DAQ Waveform Tagging for Simultaneous Present and Historical Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle technicians face inefficiencies when comparing waveforms from multiple vehicle components, as they need to repeatedly set up oscilloscopes to display input signals from suspect and functioning fuel injectors, wasting time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition (DAQ) device system that allows simultaneous display of present-time and historical waveforms on a single input channel, enabling technicians to tag and compare waveforms efficiently by receiving input signals, refreshing the display to show both present-time and historical waveforms, and allowing user input to manage waveform tagging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians use traditional oscilloscope setup to compare waveforms from multiple fuel injectors, then waveform comparison capability is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple waveform displays (present-time and historical) on a single oscilloscope channel. Instead of requiring separate oscilloscopes or multiple channels for each fuel injector waveform, the system merges the display of current waveforms with stored historical waveforms, allowing technicians to compare multiple injector waveforms simultaneously on one device, thereby reducing setup time and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically storing and tagging waveform data from each fuel injector as it is acquired. The DAQ device captures waveforms, stores them in memory with associated metadata (injector ID, timestamp, operating conditions), and makes them immediately available for comparison. This eliminates the need for manual waveform capture and setup during the comparison process
2Measurement precision
If technicians manually set up oscilloscope for each waveform comparison, then accurate waveform analysis is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The DAQ device performs self-service by automatically managing waveform acquisition, storage, tagging, and retrieval. The system autonomously captures waveforms from multiple fuel injectors, stores them with metadata, and retrieves them for comparison without requiring manual intervention. This automation maintains waveform analysis accuracy while significantly improving diagnostic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing real-time display of both present-time and historical waveforms simultaneously, allowing technicians to immediately compare waveforms and assess fuel injector performance. The automated tagging and retrieval system provides feedback on waveform characteristics, helping technicians quickly identify anomalies and make diagnostic decisions
3Device complexity
If multiple waveforms are displayed simultaneously on the same input channel, then device complexity is reduced, but waveform differentiation and identification become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each displayed waveform unique visual characteristics. Historical waveforms are distinguished from present-time waveforms through different display modes (e.g., faded vs. solid lines, different colors). Each waveform is also tagged with metadata including injector ID, timestamp, and operating conditions, allowing technicians to easily identify and differentiate between waveforms from different fuel injectors despite them being displayed on the same channel
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for displaying waveforms generated from input signals received at a common input channel (CIC) of a data acquisition (DAQ) device. An input signal received at the CIC can be displayed as a present-time waveform, and while the input signal is displayed as a present-time waveform, the input signal can be tagged for displaying the input signal as a historical waveform for the CIC. After receiving another input signal at the CIC, a display can be refreshed to display, simultaneously, the historical waveform for the CIC and the other input signal as another present-time waveform for the CIC. The DAQ device can tag the displayed input signal in response to a user pushing a selector device on the DAQ device. The display can display other present-time waveforms with the historical waveform to allow a user to compare input signals received at the CIC.