from a single integral piece. Wireless signals may be adversely affected by metal surfaces. In addition, components inside the housing may be arranged to meet safety and user interface requirements as well. For example, the display substrate may necessarily be flush with the plane formed by the opening in the housing to ensure that the display may be readable by the user. Such a substrate may interfere with wireless signals between the interface and other devices.

[0171] 25 illustrates a communication system 2500 that includes an interface 2502 with improved accessibility. In particular, the communication system 2500 includes a wireless device 2501 configured to wirelessly communicate with the interface 2502 via a fascia 2540. The fascia 2540 can be considered part of the meter electronics within the interface 2502. The fascia 2540 is disposed proximate to a display opening 2532 within the housing 2530. Interfaces other than interface 2502 shown in FIG. 25 may include any line-of-sight (LOS) interfaces necessary to incorporate any Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or other communications standards. Some interfaces may have very limited or almost no openings for WiFi signals. For example, metal housings such as aluminum or stainless steel can be problematic for radio frequency (RF) signals. Other interfaces typically include a limited number of plastic parts such as sub-bezels, display covers, terminal covers, display glass covers, etc. that combine to have a significant adverse effect on RF signal range from the interface. This, coupled with an interface that has external RF transparent openings, can make WiFi communication difficult. To address these issues, fascia 2540 provides openings in the circuit board and slots in the fascia that are positioned to reduce the adverse effect of other components in interface 2502.

[0172] 26-28 show various views of a fascia 2540 for an enhanced access interface 2502. As shown in FIG. 26, the fascia 2540 includes a face plate 2542 on which a display 2544 is visible. The fascia 2540 also includes a button 2546 disposed below the display 2544. The button 2546 is configured to detect finger presses against the fascia 2540. As shown in FIG. 27, the face plate 2542 is removed to expose the fascia chassis 2543 and the emitter 2546e and sensor 2546s of the button 2546 shown in FIG. 27. A wired connector having an antenna 2548a is provided. Also shown is a YAS Transceiver 2548. An antenna 2548a is mounted within the fascia chassis 2543. 26. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the fascia 2540 from FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the fascia 2540 includes a face plate 2542, a fascia chassis 2543, a display 2544, a button 2546 including an emitter 2546e and a sensor 2546s, a wireless transceiver 2548, and an antenna 2548a for the wireless transceiver 2548. Also shown is the board 2540b and a display cable 2544c that communicatively couples the display 2544 and the board 2540b.

[0173] As described above, the interface 2502 can include a housing 2530 having a display opening 2532. The housing 2530 can be constructed from a metal, such as steel, aluminum, etc., formed from a single, integral piece to meet safety or other standards, such that it can be resistant to explosion, water or other intrusion, etc. If the housing 2530 is made of a conductive material, Because of the housing's construction, wireless signals propagating near the housing 2530 may be adversely affected.

[0174] The display opening 2532 is shown as being circular in shape, however any suitable shape may be utilized. For example, rectangular, oval, hexagonal shapes may be utilized. Additionally, while the display opening 2532 is shown as being planar, non-planar openings may be utilized. The display opening 2532 may include a bezel that includes a transparent material that is a dielectric that may not adversely affect the wireless signals propagating through the display opening 2532.

[0175] The fascia 2540 may be disposed within the housing 2530 and adjacent the display opening 2532. As described above, the fascia 2540 may include a substrate 2540b and a wireless transceiver 2540c. The substrate 2540b may include a front side 2540ba facing the display opening 2532 and a back side 2540bp facing an interior portion of the housing 2530. The transceiver 2548 may be located on the rear side 2540bp of the substrate 2540b as shown. The YAS transceiver 2548 is connected to the wireless device 2501 through an opening 2540bo in the substrate 2540b. The device may be configured to communicatively couple to the

[0176] As also described above, the fascia 2540 is a fascia that is mechanically coupled to the substrate 2540b. The fascia chassis 2543 includes a slot 2543s that can be adjacent to the wireless transceiver 2548. The fascia chassis 2543 is made of aluminum, The fascia chassis 2543 may be constructed of a conductive material such as steel or the like, although any suitable material may be utilized. The fascia chassis 2543 may provide a rigid support structure for the substrate 2540b. The substrate 2540b is mechanically and / or electrically connected to the fascia chassis 2543 via ground. For example, the substrate 2540b can have a substantially continuous ground plane on the back side 2540bp of the substrate 2540b. Thus, the opening 2540bo can allow wireless signals to propagate through the substrate 2540b.

[0177] The opening 2540bo is shown as a through hole through the substrate 2540b, i.e., the opening 2540bo extends through both the dielectric material and, for example, a substantially continuous ground plane at the back side 2540p of the substrate 2540b. The alternative substrate may not include through holes. For example, the openings in the alternative substrate may be formed only in the ground plane and / or other conductive layers of the substrate. For example, the openings in the alternative substrate may be defined by the absence of a ground plane on the back side of the alternative substrate. Thus, the openings in the alternative substrate may be electrical openings in that the substrate may be mechanically solid at the opening, but electrically transparent to electromagnetic propagation or wireless signals.

[0178] A display 2544 may be coupled to a front side 2540ba of the substrate 2540b. The display 2544 is mechanically and electrically coupled to a front side 2540ba of the substrate 2540b on the side of the substrate 2540b opposite the wireless transceiver 2548. As can be seen in FIG. 28, the display 2544 is recessed into the fascia chassis 2543. That is, the front surface of the display 2544 is recessed from the front surface of the fascia chassis 2543.

[0179] The wireless transceiver 2548 may be any suitable wireless transceiver capable of receiving and transmitting wireless signals. The wireless transceiver 2548 may be a WiFi wireless transceiver, but may also be any suitable processor such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The wireless transceiver 2548 may be connected to one or more devices. 2501. Although a single wireless transceiver 2548 is shown, multiple wireless transceivers may be utilized. For example, a WiFi wireless transceiver and a Bluetooth transceiver may be utilized. In such a configuration, The YAS transceiver may or may not be located on the rear side of the substrate 2540b. good.

[0180] The antenna 2548a is an on-board chip that may have adequate performance in a constrained environment as described above. The antenna 2548a may be a chip ceramic antenna, but any suitable antenna may be utilized. For example, an antenna integrated into the substrate 2540b may be utilized. The antenna 2548a may be configured for one or more communication protocols, such as the WiFi, Bluetooth, and / or Zigbee protocols described above. The antenna 2548a may be a part of the wireless transceiver 2548. For example, the wireless transceiver 2548 can be displaced further away from the opening 2540bo in the substrate 2540b, and the coaxial cable can be coupled to the wireless transceiver 2548 using a coaxial cable, for example. 2548a。 The antenna 2548 may be routed along the back side of the substrate 2540b between the server 2548 and the antenna 2548a.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 28, when the fascia 2540 is disposed and positioned within the housing 2530, the front side 2540ba of the substrate 2540b may be adjacent to the display opening 2532 in the housing 2530. As shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the display 2544 is disposed adjacent to the opening 2540bo of the substrate 2540b. The display 2544 is also arranged on the substrate 2540b via a wireless transceiver 2548. 26 to 28, the wireless transceiver 2548 is adjacent to an opening 2548a in the base plate 2540b and a slot 2543s in the fascia chassis 2543. The antenna 2548 includes an antenna 2548a disposed adjacent the antenna 2548.

[0182] Thus, the display 2544 may not be in the transmission path of the wireless signal shown by the curve in Fig. 28. Thus, while some displays may be obstructed by the wireless signal, the display 2544 shown in Figs. 26-28 may not be obstructed because the display 2544 is not in the path of the wireless signal. More specifically, the opening 2540bo in the substrate 2548b and the slot 2543s in the fascia chassis 2543 may form a signal path for the wireless signal.

[0183] Also, the antenna 2548a is positioned proximate to the slot 2543s such that the wireless signal may propagate LOS between the wireless device 2501 and the wireless transceiver 2548. More specifically, the wireless signal is transmitted through an opening 2540bo in the substrate 2540b and through the fascia through slots 2543s in the chassis 2543 and through the display opening 2532 in the housing 2530. The antenna 2548a may transmit signals to and from the antenna 2548a as needed. The substantially central location of the antenna 2548a relative to the circular plane formed by the face and the display opening 2532 of the housing 2530 provides a substantially central location of the housing 2530 relative to the wireless signals. The adverse effects can be minimized.

[0184] As can be seen, the arrangement of the antenna 2548a on the wireless transceiver 2548 is different. Because it is behind the play 2544, the wireless signal would be disrupted without the slot 2543s. Additionally, antenna 2548a is positioned proximate to an opening in emitter 2546e. The opening allows infrared (IR) light emitted from emitter 2546e to be reflected by a user's finger to sensor 2546s, thereby detecting finger presses. The opening in emitter 2546e It may also be possible to allow wireless signals to propagate through the fascia chassis 2543. However, the emitter 2546e should be susceptible to wireless signals, and the opening for the emitter 2546e should not be utilized by the wireless signal radiated by the antenna 2548a. For example, an alternative opening may be provided for the antenna 2548a as shown in FIGS. , or may be specific to another reused opening, such as a switch opening.

[0185] FIG. 29 illustrates a method 2900 for creating an interface with improved accessibility. As shown, the method 2900, at step 2910, provides a housing having a display opening. The housing may be the housing 2530 described above, although any suitable housing may be utilized. At step 2920, the method 2900 may provide a fascia and position it inside the housing proximate to the display opening. Providing the fascia may include providing a substrate and a wireless transceiver, the substrate comprising a front side facing the display opening and a rear side facing the interior portion of the housing. The method 2900 may also provide a wireless transceiver and position it on a rear side of the substrate at step 2930. Positioning the wireless transceiver on the rear side of the substrate may include securing the wireless transceiver to the substrate. At step 2940, the method 2900 may configure the wireless transceiver to be communicatively coupled to a wireless device through the opening in the substrate.

[0186] Providing the fascia may further include providing a fascia chassis and mechanically coupling the fascia chassis to the substrate such that a slot in the fascia chassis is proximate to the wireless transceiver. The method 2900 may also provide a display and couple it to a front side of the substrate. Coupling the display to the front side of the substrate may include fixing the display to the front side of the substrate. The method may also position the display proximate to an opening in the substrate. For example, the display may not extend or otherwise interfere with wireless signals propagating through the opening in the substrate. The wireless signals may propagate through the opening in the substrate due to the display facing the wireless transceiver on the substrate. For example, the method 2900 of providing a wireless transceiver may include providing an antenna and positioning the antenna relative to the opening in the substrate and the slot in the fascia chassis.

[0187] The communications system 2500, interface 2502, and method 2900 can provide improved access to the interface 2502. The fascia 2540 can be positioned proximate to the display opening 2532 in the housing 2530 and can include a slot 2543s to allow wireless signals between the device and the interface 2502. A substrate 2540b in the fascia 2540 can be disposed adjacent to the display opening 2532 in the housing 2530 and can include a slot 2543s to allow wireless signals to be transmitted between the device and the interface 2502 by an antenna 2548a of a wireless transceiver 2548. The interface 2502 may include an aperture 2540bo to allow transmission and reception therethrough. Thus, the interface 2502 and the device 2501 may communicate wirelessly.

[0188] [Auto detect displays] The interfaces described above may include a display. Some interfaces do not have a display. These interfaces may be referred to as blind interfaces and may require configuration of the interface during assembly. For example, the display may be part of a substrate housed within a fascia that may not be included in the blind interface, similar to fascia 2540 described above. Thus, a blind interface may include some components that are necessarily included in a fascia. For example, a fascia may include light emitting diodes (LEDs), switches, etc. with which a user interacts. Thus, a blind interface may include a display that is not necessarily included in a fascia. The meter electronics in the base can include a similar set of components. This means, for example, that the blind interface can activate LEDs in both the meter electronics and the fascia. This can cause configuration problems, such as

[0189] 30 and 31 show a display interface 3002 and a blind interface 3102 configured to enhance accessibility. As shown in FIG. 30, the display interface 3002 includes a display fascia 3040. As shown in FIG. 31, the blind interface 3102 includes a blind fascia 3140. Both the fascia 3040 and the blind fascia 3140 include face plates 3042, 3142. Both the display interface 3002 and the blind interface 3102 can include status light emitting diodes (LEDs) 3046l, 3126l and switch sets 3046s, 3126s. However, the display fascia 3040 also includes a display 3044 and a switch 3045 for controlling the display 3044, whereas the blind fascia 3140 does not.

[0190] The display fascia 3040 is a display substrate similar to the substrate 2540b described above with reference to FIG. The blind fascia 3140 may include a display substrate. However, the blind fascia 3140 may not include a display substrate. As a result, the electronics substrate in the meter electronics of both the display fascia 3040 and the blind fascia 3140 may include components and features that are redundant to the display substrate in the display fascia 3040. For example, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the LEDs 3046l and switch set 3046s in the display fascia 3040 may be in the display substrate, while the LEDs 3126l and switch set 3046s in the blind fascia 3140 may be in the display substrate. and switch set 3126s may be in the electronics board of the meter electronics.

[0191] Thus, the electronics board and the display board may include duplicate circuitry to support redundant components. For example, the LEDs 3046l and the switches 3046s on the display board may be A set of general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pins in the board stack to support the 3126L and 3126S LEDs on the electronics board, and a separate set of GPIO pins to support the 3126L and 3126S Switches on the electronics board. To avoid this, there are two different versions of the electronics board. Alternatively, one version intended to support a display board may not include the LEDs 3126l and switch set 3126s, but this would be cost prohibitive.

[0192] FIG. 32 shows a circuit diagram of an interface 3202 including a display board 3240b and meter electronics 3220 configured to enhance access to the interface by supporting the interface 3202 or blind fascia 3140 by detecting the display board 3240b. As shown in FIG. 32, the circuit diagram is of the electronics board 3220b. 3220b, with only a portion of the circuitry in electronics board 3220b shown for clarity. The ray board 3240b and the electronics board 3220b include components 3246 and 3226. The components 3226 and 3246 are composed of LED sets 3226l and 3246l and switch sets 3226s and 3246s.

[0193] The components 3246 of the display board 3240b are coupled to a display connector 3247. More specifically, LED 3246l is coupled to pins 2 and 4 of display connector 3247, designated as PF3 and PF2 pins, respectively. Switch 3246s is coupled to pin 12 of display connector 3247, designated as PF1 pin. As can be seen, display connector 3247 also includes a PF0 pin that is coupled to ground 3240g of display board 3240b. LED 3246l is also connected to ground 3240g of display board 3240b. do.

[0194] The display connector 3247 is electrically coupled to the processor 3228 of the electronics board 3220b. Thus, the pins on the display connector 3247 correspond to the pins of the processor 3228. More specifically, the PF0, PF1, PF2, and PF3 pins of the display connector 3247 correspond to the PF0, PF1, PF2, and PF3 pins of the processor 3228, respectively. As a result, when the display board 3240b is coupled to the electronics board 3220b, the PF0, PF1, PF2, and PF3 pins of the display connector 3247 are coupled to the PF0, PF1, PF2, and PF3 pins of the processor 3228, respectively.

[0195] The electronics board 3220b includes a component 3226 that is also coupled to a processor 3228. Specifically, switch 3226s is coupled to a pin labeled PF1 of processor 3228, and LED 3226l is coupled to pins labeled PF1 and PF2, respectively, of processor 3228. As shown in FIG. 32, processor 3228 controls first amplifier 3222a and second amplifier 3222b. The electronics board 3220b is configured to detect and support the display board 3240b while supporting the LED sets 3246l, 3226l and switch sets 3246s, 3226s using the same pins.

[0196] Specifically, referring to FIG. 32, a total of 12 pins are assigned. Of the 12 pins, 8 pins are used to control a standard display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Another 4 pins, labeled PF0-PF3, are adapted for use with or without a display board 3240b. The PF0 pin detects the presence or absence of the display board 3240b. If the display board 3240b is present, the PF0 pin is latched to ground 3240g. If the display board 3240b is not present, the PF0 pin is not latched to ground 3240g. The PF1 pin is not intended to be used for either switch 3226s or 3246s. Yes. The PF2 and PF3 pins are used to control the LED sets 3246l and 3226l. When display board 3240b is present, the PF2 and PF3 pins are active high. When the display board 3240b is not present, the PF2 and PF3 pins are active low. It is.

[0197] That is, when the display board 3240b is connected to the electronics board 3220b, the PF2 and PF3 pins are active high, and therefore the LEDs 32461 on the display board 3240b are turned on. The amplifiers 3222a and 3222b are inverters, so the high-level voltage is inverted to a low-level voltage (i.e., 0), thereby applying a voltage to Conversely, if display board 3240b is not connected to electronics board 3220b, the PF2 and PF3 pins are active low; Thus, the low level voltage on the PF2 and PF3 pins is inverted by amplifiers 3222a, 3222b, turning on LED 3226l on electronics board 3220b.

[0198] As can be seen, the active high logic and low logic for the LEDs 3226l, 3246l The effect of the level logic is due to the cathode of the LED being connected to the ground 3220g and 3240g. Similarly, a switch 3246s on the display board 3240b and a The switches 3226s are both connected to grounds 3240g and 3220g. When the display board 3240b is connected to the electronics board 3220b, Pin PF1 can be latched to ground 3240g by toggling switch 3246s. If the display board 3240b is not connected to the electronics board 3220b, the PF1 pin can be latched to ground 3220g by switching the switch 3226s in the electronics board 3220b. Thus, the PF1 pin can be latched to ground 3220g by switching the switch 3226s in the electronics board 3220b or It may be latched to ground by any of the switches 3246s in the display board 3240b.

[0199] FIG 33 illustrates a method 3300 for improving the accessibility of an interface. As shown in FIG 33, the method 3300 includes, at step 3310, providing a processor and disposing it on an electronics board. The processor and electronics board may be, for example, the processor 3228 and electronics board 3220b described above, although any suitable electronics board and processor may be utilized. In step 3320, the method 3300 provides and places a component on the electronics board. The component may be, for example, the LED 3226l or the switch 3226s on the electronics board 3220b described above. In step 3330, the method 3300 couples the component to a pin on the processor. For example, as described above, the switch 3226s is coupled to the PF0 pin of the processor 3228, and the LED 3226l is coupled to the PF2, PF3 pins of the processor 3228. In step 3340, the method 3300 configures the pin of the processor to couple to a component on a display board coupled to the electronics board. For example, as described above, the display connector 3247 connects the component 3226 on the electronics board 3220b and the component 3246 on the display board 3240b in parallel with the grounds 3220g, 3240g.

[0200] Thus, configuring the pins of the processor to couple to the components of the display substrate may include configuring the pins to couple to the components of the display substrate via a connector that couples the display substrate to the electronics substrate. However, any suitable means may be utilized, such as an active switch controlled by the processor. Providing the components may include providing one of a light emitting diode and a switch. However, other components may be utilized.

[0201] The method 3300 can also be configured to provide a plurality of components, respectively couple the plurality of components to a plurality of pins of the processor, and respectively couple the plurality of pins of the processor to a plurality of components of the display board. For example, the method 3300 can also provide and arrange other components in addition to the LED 3226l shown in FIG. 32. The components of the display board can be arranged in a manner similar to the LEDs 3226l, 3246l and switches 3226s, 3246s described above. There may be redundancy for multiple components of the plate.

[0202] Coupling the component to the pin of the processor may include coupling the pin of the processor to a first terminal of the component on the electronics board and coupling a second terminal of the component to ground. For example, referring to FIG. 32, first terminals 1, 3 of LED 3226l on electronics board 3220b are coupled to PF2, PF3 pins of processor 3228, and second terminal 2 of LED 3226l is coupled to ground 3220g. First pin 1 of switch 3226s is coupled to PF1 pin of processor 3228. Similarly, on the display board 3240b, the first LED 3246l on the electronics board 3220b The terminals 1 and 3 are coupled to the PF2 and PF3 pins of the processor 3228, and the second terminal 2 of the LED 3246l is coupled to ground 3240g. The first terminal 4 of the switch 3246s is coupled to the PF1 pin of the processor 3228. are combined.

[0203] The method 3300 may also provide a display substrate and couple pins of the processor to a component of the display substrate. Coupling pins of the processor to a component of the display substrate may include coupling pins of the processor to first terminals of the component of the display substrate. and coupling a second terminal of the display substrate component to ground. For example, the display board 3240b can receive power via a display connector 3247. The switch 3246s is coupled to the daughter device board 3220b, thereby connecting respective first terminals 1, 3 of the LEDs 3246l to the PF2, PF3 pins of the processor 3228 and connecting a first terminal 4 of the switch 3246s to the PF1 pin of the processor 3228.

[0204] The meter electronics 3220 and method 3300 provide an interface 3202 with improved accessibility. For example, the meter electronics 3220 includes a processor 3220p that can detect when a display board 3240b is connected to the meter electronics 3220. By detecting the display board 3240b, the processor can set its pins to have the appropriate logic levels. The fascia can be configured to have a fascia that is not flush with the display. As a result, fewer GPIO pins can be used by allowing the same pins to be used. Additionally, the same meter electronics can be utilized whether or not a display is utilized. This can reduce the material cost of the interface. However, access to the meter electronics can be difficult when a fascia is utilized where the fascia can be misaligned or misinserted into the interface.

[0205] [Pivotable fascia] The interface may have a fascia, such as fascia 2540 described above, that may limit user access to the instrument electronics located behind the fascia. Additionally, if the fascia is removed from the interface, the fascia and components on the fascia, such as the display, may be damaged or misaligned. Additionally, fascia removal can cause damage to the interfaces, housing, and / or instrument electronics if not performed correctly.

[0206] 34-38 illustrate an interface 3402 with improved accessibility. As shown in FIG. 34, the interface 3402 includes a fascia 3440 configured to rotate about a translation axis 3440at and pivot about a pivot axis 3440ap to a pivoted fascia 3440' position. The translation axis 3440at and the pivot axis 3440ap are orthogonal and coincident at a pivot point 3440p. A translation rod 3440t is aligned with the translation axis 3440at. As described in more detail below, the translation rod 3440t is displaced along the translation axis 3440at. A pin 3440i connects the translation rod 3440t to the fascia 3440. The translation rod 3440t rotatably and pivotally couples the fascia 3440 to the meter electronics 3420. The fascia 3440 is rotatably coupled to the meter electronics 3420. The meter electronics 3420 may be a board stack, an electronics board, or the like. The meter electronics 3420 and the fascia 3440 may be disposed within a housing 3430, as shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 35 also shows a rod post 3430p, which may be an integral part of the housing 3430 or may be fixed thereto. A translating rod 3440t is disposed within the rod post 3430p, as shown in FIG. 36, and configured to translate within the rod post. Thus, Thus, the fascia 3440 is configured to be displaced through the opening 3430o of the housing 3430. This may also be the case.

[0207] The fascia 3440 may comprise any suitable material and may include any suitable components. For example, the fascia 3440 may be similar to the fascia 2540 described above with reference to Figures 26-28. That is, the fascia 3440 may include displays, electronic components, connectors, switches, etc. Alternatively, the fascia 3440 may be a plastic cover, such as, for example, a clear plastic cover that may be placed over the meter electronics.

[0208] The translation rod 3440t, the pin 3440i, and the rod post 3430p may be made of, for example, metal. Although the translation rod 3440t is shown as having a cylindrical shape, any suitable shape may be utilized, such as a thermosetting polymer or the like. The translating rod 3440t includes a bore into which the pin 3440i is mounted. The bore of the translating rod 3440t may be aligned with the bore of the fascia 3440 when the pin 3440i is mounted within the bore to couple the translating rod 3440t to the fascia 3440.

[0209] The translation rod 3440t also seats within the rod post 3430p. The post 3430p is shown as including a smooth portion and a threaded portion that can be used to retain the translation rod 3440t within the post 3430p, thereby restraining the translation rod 3440t to the rod post 3430p, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36. The rod post 3430p allows the translation rod 3440t to displace or translate along and rotate about a translation axis 3440at. The rod post 3430p can allow the translation rod 3440t to display a predetermined distance sufficient to allow the fascia 3440 to be displaced outwardly away from the housing 3430.

[0210] As described above, the translation rod 3440t moves the fascia 3440 away from the meter electronics 3420. The fascia 3440 translates along a translation axis 3440at to allow the fascia 3440 to be displaced in such a way that the fascia 3440 is in a position relative to the meter electronics 3420. Thus, if the fascia 3440 includes electronic components, a cable can be used to communicatively couple the electronic components of the fascia 3440 to the meter electronics 3420. The pins 3440i are The fascia 3440 may be allowed to pivot away from the meter electronics 3420, for example to allow access to the cables and the meter electronics 3420, without having to separate the fascia 3440 from the interface 3402.

[0211] As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the translating rod 3440t connects the fascia 3440 to the housing 3430. In FIG. 37, the fascia 3440 has not pivoted. In FIG. 38, the fascia 3440 has pivoted but not rotated. As explained above, the translating rod 3440t is also adapted to allow relatively easy access to both sides of the fascia 3440. For example, a user may pivot the fascia 3440 from the position shown in FIG. 38 to allow a user to access a rear side of a substrate within the fascia 3440. Alternatively, a user may rotate the fascia 3440 from the position shown in FIG. 37 to allow a user to access a front side of the fascia 3440 while also accessing the meter electronics 3420 disposed within the housing 3430. For example, a user may desire to switch the fascia 3440 and the meter electronics 3420, e.g., for troubleshooting purposes.

[0212] FIG. 39 illustrates a method 3900 of forming an interface with improved accessibility. At step 3910, the method 3900 provides a housing having an opening. The housing may be the housing 3430 described above, although any suitable housing may be utilized. At step 3920, the method 3900 provides a fascia and may be positioned inside the housing and proximate the opening in the housing. The fascia may be the fascia 3440 described above, although any suitable fascia may be utilized. At step 3930, the method provides a translating rod and may be pivotally coupled to the fascia, the translating rod configured to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing. The translating rod may be the translating rod 3440t described above, although any suitable translating rod may be utilized. The translation rod may be attached to the frame using, for example, a pin, a flexible coupler, a U-joint, etc. The pivotally coupled to the fascia may be pivotally coupled to the fascia, however, any suitable means may be utilized.

[0213] Pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia may include configuring the fascia to rotate about a translation axis that is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the translation rod. For example, the translation rod may have a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicular to a plane formed by the rotation of the fascia. The plane may also be perpendicular to a direction of translation of the fascia along the translation axis. Pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia may also include configuring the fascia to rotate about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the translation rod.

[0214] Configuring the translation rod to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing may include configuring the translation rod to displace the fascia in a direction collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translation rod. For example, the translation rod may extend the fascia through the opening in the housing in a direction perpendicular to a plane formed by the opening in the housing. Pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia may include pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia at a pivot point. The pivot point may be located where the pivot axis and the translation axis coincide, where the fascia pivots about the pivot axis and rotates about the translation axis.

[0215] FIG. 40 illustrates a method 4000 for improving the accessibility of an interface. As shown in FIG. 40, the method 4000, at step 4010, provides a housing having an opening. The housing may be the housing 3430 described above, although any suitable housing may be utilized. The method 4000, at step 4020, displaces a fascia through the opening in the housing along a translation axis. The fascia may be configured to at least one of rotate about the translation axis and pivot about a pivot axis. The method 4000 may further include at least one of rotating the fascia about the translation axis and pivoting the fascia about the pivot axis. The translation axis and the pivot axis may be co-local at a pivot point, and the fascia may be configured to rotate and pivot about the pivot point.

[0216] The interface 3402 and method 3900 improve the accessibility of the interface 3402. In particular, the interface 3402 includes a fascia 3440 that is translatable to allow the fascia 3440 to be displaced through an opening 3430o in the housing 3430. The fascia 3440 can also rotate and pivot at a translation axis 3440a, which may be defined by a translation rod 3440t and a pivot axis 3440ap, respectively. Thus, the meter electronics 3420 may be accessible by a user, and may be accessible by the user without damaging the housing 3430, the meter electronics 3420, or the fascia 3440. Additionally, because the fascia 3440 remains attached to the housing, the user cannot misposition the fascia 3440.

[0217] [Automatically adjust display contrast] As noted above, an interface for a vibrating instrument, such as interface 2502 described above, may include a display. The display may have a contrast that allows the display to be read by a user at nominal conditions. For example, the display may have a contrast setting ranging from 0-100%, with 50% contrast being suitable for reading the display at room temperature in normal light. However, for various reasons, such as when the interface is connected to a vibrating instrument that is measuring materials at a non-nominal temperature, such as vibrating instrument 5 described above, the interface may not be read at the nominal conditions. The contrast may be set to 50%, but the actual contrast of the display may vary significantly due to, for example, temperature changes within the interface. More specifically, temperature changes in the instrument electronics within the interface may change the actual contrast of the display, thereby causing the perception of a faulty vibrating instrument, an unreadable display, etc.

[0218] Figures 41-43 show graphs illustrating how parameters within an enhanced accessibility interface display may be adjusted to ensure that the contrast of the display remains readable. More specifically, Figure 41 shows the relationship between temperature and contrast of a display showing that contrast decreases as temperature increases, and Figures 42 and 43 show the relationship between drive voltage and contrast that can be used to compensate for the relationship between temperature and contrast of a display, as described in more detail below.

[0219] FIG. 41 shows a graph 4100 illustrating the relationship between temperature and contrast of a display. As shown in FIG. 41, graph 4100 includes a temperature axis 4110 ranging from 0 to 100 degrees Celsius, although any suitable temperature range or other parameter, such as an environmental parameter, may be utilized. Graph 4100 also includes a contrast axis 4120, which is a unitless percentage value ranging from 0 to 120% of full contrast. Graph 4100 includes a temperature-contrast plot 4130 correlating temperature and contrast of the display.

[0220] The temperature axis 4110 may be a measurement of the ambient temperature within an interface housing the display. For example, the temperature axis 4110 may represent a measurement of a fascia, such as fascia 2540 described above with reference to Figures 26-28. The temperature may be measured by any suitable means at any suitable location. For example, a thermocouple may be in a display substrate to which the display is attached. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature may be measured by indirect means, such as an infrared detector pointed at the fascia chassis housing the display.

[0221] The contrast axis 4120 is a measure of the contrast of a display, such as the display 2544 described above. The contrast of a display is the ratio of the luminance of the brightest color (e.g., white) to the It may be defined as the ratio of the luminance of the darkest color (e.g., black). The display may be powered by an electrical signal having a voltage and / or a current. The contrast may correspond to the voltage and / or the current. For example, the display is driven by a driving voltage V0 that corresponds to and correlates with the contrast value of the display. The driving voltage V0 may be positively correlated with the contrast value of the display, i.e., the higher the voltage, the higher the contrast value.

[0222] The temperature-contrast plot 4130 shows the relationship between the temperature values ​​on the temperature axis 4110 and the contrast axis 4120. The relationship is linear, although any suitable relationship may be utilized. As shown by the temperature-contrast plot 4130, the contrast values ​​also correlate with the temperature values. As can be seen, if the contrast is not suitable for reading, it may be difficult to read the display. It will be explained below that the change in contrast is due to the drive voltage decreasing as the temperature increases.

[0223] 42 shows a graph 4200 illustrating the relationship between drive voltage and contrast of a display. Graph 4200 includes an electronic volume axis 4210 ranging from 0 to about 63 volts and a drive voltage axis 4220 ranging from 0 to 14 volts, although in alternative embodiments any suitable parameters and / or values ​​may be utilized. Graph 4200 also includes an electronic volume-drive voltage plot 4230 correlating drive voltage values ​​with display contrast values.

[0224] The electronic volume axis 4210 is a register value that sets a drive voltage for controlling the contrast of the display. That is, the electronic volume value of the electronic volume axis 4210 is a setting in a board that drives the display. The setting is done by setting a register value in a register. The drive voltage value correlates with the electronic volume value. The correlation between the drive voltage value and the electronic volume value may be determined at a nominal temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The determined correlation is represented as an electronic volume-drive voltage plot 4230. Electronic volume values ​​of 36 to 63 correspond to contrast display values ​​of 0 to 100 when the nominal temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

[0225] The electronic volume vs. drive voltage plot 4230 shows that as the electronic volume increases from 10%, the drive voltage V0 increases accordingly. Note that this relationship is approximately linear from 10% onwards. This linearity can be exploited by compensating the drive voltage for temperature changes. Table 1 below shows that to maintain the visual contrast of the display at approximately 50%, 1 shows experiments that were performed to determine the appropriate relationship between temperature and driving voltage.

[0226] [Table 1]

[0227] Voltage values ​​shown in bold and denoted by "(50)" indicate that the contrast observed on the display was approximately 50%, or as close as possible, even though the contrast settings may differ. For example, at 85 degrees Celsius, the contrast setting is 100, and 50 Or achieve an observed contrast as close to 50 as possible.

[0228] The drive voltage can be compensated by using the following equation relating the substrate temperature BT to the contrast setting CS:

number

[0229] [Table 2]

[0230] As can be seen, the contrast setting can be varied based on the substrate temperature to ensure that the observation contrast setting is maintained at an optimal observation contrast, which may be approximately 50%. However, alternative methods for compensating the drive voltage for temperature may be utilized. For example, the drive voltage may be compensated by other means that do not necessarily require a temperature measurement, as described below.

[0231] FIG. 43 shows a graph 4300 illustrating the relationship between drive voltage and contrast of a display. The graph 4300 has a drive voltage axis 4310 ranging from 10 to 11.8 volts and a contrast axis 4312 ranging from 0 to 120%. Graph 4300 also includes a drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 correlating drive voltage values ​​with display contrast targets. Drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 is based on Table 3 below. As described below, the drive voltage-contrast Also shown is an analytical drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 that can be derived from the empirical data of the contrast plot 4340.

[0232] [Table 3]

[0233] The drive voltage can be related to the actual contrast by using an electronic volume-drive voltage relationship, such as electronic volume-drive voltage plot 4230 described above with reference to FIG. 42, which is shown in the following relationship:

number

[0234] The above formula [3] can be used when 10 < EV < 63. From this specification, it can be determined that the change in drive voltage ΔV0 may be related to the change in electron volume ΔEV by the following formula. The change in drive voltage ΔV0 can be determined to be related to the change in electron volume ΔEV by the following formula. ΔV0 = 0.058 * ΔEV Formula [4] In the formula, ΔV0 is the change in drive voltage, ΔEV is the change in electron volume.

[0235] As described above with reference to FIG. 42, since the electron volume has a linear relationship with the contrast, the relationship between the electron volume and the contrast C can be

Number

[0236] From the above two formulas [4] and [5], the change in drive voltage ΔV0 can be related to the change in contrast ΔC by the following relationship. That is, it can be related to the change in contrast ΔC. ΔV0 = 0.058 * 0.27 * ΔC Formula [6] To maintain the drive voltage ΔV0 at a stable value, the following relationship can be utilized. ΔC = -63.8 * ΔV0 Formula [7]

[0237] As shown in Table 3 above, the actual drive voltage V0 and the contrast test data can be used. From the contrast-driving voltage V0 data, the following relationship can be derived: C=-63.607*V0+756.01 formula [8] During the ceremony, C is the percentage contrast setting. The drive voltage can therefore be related to the contrast setting of the display to maintain the observed contrast at, for example, 50%.

[0238] As can be seen from Table 3, equation [8], analytical drive voltage-contrast plot 4340, and drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 relate operating values, which are measured temperatures as shown, to actual contrast values. That is, equation [8], analytical drive voltage-contrast plot 4340, and drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 relate the drive voltage-actual contrast value relationship It is.

[0239] As shown in Table 3, the actual contrast values ​​are all 50%. Thus, equation [8], analytical drive voltage-contrast plot 4340, and drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 are drive voltage-actual contrast value relationships normalized to an actual contrast value of 50%. However, other values ​​may be utilized. For example, and not by way of limitation, additional tables may be provided that relate operational values ​​to actual contrast values ​​of 30, 40, 60, and 70 percent, respectively.

[0240] As can be seen from Table 3, the relationship between the driving voltage and the actual contrast value is More specifically, the "contrast target" can include a voltage relationship as shown in Table 3. The contrast value of the column (sometimes called the contrast set value) can be set based on the operating value to maintain the actual contrast value at 50%. Thus, an actual contrast value of 50% can be achieved by adjusting the drive voltage provided to the display based on the determined operating value and the drive voltage-actual contrast relationship. The operating values ​​shown in FIG. 3 are temperatures. However, the operating values ​​are provided on a display. For example, the driving voltages provided to the display may be as shown in Table 1. Thus, the contrast value of the display driver can be pre-correlated with temperature by relating it to the drive voltage at various temperatures. Thus, the drive voltage provided to the display can be measured and compared to Table 1 to determine the control to achieve the desired actual contrast value. A contrast value or contrast setting can be determined.

[0241] More specifically, the drive voltage can be measured and the contrast value or contrast setting of the display driver can be determined (e.g., 50%). If the measured drive voltage is 10.2V, then a temperature of 85 degrees can be inferred, although this inference may not be necessary. Alternatively, Table 1 can be used to determine that a contrast setting of 100% can be used to obtain an actual contrast value of 50%. Alternatively, equation [8], which is the drive voltage-actual contrast relationship relating the drive voltage to the contrast value at an actual contrast value of 50%, can be used. The contrast value can be calculated using a resistor as described above with reference to FIG. 42. The contrast setting can be pre-correlated to the EV value, with a contrast setting of 0% corresponding to an EV of 36 and a contrast setting of 100% corresponding to an EV of 63, and the relationship is linear:

number

[0242] 44-46 show meter electronics 4420 for improving the accessibility of the interface. As shown in FIG. 44, the meter electronics 4420 includes a display 4440 and a processor 4420p. and a display driver circuit 4420d coupled to the processor 4420p. The display driver circuit 4420d is configured to provide a drive voltage 4420dv to the display 4440. A sampling circuit 4420s communicatively coupled to the spray drive circuit 4420d is configured to sample the drive voltage 4420dv and provide a drive voltage value 4420ds to the processor 4420p. The display driver circuit 4420d calculates the drive voltage from the register values ​​such as the electronic volume value described above. The electronic volume value may be configured to determine the pressure 4420dv. The temperature sensor 4420t may be optionally coupled to the processor 4420p.

[0243] The meter electronics 4420 may be the same as or similar to the meter electronics 20 described above, although any suitable meter electronics may be utilized. For example, the meter electronics 4420 may be the meter electronics 20 described above with an additional temperature sensor 4420t located proximate the display driver circuitry 4420d.

[0244] The temperature sensor 4420t may be a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, an infrared detector, or the like. The temperature sensor 4420t may be configured to sense the temperature of the meter electronics 4420. The temperature sensor 4420t may provide a signal, such as an analog signal, to the processor 4420p. The temperature sensor 4420t may be configured to detect temperature variations in the meter electronics, where temperature variations may cause the drive voltage to vary up to 4420dv. Any suitable portion of the device 4420 may be sensed. For example, a temperature sensor 4420t may be The spray driver circuit 4420d may be configured to sense the temperature.

[0245] A display driver circuit 4420d is configured to provide a drive voltage 4420dv to the display. The amplitude of the drive voltage 4420dv may be adjusted by a register in the display driver circuit 4420d. The display driver circuit 4420d may determine the display state based on the register value. may be set by the processor 4420p. The processor 4420p may set the register value based on the drive voltage value 4420ds provided to the processor 4420p by the sampling circuit 4420s.

[0246] The sampling circuit 4420s measures the drive voltage 4420dv and samples a signal representative of the drive voltage 4420dv. For example, the arithmetic processor 4420p may be configured to provide the arithmetic processor 4420p with the arithmetic processor 4420p. As described, the sampling circuit 4420s may be a voltage divider circuit that adjusts the drive voltage provided to the processor 4420p. More specifically, the sampling circuit 4420s may proportionally reduce the drive voltage 4420dv to a scale suitable for the processor 4420p. In addition, the sampling circuit 4420s may digitize the sampled and adjusted drive voltage 4420dv, The digitized signal can be provided to a processor 4420p as a drive voltage value 4420ds.

[0247] The display 4440 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, etc. Any suitable display whose contrast can be affected by environmental conditions such as temperature may be utilized. For example, the brightness of an LED may be adversely affected by environmental conditions. This can potentially result in a negative effect on the contrast of the LED. As shown, the display 4440 may be an LCD having pixels that may be black or white, depending on the drive voltage 4420dv.

[0248] Fig. 47 illustrates a method 4700 for improving the accessibility of an interface. As shown in Fig. 47, the method 4700 determines an operating value at step 4710. The operating value may correspond to a temperature of meter electronics, such as meter electronics 4420 described above, which provides a drive voltage to a display. At step 4720, the method 4700 adjusts the drive voltage provided to the display based on the determined operating value.

[0249] The method 4700 may further include determining a contrast value based on the determined operating value. For example, a contrast value may be determined within a range of 0 to 100 percent that compensates the drive voltage for temperature of the meter electronics. For example, a nominal value of 50% contrast may be readable at 25 degrees Celsius, but a contrast value of 100% may be required to ensure that the display is readable at 85 degrees Celsius.

[0250] The method 4700 may also set a register value in the display driver circuitry based on the determined contrast value. The determined contrast value may be related to the register setting value. For example, the register value may be an electronic volume value that correlates to the contrast value. Referring to the above description as an example, a contrast value of 100% may be set to an electronic volume of 63. Therefore, a contrast value of 100% corresponds to the operating value. If it is determined that the response is positive, the electronic volume value of 63 can be set in the display driver circuit.

[0251] The operating value may be the drive voltage provided to the display. For example, as described above, the drive voltage may be increased or decreased in proportion to the temperature of the meter electronics, particularly the display driver circuitry. Thus, the drive voltage corresponds to the temperature of the meter electronics. A contrast value may be determined from the drive voltage. For example, the drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 described above may be used to determine the contrast value. For example, if the drive voltage is 10.2 volts, the contrast value may be increased or decreased in proportion to the temperature of the meter electronics, particularly the display driver circuitry. Thus, the drive voltage corresponds to the temperature of the meter electronics. A contrast value may be determined from the drive voltage. For example, the drive voltage-contrast plot 4330 described above may be used to determine the contrast value. In that case, the contrast value may be 100%.

[0252] Additionally or alternatively, the contrast value may be determined based on a relationship between the temperature of the instrument electronics and the contrast value. For example, as described above, if the substrate temperature BT is between 20 degrees Celsius and 85 degrees Celsius, the contrast value may be determined from CS=0.83*BT+29.35, Here, the contrast setting value CS is the contrast value.

[0253] The meter electronics 4420 and method 4700 described above may be implemented using an interface such as interface 2. The accessibility of the interface can be improved by compensating the contrast of the display 4440 for the temperature of the meter electronics 4420. In particular, the meter electronics 4420 can compensate the drive voltage 4420dv of the display 4440. The drive voltage 4420dv can be compensated based on a measured temperature of the meter electronics 4420, the display driver 4420d, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the drive voltage 4420dv may be compensated based on the drive voltage 4420dv. This latter method can be implemented using a temperature sensor. It may be possible to compensate the drive voltage 4420dv without using a contrast compensation. Due to the contrast being compensated, the actual contrast of the display 4440 may be consistent, thereby improving the perceived quality and accessibility of the interface.

[0254] The detailed description of the above embodiments is not an exhaustive description of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may be combined or deleted in various ways to create further embodiments, which further embodiments will fall within the scope and teachings of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the present disclosure.

[0255] Thus, while specific embodiments have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The teachings provided herein may be applied to other interfaces to improve the accessibility of the interfaces, in addition to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thus, the scope of the above-described embodiments should be determined from the appended claims.

Claims

1. An interface (402, 502, 602, 1202) with improved accessibility, The surface (402, 502, 602, 1202) Housing (430, 530, 630, 1230) and Meter electronics (420, 520) disposed inside the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230) , 620, 1220), wherein the meter electronics (420, 520, 620, 1220) is configured to secure to a connector (450, 550, 650, 1250) extending into the housing (430, 530, 630, 1230).

2. The interface (502) of claim 1, wherein the housing (530, 1230) is rotatably coupled to the connector (550, 1250) that extends into the housing (530, 1230). 、1202）。

3. The meter electronics (1220) An electronic device board (1220b); a shell (1220s) secured to the electronics board (1220b), the shell (1220s) adapted to be secured to the connector (1250) extending into the housing (1230). The interface (1202) of claim 1,

4. 2. The interface of claim 1, wherein the connector extending into the housing is part of a feedthrough extending from one of a sensor assembly and a junction box.

5. a receiving disk (617, 1217) rotatably disposed about said connector (650, 1250), at least a portion of said receiving disk (617, 1217) being in contact with a retaining ring (618, 1218) of said connector (650, 1250) and a wall (632, 1232) of said housing (630, 1230) The interface (602, 1202) of claim 1 is disposed between

6. The meter electronics (1220) is adapted to mate with a groove (1217g) in the receiving disc (1217).

6. The interface (402, 502, 602, 1202) of claim 5, further comprising a post (1224p) configured to engage with a threaded hole (1217h) of the containment disk (1217).

7. The interface (602, 1202) of claim 5, wherein the containment disk (617, 1217) includes a lobe (617l, 1217l) that interfaces with one of the groove (618g) and lip (1218b) of the retaining ring (618, 1218) to retain the meter electronics (620, 1220) in the connector (650, 1250) extending into the housing (630, 1230).

8. The meter electronics (1220) a lower meter electronics (1224) configured to secure to the connector (1250) extending into the housing (1230); and upper meter electronics (1222) configured to be secured to the housing (1230) and configured to communicatively couple to the lower meter electronics (1224). The interface described (1202).

9. 1. A method for assembling an interface with increased accessibility, comprising: Providing housing; providing meter electronics and disposing within the housing; providing a connector extending into the housing; and securing the meter electronics to the connector extending into the housing.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising rotatably coupling the housing to the connector extending into the housing.

11. Providing the meter electronics and disposing inside the housing includes: Providing an electronic device substrate; providing a shell and securing it to the electronic device substrate; providing a connector extending into the housing; and securing the shell to the connector extending into the housing.

12. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the connector and extending into the housing includes providing a feedthrough and extending into the housing from one of a sensor assembly and a junction box.

13. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a containment disk and rotatably disposing it around the connector, at least a portion of the containment disk being disposed between a retaining ring of the connector and a wall of the housing.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the meter electronics further comprises providing a post, and providing the receiving disk comprises providing a groove and a threaded hole in the receiving disk, and the method further comprises providing a bolt, the post configured to mate with the groove and the bolt configured to mate with the threaded hole in the receiving disk.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the containment disk includes providing a lobe that mates with one of a groove and a lip of the retaining ring to retain the meter electronics against the connector extending into the housing.

16. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the meter electronics includes providing lower meter electronics configured to secure to the connector extending into the housing, and providing upper meter electronics configured to secure to the housing and configured to communicatively couple to the lower meter electronics.

17. An interface (2202) with improved accessibility, said interface (2502) comprising: Housing (2230) and and a meter electronics (2220), the meter electronics (2220) comprising: An upper instrument electronic device (2222); A lower instrument electronics unit (2224); a barrier plate (2223) disposed between the upper meter electronics (2222) and the lower meter electronics (2224) and coupled to the upper meter electronics (2222) and the lower meter electronics (2224); An upper meter electronics portion (2230u) of the housing (2230) and the housing (2230). said barrier so as to form a watertight seal separating the lower meter electronics portion (2230l) of said a gasket (2230o) disposed in contact between the plate (2223) and the housing (2230); An interface (2202).

18. The barrier plate (2223) includes the gasket (2230) extending beyond the interior of the barrier plate (2223).

20. The interface (2202) of claim 17, wherein there are no holes leading to the interface (2202).

19. The gasket (2230o) is disposed between the housing (2230) and the barrier plate (2223).

20. The interface of claim 17, comprising a compressed O-ring.

20. The interface according to claim 17, wherein the gasket (2230o) disposed in contact between the barrier plate (2223) and the housing (2230) includes the gasket (2230o) disposed in contact between a boss (2230s) of the housing (2230) and the barrier plate (2223). Face (2202).

21. A barrier plate (2223) is disposed adjacent to the gasket (2230o) and is attached to the housing (2230). The interface (2202) of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of fasteners (2230b) configured to fasten to bosses (2230s) of the support (2230).

22. The plurality of fasteners (2230b) are disposed within the upper meter electronics portion of the housing (2230). The interface (2202) of claim 21, disposed on at least one of the lower meter electronics portion (2230u) and the lower meter electronics portion (2230l) of the housing (2230).

23. The plurality of fasteners (2230b) are inserted into the housing (2230) through the barrier plate (2223). The interface (2202) of claim 21, wherein the boss (2230s) is disposed within the boss (2230s).

24. 1. A method for assembling an interface with improved accessibility, comprising: Providing housing; To provide an instrument electronic device, providing upper gauge electronics; providing lower gauge electronics; providing a barrier plate and disposing it between the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics; providing meter electronics, the meter electronics including coupling the barrier plate to the upper meter electronics and the lower meter electronics; and disposing a gasket between the barrier plate and the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the gasket to form a watertight seal separating an upper meter electronics portion of the housing and a lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the barrier plate includes forming the barrier plate without holes beyond an interior of the barrier plate to the gasket.

26. Providing the gasket includes providing an O-ring and connecting the housing and the and compressing the O-ring between a barrier plate.

27. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein disposing the gasket between the barrier plate and the housing and contacting the barrier plate and the housing comprises disposing the gasket between the barrier plate and a boss of the housing and contacting the gasket with the boss of the barrier plate and the housing.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising disposing a plurality of fasteners adjacent to the gasket and securing the barrier plate to the bosses of the housing using the plurality of fasteners.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising disposing the plurality of fasteners in at least one of the upper meter electronics portion of the housing and the lower meter electronics portion of the housing.

30. 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising disposing the plurality of fasteners through the barrier plate and into the bosses of the housing.

31. An interface (2502) having improved accessibility, said interface (2502) comprising: a housing (2530) having a display opening (2532); a fascia (2540) disposed within the housing (2530) proximate the display opening (2532), the fascia (2540) including a substrate (2540b) and a wire a transceiver (2548), the substrate (2540b) having a front side (2540ba) facing the display opening (2532) and a rear side (2540bp) facing an interior portion of the housing (2530); The wireless transceiver (2548) is attached to the rear side (2540bp) of the substrate (2540b). a wireless device (2501) disposed through an opening (2540bo) in the substrate (2540b); an interface (2502) configured to communicatively couple to the

32. The fascia (2540) is a fascia member mechanically coupled to the substrate (2540b).

32. The interface of claim 31, further comprising a fascia chassis (2543), the fascia chassis (2543) including a slot (2543s) adjacent the wireless transceiver (2548). S (2502).

33. a display (2544) coupled to the front side (2540ba) of the substrate (2540b) The interface (2502) of claim 31 comprising:

34. The display (2544) is adjacent to the opening (2540bo) of the substrate (2540b). The interface (2502) of claim 33,

35. 34. The interface (2502) of claim 33, wherein the display (2544) is positioned opposite the wireless transceiver (2548) on the substrate (2540b).

36. The wireless transceiver (2548) is connected to the opening (2540b) in the substrate (2540b). ) and disposed adjacent to said slot (2543s) in said fascia chassis (2543).

32. The interface (2502) of claim 31, comprising an antenna (2548a) attached thereto.

37. 1. A method for creating an interface having improved accessibility, comprising: providing a housing having a display opening; providing a fascia and positioning it within the housing proximate to the display opening, the providing the fascia including providing a substrate, the substrate having a front side facing the display opening and a rear side facing an interior portion of the housing; providing a wireless transceiver and disposing it on the rear side of the substrate; and configuring the wireless transceiver to communicatively couple to a wireless device through an opening in the substrate.

38. Providing the fascia includes providing a fascia chassis and mounting the fascia such that a slot in the fascia chassis is adjacent to the wireless transceiver.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising: mechanically coupling a shear chassis to the substrate.

39. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing a display and bonding it to the front side of the substrate.

40. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising disposing the display proximate to the opening in the substrate.

41. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising disposing the display on the substrate opposite the wireless transceiver.

42. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein providing the wireless transceiver includes providing an antenna and positioning the antenna relative to the opening in the substrate and the slot in the fascia chassis.

43. A communication system (2500) for improving accessibility of an interface (2502), the communication system (2500) comprising: Wireless device (2501) and and a fascia (2540) disposed within the housing (2530) of the interface (2502), the fascia (2540) including a substrate (2540b) and a wireless (2548) and The substrate (2540b) faces the display opening (2532) of the housing (2530). The front side (2540ba) and the rear side (2540bp) are The wireless transceiver (2548) is attached to the rear side (2540bp) of the substrate (2540b). and a wireless device is disposed through the opening (2540bo) of the substrate (2540b). A communication system (2500) configured to be communicatively coupled to the communication system (2501).

44. The fascia (2540) is a fascia member mechanically coupled to the substrate (2540b).

44. The communications system (2500) of claim 43, further comprising a fascia chassis (2543), the fascia chassis (2543) including a slot (2543s) adjacent the wireless transceiver (2548).

45. a display (2544) coupled to the front side (2540ba) of the substrate (2540b) The communication system (2500) of claim 43 comprising:

46. The display (2544) is adjacent to the opening (2540bo) of the substrate (2540b).

46. ​​The communication system (2500) of claim 45,

47. 46. ​​The communication system (2500) of claim 45, wherein the display (2544) is positioned opposite the wireless transceiver (2548).

48. The wireless transceiver (2548) is connected to the opening (2540b) in the substrate (2540b). ) and disposed adjacent to said slot (2543s) in said fascia chassis (2543).

44. The communication system (2500) of claim 43, comprising an antenna (2548a).

49. 1. A meter electronics (3220) for improving accessibility of an interface (3202), the meter electronics (3220) comprising: a processor (3228) disposed on the electronics board (3220b); a component (3226) disposed on said electronic device board (3220b), (3226) is coupled to pins of the processor (3228), the pins of the processor (3228) being configured to couple to components (3246) of a display board (3240b) coupled to the electronics board (3220b); The meter electronics (3220), wherein the components (3246) of the display board (3240b) are redundant to the components (3226) of the electronics board (3220b).

50. The pins of the processor (3228) connect the display board (3240b) to the electronics 50. The meter electronics (3220) of claim 49, configured to couple to the component (3246) of the display substrate (3240b) via a connector (3247) that couples to a display substrate (3220b).

51. The meter electronics (3220) of claim 49, wherein the component (3226) of the electronics board (3220b) is one of a light emitting diode (3226l) and a switch (3226s) of the electronics board (3220b), and the component (3246) of the display board (3240b) is one of a light emitting diode (3246l) and a switch (3246s) of the display board (3240b).

52. 50. The meter electronics (3220) of claim 49, wherein the pin of the processor (3228) is coupled to a first terminal of the component (3226) of the electronics board (3220b) and a second terminal of the component (3226) is coupled to ground (3220g).

53. The display board (3240b) further includes a display board (3240b), and the pins of the processor (3228) are 50. The method of claim 49, further comprising: coupling the display substrate to the component. On-board instrument electronics (3220).

54. The pins of the processor (3228) are connected to the components of the display board (3240b).

54. The meter electronics (3220) of claim 53, wherein a first terminal of a component (3246) of the display substrate (3240b) is coupled to ground (3220g) and a second terminal of the component (3246) of the display substrate (3240b) is coupled to ground (3220g).

55. 50. The meter electronics (3220) of claim 49, further comprising an amplifier (3222a, 3222b) having an output coupled to the component (3226) disposed within the electronics board (3220), the amplifier (3222a, 3222b) being an inverter configured to invert a signal from the processor (3228) to the component (3226).

56. 1. A method for improving accessibility of an interface, comprising: Providing a processor and disposing it on an electronics substrate; Providing a component and disposing it on the electronics substrate; coupling said components to pins of said processor; and configuring the pins of the processor to be coupled to components of a display board coupled to the electronics board; The method, wherein the components of the display substrate are redundant to the components of the electronics substrate.

57. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein configuring the pins of the processor to couple to the components of the display substrate comprises configuring the pins to couple to the components of the display substrate via a connector that couples the display substrate to the electronics substrate.

58. Providing the component of the electronic device board includes: providing one of a gate and a switch on the display substrate; 57. The method of claim 56, wherein providing an element includes providing one of a light emitting diode and a switch on the display substrate.

59. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein coupling the component to the pin of the processor comprises coupling the pin of the processor to a first terminal of the component on the electronics board and coupling a second terminal of the component to ground.

60. 57. The method of claim 56, further comprising providing the display substrate; and coupling the pins of the processor to the components of the display substrate.

61. Coupling the pins of the processor to the components of the display substrate includes coupling the pins of the processor to first terminals of the components of the display substrate. and coupling a second terminal of the component of the display substrate to ground. The method of claim 60, comprising:

62. 57. The method of claim 56, further comprising providing an amplifier having an output and coupling the output to the component disposed within the electronics board, the amplifier being an inverter configured to invert a signal from the processor to the component.

63. An interface (3402) having improved accessibility, said interface (3402) comprising: Housing (3430) and Within the housing (3430), adjacent to the opening (3430o) of the housing (3430), The fascia (3440) is arranged in a a translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440); A translation rod (3440t) is configured to displace the fascia (3440) through the opening (3430o) in the housing (3430), an interface (3402).

64. The translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) Rotates about a translation axis (3440at) that is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the forward rod (3440t).

64. The interface (3402) of claim 63, comprising the fascia (3440) configured to:

65. The translation rod (3440t) pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) The forward rod (3440t) is configured to rotate about a pivot axis (3440ap) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forward rod (3440t).

64. The interface (3402) of claim 63, comprising the fascia (3440) formed thereon.

66. The fascia (3440) is changed through the opening (3430o) of the housing (3430).

64. The interface (3402) of claim 63, wherein the translating rod (3440t) configured to position the fascia (3440) comprises the translating rod (3440t) configured to displace the fascia (3440) in a direction collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translating rod (3440t).

67. 64. The interface (3402) of claim 63, wherein the translation rod (3440t) is pivotally coupled to the fascia (3440) at a pivot point (3440p).

68. The pivot point (3440p) is located where the pivot axis (3440ap) and the translation axis (3440at) coincide.

68. The interface (3402) of claim 67, wherein the fascia (3440) pivots about the pivot axis (3440ap) and rotates about the translation axis (3440at).

69. 1. A method for improving accessibility of an interface, the interface comprising: Providing housing; providing a fascia and positioning the fascia within the housing adjacent an opening in the housing; providing a translating rod and pivotally coupling it to the fascia, the translating rod configured to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing.

70. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein pivotally coupling the translation rod to the fascia includes configuring the fascia to rotate about a translation axis collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translation rod.

71. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia includes configuring the fascia to rotate about a pivot axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the translating rod.

72. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein configuring the translating rod to displace the fascia through the opening in the housing includes configuring the translating rod to displace the fascia in a direction collinear with a longitudinal axis of the translating rod.

73. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia includes pivotally coupling the translating rod to the fascia at a pivot point.

74. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein the pivot point is located at a location where a pivot axis and a translation axis coincide, where the fascia pivots about the pivot axis and rotates about the translation axis.

75. 1. A method for improving accessibility of an interface, comprising:

1. A method comprising: displacing a fascia through an opening in a housing along a translation axis, the fascia configured to at least one of rotate about the translation axis and pivot about a pivot axis.

76. 76. The method of claim 75, further comprising at least one of rotating the fascia about the translation axis and pivoting the fascia about the pivot axis.

77. 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the translation axis and the pivot axis are colocalized at a pivot point, and the fascia is configured to rotate and pivot about the pivot point.

78. 1. A method for improving accessibility of an interface, comprising: Determining an operating value; adjusting a drive voltage provided to the display based on the determined operating value and a drive voltage-actual contrast relationship; The method of claim 1, wherein the operating value corresponds to a temperature of meter electronics that provides the drive voltage.

79. 80. The method of claim 78, further comprising determining a contrast value based on the determined operating value and the drive voltage-actual contrast relationship, and adjusting the drive voltage based on the contrast value.

80. setting a register value in a display driver circuit based on the determined contrast value; 80. The method of claim 79, further comprising:

81. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein the operating value is the drive voltage provided to the display.

82. 82. The method of claim 81, further comprising determining the contrast value from a relationship between the driving voltage and the contrast value.

83. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein the operating value is the temperature of the meter electronics that provides the drive voltage to the display.

84. 84. The method of claim 83, further comprising determining the contrast value based on a relationship between the temperature of the meter electronics and the contrast value.

85. A meter electronics (4420) for improving the accessibility of an interface, said meter electronics (4420) comprising: a processor (4420p) configured to determine an operating value; a display driver circuit (4420d) configured to provide a drive voltage to a display (4440) and adjust the drive voltage based on the operating value and a drive voltage vs. actual contrast relationship; The operating value corresponds to a temperature of meter electronics that provides the drive voltage (4420).

86. The processor (4420p) calculates the determined operating value and the drive voltage-actual control value.

86. The meter electronics (4420) of claim 85, further configured to determine a contrast value based on a test relationship and adjust the drive voltage based on the contrast value.

87. The processor (4420p) controls the display based on the determined contrast value.

87. The method of claim 86, further configured to set a register value in a ray driving circuit (4420d). On-board instrument electronics (4420).

88. 86. The meter electronics (4420) of claim 85, wherein the operating value is the drive voltage provided to the display (4440).

89. The processor (4420p) determines a relation between the driving voltage and the contrast value. The meter electronics (4420) of claim 88, further configured to determine the contrast value.

90. 86. The meter electronics (4420) of claim 85, wherein the operating value is the temperature of the meter electronics (4420) that provides the drive voltage to the display (4440).

91. The processor (4420p) detects the temperature and the contrast of the meter electronics (4420).

91. The meter electronics (4420) of claim 90, further configured to determine the contrast value based on a relationship between a contrast value and a time value.

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