U.S. patent application number 12/181086 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for calibration process management system and data structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY. Invention is credited to Curtis V. Casto, Laurence E. Nielsen, Kevin C. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20080312861 12/181086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31994181 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080312861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casto; Curtis V. ; et
al. |
December 18, 2008 |
CALIBRATION PROCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND DATA STRUCTURE
Abstract
A method for calibration process management of a calibration
testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising
configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration
process management software system, configuring a communications
link in communication with the software system, the software system
capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the
plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages
the user interface and the communications link in a manner
permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under
test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent
unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.
Inventors: |
Casto; Curtis V.;
(Huntington Beach, CA) ; Sullivan; Kevin C.;
(Anaheim, CA) ; Nielsen; Laurence E.; (Escondido,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHELDON MAK ROSE & ANDERSON PC
100 Corson Street, Third Floor
PASADENA
CA
91103-3842
US
|
Assignee: |
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON
COMPANY
Rosemead
CA
|
Family ID: |
31994181 |
Appl. No.: |
12/181086 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10527627 |
Mar 10, 2005 |
7406388 |
|
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PCT/US03/28749 |
Sep 11, 2003 |
|
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12181086 |
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60410678 |
Sep 13, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
702/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 11/24 20130101;
G01R 35/005 20130101; G06F 11/006 20130101; G01R 1/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/85 |
International
Class: |
G01M 19/00 20060101
G01M019/00 |
Claims
1. A method for calibration process management of a calibration
testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising: a)
configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration
process management software system; b) configuring a communications
link in communication with the software system, the software system
capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the
plurality of units under test; and c) wherein the software system
manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner
permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under
test.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking of the
calibrated units under test using a permanent unique identifier and
a dynamic unique identifier.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein each permanent unique identifier
is assigned when an object is created, and each dynamic unique
identifier is assigned any time the object is modified.
4. A method for calibration process management of a calibration
testing unit and a unit under test, comprising: a) configuring a
user interface in communication with a calibration process
management software system; b) configuring a communications link in
communication with the software system, the software system capable
of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the unit
under test; c) assigning a permanent unique identifier when an
object is created, and a dynamic unique identifier any time the
object is modified; and wherein the software system manages the
user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting
an operator to calibrate the unit under test.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising tracking of the
calibrated unit under test using the permanent unique identifier
and the dynamic unique identifier.
6. A method for calibrating a UUT for a specific calibration
function, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a first
identification attribute associated with a UUT; b) receiving a
second identification attribute associated with a reference
measuring unit; c) receiving a specific calibration function to be
tested; d) maintaining in a first memory a reference database of
one or more than one second identification attribute in holding
relationship to one or more than one reference identification
address, each reference identification address being associated
with a single calibration function; e) looking up in the reference
database, the reference identification address being held by the
second identification attribute, and associated with the specific
calibration function; f) selecting a unique record identification
address; g) receiving a value as found for the specific calibration
function for the UUT; h) storing in a second memory the value as
found in a being-held relationship to the record identification
address; and i) storing in a third memory the record identification
address in a being-held relationship to the reference
identification address.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein either the first identification
attribute or the second identification attribute, or both the first
identification attribute and the second identification attribute,
is an asset number.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of receiving
a value as left for the specific calibration function for the UUT
and storing in the second memory the value as left in a being-held
relationship to the record identification address.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of returning
a test accuracy ratio
10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of returning
an estimated measurement uncertainty.
11. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of
automatically converting the units of the received value as
found.
12. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: a)
maintaining in a fourth memory an equipment database correlating
for individual make and model of equipment, a nominal value to
calibration function; receiving make and model of equipment
attributes for the UUT; b) looking up in the equipment database,
the nominal value for the specific calibration function for the
received make and model of equipment; returning the nominal value;
and c) calculating a calibration tolerance and returning the
limits.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of
receiving a value as left for the specific calibration function for
the UUT and storing in a fifth memory the value as left in a
being-held relationship to the record identification address.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of
indicating whether the value as found or the value as left is
within the limits of the calibration tolerance.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/527,627, filed on Mar. 10, 2005, entitled
"Calibration Process Management System and Data Structure," which
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,388 granted on Jul. 29, 2008, which
claims priority of PCT Patent application No. PCT/US03/28749
entitled "Calibration Process Management System and Method" filed
on Sep. 11, 2003 which claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/410,678, entitled "Calibration Process
Management System and Data Structure" filed Sep. 13, 2002. The
disclosures all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document, namely,
the screen captures, contain material which is subject to copyright
protection under applicable conventions and national law. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in official patent office records, but otherwise reserves
all copyrights whatsoever.
APPENDIX DATA
[0003] Appendix A is a list of abbreviations used in this
specification and drawings.
[0004] Appendix B is a list of the menu options that are available
in the Calibration Process Manager application's main page for one
version.
[0005] Appendix C describes each of the commands available in the
Calibration Process Manager and their parameters.
[0006] Appendix D describes the interface features of the
Calibration Process Manager main page (data sheet designer
mode).
[0007] Appendix E contains tables listing interface features.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0008] As business grows more reliant on high-technology, the need
for accurate and precise calibration and measurement becomes more
imperative than ever. It is desirable to have standards and
measurements that are directly traceable to NIST, and to have
calibration and test program meet the highest standards of
government and industry. Metrology laboratories may also be
accredited by such programs as the National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program (NVLAP).
[0009] A metrology laboratory might offer acceptance testing,
calibration and repairs for instrumentation and standards in a wide
array of discipline. Preferably, the metrology laboratory will
issue certificates of calibration which can, when required, include
as-found/as-left value and measurement uncertainties. A metrology
laboratory may be able to calibrate equipment for measurement of
temperature, humidity, mass, dimensional, pressure and vacuum, gas
flow, force, torque, vibration, electrical, and time/frequency.
[0010] A metrology laboratory may also seek to provide complete
calibration program management, including recall notification,
interval management, reverse trace ability, procedure development,
and records management.
[0011] A typical process for calibrating a unit under test ("UUT")
for a specific calibration function, is to connect it to a known
pre-calibrated source having greater accuracy than the UUT, and
then lead a putative measurement on the UUT. At the option of the
meteorologist, the UUT may then be left as is, merely recording the
as-found measurement against the reference output, or optionally
adjusted so that the measurement on the UUT matches within
appropriate limits the reference. It is possible to independently
measure each range of a UUT against a standard, and record the
as-found/as-left measurement.
[0012] The heart of the metrology laboratory calibration process is
the calibration report, generally referred to a data sheet, of a
UUT. Typically a data sheet resembles a spreadsheet, with rows
containing range data, and columns representing fields. Data sheets
may be constructed for specific manufacturer's equipment, for
example a Flukes.RTM. 787 process meter, which contain one row for
every function of the UUT to be tested. Functions might include,
for example, testing in different voltage ranges corresponding to
different dial or switch settings on the UUT. Once a data sheet is
determined for that particular make and model, e.g. the appropriate
functions are identified and fixed, the data sheet may be saved as
a template and can be reused for all UUTs of identical make and
model.
[0013] In the prior art, a data sheet of calibration data for a
particular UUT would typically be saved on an array data structure
basis, with one or more identifier such as UUT serial number, ID
number, test number, etc., serving as a database index field for
the entire test of that UUT. This can be implemented in simple
spreadsheet format that can be done by hand, or by using
computerized spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel.RTM., or
other available programs as will be known to those skilled in the
art.
[0014] Data saved in an array structure, however, is difficult to
maintain, and no easy solution exists for the identification of
particular functions (e.g., individual rows in a data sheet) that
may need re-calibration or different calibration intervals.
Further, no easy solution exists for setting calibration intervals
based upon drift analysis rather than failure based tolerance.
Also, current data sheet based testing makes it difficult to tie
standards to test points and calculate accuracy ratios for
individual functions.
[0015] What is needed is a way to identify individual functions of
a UUT, cross-link standards with these functions, and identify test
points that may be problematic. Preferably, such a solution would
optionally allow for simultaneous testing of like UUTs, and
additionally optionally provide a comprehensive software tool that
can augment a current system in place in an existing metrology
laboratory, which simplifies and speeds up actual calibration
process. Preferably this software tool would optionally perform
multiple calibrations, reduce turnaround time, maintain a datasheet
library, automate calibrations, calculate tolerances and analyze
uncertainties.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0016] The present invention meets this need by providing a way to
identify individual functions of a UUT, cross-link standards with
these functions, and identify test points that may be problematic.
A method is disclosed for simultaneous testing of like UUTs, and a
comprehensive software tool is described that can augment a current
system in place in an existing metrology laboratory, which
simplifies and speeds up actual calibration process. This software
tool can perform multiple calibrations, reduce turnaround time,
maintain a datasheet library, automate calibrations, calculate
tolerances and analyze uncertainties.
[0017] A method for calibration process management of a calibration
testing unit and a plurality of units under test is disclosed
comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a
calibration process management software system; configuring a
communications link in communication with the software system, the
software system capable of communicating with the calibration
testing unit and the plurality of units under test; and wherein the
software system manages the user interface and the communications
link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality
of units under test.
[0018] Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent
unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier. Each permanent
unique identifier is assigned when an object is created or altered
in a manner that would make it unlinkable to its past usage, and
each dynamic unique identifier is assigned any time the object is
modified or saved.
[0019] A system for calibration process management of one or more
than one unit under test (UUT), each UUT being an instance of a UUT
equipment type is disclosed comprising a first computer readable
medium for storing one or more first data objects representing
calibration data from the one or more than one UUT; a second
computer readable medium for storing a first globally unique
identifier in an association relationship to one of the one or more
first data objects; a third computer readable medium for storing
one or more second data objects representing a reference standard
for the UUT equipment class; a fourth computer readable medium for
storing a second globally unique identifier in an association
relationship to one of the one or more second data objects; a
calibration management control program embodied on a fifth
computer-readable medium for calibration of the one or more than
one UUT, the calibration management control program in
communication with the first data objects, second data objects,
first globally unique identifier and second globally unique
identifier, and an application program interface embodied on a
sixth computer-readable medium for execution on a computer in
conjunction with the calibration management control program.
[0020] The calibration management control program further
optionally permits contemporaneous calibration of more than one
UUT, and the application program interface is configured for
contemporaneous calibration of more than one UUT, each UUT being an
instance of the same UUT equipment type.
[0021] The application program interface can be configured to
receive identification of the UUT equipment type, and a value as
found for a specific calibration function, and display tolerance
limits for the UUT based upon the UUT equipment type.
[0022] A method for calibrating a UUT for a specific calibration
function is described comprising the steps of receiving a first
identification attribute associated with a UUT; receiving a second
identification attribute associated with a reference measuring
unit; receiving a specific calibration function to be tested;
maintaining in a first memory a reference database of one or more
than one second identification attribute in holding relationship to
one or more than one reference identification address, each
reference identification address being associated with a single
calibration function; looking up in the reference database, the
reference identification address being held by the second
identification attribute, and associated with the specific
calibration function; selecting a unique record identification
address; receiving a value as found for the specific calibration
function for the UUT; storing in a second memory the value as found
in a being-held relationship to the record identification address;
and storing in a third memory the record identification address in
a being-held relationship to the reference identification address.
Further, either the first identification attribute or the second
identification attribute, or both the first identification
attribute and the second identification attribute, may be an asset
number.
[0023] Optionally, the steps of receiving a value as left for the
specific calibration function for the UUT and storing in the second
memory the value as left in a being-held relationship to the record
identification address may be added. A test accuracy ratio may be
returned. An estimated measurement uncertainty may be returned. The
step of automatically converting the units of the received value as
found may be added.
[0024] Further, steps may be added of maintaining in a fourth
memory an equipment database correlating for individual make and
model of equipment, a nominal value to calibration function;
receiving make and model of equipment attributes for the UUT;
looking up in the equipment database, the nominal value for the
specific calibration function for the received make and model of
equipment; returning the nominal value; and calculating a
calibration tolerance and returning the limits. Still further steps
are receiving a value as left for the specific calibration function
for the UUT and storing in a fifth memory the value as left in a
being-held relationship to the record identification address. The
value as found or the value as left is within the limits of the
calibration tolerance may be indicated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings where:
[0026] FIGS. 1 to 79, 13A and 17A depict screen captures of
exemplary pages and prompts displayed on a display device of a user
interface of the present invention embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 80 is system diagram showing the calibration process
management system of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 81 is a flowchart showing the steps of the method for
calibrating a UUT for a specific calibration function.
[0029] FIG. 82 is a block diagram of the component modules of the
Calibration Process Management program.
[0030] FIG. 83 is a sample data sheet generated by the calibration
process management system of FIG. 80.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Using the calibration process management system ("CPMS") of
the present invention, it is possible to create, manage and
automate data sheets for the calibration of measuring and test
equipment. The system has multiple tools to facilitate the
translation of equipment specifications into electronic data
sheets. These electronic data sheets can then be used to collect
and store calibration data for a plurality of instruments
simultaneously. Automation scripting can be added to these data
sheets to configure instruments, capture data, perform mathematical
operations, communicate with external software, and create
instrument test points dynamically. While instruments are being
tested, the invention can indicate the degree to which an
instrument is in or out of tolerance.
[0032] A system using the present invention can be developed to
satisfy ISO-17025, ANSI/NCSL 2-540-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B,
ISO-9002, GMP, and other stringent quality requirements for
calibration data collection.
[0033] In one preferred embodiment, the following assumptions are
made regarding the system implementation and operation: (a) the
software will run in a Windows 95 or higher environment, and (b)
connection to a database server running Microsoft SQL Server
version 7 or greater. Alternative environments and database servers
are possible, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. To
run automation scripts that use GPIB communications, a National
Instruments GPIB controller card, or equivalent, may be
required.
[0034] The CPMS of the present invention creates, manages, and
automates data sheets, and analyses collected data. The system has
multiple tools to facilitate the translation of equipment
specifications into electronic data sheets. These electronic data
sheets can then be used to collect and store calibration data for
multiple instruments simultaneously. In one preferred embodiment,
eight instruments can be calibrated simultaneously.
[0035] Optionally, automation scripting can be added to these data
sheets to configure instruments, capture data, perform mathematical
operations, communicate with external software, and even create
instrument test points dynamically. While test point data is being
collected, in a further embodiment, the CPMS according to the
present invention will indicate the degree to which an instrument
is in or out of tolerance.
[0036] System Description
[0037] One embodiment of the CPMS of the present invention will now
be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art
that variations in the described embodiment are possible, and that
specific aspects of this embodiment are not limitations on the
claimed invention. This CPMS, with reference to FIGS. 80 and 82,
comprises a calibration process management program 10 (one
embodiment being the "Calibration Process Manager") which is stored
on a hard drive memory 54 of a computer 52 which is connected to a
calibration testing unit 56, and one or more units under test (UUT)
58. It is possible to have multiple UUTs 58 connected and tested
using the present invention. Optional printer 60 permits printing
of data sheets 62. An appropriate user interface on computer 52 is
needed for operator interaction with the calibration process
management program 10. As described herein, an appropriate
communications link is established between the calibration process
management program 10, the calibration testing unit 56, and the one
or more units under test (UUT) 58. A series of pages and prompts as
will now be described will appear on the user interface on computer
52, guiding an operator to calibration of the one or more units
under test.
[0038] The first time the Calibration Process Manager is run, a
Database Server Page as shown in FIG. 1 will appear to prompt the
user for information that it will use to connect to the database
server. The database server page can also be accessed by using the
Administration, System Configuration, Database Server menu option.
Changing database server settings requires the Calibration Process
Manger to shut itself down. Calibration Process Manger will connect
using the new settings the next time it is started. This page
contains the interface features in Table 1.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a representation of a Master System Configuration
Page for the CALIBRATION PROCESS MANAGER The Master System
Configuration page is accessed by using the Administration, System
Configuration, Master Setup menu option. This page contains the
interface features shown in Table 2.
[0040] In a further embodiment a sound configuration page allows
the user to set up sound clip options that are used with the
Calibration Process Manager application. FIG. 3 is a representation
of what a sound configuration screen looks like.
[0041] The Calibration Process Manager provides a secure
environment along with an audit trail to track changes to the
system parameters as well as archiving of records. The security
setup procedures of the Calibration Process Manager are performed
by a user with System Administrator privileges. When the system
database is initially installed a single user exists in the system,
SysAdmin. The System Administrator performs the initial setup for
the Calibration Process Manager, will login as SysAdmin and proceed
to configure the system in preparation for use throughout the
organization. System users must be setup prior to using the
Calibration Process Manager. These users will be given the default
set of permissions, once they are created. The System Administrator
will adjust the user's permissions as required. FIG. 4 is a
representation of what the System Login Page looks like.
[0042] The System Login page is displayed when the Calibration
Process Manager application is run. If the user fails to login, the
application will terminate. This page contains the interface
features shown in Table 3.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a representation of what the User Manager Page
looks like. The User Manager page is accessed by using the
Administration, User Manager menu option. System Administrator
privileges are required to access the User Manager page. The User
Manager page displays the master list of users for the Metrology
suite of applications. All of the applications share a common user
database. This page is the starting point for viewing, editing, and
creating user accounts. The page also provides the gateway to user
permissions, changing a user's password, and setting up the
system's default login rules. This page contains the interface
features in Table 4.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a representation of what the User Login Rules page
looks like. The User Login Rules page is accessed by the Set
Default Login Rules button on the User Manager page. This page is
used to setup the system's basic security rules including user
login rules. This page contains the interface features in Table
5.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a representation of what the Create a New User
Page looks like. The Create a New User page is accessed by clicking
the New User button on the User Manager page. The page is used to
setup a new user account. This page contains the interface features
in Table 6.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a representation of what the Edit User Login Page
looks like. The Edit User Login page is accessed by clicking the
Properties button on the User Manager page. The Edit User Login
page displays and permits editing of the basic account information
for the currently selected user.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a representation of what the User Permissions Page
looks like. The User Permissions page is accessed by the
permissions button on the user manager page. The User Permissions
page is used to manage a user's privileges within the Calibration
Process Manger. This page contains the interface features in Table
7.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a representation of what the Change Password Page
looks like. The change password page can be accessed by two
methods. The first is with the Options, Change Password menu
option. The second is with the Change password button found in the
User Manager page. However, with the Options, Change Password menu
option, the user will have to input the current password. The
Change Password Page contains the interface features in Table.
Passwords cannot be less than six characters in length, or more
than fourteen characters in length. They must be alphanumeric, and
cannot match the login ID for the user.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a representation of what the Audit Report Page
looks like. The Audit Report page is accessed by the main form's
Administration, Audit Report menu option. The Audit Report page is
used to setup, save, load, and execute Audit Report configurations.
This page contains the interface features in Table 8.
[0050] FIG. 12 is a representation of what the main screen of the
Calibration Process Manager application looks like. The main page
is the screen that the Calibration Process Manager application
opens to. The common thread of the Calibration Process Manager
application is that it graphically represents, and is navigated as,
a data sheet. It will display information as it is collected and
auto format the test result columns to ensure each data sheet
maintains a uniform look.
[0051] The main page has three master modes of operation: Data
Sheet Designer, Data Collection, and statistics. When the
application opens, the Master Mode is set to Data Collection. This
page contains the interface features in Table 9.
[0052] Appendix B is a list of the menu options that are available
in the Calibration Process Manager application's main page for one
version.
[0053] A Master Mode selection drop down list allows the user to
select what the current functionality of the application is to be.
The choices are in Table 10.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a representation of what the Calibration Process
Manger main page (Data Collection mode) looks like. The primary
purpose of the Data Collection section is to facilitate the
collection of measurement data and the design and execution of
automation scripts.
[0055] Calibration Process Manager allows for the collection of
data for more than one instrument simultaneously. This can be done,
providing the instruments use the same data sheet. In one
embodiment, up to eight sets of measurement data can be collected.
As is evident, a system could be constructed for more or fewer
sets. Each instrument under test is a "channel" and will display
the "As Found", "As Left", and "Out of Tolerance" data. All eight
channels can be displayed and edited simultaneously. These channels
are activated and configured independently.
[0056] FIG. 13A is a representation of what a Calibration Process
Manger Data Collection Channel looks like. A channel is container
object that represents one of the units under test. When a channel
is selected, its display is highlighted and measurement data is
recorded into that channel. The channels display measurement data
collected for the currently selected row of the data sheet grid.
"As found", "As left", and "Out of Tolerance" information is
displayed in relevant columns of the data sheet grid for the
channel that is currently selected. These data sheet columns are
not visible when editing automation script commands to preserve
space. The script command list grid occupies part of the space
normally reserved for the data sheet grid. The Tolerance column of
the data sheet grid will display graphical status information for
each of the active channels, as shown in FIG. 13A.
[0057] The active tabs displayed at the top of the main page
indicate which channels are designated for instruments and which
are currently active for testing. When the active check box is
selected, the UUT Boilerplate Setup page is displayed. The UUT
Boilerplate Setup page is where the unit under test information is
configured for the selected channel.
[0058] A data sheet must be loaded prior to activating a channel.
The Calibration Process Manager uses the data sheet as a template
for data collection. All determinations of the nominal test point
definition, in tolerance status, and Specification Tracking
standards used are derived from the active data sheet. The
measurement data collected for each of the channels is stored
separately in memory and is not stored in the active data sheet.
When a calibration is saved, exported to a file, or printed, The
Calibration Process Manager merges the channel and data sheet data
into a single calibration file. If a calibration is to be reopened
or imported for further data collection, the applicable data sheet
must first be loaded. If the active data sheet is not the same data
sheet or same version of the data sheet used to create the
calibration file, a warning message will be displayed.
[0059] When a calibration is reopened into a channel, all
measurement data is reevaluated, using the data sheet's
information. If the data sheet's nominal test point definitions or
tolerances have been modified, the calibrations in tolerance status
will be adjusted accordingly. For this reason, historical
calibration records should not be viewed or reprinted from within a
channel. To view, reprint or export historical calibration files,
set the Calibration Process Manager's Master Mode to Data Sheet
Designer or Statistics, then use the File, Open, . . . menu options
to load the calibration. These modes do not interpret the
measurement data, they merely display it.
[0060] An active data collection channel contains the interface
features in Table 11.
[0061] In one embodiment, when a channel is active the Show
Standards button will be visible at the top of the main page. If no
standards have been assigned to the data sheet the circle will
flash red. Once standards have been assigned to the data sheet, the
light will show green. When the button is clicked into the
depressed position, the standards fields will be displayed at the
bottom of the screen. However, the data collection channels will
not be displayed again until the Show Standards button is
de-selected (returned to the up position).
[0062] FIG. 14 is a representation of what the UUT Boilerplate
Setup page looks like. If the channel in which the active check box
is selected has not previously been configured, then the UUT
Boilerplate Setup page will be opened. The UUT Boilerplate Setup
page allows the user to designate asset numbers, test numbers, and
other information to units under test for each channel. The UUT
Boilerplate Setup page contains the interface features in Table
12.
[0063] The Function Field contains four indicators. The first is
the Timer indicator. This will display a numeric value of a delay
period specified by a script command. It will count down until the
delay is completed. The remaining three indicators, GPIB, OLE, and
RS-232 will show one of four colors: gray for not is use, green for
reading data, yellow for writing data, and red for error. These
colors will be visible during the corresponding command execution.
Warnings and errors will cause a Calibration Process Manager
Warning window to be displayed indicating the possible cause of the
error or warning. The script will be halted, When the user has
corrected the error, testing can resume.
[0064] The Measured Value Radio Selection field contains two radio
buttons. The options are for "As Found" or "As Left" data
collection. This selection represents the master data collection
mode. Only one radio button can be selected at a time they will
activate the corresponding field on the channel display.
[0065] The All Cal Files section has the following four buttons: to
copy "as found" data to "as left", print, view the master
boilerplate data, and save calibrations. The copy "as found" to "as
left" function will copy the numeric value from one field to the
other within the channel display. These buttons will cause their
action to propagate to all open channels. The operation of these
buttons is identical to their operation when selected on the
individual channel boxes, with the exception of the view
boilerplate data button.
[0066] The "Show:" Selection panel contains two check boxes. The
tolerance check box indicates if the tolerance value will be
displayed in the "tolerance" column of the data sheet. The
percentage of tolerance box indicates whether or not the percentage
of tolerance consumed will be displayed in the "tolerance" column
of the data sheet. These options only affect how data is displayed,
not stored or printed.
[0067] The Data Sheet Master Grid contains the per line information
for unit tests. The Tolerance field is updated as the tests are
executed giving a real time indication of the test values. These
results will not be user editable.
[0068] When a measured value is recorded for an instrument channel,
the system will compare the value to the instrument's Tolerance as
set in the data sheet, indicate the "out of tolerance" status, then
display the percentage of the tolerance consumed. This operation is
only performed on test points that contain calculable data in the
Nominal Value and Tolerance cells.
[0069] Data can also be collected by use of the automated scripting
system. This allows data collection from a GPIB, RS-232, Custom
User Prompts, or the result of scripted mathematical operations.
The user can design and execute automation scripting for the
current data sheet. The Data Collection page contains commands for
executing, halting, and when the Script Commands are visible,
editing automation commands.
[0070] The script is executed by pressing the Command Menu key on
the QuickData Keypad, clicking on the run button, or pressing the
F12 key on the system keyboard. When an interface command group
(command menu item) is selected from the pop-up Command Menu, the
application will attempt to run the scripted commands,
sequentially, for the interface command group being executed. The
system will, as necessary, open other command based forms to assist
the user in executing the test properly.
[0071] The Calibration Process Manager main page (Data Sheet
Designer mode) option gives the user the means by which they may
create data sheets. These data sheets may then be used as a
template for automation scripting and the collection of calibration
data. A data sheet is the starting point for all operations within
the Calibration Process Manager application. This section describes
the tools available to assist in the data sheet creation
process.
[0072] FIG. 15 is a representation of what the Main Form's Data
Sheet Designer mode looks like. The Calibration Process Manger main
page (Data sheet designer mode) contains the interface features
shown in Appendix D.
[0073] FIG. 16 is a representation of what the Calibration Process
Manger main page (Statistics mode) looks like. The Statistics page
allows the user to easily view past test results for a particular
data sheet. The results can be displayed for variable date ranges,
and can be specific to the data sheet or the asset. The statistics
page contains the interface features in Table 13. The test point
history is displayed as: As Found--Blue Diamonds; As Left--Red
Diamonds; Nominal Value--Black Lines; Tolerance Value--Red
Lines.
[0074] FIG. 17 is a representation of what the Drift Analyzer
Interface page looks like. The Drift Analyzer Interface page is
accessed by clicking on the Analyze Drift button, when the
Calibration Process Manager's main form is in the Statistics mode.
This page requires that an instrument history performance analysis
(IHPA) application be installed on the computer. A suitable IHPA
application is currently marketed by CRS Engineering Inc. The drift
analyzer interface page allows the user to save drift analysis data
as a spreadsheet file, such as such as Microsoft Excel format, for
use with the IHPA application. Typically, the IHPA is a spreadsheet
application. Once the file is created the IHPA spreadsheet
application is executed.
[0075] The Drift Analyzer Interface page contains the interface
features in Table 14.
[0076] Drift analysis predicts new values based on previously
collected data using a least-squares linear regression of a range
of the known data or known x-arrays and y-arrays. For example,
given corporate earnings for each of the previous six quarters, a
drift analysis function returns earnings expected for the next two
quarters. This is the same methodology used in "forecasting"
techniques.
[0077] FIG. 17A is a representation of an interval analysis report.
For calibration interval analysis, the term reliability refers to
the probability that an item or parameter of measuring or test
equipment (MTE) is in-tolerance. When items are periodically tested
or calibrated, the observed reliability is the fraction of items
observed to be in-tolerance at the end of the test or calibration
interval. This is a binomial test, i.e., the item or parameter
either passes or fails.
[0078] Testing the observed reliability R.sub.obs involves
comparing it against some established minimum acceptable
in-tolerance confidence level, referred to as the reliability
target R.sub.targ. With one method, the A3 Interval Method, the
observed reliability is computed by simply dividing the Number of
Tests into the Number In-Tolerance. For example, if the Number of
Tests n for a grouping is 25 and the Number In-Tolerance x is 20,
the observed reliability is 80%.
[0079] This test methodology works by comparing R.sub.obs to
R.sub.targ to see if there is a significant difference between the
two tests within the interval. The magnitude of the difference and
the Test Confidence Level determine whether or not the difference
is significant. If it is, then the interval corresponding to
R.sub.obs is said to have failed the test and a recommendation with
respect to present interval is suggested (i.e., the interval will
either be lengthened or shortened).
[0080] The algorithm used to test the interval evaluates whether
upper and lower confidence limits for R.sub.obs contain the
reliability target. If so, then the interval passes the test. A
preferred method for determining the confidence limits for
R.sub.obs uses a binomial distribution function. Given a Number of
Tests n and a Number In-Tolerance x, the upper and lower confidence
limits are obtained by solving a binomial confidence interval
equation. If R.sub.targ is within these limits, then the interval
passes the test. If the interval is rejected, a new recommended
interval is computed using a simple algorithm. The process takes
place in two stages. In the first stage, the interval is adjusted
to a trial value. In the second stage, the trial value is refined
to ensure its feasibility.
[0081] Calibration Process Manager has two primary document types:
data sheets and calibrations. A data sheet is essentially a
template for a calibration. A calibration is a data sheet with
actual measurement data recorded. Data sheets are actually much
more than a simple template, as they may also contain complete
automation scripting and detailed information regarding UUT and
standard instrument specifications and uncertainties.
[0082] A data sheet is a pre-engineered template used to execute
and record calibration data. Data sheets may also contain complete
automation scripting and detailed information regarding UUT and
standard instrument specifications and uncertainties.
[0083] FIG. 18 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Catalog
Page looks like. The Data Sheet Catalog Page allows the user to
locate and load a data sheet. The Data Sheet Catalog Page is
displayed by selecting the File, Data Sheet, Open menu option. The
catalog displays both data sheets and data sheet groups. A Data
sheet group is a collection of data sheets established using the
Data Sheet Group Wizard.
[0084] In one embodiment, the Calibration Process Manager does not
have a database, consequentially it does not have a data sheet
catalog. In that embodiment, it is therefore recommended that a
shared network directory be used store and share data sheet files.
Some degree of document control can be achieved by managing access
rights to this directory. By default, the Calibration Process
Manager will look for data sheets in the "DataSheets" directory of
the path from which the application was run. If the application is
stored in a "Read Only" directory on the local area network, the
system administrator can create a "DataSheets" subdirectory. It is
also recommended that a structured sub directory system be created
inside the " . . . \DataSheets\" directory to assist users in
locating the appropriate data sheet.
[0085] The Data Sheet Catalog Page contains the interface features
in Table 15.
[0086] An external data sheet file can be loaded into the
Calibration Process Manager by selecting the File, Import, Data
Sheet File menu option. The standard windows file location dialog
is used to locate a file. Once loaded the data sheet is ready for
editing, approval, or use in data collection.
[0087] FIG. 19 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Approval
Page looks like. The Data Sheet Approval Page allows the user to
approve a data sheet and enter it into The Calibration Process
Manager's data sheet database. The Data Sheet Catalog Page is
displayed by selecting the File, Data Sheet, Approve menu
option.
[0088] The Data Sheet Approval Page also allows for other
administrative functions including: Reactivating a previously
inactivated data sheet, inactivating a data sheet, and deleting a
data sheet. All of these administrative functions require the user
to have System Administrator privileges. The data sheet must first
be loaded into the Calibration Process Manger prior to activating
the Data Sheet Approval Page. All of the actions taken on this page
will require a special login of a user with data sheet approval or
system administrator privileges.
[0089] The Data Sheet Approval Page contains the interface features
in Table 16.
[0090] A Calibration Process Manager data sheet can be exported to
an external data sheet file by selecting the File, Export, Data
Sheet File menu option or the File, Data Sheet, (Save or Save As)
menu option. The Standard windows file save dialog is used to set
the file name and location. Working with files is the preferred
method of saving a data sheet while it is being designed or edited.
It should not be returned to the data base until it is ready for
use in calibrations.
[0091] A Data sheet group is a collection of data sheets
established using the Data Sheet Group Wizard. Data sheet groups
are used to bind together a set of data sheets that are needed to
calibrate an asset that may be comprised of two or more
instruments. Once created, data sheet groups appear in the Data
Sheet Catalog. Data sheet groups can be located in the Data Sheet
Catalog using the same methods that would apply to a single data
sheet. Once a data sheet group is selected using the Data Sheet
Catalog, the user will be prompted to select a member data sheet
using the Data Sheet Group Selector page.
[0092] FIG. 20 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Group
Selector page looks like. The Data Sheet Group Selector page allows
the user to select a data sheet from a data sheet group. The page
is accessed from the Data Sheet Catalog Page. The Group Members
button of the Data Sheet Catalog Page is enabled when a data sheet
group is selected in the Data Sheet Catalog Page's data sheet grid.
Click on this button to view the Data Sheet Group Selector
page.
[0093] The Data Sheet Group Selector page contains the interface
features in Table 17.
[0094] FIG. 21 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Group
Wizard page looks like.
[0095] The Data Sheet Group Wizard page allows the user to create
and edit data sheet groups. The page is accessed via the Tools,
Wizards, Data Sheet Groups, New Group menu option to create a new
group or the Tools, Wizards, Data Sheet Groups, Edit Existing Group
menu option to edit an existing group. The features are in Table
18.
[0096] FIG. 22 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Group
Approval page looks like. The Data Sheet Group Approval page allows
the user to approve data sheet groups created or edited with the
Data Sheet Group Wizard. The page is accessed by clicking on the
Data Sheet Group Wizard page's Ok button upon completion of the
data sheet group edit process. Features are in Table 19.
[0097] A calibration file is originated from a data sheet file for
a unit whose measurement data has already been collected or is
currently being collected. It retains and displays the measurement
results and Specification Tracking standards used. This allows the
user to save calibration information for units under test and
cross-examine the results. The calibration file does not retain the
automation or Specification Tracking default standard information
of the data sheet. Calibrations can be stored in the system
database for long term history or exported as a file for short term
storage and transfer. In a more basic embodiment, calibration files
do not contain any Specification Tracking data.
[0098] FIG. 23 is a representation of what the Calibration History
Catalog Page looks like. The Calibration History Catalog Page
allows the user to locate and load a Calibration. When in the Data
Sheet Designer mode, the Calibration History Catalog Page is
displayed by selecting the File, Calibration, Open menu option.
When in the Data Collection mode, the Calibration History Catalog
Page is displayed by clicking on the Open Cal button of the UUT
Boilerplate Setup page. The UUT Boilerplate Setup page is accessed
by clicking on the Set UUT Boilerplate button of one of the active
UUT Channels. The data sheet used to create the calibration should
be loaded into the Calibration Process Manager before loading a
calibration. The data collection system uses the data sheet as a
reference and the user will be warned if the applicable data sheet
is not loaded first.
[0099] A basic embodiment of the Calibration Process Manager does
not have a database, consequentially it does not have a calibration
history catalog. It is therefore recommended that a shared network
directory be used store and share calibration files. All users must
have "Write" access to this directory. By default, the Calibration
Process Manager will store calibration files in the subdirectories
of the "Calibrations" directory of the path from which the
application was run. If the application is stored in a directory on
the local area network, the system administrator can create a
"Calibrations" subdirectory. The Calibration History Catalog Page
contains the interface features in Table 20.
[0100] An external calibration file can be loaded into the
Calibration Process Manager. When in the Data Sheet Designer mode,
the standard windows file locator dialog is displayed by selecting
the File, Import, Calibration File menu option. Calibration files
loaded in the Data Sheet Designer mode can not be stored in the
database. The file must be imported in the Data Collection mode to
be stored in the database.
[0101] When in the Data Collection mode, the standard windows file
locator dialog is displayed by clicking on the Import Cal button of
the UUT Boilerplate Setup page. The UUT Boilerplate Setup page is
accessed by clicking on the Set UUT Boilerplate button of one of
the active UUT Channels. The data sheet used to create the
calibration should be loaded into the Calibration Process Manager
before loading a calibration. The data collection system uses the
data sheet as a reference and the user will be warned if the
applicable data sheet is not loaded first. Once loaded the
calibration is ready for editing or approval.
[0102] FIG. 24 is a representation of what the Search for File page
looks like. This allows the user to look on the local system for a
previously exported calibration file. This page will contain the
information in Table 21.
[0103] FIG. 25 is a representation of what the Sign Calibration
Page looks like. Calibrations can only be signed into the database
when in the Data Collection mode and the calibration is in an
active channel. When in the Data Collection mode, the Sign
Calibration Page allows the user to sign a calibration and enter it
into the Calibration Process Manager's calibration database. The
user must have the calibration signature privilege assigned on the
user permissions page. The Sign Calibration Page is displayed by
clicking on the Save Cal button of the UUT Boilerplate Setup page.
The UUT Boilerplate Setup page is accessed by clicking on the Set
UUT Boilerplate button of one of the active UUT Channels. The Sign
Calibration Page contains the interface features in Table 22.
[0104] A Calibration Process Manager Calibration and be exported to
an external calibration file. When in the Data Sheet Designer mode,
the standard windows file save dialog is displayed by selecting the
File, Export, Calibration File menu option. When in the Data
Collection mode, the standard windows file save dialog is displayed
by clicking on the Export Cal button of the UUT Boilerplate Setup
page. The UUT Boilerplate Setup page is accessed by clicking on the
Set UUT Boilerplate button of one of the active UUT Channels.
[0105] FIG. 26 is a representation of what the Select Discipline
Directory page looks like. The Select Discipline Directory page
allows the user to export calibration files to a set of fixed
discipline directories.
[0106] FIG. 27 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Print
Shop page looks like. The Data Sheet Print Shop page allows the
user to print data sheets or calibrations, and configure printers
and page settings. The print button, in the Data Sheet Designer
page accesses this page. The page can also be accessed by clicking
on one of the Print buttons of an active calibration channel. The
Data Sheet Print Shop page has the interface features in Table
23.
[0107] FIG. 28 is a representation of what the Document History
Page looks like. The Document History Page allows the user to view
the version history of data sheets and calibrations. To display the
history of the document currently displayed in the Calibration
Process Manager's primary data sheet display grid, select the
Administration, Document History menu option. To display the
history of a calibration currently displayed in one of the
Calibration Process Manager's data collection channels, click on
the Doc History button of the applicable UUT Boilerplate Setup
page. The Document History Page contains the interface features in
Table 24.
[0108] Data sheet design is performed when the Calibration Process
Manager's main form is set to the Data Sheet Design mode. The
electronic data sheets will be used to collect and store instrument
calibration information. These data sheets will report the
measurement data for instruments under test. Once approved for use,
data sheets are stored in the system database. Data sheets can be
saved as a flat file, with a .MDD extension, while in development
or for transfer purposes. In one embodiment, a single data sheet
will be able to collect and store calibration information for up to
eight instruments simultaneously. It is possible to create a system
for more or less units. The data sheets can be scripted to collect
data from GPIB, RS-232, or custom user prompts.
[0109] The Calibration Process Manager application has different
ways to create a data sheet, including manual entry (typing), the
tolerance calculator, test point wizards, and data sheet generation
wizards.
[0110] All Data Sheets will be automatically formatted to maintain
a uniform look and feel from sheet to sheet. Calibration Process
Manager will determine the necessary font size, spacing, and line
splitting for each data column as entered. Each data sheet column
has its own rules for formatting its content. The header row of
each page also has formatting rules that differ from the data rows.
Header rows are indicated in two ways: There cells are gray, and
they are always on line number zero. The page and line numbers are
displayed on the left edge of the data sheet grid. It is
recommended that data sheet headers be inserted into data sheet
last. As new rows are inserted into the data sheet, the rows
containing the header information will be moved down. Once editing
is completed, you will have to adjust your header rows. It is
easiest to just delete header rows that are out of position and
re-add add them to the first row of each page. The headers are
inserted using the "Insert Headers" button. The "Insert Headers"
button will insert the headers in the selected row and push the
rest of the data sheet down one row. The "Insert Headers" function
copies the header information from the first page of the data
sheet. If you plan to use non-standard headers, change the first
set of headers before using the function. While other data
temporarily occupies the header rows, the text formatting will use
the header row's formatting rules, but once the headers are
inserted, the data will be pushed into normal data rows and assume
proper formatting.
[0111] The Calibration Process Manager uses only ANSI standard
characters within a data sheet. The main reason for this is
universal data compatibility. Whether stored in the system database
or exported to files, the information contained can be read and
used by any application, on any operating system. Exported files
are stored in a straight forward, tab delimited, text format so
they may be used by other applications. If you decide to use
something other than the Calibration Process Manager in the future,
you can take your data with you.
[0112] There are only two special character flags used with the
Calibration Process Manager's data sheet editor and they have the
following meaning. The flag ".about." is a Forced Line Break. This
character forces a line break wherever it appears. This overrides
the internal automatic formatting of the data sheet editor. This is
useful when it enhances readability of the data sheet. The
character is not printed on data sheets or displayed in the data
sheet grid.
[0113] The flag ".about.@" is a Parametric Divider. These
characters inform the Nominal Value decoder that what follows is
another parametric value., i.e.: 190 mV.about.@20 kHz.about.@ 1 mA.
When displayed the item will appear as: 190 mV@20 kHz@ 1 mA.
[0114] The decoder will interpret this as having three parametric
values. The first parameter is used by to indicate the test point's
nominal value. The Professional and Pro Remote versions will use
all three parameters for the parametric matching of Specification
Tracking Instrument Ranges. The ".about." character also serves its
primary function of causing a forced line break. The decoder
requires that each parameter have a numeric value followed by the
units of measure. The decoder can resolve the parameters with or
without spaces, but inserting the space between the value and unit
of measure is easier for humans to read. There can be no space
between the .about. and @ characters. If the .about. character
appears by itself in the Nominal Value cell, it instructs the
decoder to disregard it and anything that follows it. For printing
and display purposes it will still serve its primary purpose of
forcing a line break. Using the .about. character by itself allows
you to add additional text to the Nominal Value cell without
confusing the decoder. i.e.: 190 mV.about.@100 Hz.about.(Slow
Mode). When displayed the item will appear as: 190 mV@ 100 Hz (Slow
Mode). The two parameters are recognized and the rest ignored.
[0115] FIG. 29 is a representation of what the Master Boiler Plate
Data page looks like. The Calibration Process Manager Master Boiler
Plate Data page allows the user to set header type information for
the data sheet. This page also allows the user to configure system
behaviors that apply when the data sheet is activated. The Master
Boiler Plate Data page is activated by clicking the View/Edit
Boilerplate button on the application's main page. The Boiler Plate
Data page contains the interface features in Table 25.
[0116] FIG. 30 is a representation of what the Remarks Editor looks
like. The Calibration Process Manager Remarks Editor allows the
user to set global or per-line comments for the data sheet. The
Remarks Editor contains the interface features in Table 26.
[0117] FIG. 31 is a representation of what the Data Sheet
Operations Commands page looks like.
[0118] The Data Sheet Operations Commands page allows the user to
set special data sheet directives that override normal data sheet
behavior.
[0119] FIG. 32 is a representation of what the data sheet with the
tolerance calculator looks like.
[0120] The integrated tolerance calculator allows a data sheet
designer to generate test point row data by entering the nominal
test point values and equipment specification data. The tolerance
is calculated, formatted, and then the new test points are inserted
into the data sheet.
[0121] The calculator uses a smart rounding system to appropriately
round tolerance values. It will support both standard
specifications, (% of I.V., ppm of I.V., % of F.S., ppm of F.S.,
.+-.n units of measure, and .+-.dB.) and custom specification
calculators. The custom specifications contain more complex
components (i.e. .+-.0.0025% of I.V., per volt above 750 volts).
Custom specification calculators can be defined by the user, stored
and used in conjunction with the standard specification components
in the tolerance calculator. A basic version does not need to
support the use of custom calculators. The Tolerance Calculator
page contains the interface features in Table 27.
[0122] FIG. 33 is a representation of what the Automatic Line
Generator page looks like. The Automatic Line Generator page is
displayed when the tolerance calculator's Calculate button is
clicked. When the new row is inserted, the user will be prompted to
enter additional information to be placed in the new data sheet
row. The Automatic Line Generator page contains the interface
features in Table 28.
[0123] The tolerance calculator embeds the equipment specification
data, used to calculate tolerances, into data sheet rows. A
composite value for the standards requirement (0.25*Tolerance) is
also embedded. This information is displayed for each data sheet
row.
[0124] The Nominal Value and Tolerance columns of a data sheet play
major roles in the Calibration Process Manager's overall function.
The columns contain data that is used to assess in tolerance status
during data collection and to interface with Specification Tracking
instrument specifications. If the user were to directly edit the
contents of these critical fields, the system could no longer be
assured of their data integrity. It is therefore necessary to
provide a means of modifying the content of the fields while
preserving numerically critical content. A special editor page is
provided for each of these fields to make this possible. These
editors should be used to modify these fields. If a user directly
edits the fields, all UUT specification and Specification Tracking
Instrument references are dropped and the data sheet row looses all
of its intelligence.
[0125] FIG. 34 is a representation of what the Nominal Value Wizard
page looks like. The Nominal Value Wizard allows the user to
configure the Nominal Value field of a data sheet row. All
formatting is handled by the wizard. The user can edit the trailing
text field without invalidating the field's data integrity, but any
changes to field parametric values will invalidate any
Specification Tracking Instrument range references. Changing the
first parameter will invalidate all specification data for the data
sheet row. Calibration Process Manger uses the first parameter of
the nominal value field as its reference for the nominal value of
calibration data collected. If data integrity is compromised, you
must recalculate tolerances using the integrated tolerance
calculator and reassign Specification Tracking instrument ranges.
The Nominal Value Wizard page contains the interface features in
Table 29.
[0126] FIG. 35 is a representation of what the Tolerance Column
Wizard page looks like. The Tolerance Column Wizard allows the user
to configure the Tolerance field of a data sheet row. All
formatting is handled by the wizard. The user can edit the TAR,
EMU, remark flag, and trailing text field without invalidating the
field's data integrity. Calibration Process Manger uses the
Tolerance field content to assess the in tolerance condition of
calibration data collected. If data integrity is compromised, you
must recalculate tolerances using the integrated tolerance
calculator. The Tolerance Column Wizard page contains the interface
features in Table 30.
[0127] FIG. 36 is a representation of what the Unit of Measure by
Symbol page looks like, The Unit of Measure by Symbol page allows
the user to search for a desired unit of measure by its symbol. The
form is activated by clicking on the main form's Units button when
the main form is in the Data Sheet Designer mode and the Lock
Status' Edit option is selected. The Unit of Measure by Symbol page
contains the interface features in Table 31.
[0128] The Test Point Generation Wizard allows the user to
predefine test point values, tolerance format, functions tested
descriptions, and boilerplate information. The wizard can contain
multiple test point definitions. The tolerance calculator will
automatically be configured when the test point definition is
selected, and setup an array of test points.
[0129] FIG. 37 is a representation of what the Wizard Loader page
looks like. The Wizard Loader allows the user to load preset
wizards for use in creating data sheets. This page is accessed
through the Tools, Wizards, Test Point Wizards, Load menu option.
The Wizard Loader page contains the interface features in Table
32.
[0130] FIG. 38 is a representation of what the Wizard Workshop page
looks like. The Wizard Workshop allows the user to create test
point wizards for use in creating data sheets. This page is
accessed through the tools, wizards, test point generators, load
menu item. The Wizard Loader page contains the interface features
in Table 33.
[0131] The Data Sheet Generation Wizard allows the user to generate
a complete data sheet by entering data into a module specifically
designed for a specific instrument type. Data sheet wizards posses
an advanced of knowledge of the rules applicable to the instruments
for which they are designed. Once data sheets are created with the
module, they can be edited and manipulated in the same manner as
any other data sheet.
[0132] FIG. 39 is a representation of what the Pressure Gauge Data
Sheet Generator page looks like. This is a Data Sheet generation
wizard that will prompt the user for specific data relating to
pressure instruments. Once the data has been inputted the entire
data sheet is generated. This page is accessed by using the Tools,
Data sheet Generators, Pressure option in the menu bar. The module
supports the creation of multiple data sets within a single data
sheet, i.e., Multiple sensor modules used with a single reader.
Numeric fields on this page will turn red if an improper entry is
made and an error message is then displayed.
[0133] The Pressure Gauge Data Sheet Generator uses specific
information, embedded in the Suite's master units of measure table,
to identify "absolute" and "gauge" pressure units of measure. The
group names for these units must be "Pressure (absolute)" and
"Pressure (gauge)". These two groups contain the units that can be
directly cross referenced to each other. Changing the group names
or adding units that don't cross reference may cause errors in the
Pressure Gauge Data Sheet Generator module. The Pressure Gauge Data
Sheet Generator page contains the interface features in Table
34.
[0134] FIG. 40 is a representation of what the Test Point
Uncertainty Wizard page looks like. The Test Point Uncertainty
Wizard page is accessed from the Process Manger's main page when
the main page is in the Data Sheet Designer mode. Click on the
Measurement Uncertainty button (this is the button with the .SIGMA.
symbol). The Test Point Uncertainty Wizard is used to view and edit
the currently selected test point's measurement uncertainty model.
The Calibration Process Manager will automatically manage the
measurement uncertainty model when one or more Specification
Tracking instrument ranges are assigned to the test point. The user
can modify this model if the user has the necessary permissions. A
fixed uncertainty value can also entered into the Tolerance Column
Wizard page. If a value is entered directly into the Tolerance
Column Wizard page, that value will override the uncertainty
model.
[0135] The user can enter both type A and type B uncertainties.
Some of the values used by the measurement uncertainty model can be
set in the System Configuration page's "Measurement Uncty"
configuration options. The measurement uncertainty model is also
used in the calculation of the test accuracy ratio when directed to
do so in the System Configuration page's "Measurement Uncty"
configuration options.
[0136] The uncertainty model, test accuracy ratio, and applicable
displayed results are always relevant to the currently selected
Specification Tracking Interface mode. When in the Standards used
mode, the Model is using the actual calibration standards'
specifications, when in the Default Standards mode, the model is
using the default standards' specifications, etc. The values
displayed will vary as the Specification Tracking Interface mode is
changed. Pay close attention to the Specification Tracking
Interface mode indicators in the data sheet's Nominal Value column.
The Test Point Uncertainty Wizard page contains the interface
features in Table 35.
[0137] FIG. 41 is a representation of what the Uncertainty Element
Editor Page looks like. The Uncertainty Element Editor Page allows
the user to edit parameters of an uncertainty element.
[0138] The Uncertainty Element Editor Page contains the interface
features in Table 36.
[0139] Specification Tracking
[0140] The Specification Tracking system records and manages
instrument specifications. Specification Tracking was primarily
designed for use with the Calibration Process Manager. The
Calibration Process Manager has a built in interface to use the
specification data stored within the Specification Tracking
database system.
[0141] Specification Tracking defines instruments using three
hierarchical categories: Instruments, Functions and Ranges. The
instrument is subdivided into instrument functions, which are
subdivided into instrument ranges. Once an instrument is assigned
to a data sheet, its ranges can then be assigned to individual data
sheet rows. Calibration Process Manager has tools to automate the
range selection process.
[0142] Specification Tracking Instruments make use of the
underlying system of serialization in the CPMS that provides unique
serial numbers to both the instrument and individual instrument
ranges. As explained below, each instrument and range is assigned
two serial numbers: A Permanent Unique Identifier (PUI) and a
Dynamically Unique Identifier (DUI). The PUI is assigned when an
object is created or altered in a manner that would make it
unlinkable to its past usage. The DUI is assigned any time the
object is modified/saved. These unique identifiers allow the
Calibration Process Manager to track and relate linkages of these
objects for historical and statistical purposes. Once assigned to a
data sheet, these serial numbers form a permanent link between the
data sheet/Calibration and the instrument's applicable ranges.
[0143] When instrument ranges are assigned to data sheet rows the
Calibration Process Manager can use the data to determine Test
Accuracy Ratios, Estimated Measurement Uncertainties, Instrument
range utilization, and assist in the failure analysis of
calibration standards.
[0144] The interface has three modes that correspond to each of the
three instrument specification data applications used within the
Calibration Process Manager. The Specification Tracking Interface
mode indicators allow the user to determine which mode of the
Specification Tracking Interface is active, even when the
Specification Tracking Instruments Interface is not visible.
[0145] The Calibration Process Manager's test point measurement
uncertainty model, test accuracy ratio, and applicable displayed
results are always relevant to the currently selected Specification
Tracking Interface mode. i.e.: When in the Standards used mode, the
Model is using the actual calibration standards' specifications,
when in the Default Standards mode, the model is using the default
standards' specifications, etc. The values displayed will vary as
the Specification Tracking Interface mode is changed. The following
table describes the three modal applications of specification data.
In the "Myself" mode the Specification Tracking instrument ranges
of the instrument to be calibrated are assigned to applicable data
sheet rows. This self definition information is used when the
instrument to be calibrated is, itself, used as a calibration
standard. When a calibration record is loaded into the Calibration
Process Manger, the Statistics mode can be used to generate an
Instrument Range Utilization Report. The report is generated for
the currently selected data sheet row's applicable Specification
Tracking instrument range. The report shows the instrument ranges'
use in other calibrations. This report is extremely useful in
performing calibration standard failure analysis.
[0146] The "Def Stds" mode allows the data sheet designer to assign
calibration standard instruments to the data sheet and assign
instrument ranges to data sheet rows. These assignments represent
the default standards, with range assignments, recommended for use
when actual calibrations are performed. If default standards are
assigned, the user has only to click on the "Stds Used" pages' "Use
`Default` stds" button to transfer these predetermined selections
to "Stds Used". The data derived through these assignments will
also permit the Calibration Process Manager to estimate accuracies,
accuracy ratio's and estimated measurement uncertainties to assist
the data sheet designer in determining the adequacy of test
conditions.
[0147] The "Stds Used" mode is designed to assign calibration
standard instruments to the data sheet and assign instrument ranges
to data sheet rows at the time of calibration. The user will also
assign the specific instrument asset numbers for the standards
used. The data derived through these assignments will permit the
Calibration Process Manager to calculate, record, and report test
accuracy ratio's and estimated measurement uncertainties for data
sheet test points. The modes are in table 37.
[0148] The Specification Tracking Instruments Interface opens in
the lower portion of the screen. The data sheet grid is reduced in
height by approximately a third, in order to accommodate the
Specification Tracking Instruments Interface. The Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface can be opened by selecting the View,
Show Specification Tracking Instruments menu option.
[0149] FIG. 42 is a representation of what the Calibration Process
Manger's main page (Data Sheet Designer mode) looks like with the
Specification Tracking Instruments Interface displayed.
[0150] FIG. 43 is a representation of what the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface (Myself mode) looks like. In the
Myself mode, specifications of the instrument being calibrated are
assigned to the instrument itself. This self definition information
is used to associate an instrument's calibration test points with
its Specification Tracking instrument ranges. The process
synchronizes Specification Tracking instrument and range serial
numbers with the data sheet that calibrates the instrument. This
identification process allows the Calibration Process Manger to
link the usage of an instrument range to the data sheet on which it
is calibrated.
[0151] This self awareness is especially important when the
instrument is a calibration standard. When a calibration record is
loaded into the Calibration Process Manger, the Statistics mode can
be used to generate an Instrument Range Utilization Report. The
report is generated for the currently selected data sheet row's
applicable Specification Tracking instrument range. The report
shows the instrument ranges' use in other calibrations. This report
is extremely useful in performing calibration standard failure
analysis.
[0152] Another reason to perform this assignment is to compare data
sheet specifications with Specification Tracking specifications.
When performing an auto-assignment of instrument ranges to the data
sheet, Calibration Process Manager will not auto assign an
instrument range to a data sheet row if the calculated accuracies
do not agree within 0.1% of each other. If the Calibration Process
Manager is unable to make a range assignment, either the data sheet
or instrument's specifications are in error.
[0153] The Specification Tracking Instruments Interface (Myself
mode) contains the interface features in Table 38.
[0154] FIG. 44 is a representation of what the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface (Default Standards mode) looks like.
In the Default Standards mode, specifications of the standards,
planned for use during the execution of the data sheet
(calibration), are assigned to the data sheet. This assignment of
Specification Tracking instruments and instrument ranges to a data
sheet's test points will enable the data sheet designer to
pre-define a desired test point instrumentation configuration. When
a user performs an actual calibration, with the data sheet, the
user can select the Standards Used mode's "Use `Default` Stds"
button to copy the pre-defined configuration to the Standards Used
configuration. The only other thing the user will have to do is
assign asset numbers to the actual standards used. Another
important purpose for assigning default standards is to provide the
Calibration process Manger with the information necessary to
calculate standards accuracies, test accuracy ratios, and estimated
measurement uncertainty. This information is very useful in the
calibration design process. The Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface (Default Standards mode) contains the interface features
in Table 39.
[0155] FIG. 45 is a representation of what the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface (Standards Used mode) looks like. In
the Standards Used mode, specifications of the standards used
during calibration are assigned. When a user performs a
calibration, the user can click the "Use `Default` Stds" button to
copy the pre-defined default standards configuration to the
Standards Used configuration. The only other thing the user will
have to do is assign asset numbers to the actual standards used. If
no default configuration is available or another configuration is
used, the User can configure the standards at the time of
calibration.
[0156] By associating the standards and standard ranges used during
the calibration, to the data sheet test points, standard range
utilization reporting can be achieved and greatly reduce the work
required to perform standards failure analysis. The standard range
data is also critical to the Calibration Process Manager's ability
to calculate standards accuracies, test accuracy ratios and build
an uncertainty model to calculate estimated measurement
uncertainties. The Specification Tracking Instruments Interface
(Standards Used mode) contains the interface features in Table
40.
[0157] FIG. 46 is a representation of what the Specification
Tracking Interface mode indicators look like. The Specification
Tracking Interface mode indicators allow the user to determine
which mode of the Specification Tracking Interface is active, even
when the Specification Tracking Instruments Interface is not
visible. Each cell of the data sheet's Nominal Value column will
have three small boxes located at the top of the cell. The
indicators are only present in actual test point rows of the data
sheet. The indicators appear in the same order as the mode
selection buttons in the Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface. A carrot symbol (.tangle-solidup.) under one of the
indicators indicates the present mode. The presence and color of
the symbols convey meaning to the status of instrument ranges
assigned, or not assigned, to the test point. The Specification
Tracking Interface mode indicators convey the information in Table
41.
[0158] FIG. 47 is a representation of what the Instrument
Specifications Catalog page looks like.
[0159] The Instrument Specifications Catalog page allows the user
to choose an instrument to add to a data sheet. The Instrument
Specifications Catalog page is accessed from the Calibration
Process Manager's main page's Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface by clicking on the Add button while in any of the three
Specification Tracking Interface modes. The Instrument
Specifications Catalog page contains the interface features in
Table 42.
[0160] FIG. 48 is a representation of what the Auto Assign
Instrument Ranges page looks like. The Auto Assign Instrument
Ranges page is displayed when the user clicks the Auto Assign
button, located on the Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface's instrument section, while in any of the three
Specification Tracking Interface modes. The Auto Assign Instrument
Ranges page is displayed to inquire if the assignment is for the
instrument currently selected in the Specification Tracking
Instruments Interface's Instrument List grid or if the assignment
is for all instruments assigned to the data sheet. The page also
displays the following warning to the user describing the
limitations of automatic instrument range selection: "Warning: This
function will replace all previous assignments with the standard(s)
most accurate range. After this operation, you should review my
choices. After all, I am just a machine."
[0161] Although auto selection is capable of choosing an
inappropriate range, based on parametric matching and best
accuracy, it is usually a good idea to let the Calibration Process
Manager have a try at auto selecting the ranges. It is usually
easier to change the few inappropriate selections than it is to do
them all manually. Of course, the user's experience with the system
and knowledge of the parametric matching probability of the
instruments in question, is the best determination of the time
saved by auto matching. This page contains the interface features
in Table 43.
[0162] FIG. 49 is a representation of what the Manual Instrument
Range Selector page looks like.
[0163] When the Calibration Process Manager is unable to auto
select an instrument range or selects an inappropriate instrument
range for a test point, the user must intervene. This intervention
is performed using the Manual Instrument Range Selector. The Manual
Instrument Range Selector page is accessed from the Calibration
Process Manager's main page's Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface by clicking on the Manual Assign to TP button while in
any of the three Specification Tracking Interface modes. This page
contains the interface features in Table 44.
[0164] FIG. 50 is a representation of what the Instrument
Substitution page looks like. The Instrument Substitution page is
displayed when clicking the "Replace selected with" button on the
Calibration Process Manager's main page's Specification Tracking
Instruments Interface. This button is available while in any of the
three Specification Tracking Interface modes.
[0165] The Instrument Substitution page is used to remove the
currently selected instrument's range assignments from all data
sheet test point rows and replace those assignments with ranges
from the instrument selected on the Instrument Substitution page.
The Calibration Process manger will attempt to make range
assignments for the newly selected instrument. Assignments will
only be made for test point rows that had a range assigned for the
instrument being replaced. All range assignments for the instrument
being replaced will be removed, even if the newly selected
instrument does not have an applicable range to assign in its
place. This behavior is designed to reduce confusion as to why the
removed instrument might still have ranges assigned to the data
sheet.
[0166] The Instrument Substitution page also displays the following
warning: "Warning: You should review all test points after this
operation to ensure my selections are appropriate to the test point
application. After all I will select ranges that meet my
requirements, but the question is do they meet yours?" This page
contains the interface features in Table 45.
[0167] FIG. 51 is a representation of what the Set Instrument Asset
ID's page looks like. Asset ID's should be assigned to each
standard used while performing a calibration. This option is only
available when in the Specification Tracking Interface Standards
Used mode (applicable only during an actual calibration). The Set
Instrument Asset ID's page is accessed from the Calibration Process
Manager's main page's Specification Tracking Instruments Interface
by clicking on the Asset IDs button while in the Specification
Tracking Interface "Stds Used" mode. This page contains the
interface features in Table 46.
[0168] Calibration Process Manager is designed to automate data
sheets for the calibration of measuring and test equipment. Once
designed, Calibration Process Manager data sheets can then be used
to collect and store calibration data for up to eight instruments
simultaneously. Automation scripting can be added to these data
sheets to configure instruments, capture data, perform mathematical
operations, and create instrument test points dynamically.
[0169] The scripted data sheet may result in a completely
unattended calibration, a series of user prompts and calculations,
or only one row of a data sheet may have automation scripting. This
flexibility is designed to maximize calibration productivity while
minimizing the data sheet design process.
[0170] Whatever your choices in script design, the starting point
is always a data sheet. The data sheet can be edited before,
during, and after the automation scripting process.
[0171] The Calibration Process Manager will allow the user to add
and configure scripting commands to any row of a data sheet. The
system will allow the operator to cut and paste individual script
commands, a series of script commands, or entire data sheet rows.
Each row of a data sheet is an independent island of automation
scripting. These islands can be bridged together by navigation
script commands that produce a continuous execution of all or a
portion of a data sheet.
[0172] Any data sheet can have scripting commands. The automation
scripting editor manages the relationship of automation commands to
data sheet rows.
[0173] The Calibration Process Manager's automation scripting
system is based on the grouped and sequenced execution of
parameterized script commands. Appendix C describes each of the
commands available and their parameters. Note: Most command
parameters allow the use of a user defined variable in place of a
hard coded (fixed) value.
[0174] With the Master Mode is set to Data Collection, the View,
Show Script menu option displays the command list box in the lower
right corner of the screen. The data sheet grid is reduced in width
by approximately half, in order to accommodate the command list
box. The command list box contains the interface features in Table
47.
[0175] FIG. 52 is a representation of what the Automation Command
Editor page looks like. This page allows the user to select and
configure commands to be used in an automation script. This page
also allows the user to assign the command to a command group to
facilitate sequential execution of a collection of commands. As
script commands represent the principle usage of user defined
variables, this page is where the data sheet's user defined
variables are managed. This page contains the interface features in
Table 48.
[0176] FIG. 53 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Variables
page looks like. The data sheet variables page allows the user to
see the present content of all data sheet variables. The Automation
scripting system uses these variables in many ways such as: Command
parameter values, in equations, to hold user query values, etc. Any
command parameter may have a user defined variable used in place of
a direct value.
[0177] FIG. 54 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Variable
Editor page looks like. The data sheet variable editor page allows
the user to create and edit data sheet variables. This page
contains the interface features in Table 49.
[0178] FIG. 55 is a representation of what the Command Group Editor
page looks like. The Command Group Editor page is where the user
can create command groups. Only one each, of command groups may be
added into the list. Calibration Process Manager will display a
warning screen if the user attempts to add a second iteration of a
command group. Command groups are used to bind a set of commands
into a command sequence. There are two types of command groups.
[0179] Interface Groups. These groups can be defined by the script
author. When the user invokes the command menu, a unique list of
all interface groups in the script, for the selected data sheet
row, will appear on the menu. The Script author may assign a
numeric "Key" value in the range of 0-9 to each interface group.
The "Key" value will be displayed to the left of each item on the
command menu. When the user presses the corresponding key, all of
the commands assigned to the selected group are executed
sequentially. Interface groups are displayed with a black font in
the scripting system when created by the script author.
[0180] System Groups. These groups may not be edited by user or
have "Key" values assigned to them. Their purpose is to bind script
commands together for special behaviors that are programmed into
the Calibration Process Manger's scripting system.
[0181] System and Interface groups may both be used within the same
data sheet row to achieve a desired effect. While some script
commands are designed to operate without being assigned to a
command group, most commands will not execute unless they have a
command group assigned to them.
[0182] This Command Group Editor page contains the interface
features in Table 50.
[0183] FIG. 56 is a representation of what the User Interface
Command Menu page looks like. The User Interface Command Menu page
can be displayed when the Calibration Process Manger's main page is
in the Data Collection Mode, a data sheet is loaded, and a data
sheet row is selected that has at least one Interface Group
assigned in its automation script command list. Once the above
criteria is met the User Interface Command Menu page can be
displayed by clicking the Run button, pressing the F12 key, or
pressing the Command Menu button on the optional Quick Data Entry
pad.
[0184] When the user invokes the command menu, a unique list of all
interface groups in the script, for the selected data sheet row,
will appear on the menu. When the user presses the corresponding
key, all of the commands assigned to the selected group are
executed sequentially. This page contains the interface features in
Table 51.
[0185] FIG. 57 is a representation of what the Calibration
Instruction Viewer page looks like. This page will display
information about steps that need to be taken in order to perform a
successful test. The information and instructions are set by the
user in the Calibration Instruction Editor. It will prompt the user
by opening a message window which contains information like:
"ensure the unit is connected to the system", and "test
connections." Issue warnings, such as: "High Voltage will be
present during these tests", and give information on how long a
step will take before user intervention is required again. The
calibration instructions viewer window has two buttons: O.K. move
on, and Halt Script. The test will not proceed until the user
presses the O.K. buttons. Pressing the Halt button will end the
execution of the script.
[0186] FIG. 58 is a representation of what the Select a Calibration
Instruction page looks like. This page allows the user to create
instruction pages to assist during test execution. The page
displays a list of the current instructions and allows for the
addition of new instructions, removal of old instructions, and
editing of all instructions.
[0187] FIG. 59 is a representation of what the Calibration
Instruction Editor page looks like. This page allows the user to
edit calibration instructions.
[0188] FIG. 60 is a representation of what the Graphical
Instruction Viewer page looks like. This page allows the user to
view instructions and graphical images to assist during test
execution. The Instructions tab displays calibration instruction
text. The text can be viewed by clicking on the tab.
[0189] FIG. 61 is a representation of what the Graphical
Instruction Editor page looks like. This page allows the user to
build a graphical instruction to assist during test execution. The
page displays the name of the currently selected instruction and
allows for the selection of other instructions, and the ability to
edit instructions. The page also displays the currently selected
images, their names, and figure numbers. Up to five images can be
selected in this embodiment. The edit Binary List button provides
the ability to add and remove images from the data sheet's Binary
Resource List. This page contains the interface features in Table
52.
[0190] FIG. 62 is a representation of what the Binary Resource List
page looks like. This page allows the user to manage binary
resources contained within the data sheet. The page displays a list
of the binary resources stored in memory and allows for the
addition of new resources, removal of old resources, and editing of
all resource names. As of the present version, the Calibration
Process Manager only supports image files in the Binary Resource
List, but this list will contain other types of files in the
future. Resource files are stored in the database with the data
sheet and are exported as files when the data sheet is exported to
a file. This page contains the interface features in Table 53.
[0191] FIG. 63 is a representation of what the Binary Resource
Editor page looks like. This page allows the user to add a binary
resource from an external file and edit the name of the resource.
This page contains the interface features in Table 54.
[0192] FIG. 64 is a representation of what the User Query Prompt
page looks like. This page appears when the Sys-UserQuery command
is executed. The Query User Prompt will assign values, entered by
the user, into the assigned user defined variables. The Prompt is
designed using the User Query Wizard.
[0193] FIG. 65 is a representation of what the User Query Wizard
page looks like. This page allows the user to configure parameters
for the Sys_UserQuery command's User Query Prompt. This page
contains the interface features in Table 55.
[0194] FIG. 66 is a representation of what the GPIB Command Wizard
page looks like. The GPIB command wizard allows the user to set the
parameters for commands used to communicate with GIPB instruments.
Clicking the Automation Command Editor's "Use the Command Wizard"
button, with one of the GPIB commands selected, opens the GPIB
Command Wizard page, described below. The GPIB Command Wizard page
contains the interface features in Table 56.
[0195] FIG. 67 is a representation of what the RS-232 Command
wizard page looks like. The RS-232 Command wizard allows the user
to set the parameters for commands that communicate with
instruments over a RS-232 connection. Clicking the Automation
Command Editor's "Use the Command Wizard" button, with one of the
RS-232 commands selected, opens the RS-232 Command Wizard page,
described below. This page lists the current settings for the corn
port. The settings can be edited using the Configure Port button.
The RS-232 Command wizard page contains the interface features in
Table 57.
[0196] FIG. 68 is a representation of what the Corn Port Setup Page
looks like. This page allows the user to set the variables for the
corn ports. This information is viewable at the bottom of the
RS-232 Command wizard page.
[0197] FIG. 69 is a representation of what the ATE Clipboard Viewer
page looks like. The ATE Clipboard Viewer allows the user to view
the commands and associated objects that are currently held in
memory. The ATE Clipboard Viewer contains the interface features in
Table 58.
[0198] Calibration Process Manager includes several tools that can
be used independently to assist the user in performing metrology
work. All of the tools in this section are accessed by selecting
one of the Tools menu options from the Calibration Process
Manager's main page.
[0199] FIG. 70 is a representation of what the Equation Editor page
looks like. The Equation Editor page contains the interface
features in Table 59.
[0200] FIG. 71 is a representation of what the Data Sheet Variable
Editor page looks like. The Equation Variable Editor Page allows
the user to create and edit equation variables.
[0201] FIG. 72 is a representation of what the Custom Calculator
Workshop page looks like. The Calibration Process Manager system
allows the user to create calculators for use with data sheets and
for standalone use. Custom calculators can be saved for re-use
later. Custom Calculators can be configured to prompt the user for
variable values and execute one or more equations. The equations
are edited using the Equation Editor page. When a custom calculator
is intended for use with the Calibration Process Manager's
integrated tolerance calculator, the calculated result of all
custom calculators should be in the same unit of measure as the
"nominal value" of the test point. The value must also be absolute.
If the value is negative, the tolerance calculator will declare it
to be in error. The custom calculator workshop page contains the
interface features in Table 60.
[0202] The Open Custom Calculator button allows the user to open
previously saved Calibration Process Manager custom calculator
files. These files will have a file extension such as .MCC
(Calibration Process Manager Custom Calculator). This is a standard
Windows open file dialogue box.
[0203] The Save a Custom Calculator button allows the user to save
Calibration Process Manager custom calculator files. These files
will have the file extension of .MCC (Calibration Process Manager
Custom Calculator). This is a standard Windows open file dialogue
box.
[0204] FIG. 73 is a representation of what the User Query Setup
Page looks like. This page allows the user to input customized
Calculator User Queries for use in the Custom Calculator Workshop.
The features are in Table 61.
[0205] FIG. 74 is a representation of what the Custom Calculator
Equation Variable Editor Page looks like. The Custom Calculator
Equation Variable Editor Page allows the user to set variable
values for equations in the custom calculator workshop.
[0206] FIG. 75 is a representation of what the GPIB Interactive
Controller page looks like. The GPIB Interactive Controller page
allows the user to set the parameters for data being collected over
a GIPB connection. This interface allows for direct manipulation of
attached units without requiring automation script commands. The
GPIB Interactive Controller page contains the interface features in
Table 62.
[0207] FIG. 76 is a representation of what the RS-232 Interactive
Controller page looks like. The RS-232 Interactive Controller
allows the user to set the parameters for data being collected over
a RS-232 connection. This interface allows for direct manipulation
of attached units without requiring automation script commands.
This page also lists the current settings for the corn port. The
settings can be edited using the Configure Corn Port button. The
RS-232 Interactive Controller page contains the interface features
in Table 63.
[0208] FIG. 77 is a representation of what the HTML Table Generator
Page looks like. The HTML Table generator page allows the user to
copy all, or part, of a data sheet to the Windows clipboard. The
information will be in HTML format.
[0209] FIG. 78 is a representation of what the Tab Delimited Table
Generator Page looks like. The Tab Delimited Table generator page
allows the user to copy all, or part, of a data sheet to the
Windows clipboard. The information will be in Tab Delimited
format.
[0210] FIG. 79 is a representation of what the Units Converter Page
looks like. The Units Converter page allows the user to convert
values from one unit of measure to another.
[0211] Globally Unique Identifiers
[0212] Implementation of the Calibration Process Manager is
facilitated by a data structure for recording calibration data from
a UUT. Typically, with reference to FIG. 80, this data structure
will be stored on a hard drive memory 54 of the computer 52 which
is connected to the calibration testing unit 56, and the UUT 58. It
is possible to have multiple UUTs 58 connected and tested using the
present invention.
[0213] As will be known in the art with reference to this
disclosure, it would be possible to store a data structure of the
present invention on any computer readable medium, such as floppy
drives, dismountable hard drives, DVDs, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, memory
cards, and the like.
[0214] The structure centers on use of two guaranteed
identification address globally unique identifiers ("GUID"). The
generation of GUIDs is known in the art, and information relating
to GUIDs may be found in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article
Q176790 "HOWTO: Use CoCreateGUID API to Generate a GUID with
VB."
[0215] The first GUID used in the present invention is a permanent
unique ID, or "PUI." The second GUID used in the present invention
is a dynamic unique ID, or "DUI."
[0216] This underlying system of serialization provides the unique
identifiers to both the data sheet and individual rows of the data
sheet. Preferably, serial numbers are used as the identifiers. Each
data sheet and data sheet row is assigned two serial numbers: A
Permanent Unique Identifier (PUI) and a Dynamically Unique
Identifier (DUI). The PUI is assigned when an object is created or
altered in a manner that would make it unable to link to its past
usage. A new DUI is assigned each time the object is
modified/saved.
[0217] These unique identifiers allow the Calibration Process
Manager to track and relate linkages of these objects for
historical and statistical purposes. The relationship of the unique
identifiers to data sheet and calibration history should be
understood and considered any time a datasheet is modified.
Calibration test point history is related to data sheet row by its
PUI. Changing parametric data in the Nominal Value cell of a data
sheet row will cause the Calibration Process Manger to issue the
row a new PUI. When these parameters are changed the Calibration
Process Manager must assume that the quantitative relationship to
calibration history for the test point is no longer applicable. The
result is that the data sheet row is no longer directly linkable to
calibration test points that used the row in the past. The security
of data preservation is not broken, but statistical analysis will
be disrupted. The bottom line is that the user must consider these
impacts in the decision to alter the data sheet.
[0218] The system permits a secure environment along with an audit
trail to track changes to the system parameters. Archiving of
records is also possible.
[0219] Using the PUI and DUI identifiers, for example, it will be
possible to locate all UUTs that were measured with a particular
calibration testing unit 56. If it is later determined that the
particular calibration testing unit 56 is itself out of calibration
in a particular range, the PUI/DUI identifiers permit identifying
each UUT 58, and each range tested, that may be affected by the our
of calibration testing unit.
[0220] Method for Calibration
[0221] With reference to FIG. 81, method 200 for calibrating a UUT
for a specific calibration function is described, comprising the
steps of receiving 202 a first identification attribute associated
with a UUT; receiving 204 a second identification attribute
associated with a reference measuring unit; receiving 206 a
specific calibration function to be tested; maintaining 216 in a
first memory a reference database of one or more than one second
identification attribute in holding relationship to one or more
than one reference identification address, each reference
identification address being associated with a single calibration
function; looking up 208 in the reference database, the reference
identification address being held by the second identification
attribute, and associated with the specific calibration function;
selecting 210 a unique record identification address; receiving 212
a value as found for the specific calibration function for the UUT;
storing 214 in a second memory the value as found in a being-held
relationship to the record identification address; and storing 216
in a third memory the record identification address in a being-held
relationship to the reference identification address.
[0222] In one preferred embodiment, either the first identification
attribute (not numbered) or the second identification attribute
122, or both the first identification attribute and the second
identification attribute 122, can be an asset number.
[0223] In a further embodiment, steps may be added of receiving
(not shown) a value as left for the specific calibration function
for the UUT and storing in the second memory the value as left in a
being-held relationship to the record identification address.
Additionally, optionally steps (not shown) may be added returning a
test accuracy ratio, or returning an estimated measurement
uncertainty, or automatically converting the units of the received
value as found.
[0224] In a further embodiment, method 200 may further comprise
maintaining in a fourth memory an equipment database correlating
for individual make and model of equipment, a nominal value to
calibration function; receiving make and model of equipment
attributes for the UUT; looking up in the equipment database, the
nominal value for the specific calibration function for the
received make and model of equipment; returning the nominal value;
and calculating a calibration tolerance and returning the limits.
In a still further embodiment, additional steps may be receiving a
value as left for the specific calibration function for the UUT and
storing in a fifth memory the value as left in a being-held
relationship to the record identification address. The method may
still further comprise the step of indicating whether the value as
found or the value as left is within the limits of the calibration
tolerance.
[0225] Management System
[0226] As shown in FIG. 82, a Calibration Process Management
Program 10 implementing method 200 is shown, of which the
previously described Calibration Process Manager is one embodiment,
comprising a set of modules including calibration tools 12,
engineering tools 14, and management tools 16. Multiple formerly
independent modules can thus be integrated into a Calibration
Process Management System ("CPMS") 50 comprising program 10,
residing on memory 54 of an appropriate computer 52, and an
optional printer 60. A data sheet 62 may then be printed. A sample
of a data sheet 62 is shown in FIG. 83.
[0227] The calibration tools module 12 comprises calibration tools
121, and optionally data sheet generation wizards 122, and editors
and calculators 123. The engineering tools module 14 comprises
measurement analysis tools 143 and optionally failure analysis
tools 141, drift analysis tools 142, uncertainty tools 144, and
interval analysis tools 145. The management tools module 16
comprises datasheet management tools 161, and optionally security
access 162, and workload distribution 163. These have been
described in various embodiments in the Calibration Process Manager
above. Other embodiments of these tools will be evident to those
skilled in the art with reference to this disclosure.
[0228] It would be possible to implement the CPMS on any type of
personal computer, such as a Pentium.RTM. class machine. Operating
systems useable include those available from Microsoft.RTM.,
including Windows.RTM. 98, ME, 2000, and XP. The computer memory
can be any media useable for storage of computer data, including
but not limited to hard drives, floppy drives, removable drives,
RAM, ROM, DVDs, and CD-R.
[0229] It is possible to implement management program 10 as a 32
bit, Windows 9x, NT, or 2000 based program, designed for standalone
or Client/Server SQL database applications. In one embodiment, it
can be designed and developed to satisfy ISO-17025, ANSI Z-540, 10
CFR 50 Appendix B, ISO-9002, GMP, and other stringent quality
requirements for calibration data collection.
[0230] Certain aspects of Calibration Process Management Program 10
are desirable, and will now be described. It will be understood
that individually each of these are optional.
[0231] An integrated tolerance calculator allows a data sheet
designer to generate test point row data by merely entering nominal
test point values and equipment specification data. The tolerance
is calculated, formatted, and then the new test points are inserted
into the data sheet. Preferably, the calculator uses a smart
rounding system to appropriately round tolerance values, and
supports both standard specifications (% of I.V., ppm of I.V., % of
F.S., ppm of F.S., .+-.n Units of measure, and .+-.db) and custom
specifications. Custom specifications are more complex
specification components such as: ".+-.0.025% of I.V. per volt
above 750 volts". Custom specifications can be defined by the user,
then used in combination with the standard specification components
in the tolerance calculator.
[0232] A custom tolerance calculator is used to calculate
tolerances, based on specification components that are more complex
than the standard specification components (% of I.V., ppm of I.V.,
% of F.S., ppm of F.S..+-.n Units of measure, and .+-.db). These
more complex specification components are things such as:
".+-.0.025% of I.V. per volt above 750 volts". CPMS 50 provides a
special set of tools that allow you create your own library of
custom specification statements and then use them in combination
with the standard specification components in tolerance
calculator.
[0233] An equation system permits equations to be constructed using
a user-friendly equation editor. The system uses, standard
operands, a function library, user defined variables, and
conditional clauses in equations. The equation system can be used
throughout CPMS 50 to create and execute equations in such
operations as: custom calculators, units conversion, automation
scripting math commands, etc.
[0234] When creating data sheets, development productivity and
format continuity are important factors. This is where data sheet
generation wizards fit the bill. These wizards allow for the
predefinition of test point values, tolerance format, function
tested descriptions, and data sheet boilerplate information. A
single data sheet wizard can contain multiple test point
definitions.
[0235] As an example, a wizard for digital multimeters with a range
base of 200 (i.e. 200 mV Range) might contain the following test
point definitions shown in Table 64.
[0236] Selecting one of these test point definitions will
automatically configure the tolerance calculator with predefined
numeric and tolerance formats, and setup an array of test points.
When the new test points are inserted into the data sheet, the Step
Number and Function Tested descriptions are taken from the wizard
test point definition. Any of the predefined values can be
overridden, if necessary.
[0237] Data sheets can be created using special data sheet wizards.
These wizards prompt the user for specification data then generate
an entire datasheet. An example of a user interface suitable for
use in a data sheet generation wizard is shown in FIG. 21.
[0238] Multiple Channel Data Collection. For many types of
instruments, it is much more efficient to collect data for more
than one instrument at the same time. CPMS 50 allows you to do
this, providing the instruments use the same data sheet. Up to
eight simultaneous sets of measurement data can be collected within
CPMS 50 in one embodiment. Each set of measurement data is referred
to as a "Channel". Each channel has a display module for "As
Found", "As Left", and "Out of Tolerance" data. All eight channels
can be displayed and edited simultaneously.
[0239] Automatic "Out of Tolerance" detection. When a measured
value is recorded for an instrument channel, CPMS 50 will compare
the value to the instrument's "Tolerance", indicate the "Out of
Tolerance" status, and display the percentage of the tolerance
consumed.
[0240] Data collection via automation scripting. Instrument data
can also be collected through the use of an automation scripting
system. This allows data collection from GPIB, or RS-232, custom
user prompts, or the result of scripted mathematical
operations.
[0241] Storage and retrieval of collected data. Measurement data
collected for each channel can be stored independently. This data
can be recalled or reprinted at any time. The data can be either
recalled, into any one of the eight instrument channels, or opened
as an independent data sheet.
[0242] Automation Scripting. CPMS 50 allows you to add automation
scripting commands to any row of a data sheet. Scripting data sheet
rows independently has many advantages, but chief among them is the
direct interaction between a row's script commands, test point
data, and measurement data. With this direct correlation you can
apply automation commands to a specific row or section of a data
sheet, by simply selecting the applicable data sheet row. If only
one section of a data sheet is to be automated, no action is
required in any unaffected row. Even when scripting is available
for a section/row of a data sheet, it can also be treated as just
that, a simple data sheet row. The user can simply enter the
measurement data or run the applicable part of the script.
[0243] Editing the automation script for a data sheet is simple.
Script commands for a data sheet row are displayed whenever that
row has focus in the data sheet editor. The script editor makes it
simple to cut and paste a series of commands, from one data sheet
row, to another data sheet row, or even another data sheet. When
copying and pasting entire data sheet rows, the data sheet editor
will also copy and paste all applicable commands.
[0244] Scripting of preexisting data sheets. Any data sheet can
have scripting commands added to it. The result is incremental
development. Whenever someone creates a data sheet, they are laying
out the framework for an automation process. When scripting is
undertaken, this work does not have to be repeated. As a result of
the direct relationship of the script to the data sheet row,
evaluation of measured values to the calibration tolerances is
internally handled, with no scripting required.
[0245] Scripting commands are available for both GPIB and RS-232
operations.
[0246] CPMS 50 has the ability to use scripting commands to
actually build a data sheet. Scripting commands are available to
prompt the user for specification data, manipulate the tolerance
calculator, perform math operations, and generate test points. This
type of scripting is very useful as replacement for generic data
sheets. Creating self generating data sheets for instruments such
as torque wrenches, pressure gauges, micrometers, etc., is very
easy.
[0247] The automation scripting system features commands can make
full use of a CPMS 50 equation system described above. Interaction
with external applications can be done by including in the
scripting commands Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) commands.
These commands allow the scripting system to share data with
external applications, i.e., MATHCAD, WORD, EXCEL, etc. Calibration
instructions can be created with a Rich Text Format (RTF)
instruction editor or imported from another word processor. The
instructions can be displayed using a script command.
[0248] Groups of commands can be saved to a file. These files are
intended to serve as a command group library. Groups of commands
can be inserted directly into a script from one of these files.
Groups of commands can also be cut and pasted across rows or even
data sheets.
[0249] An intelligent SI Units of Measure converter automatically
interprets measurement units for the nominal values in the
calibration data sheet. The Units of measure engine also
automatically converts measurement units be the UT and applied
standards. The Units of measure engine can also be used as a stand
alone units converter for quick conversions.
[0250] Specification Tracking
[0251] Specification Tracking is an optional CPMS 50 module that
contains a library of calibration standards accuracy specifications
and/or uncertainties. Specification Tracking enables CPMS 50 to
assign calibration standards, and their related function, range and
accuracy specifications to data sheets and applicable UUT
calibration data. Standards accuracy specifications are entered
through a unique user interface which provides a systematic,
logical architecture for building specification data.
[0252] Standards specifications can be divided by Function,
Parameter, Range, Accuracy, Resolution, and other metrological
criteria to properly identify the specification. Specification data
stored in Specification Tracking can be used throughout CPMS 50 in
the calculation of Estimated Measurement Uncertainty (EMU), Test
Accuracy Ratios (TAR) and failure analysis.
[0253] CPMS 50 can be used in the field to collect calibration data
and merge data into the main system by adding optional Mobile PC
support.
[0254] The CPMS can also optionally automatically calculate each
test point's estimated measurement uncertainty ("EMU"), using
principle sources of error from standards accuracy specifications,
inverse normal distribution function, in-tolerance probability, and
uncertainty contributed by the measurement system resolution. These
sources of error are combined with a suitable coverage factor and
expressed as EMU. This meets the Quality Standards and Practices
requirement of ISO/IEC 170255.4.6 "Estimation of uncertainty of
measurement" which states in section 5.4.6.2 "[t]esting
laboratories shall have and apply procedures for estimating
uncertainty of measurement. In certain cases the nature of the test
method may preclude rigorous, meteorologically and statistically
valid, calculation of uncertainty of measurement. In these cases
the laboratory shall at least attempt to identify all the
components of uncertainty and make a reasonable estimation."
ISO/IEC 17025, "General Requirements for the Competence of Testing
and Calibration Laboratories."
[0255] There are two distinct testing methods; Type A tolerance
testing (method of evaluation of uncertainty by the statistical
analysis of series of observations) and Type B uncertainty testing
(method of evaluation of uncertainty by means other than the
statistical analysis of series of observations). In tolerance
testing measurement reliability is the objective, parametric data
is not utilized, and is typically done in a secondary calibration
laboratory. In uncertainty testing, typically done in a primary
standards laboratory, measurement uncertainty is the objective, and
parametric data is utilized.
[0256] Preferably, the CPMS is capable of Type B evaluation of
uncertainty. It is sufficient to assume that a heuristic estimate
is adequate, and that standards and UUT are the principle sources
of error, where the standards contribution is based on in-tolerance
probability, and the UUT contribution is based on measurement
system resolution.
[0257] One way of defining the uncertainty contributed by the
standard is shown in Equation (Eq. 1), where L.sub.s is the
standard accuracy specification, .PHI..sup.-1 is the inverse normal
distribution function, and P is the in tolerance probability.
u s = L s .PHI. - 1 ( 1 + P 2 ) ( Eq . 1 ) ##EQU00001##
[0258] One way of defining the uncertainty contributed by the UUT
is shown in Equation (Eq. 3), where X..sub.R is the measurement
system resolution (e.g., 1/2LSD)
u R = x R 3 ( Eq . 2 ) u R = X R 3 ( Eq . 3 ) ##EQU00002##
[0259] The combined standard and UUT uncertainty is then given by
Equation (Eq. 4), where u.sub.S is the standard uncertainty and
u.sub.R is the UUT uncertainty.
u.sub.C= {square root over (u.sub.S.sup.2+u.sub.R.sup.2)} (Eq.
4)
[0260] The estimated measurement uncertainty may then be expressed
by Equation (Eq. 5), where k is a coverage factor (e.g. k=2).
"Estimates of uncertainty are derived form the statistical concept
of the standard deviation. The standard deviation is a
characteristic or number that describes the amount of variability
of a distribution of measurements." Jackson, D. and Castrup, H.,
"Uncertainty Propagation in Calibration Support."
U=ku.sub.C (Eq. 5)
[0261] Substituting Equation (Eq. 4) into Equation (Eq. 5), we can
obtain an approximate value for U.sub.echelon I in a Type B
evaluation using Standard and UUT data from Equation (Eq. 6), where
k.sub.factor is the coverage factor.
U.sub.echelon
I.apprxeq.k.sub.factor[u.sub.standard.sup.2+u.sub.resolution.sup.2].sup.0-
.5 (Eq. 6)
[0262] Similarly, we can obtain an approximate value for
U.sub.echelon II in a Type A evaluation using parametric test data
with Equation (Eq. 7).
U.sub.echelon
II=k(.upsilon..sub.eff,p)[.SIGMA.(c.sub.iu.sub.standard.sub.i).sup.2+.SIG-
MA.(c.sub.ju.sub.other.sub.j).sup.2+u.sub.test data.sup.2].sup.0.5
(Eq 7)
[0263] Further, we can obtain an approximate value for
U.sub.echelon III in a Type A evaluation using parametric
historical data with Equation (Eq. 8).
U.sub.echelon
III=k(.upsilon.,p)[.SIGMA.(c.sub.iu.sub.standard.sub.i).sup.2+.SIGMA.(c.s-
ub.ju.sub.other.sub.j).sup.2+u.sub.historical data.sup.2].sup.0.5
(Eq. 8)
[0264] A CPMS preferably automatically calculates each test point's
test accuracy ("TAR") ratio between the UUT and the applicable
standard's function and range, preferably in accord with ANSI/NCSL
Z540-1-1994 "Calibration Laboratories and Measuring and Test"
section 10.2 b): "The laboratory shall ensure that the calibration
uncertainties are sufficiently small so that the adequacy of the
measurement is not affected . . . the collective uncertainty of the
measurement standards shall not exceed 25% of the acceptable
tolerance (e.g., manufacture's specification) for each
characteristic of the measuring and test equipment being calibrated
or verified."
[0265] In one preferred embodiment, the CPMS uses an algorithm that
combines the calibration tolerance of the UUT, and the collective
uncertainty of the standard to derive the Test Accuracy Ratio or
TAR. This method represents the model specified in ANSI/NCSL
Z540-1-1994. Section 10.2, and is expressed in Equation (Eq. 9),
where TAR is the Test Accuracy Ratio, Lx is the calibration
tolerance of the UUT, and the radical denominator term is the
collective uncertainty of standards, k=1.
T A R = L X / 3 u S 2 ( Eq . 9 ) ##EQU00003##
[0266] Failure Analysis. This feature enables the user to
automatically evaluate out-of-tolerance conditions by tracking the
function, range and test point information between each standard
and the unit under test. Failure analysis pertains to compliance
with ISO 17025 paragraph 4.9 b) or Z540-1 paragraph 8.2. That is,
the laboratory shall examine the effect of non-conforming work or
equipment defects (out-of-tolerance conditions) on other work. Most
labs keep track of what standards are used to calibrate what
equipment. Therefore, the starting point for failure analysis is an
out-of-tolerance condition on a standard and a list of items on
which the standard was used. It is then up to the evaluator to
re-trace each calibration to determine whether or not the
individual range and test point that failed on the standard was
actually used on the UUT, to quantitatively assess what effect the
failure had, and to notify the client if the effect was
significant. Imagine doing this if the standard is a multifunction
meter calibrator and the UUT list contains 100 items, and across
the laboratory's inventory of standards.
[0267] The CPMS enables this evaluation to be done automatically by
keeping track of the function, range and test point information
between each standard and UUT. By knowing the applicable
specifications and the magnitude of the failure, it could determine
whether or not the failure had an adverse effect on the
calibration. It could produce a list of items that were actually
affected, where and by how much. It could even prepare this
information for transmittal to the client. This a huge feature
because most labs are overwhelmed by this or do not comply with
this provision of the standard.
[0268] Failure Report. Failure analysis reports can be generated by
selecting the calibration standard, function and range within a
specified date range. This report indicates which UUT where
calibrated by the selected standard, grouped by individual Asset ID
number, and the specific function, ranges, and test points
affected.
[0269] Drift/Interval Analysis. Drift and Interval Analysis enables
users to plot data and to analyze trends of measuring and test
equipment, between calibrations, on a test point basis. This
feature will allow users to determine optimum calibration intervals
for their equipment. Drift analysis tracks and analyzes trends in
laboratory standards and client M&TE between calibrations on a
test point by test point basis. The Drift analysis module allows
you to plot data, look for trends and calculate basic statistics.
Ultimately, this tool will enable the laboratory to establish the
uncertainty of its standards and client's M&TE in real time, to
determine optimum calibration intervals for its equipment.
[0270] CPMS 50 may also incorporate advanced security features
including; Comprehensive User Manager Detailed Audit Trail; and
Selectable audit trail reporting. A User Manager allows the system
Administrator to set user access, and permission levels within CPMS
50. Users' activities are automatically tracked and logged in the
audit trail for database trace ability and compliance to 21 CFR
Part 11 audit requirements.
[0271] Revision Control. Calibration data sheets and subsequent
revisions can be maintained and controlled through CPMS 50
exclusive data sheet approval process. Data sheets are created in
an ASCII file based format out side of the SQL database. Data
sheets can only be inserted into a database by individuals
authorized for data sheet approval. Upon review and approval, data
sheets are e-signed, and time and date logged as new or a revision,
as selected by the authorized individual. When a data sheet is
revised, the old data sheet is inactivated, but maintained in the
system, thus preventing the use of retired data sheets, and only
allowing the currently approved data sheet for use.
[0272] Storage options. Typically, a Data sheet file contains all
of the test point data, specifications, automation script commands,
and calibration instructions for a single data sheet. A calibration
file is a simplified version of a Data sheet file. No automation
scripting or calibration instructions are stored. The calibration
file also stores the UUT's measurement data. The calibration file
can be either recalled into one of the UUT channels or reopened
independently as a data sheet, with UUT measurement data.
[0273] CPMS 50 may also feature an automated cataloging system of
all data sheets and calibration files. The catalog can be used to
locate a data sheet or a calibration file. The data sheet catalog
can be searched by model, manufacturer, equipment description or
calibration procedure. CPMS 50 can also support barcode data entry
for M&TE ID and Test Report numbers.
[0274] Data sheets can be created by any person with the
prerequisite technical knowledge of the unit under test. The actual
process of creating data sheets requires minimal training. Data
sheets should be approved by the appropriate authorized individual
before they can be inserted into the database for use. Data sheets
are initially created in file format, and must be approved, and
e-signed prior to submittal into the database. This process assures
proper data sheet validation and approval in accordance with
industry quality standards, and users quality procedures. Data
sheet approvals are controlled by the customer, adequate controls
should be in place for the review, acceptance and approval of data
sheets prior to use.
[0275] Data sheet revision control. In further embodiments, Data
sheets must not only be approved, their revision are also tracked
and controlled. Upon approval of a new data sheet, CPMS 50 tracks
previously created data sheets of the same number. If previous data
sheets exist, the new data sheet can be added as a revision, or a
new data sheet. CPMS 50 tracks old revisions and only allows the
current revision for use.
[0276] The usual starting place for an automation script is a
previously created data sheet. Having said that, scripting commands
can be added to a blank data sheet if desired. The training
requirements for script authors will vary with the nature of the
scripts being written. If, for example, a mathematically intensive
script is being written, the author must have the requisite math
skills. As far as the actual scripting process is concerned, the
direct relationship of data sheet rows and script commands keeps
the process relatively easy.
[0277] All features disclosed in the specification, including the
claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or
process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except
combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are
mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification,
including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0278] Also, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state
"means for" performing a specified function or "step for"
performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a
"means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112.
APPENDIX A
[0279] AF As Found
[0280] AL As Left
[0281] A/N Alpha-numeric
[0282] Bar Barometer
[0283] Cal Calibration
[0284] CFR Code of Federal Regulations
[0285] Com Port Communications Port
[0286] CR Carriage Return
[0287] CRLF Carriage Return Line Feed
[0288] dB Decibels
[0289] OLE Object Linking and Embedding
[0290] Esc Escape
[0291] F.S. Full Scale
[0292] GPIB General Purpose Interface Bus
[0293] Hg Mercury
[0294] inHg In Mercury
[0295] HW Hardware
[0296] IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
[0297] I.V. Indicated Value
[0298] LF Line Feed
[0299] Max Maximum
[0300] Mhz Mega Hertz
[0301] mm Millimeter
[0302] mV millivolt
[0303] N/A Not Applicable
[0304] Nav Navigation
[0305] No Number
[0306] Pa Pascal
[0307] ppm Parts Per Million
[0308] Psig Pounds per Square Inch Gauge
[0309] Psia Pounds Per Square Inch Absolute
[0310] RAM Random Access Memory
[0311] Rcv Receive
[0312] Ref Reference
[0313] RS-232 Recommended Standard 232 (computer interface
cable)
[0314] RTSCTS Request to send clear to send
[0315] SDD Software Design Description
[0316] SOPs Standard Operating Procedures
[0317] SQL Structured Query Language
[0318] SW Software
[0319] Tol Tolerance
[0320] Tx Transmit
[0321] UUT Unit Under Test
[0322] Val Value
TABLE-US-00001 APPENDIX B File Data Sheet This option allows the
following: Open Loads a previously saved data sheet. This option
opens the Open Data Sheet catalog. Save Saves edits made to the
currently opened data sheet. This option exports the Data Sheet to
a File. Save As Saves edits made to the currently opened data
sheet, also allows the operator to rename the data sheet. This
option exports the Data Sheet to a File. New Creates a blank data
sheet. Approve This option allows users with data sheet approval
privileges to approve a data sheet for use in the system database.
Calibration This option allows the following: File Open This option
allows the user to open a previously saved Calibration. Save This
option allows the user to Export the current calibration to a file.
Import This option allows the following: Data Sheet File This
option imports data sheet files into the editor for
review/edit/approval. Calibration File This option imports a
calibration file into the editor for review/edit/approval. Export
This option allows the following: Data Sheet File This option
exports data sheets to a file Calibration File This option imports
calibrations to a file. Find This option allows the following: Data
Sheet This option opens the Data Sheet Database Catalog.
Calibration This option allows users to search the system database
for calibrations. Calibration This allows the user to search the
File>(*.mdc) system for files with the .mdc extension to open
and calibrate. Calibration File>All This allows the user to
search the Files system for files to pen. Exit This option
terminates the application. View Channel This option allows the
following: Matrix 2 .times. 4 Displays 2 rows of 4 Channel boxes. 1
.times. 4 Displays 1row of 4 Channel boxes. 1 .times. 3 Displays
1row of 3Channel boxes. Show Script Commands This displays the
Command List in the lower right of the main screen. The data sheet
grid section of the screen will be resized to approximately half
the original size while the command list is visible. "As found,"
"As left," and "out of tolerance" columns are not displayed in this
mode. Show Instruments This option opens the Specification
Specification Tracking Interface page. Tracking Tools Wizards Test
Point This option opens the Wizard Loader Generators>Load page.
Test Point This option opens the Wizard Generators>Workshop
Workshop. Data Sheet This opens the Pressure Gauge Data
Generators>Pressure Sheet Generator page. Data Sheet Allows the
user to create a new group Group>New Group of data Sheets. Data
Sheet Allows the user to edit members of an Group>Edit Existing
existing group. Calculators Units Conversion This option opens the
Specification Tracking units conversion tool details. Custom This
opens the Custom Calculator Workshop page. Equation Editor This
option opens the Equation Editor page. Instrument Controllers GPIB
(IEEE-488) This opens the GPIB Interactive page. Com Ports (RS-232)
This opens the RS-232 Interactive page. Clipboard Special Copy HTML
Table This opens the HTML Table Generator page. Tab Delimited This
opens the Tab Delimited Table Generator page. Modules Specification
This option activates Specification Tracking Tracking. External
Applications Microsoft Notepad This opens the standard Windows
notepad. Microsoft Explorer This opens Windows Explorer. Microsoft
Calculator This opens the Windows calculator. Options Preferences
Sound Settings This option allows the operator to set the audio
properties for the Calibration Process Manager application, if
implemented. Change This option allows the user to change Password
their personal password. Show Hints Turns on or off the hint
comments to assist users. Administration Document This option opens
the Document History History page. Audit Report This option opens
the Audit File Report Selection Criteria page. User This option
opens the User Manager Manager page. This option is only available
to users with administrator privileges. System Configuration
Database Server This option opens the Database Server Settings
page. Master Setup This option opens the System Configuration page.
Help Cal Manager This provides help on the calibration Help
manager. Web site This accesses the web site for the suite of
applications. About Help About will provide the operator with the
program name, current version number, and copyright information for
the application currently installed on the user's system.
TABLE-US-00002 APPENDIX C Command Parameters Description
DataSht_StepGroupParent Indicates that the current data sheet row
is a parent to child rows that will follow. A Step Group Parent row
normally contains configuration commands, user queries, or
instructions that must be executed prior to executing subsequent
rows. Children of the parent will not be allowed to execute until
the parent is executed. See "DataSht_StepGroupChild" StepGrpName
The user defined text that represents the name of the group. This
parameter must exactly match the value entered for the other
applicable step group commands to which it is associated.
DataSht_StepGroupChild Indicates that the current data sheet row
has a subordinate relationship to its Step Group Parent. Step Group
Children will not be allowed to execute until the parent is
executed. See "DataSht_StepGroupParent". StepGrpName The user
defined text that represents the name of the group. This parameter
must exactly match the value entered for the other applicable step
group commands to which it is associated.
DataSht_GoToStepGroupParent Send the execution pointer to the
Parent Step indicated by the "StepGrpName" parameter and Halt the
Automation script. See "DataSht_StepGroupParent" StepGrpName The
user defined text that represents the name of the group. This
parameter must exactly match the value entered for the other
applicable step group commands to which it is associated.
DataSht_NormalizeMeasure Compensate the measured value for the
deviation between the reference (true) and test point nominal
values. (ie. Ohms nominal 190 but reference value is 189.99982).
The measured value will be adjusted by the deviation quantity of
the nominal vs. reference values. This compensation allows the test
point to retain the fixed nominal value, as opposed to replacing it
with the reference value. NominalValue The nominal value of the
test point. The value must be numeric. This parameter should match
the test point's nominal value. ReferenceVal The Reference (True)
Value of the measurement. The value must be numeric. MeasuredVal
The Unknown (indicated) Measured Value. The value must be numeric.
ExponentLetter A single letter that represents the desired
exponential format of the measurement result. NumDecimals The
desired number of decimal places the measured value should have.
DataSht_PassFailToMeasure Invokes a popup form containing Pass/Fail
criteria. The popup form has buttons to select Pass or Fail.
Criteria The name of a calibration instruction to display in the
popup form DataSht_ResetScript [None] Resets all running automation
status flags, including Parent Step flags. The user will be
required to re-run a parent step prior to any children. This is
usually invoked at the end of a scripted test series.
DataSht_ShowBoilerPlate [None] The master Boilerplate form will be
displayed to allow the user to interact with it.
DataSht_ToCalc(H/L) Calculates the test point tolerance using the
parametric values indicated above. The formatted nominal value,
calibration tolerance, and test point specifications are then
inserted into the data sheet row. Once inserted the row behaves as
though the values were placed there when the data sheet was
designed. Unused parameter values can be set to zero, but none can
be left blank. NominalVal The test point's nominal value
FullScaleVal The full scale value of the applicable instrument
range. ErrPctIV The % I.V. specification ErrPctFS The % F.S.
specification, If this parameter is not zero, then the FullScaleVal
parameter is relevant. ErrFloor The floor error specification
relative to the NominalVal parameters unit of measure. This value
will be used in its absolute form (not negative). NumDecimals The
desired number of decimal places. Units The test point's unit of
measure DataSht_VarToMeasure The contents of a user defined
variable are formatted and inserted into the data sheet row as the
measured value. The variable must contain a numeric value. UserVar
A user defined variable. NumDecimals The desired number of decimal
places the measured value should have. ExponentLetter A single
letter that represents the desired exponential format of the
measurement result. GPIB_ReadToMeasure The result of a GPIB query
is formatted and inserted into the data sheet row as the measured
value. The GPIB query result must be convertible to a numeric
value. Addr The GPIB address of the instrument to receive the
communication Cmnd The command to be issued to the instrument.
BufferSize The maximum number of characters to receive. This number
should be set higher than the number of characters actually
expected. When in doubt, set the number to 100. CutLeft The number
of characters to remove from the response string. An entry of -1
indicates no characters are removed. KeepLeft The number of
characters to retain after the "cut left". An entry of -1 indicates
all characters are retained. ExponentLetter A single letter that
represents the desired exponential format of the measurement
result. GPIB_ReadToMeasure The result of a GPIB query is formatted
and inserted into the data sheet row as the measured value. The
GPIB query result must be convertible to a numeric value.
GPIB_ReadToVar The result of a GPIB query is trimmed and
numerically formatted, then inserted into the user defined variable
specified by the "UserVar" parameter. The GPIB query result must be
convertible to a numeric value. Addr The GPIB address of the
instrument to receive the communication Cmnd The command to be
issued to the instrument. UserVar A user defined variable.
BufferSize The maximum number of characters to receive. This number
should be set higher than the number of characters actually
expected. When in doubt, set the number to 100. CutLeft The number
of characters to remove from the response string. An entry of -1
indicates no characters are removed. KeepLeft The number of
characters to retain after the "cut left". An entry of -1 indicates
all characters are retained. NumDecimals The desired number of
decimal places the resulting value should have. ExponentLetter A
single letter that represents the desired exponential format of the
result. GPIB_Write A command is issued to a GPIB device at the
address specified. Addr The GPIB address of the instrument to
receive the communication Cmnd The command to be issued to the
instrument. Math_CalcToVar The specified equation is executed and
the result is placed into the indicated user defined variable.
UserVar A user defined variable. Equation The equation to be
executed. Once the equation is executed the result is placed in the
User Defined Variable specified in the "UserVar" parameter. The
equation must be capable of being executed by the Calibration
Process Manager's internal equation system. The best way to ensure
this is to design and test the equation using The Calibration
Process Manager's Equation Editor. The equation editor is the
command wizard for the "Math_CalcToVar" command. RS232_Config This
command configures the specified com port for RS-232
communications. ComPort This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. ComPortID This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. BaudRate This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. Parity This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. DataBits This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. StopBits This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. HwHandshake This parameter can only be set using
the command wizard. SwHandshake This parameter can only be set
using the command wizard. TxPrefix This parameter can only be set
using the command wizard. TxTermination This parameter can only be
set using the command wizard. RxTermination This parameter can only
be set using the command wizard. RxTimeOut This parameter can only
be set using the command wizard. RS232_ReadToMeasure The result of
an RS-232 query is formatted and inserted into the data sheet row
as the measured value. The RS-232 query result must be convertible
to a numeric value. ComPort The com port number to be used. The
allowable range is 1-9. Cmnd The command to be issued to the
instrument. CutLeft The number of characters to remove from the
response string. An entry of -1 indicates no characters are
removed. KeepLeft The number of characters to retain after the "cut
left". An entry of -1 indicates all characters are retained.
NumDecimals The desired number of decimal places the measured value
should have. ExponentLetter A single letter that represents the
desired exponential format of the measurement result.
RS232_ReadToVar The result of an RS-232 query is trimmed and
numerically formatted then inserted into the user defined variable
specified by the "UserVar" parameter. The RS-232 query result must
be convertible to a numeric value. ComPort The com port number to
be used. The allowable range is 1-9. Cmnd The command to be issued
to the instrument. UserVar A user defined variable. CutLeft The
number of characters to remove from the response string. An entry
of -1 indicates no characters are removed. KeepLeft The number of
characters to retain after the "cut left". An entry of -1 indicates
all characters are retained. NumDecimals The desired number of
decimal places the resulting value should have. ExponentLetter A
single letter that represents the desired exponential format of the
result. RS232_Write A command is issued to an RS-232 device at the
address specified. ComPort The com port number to be used. The
allowable range is 1-9. Cmnd The command to be issued to the
instrument. Sys_AssignToVariable Copies the Contents of one user
defined variable into another. UserVar A user defined variable.
NewValue The value to assign to the user defined variable.
Sys_AutoExecNextRow [None] Instructs the script engine to proceed
to the next data sheet row and continue script execution.
Sys_Instruction Displays a pop-up form containing
instructions/notes/warnings for the user to read.. Name The name of
the Calibration Instruction to be displayed. Sys_ImageInstruct
Displays a pop-up form containing instructions/notes/warnings for
the user to read. and images for the user to view. InstName This
parameter can only be set using the command wizard. ImageNames This
parameter can only be set using the command wizard. FigNums This
parameter can only be set using the command wizard. Sys_QueryUser
Displays a user query prompt for the user to enter values. The
values are then assigned to user
defined variables. Title This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. Captions This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. Variables This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. DefValues This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. Tails This parameter can only be set using the
command wizard. Sys_Wait Causes the scripting system to pause for a
fixed amount of time. Seconds The number of seconds to wait. This
value must be numeric.
TABLE-US-00003 APPENDIX D Name Type Description Primary Objects
Panel This panel contains the primary interface objects for the
data sheet and is located just above the data sheet grid. Edit Cell
Field A/N Text box . . . Button This button is only visible when a
Nominal Value or Tolerance cell is (Nominal Value/ selected in the
data sheet grid. Selecting the button causes the Tolerance Cell
applicable wizard to be displayed. The purpose of these wizards is
to wizard) allow some content of the cell to be edited without
invalidating calculable aspects of the cell's content. (The
Standard version does not have this feature) View/Edit Master
Button Opens the Master Boilerplate Setup page. Boilerplate Save
Files Button Saves the current file. Print Data Sheets Button Opens
the Data Sheet Print Shop page. Data Sheet Grid Grid This grid is a
representation of the printed data sheet rows. The data sheet grid
is used as the primary method of navigation within the Calibration
Process Manager. The currently selected data sheet row is the
target of all data sheet operations. Step number Column The
applicable step number of a calibration procedure document.
Function Tested Column Description of the test. Nominal Value
Column The "nominal" value of the test point. These cells also have
three indicators to represent the status of the Specification
Tracking Interface and instrumentation. The cells also display a
.quadrature. symbol when a test point's measurement uncertainty
model has been modified by a user. As Found Column The "as found"
value for the unit under test. As Left Column The "as left" value
for the unit under test. Out of Tolerance Column "X" indicates "out
of tolerance." Calibration Column The measurement "tolerance."
Tolerance Specifications Column Displays the specifications entered
into the tolerance calculator when the tolerance calculator is used
to create the test point. Lock Status Drop This option is used to
lock or unlock the data sheet for editing. Down List View Only
Selection This selection only allows users to view data sheets. No
edits are allowed. Edit mode Selection This selection allows the
user access to all edit tools within the page. Cell Clipboard panel
This clipboard operates on a single data sheet cell and is
independent of the MS Windows clipboard. View (Cell) Button View
"Cell" clipboard. Copy (Cell) Button Copies currently selected cell
to the "cell" clipboard. Paste (Cell) Button Pastes information
from the "cell" clipboard to the currently selected cell. Clear
(Cell) Button Clears the currently selected "cell" of information.
Line Clipboard panel This clipboard operates on one or more
selected data sheet rows (lines) and is independent of the MS
Windows clipboard. View (Line) Button View "Line" clipboard. Copy
(Line) Button Copies currently selected line/s to the "line"
clipboard. Note: This clipboard is independent of the MS Windows
clipboard. Paste (Line) Button Pastes information from the "line"
clipboard before the currently selected line. Clear (Line) Button
Clears the currently selected "line"/s of information. Insert
(Line) Button Inserts a new "line" before the currently selected
line of the data sheet. Delete (Line) Button Deletes the currently
selected "line"/s. Add (5) (Line) Button Inserts five new "lines"
at the bottom of the data sheet. Add Page (Line) Button Inserts a
new page of "lines" at the bottom of the data sheet. Group
Clipboard panel This clipboard operates on one or mores selected
data sheet cells (group) and is independent of the MS Windows
clipboard. View (Group) Button View "group" clipboard. Copy (Group)
Button Copies the "group" of the currently selected cells to the
clipboard. Note: This clipboard is independent of the MS Windows
clipboard. Paste (Group) Button Pastes information from the
clipboard to the currently selected cells. Note: The selected cells
area for pasting must be a single or multiple, two dimensional,
match of the cells area selected when the group of cells was
copied. Clear (Group) Button Clears the contents of the currently
selected "group" of cells. Tools panel This panel contains buttons
that invoke editor tool modules. Tolerance Calculator Button Opens
the Tolerance Calculator page at the bottom of the screen. The
application resizes the main screen by approximately 1/3. Test
Point Button Opens the Measurement Uncertainty Wizard page.
Measurement Uncertainty Wizard Specification Button Opens the
Configure Instrumentation with Specification Tracking Tracking Data
page at the bottom of the screen. The application resizes the
Instruments main screen by approximately 1/3. Command Count Label
Displays the number of scripted commands contained within the Label
selected data sheet row. Warnings panel This panel contains a
button that resets editor warnings. Reset All Button Resets all
warnings to default. When editing the Nominal Value or Tolerance
cells, a warning is display to indicate the ramifications of
manually editing these cells. The user can choose to ignore the
warning, have the system stop issuing the warning, or cancel the
operation. If one or more of these warning was directed to stop
issuing the warning, this option directs the system to re-assert
the issuance of all warnings. Special Ops panel This panel contains
buttons that invoke special editor operations. "Same" Button Copies
the word "Same" into all "As Left" data cells that presently have
no content. Insert Header Button Inserts a header line into the
Data Sheet before the currently selected cell. The header line is a
duplicate of the first row of the data sheet. Add Page Break Button
Inserts a page break into the Data Sheet. A page break is a
mechanism that directs the system to restart row numbering on the
next line of the data sheet. When the data sheet is printed, the
first row following a page break is the first row of a new page.
Copy symbol to panel This panel contains buttons that copy a symbol
onto the Ms Windows clipboard clipboard. .+-. Button Copies the
.+-. symbol to the clipboard. .degree. Button Copies the .degree.
symbol to the clipboard. .mu. Button Copies the .mu. symbol to the
clipboard. .sup.1 Button Copies the .sup.1 symbol to the clipboard.
.sup.2 Button Copies the .sup.2 symbol to the clipboard. .sup.3
Button Copies the .sup.3 symbol to the clipboard. Units Button
Opens the Units of Measure Selection form. Row Level Remark panel
This panel contains a drop down list that manages row level
remarks. Flags Level Remark Drop This inserts a notation into the
Tolerance column of the selected row. Down Box The notations listed
in the drop down box are: [None], *, **, ***, ****, *****,
*{circumflex over ( )}, *{circumflex over ( )}{circumflex over (
)}, and *{circumflex over ( )}{circumflex over ( )}{circumflex over
( )}. These symbols direct the data sheet printing system to print
the remark, associated with the selected symbol, in the remarks
section of the data sheet page that used the symbol. The symbols
are automatically added to the end of the Tolerance cell's content.
When a data sheet row is selected, the drop down box indicates the
current symbol assignment.
APPENDIX E
TABLE-US-00004 [0323] TABLE 1 Name Type Description Accept Button
Accepts all changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all
changes and closes the page. Server Name Field The name of the
computer running the SQL Server. Database name Field This is the
name of the Database on the Server computer.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
all changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes
and closes the page. Configuration Drop This drop down box contains
the following selection Group Down options: Selection All Selection
This selection contains all of the configuration options listed in
the specific sections below. General Selection This selection
contains following general information options: Company Name Files
Selection This selection contains the following options for default
file search path locations: Master Data Sheet Path Master
Calibration File Path Field Labels Selection This selection
contains the following fields that the system administrator can
change the display label for: Asset Number Test Number Cal
Procedure Hints Selection This selection contains the following
fields that the system administrator can change the "fly over" hint
label for: Set As Left Data to "Same" View Boilerplate Pressure
Selection This selection contains the following fields that the
system Wizard administrator can use to configure the Pressure Gauge
Data Sheet Generator wizard's maximum vacuum values: Psia in Hg
Datasheet Selection This selection option contains the following
data sheet configuration options: Tolerance: Include TAR Tolerance:
Include Uncertainty Datasheet Title Custom Datasheet title Document
Page Nums Datasheet Page Nums Datasheet.Use Attachment Def Headers:
Step Num Def Headers: Func.Tested Def Headers: Nominal Val Def
Headers: As Found Def Headers: As Left Def Headers: Out of Tol Def
Headers: Tolerance Configurations Grid Lists all of the available
configuration options. Filtered by List the Configuration Group
drop down list selection. . . . Button This button is located in
the Value cell of the Configurations (Set Directory) List grid when
a file path type of configuration option is visible in the row with
the button. This button will open the standard Windows open file
window. Set Value Button Sets the value in the change value field
in the permissions group section. Default Item Button Sets the
selected permission to the default value. Default All Buttons Sets
all permissions to the default value. Filtered by the Configuration
Group drop down list selection. Change Value Field This field is
used to input the values for the Configurations. The value ranges
are listed in the configuration List grid in the Range column.
Information Field This field will display a short explanation of
the configuration item selected in the Configurations List
grid.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 3 Name Type Description OK Button Attempts the
login. Cancel Button Cancels the login attempt and closes the page.
Login ID Field Sets the login ID for the login attempt. Password
Field Sets the password for the login attempt.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 4 Name Type Description Exit Button Closes the
User Manager Page. User List Grid Displays the following fields:
Name Field Displays full name of the user. Login ID Field Displays
the login ID of the user. Can Login Field Indicates if the user's
account has been disabled. Sys Admin Field Indicates if the user
has System Administrator privileges. Custom ID Field Displays the
custom ID of the user, if there is one. This field is to allow the
system administrator to enter an employee ID from another
application. The purpose is to permit "joins", on employee ID,
between the application's data. New user Button Opens the Create a
New User page Properties Button Opens the Edit User Login page
Permissions Button Opens the User Permissions page Change Button
Opens the Change Your Password page Password Set Default Button
Opens the User Login Rules page. Login Rules
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 5 Name Type Description Password Check This
check box will set the password to automatically Expires Box
expire, and force the user to create a new password. User Can Not
Check This check box will set the application to not allow Reuse
Password Box passwords to be reused. Logout After Check This check
box sets the application to automatically logoff Idle Time Period
Box the user after a period of idle time. A user will be required
log back in or terminate the application. Terminate Check This
check box sets the application to terminate after a set Application
Box number of failed login attempts. Suspend Check This check box
sets the application to suspend the account Account on Box of the
user who has surpassed the number of failed login Termination
attempts. Log Login Check This check box sets the application to
track logins via the Box audit report. Log Logout Check This check
box sets the application to track logouts via the Box audit report.
Log Each Failed Check This check box sets the application to track
failed login Attempt Box attempts via the audit report. Log
Password Check This check box sets the application to track
password Change Box changes via the audit report. After "x" Days
Numeric Sets the number of days prior to requiring the user to
change Field their password. Max Idle "x" Numeric Sets the number
of minutes until the system auto logs off Min Field the user. After
"x" Login Numeric Sets the number of failed logon attempts prior to
Attempts Field terminating the application.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 6 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
all changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes
and closes the page. Employee ID Field Displays the unique ID
number the system gives each user. This number is viewable only in
the User properties page. The field is not user editable. Login ID
Field The login name the user is to be assigned. Custom User ID
Field This field is to allow the system administrator to enter an
employee ID from another application. The purpose is to permit
"joins", on employee ID, between the applications' data. First Name
Field The first name of the user. Middle Initial Field The middle
initial of the user. Last Name Field The last name of the user.
Composite Field This will display the user's full name: "Last Name,
First Name Name MI". This field is not user editable. Password
Field This field will display the entries as *. The password will
have to be re-entered. Re-enter Field This field also displays
entries a *. If the two password Password entries do not match, an
error message will be displayed. The user cannot be saved until the
passwords match. System Check This check box will grant system
administrator access. If Administrator Box the check box is
checked, the user will have system admin access. Account Check This
check box will disable the users account. If the box is Disabled
Box checked the user will not be able to log into the
application.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 7 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
all changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes
and closes the page. Permissions Drop Down This drop down box
contains the following selection Group Selection options: All
Selection This selection option displays all of the permission
described in the sections below: Calibrations Selection This
selection option contains the following options: Can Sign Data
Sheet Selection This selection option contains the following
options: Can Approve DS Design Selection This selection option
contains the following options: Can Edit Engineering Selection This
selection option contains the following options: Edit MU Wizard
Change Field This field is used to input the values for the
Permissions. Value The value ranges are listed in the Permissions
Group section under the Range column. Set Value Button Sets the
value in the change value field to the value field in the
permissions group section. Default Button Sets the selected
permission to the default value. Item Default All Buttons Sets all
permissions to the default value.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 8 Name Type Description Date Range Drop Down
Box This has the following information: This Month Last Month This
Week Last Week This Quarter Last Quarter This Year Last Year Today
Yesterday From Drop Down Box This drop down box opens the windows
calendar box. To Drop Down Box This drop down box opens the windows
calendar box. Sort 1 Drop Down Box The Sort boxes designate the
sorting order of the report. The Sort 1 drop down box contains the
following options: [None] File Name Login ID Application Name Trans
Type Sort 2 Drop Down Box The Sort boxes designate the sorting
order of the report. The Sort 2 drop down box contains the
following options: [None] File Name Login ID Application Name Trans
Type Sort 3 Drop Down Box The Sort boxes designate the sorting
order of the report. The Sort 3 drop down box contains the
following options: [None] File Name Login ID Application Name Trans
Type Sort 4 Drop Down Box The Sort boxes designate the sorting
order of the report. The Sort 4 drop down box contains the
following options: [None] File Name Login ID Application Name Trans
Type Show Check Box This option allows the user to preview the
report prior Preview to printing. Print Check Box This option
allows the user to print the transaction Transaction ID's on the
reports. ID Selection Drop Down Box This drop down box contains the
interface features in Fields Table. Application File Name Login ID
Trans Type Application Selection This selection option contains a
dynamically generated list of applications, for filtering the
reports. Login IDs Selection This selection option a dynamically
generated list of login IDs, for filtering the reports. Files
Selection This selection option contains a dynamically generated
list of files, for filtering the reports. Trans Type Selection This
selection option contains a dynamically generated list of
transaction types, for filtering the reports. Clear Button This
button clears all filter selections. Selections Retrieve Button
This button allows the user to load pre-saved settings. Settings
Save Button This button allows the user to save setting to be
Settings loaded at a later date. Print Button This button prints
the report or displays the print preview. Exit Button This button
clears all changes and closes the page.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 9 Name Type Description Copy "A/L" Button
Copies the "As found" data to the "As left" field for all rows
Fields of all channels. Print Cal Button Opens the Data Sheet Print
Shop page to print all channels. Files Save Cal Button Saves
calibration data for all active channels Files Set UUT Button Opens
the UUT Boilerplate Setup page. Boilerplate As Found Radio Sets the
system to the collect "As found" data navigation Button mode. This
option sets up navigation and data collection behaviors in the
Calibration Process Manger that will automatically direct
measurement data to the "As found" field of a data sheet row. This
automatic navigation removes a lot of the tedium from data
collection and automation scripting. As Left Radio Sets the system
to the collect "As left" data navigation mode. Button This option
sets up navigation and data collection behaviors in the Calibration
Process Manger that will automatically direct measurement data to
the "As left" field of a data sheet row. This automatic navigation
removes a lot of the tedium from data collection and automation
scripting. Active Check Opens the Channel display window. Box Show
Check Displays the tolerance values in the data sheet tolerance
Tolerance Box column. Show % of Check Displays the percentage of
tolerance consumed value in the Tolerance Box data sheet tolerance
column. Timer Indicator The timer displays a count down for a wait
period specified by a script command. OLE Indicator Indicates when
an OLE communication is occurring. GPIB Indicator Indicates when a
GPIB communication is occurring. RS-232 Indicator Indicates when a
RS-232 communication is occurring.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 10 Name Type Description Data Selection This
displays the main screen for calibration data Collection
collection. This is the primary mode used in the execution of
calibrations and development of automation scripts for data sheets.
Data Sheet Selection This mode is used to create, edit, and manage
Designer data sheets. It is also used to view and export historical
calibration records Statistics Selection This opens the Statistics
page. This mode is used to view and analyze historical data
collected with the Calibration Process Manager.
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 11 Name Type Description Active Check
Activates or deactivates the channel. If selected on an Box empty
channel the UUT Boilerplate Setup page opens. Unit Text Field A/N
Identifies the Unit being tested on that particular channel. As
Found Text A/N Displays the values found during testing. Field As
Left Text Field A/N Displays the values left after testing. Set UUT
Button Opens the UUT Boilerplate Setup page. Boilerplate Copy "A/L"
Fields Button Copies the "As found" vales to the "As left" field.
Print Cal Files Button Opens the Data sheet Print Shop page. Save
Cal Files Button Saves the calibration. Release the Channel Button
This clears all information within the channel and closes
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 12 Name Type Description Accept Button This
button accepts the current criteria, and returns to the main page
of the Calibration Process Manager. Cancel Button This option
cancels any changes made, or aborts opening of a new channel.
Returns to the main page of the Calibration Process Manager. Doc
History Button This selection accesses the Document History page.
(Button not present in Pro Remote or Standard versions.) New Cal
Button This clears the calibration information for the UUT. Release
Button This clears all information within the channel and closes
it. Channel Reset Button Resets Boilerplate information to the Data
Sheet default. Boilerplate Open Cal Button Opens the Calibration
History Catalog page to load a previously saved calibration.
Optionally, displays the standard MS Windows file open dialog to
load a previously saved calibration Save Cal Button This option
opens the Sign Calibration Password window to save the calibration
to the system database. Optionally, this option opens the
discipline directory selection page to save the calibration as a
file Import Cal Button This option opens the Search page. Export
Cal Button This option allows the user to export the current
calibration to a file. Find Other Button Opens the Calibration
History Catalog page to view a listing of Test Reports previously
saved calibrations with the same Test Number. Optionally, opens the
Calibration file search page to view a listing of previously saved
calibrations with the same Test Number. Asset No. Field This field
is alphanumeric and allows the user to set a unique identifier for
the UUT. Test No. Field This field is numeric and allows the user
to set the test number for the UUT. Model: Field This field is
alphanumeric and allows the user to set a unique model identifier
for the UUT. Manufacturer Field This field is alphanumeric and
allows the user to set a unique manufacturer identifier for the
UUT. Description Field This field is alphanumeric and allows the
user to set a unique description for the UUT. Part Field This field
is numeric. The user can use this field to denote which part of a
multipart test report the channel is to be used for.
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 13 Name Type Description Date Group This group
consists of the following items: Range Start Date Field This field
allows the user to input the starting date for test point history
retrieval. End Date Field This field allows the user to input the
ending date for test point history retrieval. Test Point Group This
group contains the following items: History Load Button Loads the
test point history for the asset or data sheet. Analyze Button This
button opens the Drift Analyzer Interface page. Drift Do Report
Button Creates a report showing a selected test point's
Specification Tracking Instrument range usage as a "standard" in
other calibrations. The report's primary purpose is to assist the
"standards failure analysis" process. This Asset Radial This option
will allow the application to load only Button the test point
history for the selected asset. This Data Radial This option will
allow the application to load the Sheet Button test point history
for all calibrations that utilized the data sheet.
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 14 Name Type Description Go Button Accepts
parameters, and creates file. Cancel Button Aborts the file
creation, and closes page. File Path Field Shows the file path to
the directory, where the file will be created. File Name Field This
alphanumeric field allows the users to input a desired file
name.
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 15 Name Type Description OK Button Closes the
page and loads the selected data sheet. Cancel Button Closes the
page. Inactivate Data Sheet Approval privileges required.
Inactivates the selected currently selected version of the data
sheet. This is often used when a data sheet was created in error.
Inactivating the last active version of a data sheet will prevent
the data sheet from appearing in the data sheet catalog. A system
or database administrator will be required to reactivate the data
sheet. Delete System Administrator privileges required. Delete the
selected selected version of the data sheet. This is often used
when a data sheet was approved in error. Deleting the last active
version of a data sheet will prevent the data sheet from appearing
in the data sheet catalog. A system database administrator will be
required to reactivate the data sheet. Search for Field Searches
the database using the criteria entered and the search index
selected. Search Drop Down Lists the available search criteria
(Index). The selected Criteria List item dictates the search type.
Data Sheet Grid Lists data sheets and data sheet groups that match
the List search criteria Group Button Enabled when a data sheet
group is selected in the Data Members Sheet List grid. Displays the
Data Sheet Group Selector page to enable the user to select one of
the member data sheets. Specification Field Displays the
specification reference Reference Catalog Field Displays the
catalog notes Notes Cal Proc. Field Displays the calibration
procedure Att # Field Displays the calibration procedure attachment
number Author Field Displays the name of the author Revision Field
Displays the name of the revision editor Editor Approved Field
Displays the name of the approver by Approved Field Displays the
date approved Date Model Field Displays the model number
Manufacturer Field Displays the manufacturer Description Field
Displays the equipment description Permanent Field Displays the
data sheet's Permanent Unique ID. This is a Unique Guaranteed
Unique ID (GUID). It is assigned to all Identifier versions of a
document. (PUI) Dynamic Field Displays the data sheet's Dynamic
Unique ID. This is a Unique Guaranteed Unique ID (GUID). It
identifies a specific Identifier version of a document. (DUI)
Custom Check Box Read only. Indicates if the data sheet is based on
custom Spec specifications (other than the manufactures
specifications).
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 16 Name Type Description Close Button Closes
the page. Approve as Button Data sheet approval privileges
required. Approves the revision data sheet and saves it to the
database as a revision of the active data sheet. All previous
versions of the data sheet are marked inactive. Approve as new
Button Data sheet approval privileges required. Approves the data
sheet data sheet and saves it to the database as a new data sheet.
Use this option when an existing data sheet has been used as a
template for another data sheet, importing a data sheet file, or no
previous version exists. Revision Grid Displays all of the previous
versions of the data sheet. History Specification Field Reference
Catalog Notes Field Displays the catalog notes procedure Field
Displays the calibration procedure Att # Field Displays the
calibration procedure attachment number Author Field Displays the
name of the author Revision Editor Field Displays the name of the
revision editor Reactivate Button System Administrator privileges
required. Reactivate Selected the selected version of the data
sheet. Will cause all other versions to be inactivated. Inactivate
all System Administrator privileges required. Inactivate all
versions of the data sheet. This is often used when a data sheet is
removed from service. Inactivating the last active version of a
data sheet will prevent the data sheet from appearing in the data
sheet catalog. A database administrator will be required to
reactivate the data sheet. Delete selected System Administrator
privileges required. Delete the selected version of the data sheet.
This is often used when a data sheet was approved in error. The
System Administrator must take great care not to delete a data
sheet once used. Deleting the last active version of a data sheet
will prevent the data sheet from appearing in the data sheet
catalog. A database administrator will be required to reactivate
the data sheet.
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 17 Name Type Description OK Button Use the
selected data sheet and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels data
sheet selection and closes the page. Group Header Section Author
Field Author of the New Group. Manufacturer Field The Equipment
manufacturer Revision Editor Field User Revising Existing Group.
Model Number Field Model of the UUT. Description Field Description
of the Group. Procedure Field Calibration procedure associated with
the group. Cal Interval Field The calibration for the unit. Spec
Reference Field The specifications reference for the unit. Catalog
Notes Field Notes to assist the user in identifying the particular
group or data sheet. Group Members Section Applies to the selected
member and displays information from the member data sheet's
header. Member List Grid Lists the data sheet members of the group
Cal Interval Field Displays the calibration interval Specifications
Field Displays the Specification Reference Reference Catalog Notes
Field Notes to assist the user in identifying the particular group
or data sheet in the data sheet catalog. Procedure Field
Calibration procedure. Att # Field Calibration procedure attachment
number. Author Field Data sheet author. Revision Editor Field Data
sheet reviser. Approved by Field Approver. Approved on Field Date
approved. Model Field Model number. Manufacturer Field Equipment
Manufacturer. Description Field Equipment description. Custom Specs
Check Box Checked if Custom Specifications were used in the
creation of the data sheet.
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 18 Name Type Description Approve Changes
Button Accepts all changes and displays the Data Sheet Group
Approval page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes and closes the
page. Group Header Section Author Field Author of the New Group.
Manufacturer Field The Equipment manufacturer Revision Editor Field
User Revising Existing Group. Model Number Field Model of the UUT.
Description Field Description of the Group. Procedure Field
Calibration procedure for the Group. Cal Interval Field The
calibration for the Group. Spec Reference Field The specifications
reference for the Group. Catalog Notes Field Notes to assist the
user in identifying the particular group or data sheet in the data
sheet catalog. Group Members Section Applies to the selected member
and displays information from the member data sheet's header.
Member List Grid Lists the data sheet members of the group Insert
member Button Inserts a new member into the member list. Above
Selected Row Delete Selected Button Deletes the selected member.
member Move member Button Moves the selected member up in the
member Up list. Move member Button Moves the selected member down
in the member list. Down Cal Interval Field Displays the
calibration interval Specifications Field Displays the
Specification Reference Reference Catalog Notes Field Catalog
notes. Procedure Field Calibration procedure. Att # Field
Calibration procedure attachment number. Author Field Data sheet
author. Revision Editor Field Data sheet reviser. Approved by Field
Approver. Approved on Field Date approved. Model Field Model
number. Manufacturer Field Equipment Manufacturer. Description
Field Equipment description. Custom Specs Check Box Checked if
Custom Specifications were used in the creation of the data
sheet.
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 19 Name Type Description Close Button Closes
the page. Approve as Button Data sheet approval privileges
required. Approves the revision data sheet group and saves it to
the database as a revision of the active data sheet group. All
previous versions of the data sheet group are marked inactive.
Approve as new Button Data sheet approval privileges required.
Approves the data sheet data sheet group and saves it to the
database as a new data sheet group. Use this option when an
existing data sheet group has been used as a template for another
data sheet group or no previous version exists. Revision Grid
Displays all of the previous versions of the data sheet History
group. Specification Field Displays the specification reference for
the data sheet Reference group. Catalog Notes Field Displays the
catalog notes for the data sheet group. procedure Field Displays
the calibration procedure for the data sheet group. Att # Field
Displays the calibration procedure attachment number for the data
sheet group. Author Field Displays the name of the author of the
data sheet group. Revision Editor Field Displays the name of the
revision editor of the data sheet group. Reactivate Button System
Administrator privileges required. Reactivate Selected the selected
version of the data sheet group. Will cause all other versions to
be inactivated. Inactivate all System Administrator privileges
required. Inactivate all versions of the data sheet group. This is
often used when a data sheet group is removed from service.
Inactivating the last active version of a data sheet group will
prevent the data sheet group from appearing in the data sheet
catalog. A database administrator will be required to reactivate
the data sheet group. Delete selected System Administrator
privileges required. Delete the selected version of the data sheet
group. This is often used when a data sheet group was approved in
error. Deleting the last active version of a data sheet group will
prevent the data sheet group from appearing in the data sheet
catalog. A database administrator will be required to reactivate
the data sheet group.
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 20 Name Type Description OK Button Closes the
page and loads the selected calibration. Cancel Button Closes the
page. Inactivate Data Sheet Approval privileges required.
Inactivates selected the currently selected version of the
calibration. This is often used when a calibration was created in
error. Inactivating the last active version of a calibration will
prevent the calibration from appearing in the calibration history
catalog. A system or database administrator will be required to
reactivate the calibration. Delete selected System Administrator
privileges required. Delete the selected version of the
calibration. This is often used when a calibration was approved in
error. Deleting the last active version of a calibration will
prevent the calibration from appearing in the calibration history
catalog. A system database administrator will be required to
reactivate the calibration. Search for Field Searches the data base
using the criteria entered and the search index selected. Search
Criteria Drop Lists the available search criteria (Index). The
selected Down List item dictates the search type. Specification
Field Displays the specification reference Reference Catalog Notes
Field Displays the catalog notes Cal Proc. Field Displays the
calibration procedure Att # Field Displays the calibration
procedure attachment number Author Field Displays the name of the
author Revision Editor Field Displays the name of the revision
editor Approved by Field Displays the name of the approver Approved
Date Field Displays the date approved Model Field Displays the
model number Manufacturer Field Displays the manufacturer
Description Field Displays the equipment description Permanent
Field Displays the calibration's Permanent Unique ID. This Unique
is a Guaranteed Unique ID (GUID). It is assigned to Identifier
(PUI) all versions of a document. Dynamic Field Displays the
calibration's Dynamic Unique ID. This is Unique a Guaranteed Unique
ID (GUID). It identifies a Identifier (DUI) specific version of a
document. Custom Spec Check Box Read only. Indicates if the data
sheet is based on custom specifications (other than the
manufactures specifications).
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 21 Name Type Description Search Button This
will search for the test number indicated in the Test Number Field.
Manual Search Button This will open the standard Windows Open File
page. Accept Button Accepts inputted values. Cancel Button Clears
and closes Enter the Following Values Page. Test Number A/N Allows
the user to search for specific test field numbers. Select File
Field A/N Displays the list of files found.
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 22 Name Type Description Close Button Closes
the page. OK Button Calibration signature privileges required.
Signs the calibration, saves it to the database, and closes the
page. Cancel Button Cancels the operation and closes the page.
Enter your login Field Sets the user login. ID Enter your Field
Sets the user password. password
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 23 Name Type Description Print Now Button
Prints the data sheet with the selected options. Printer Options
Button Opens the standard Windows Print Setup page. Cancel Button
Clears and closes the page. Data Sheet Check Box If this box is not
selected, no print options are available and the only active button
is Cancel. Specifications Check Box Includes the specifications in
the data sheet printout. (not enabled in the current version of
software). This feature will be available in a future version. All
Pages Radio Button Allows all pages to be printed. Pages Radio
Button Allows a user specified page range to be printed. This
button activates the "Pages From" and the "Pages To" numeric
fields. Automatic Radio Button Adds pages to the start and end of
the numbering sequence base on the Boiler Plate options. Leave
Blank Radio Button Leaves the page numbers off of the printouts.
Modify Now Radio Button Allows the user to over ride the Boiler
Plate options. This button activates the "Add n Pages to Front",
and the "Add n Pages to Back" numeric fields. Pages From Numeric
Determines the number to start printing at. This is only available
when the Pages radio box is selected. Pages To Numeric Determines
the number to stop printing at. This is only available when the
Pages radio box is selected. Add n Pages to Numeric Adds the
selected amount of pages at the Front beginning of the printout.
This is only available when the Modify Now radio box is selected.
Add n Pages to Numeric Adds the selected amount of pages at the end
of Back the printout. This is only available when the Modify Now
radio box is selected. Print n Copies Numeric Sets the number of
copies to be printed.
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 24 Name Type Description Close Button Closes
the page. Revision Grid Displays all of the previous versions of
the data History sheet. Specification Field Displays the
specification reference for the Reference instrument. Catalog Notes
Field Displays the catalog notes procedure Field Displays the
calibration procedure Att # Field Displays the calibration
procedure attachment number Author Field Displays the name of the
author Revision Editor Field Displays the name of the revision
editor
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 25 Name Type Description O.K. Button Accepts
inputted values. Cancel Button Clears and closes the page. Search
Button Opens the standard windows search dialogue. Edit Remarks
Button Opens the Remarks Editor. Configure Button Allows for the
selection of special data sheet operation commands (directives).
TAR Check Box This includes the TAR information in the Tolerance
column. Measurement Check Box This includes the Measurement
Uncertainty Uncertainty information in the Tolerance column. Custom
Check Box Indicates that the specifications for the unit are
Specifications non-standard specs. Asset No. A/N The ID number for
the unit under test. Test Number A/N The test identification number
Manufacturer A/N The manufacturer of the unit under test. Model
Number A/N The model number of the unit under test. Description A/N
A brief description of the unit under test. Attachment No. A/N The
number of attachments to the data sheet. Cal Proc A/N Name of
calibration procedure. Cal Interval A/N Displays the calibration
interval for the unit under test. Spec Reference A/N Displays a
list of the specifications used. Catalog Notes A/N Additional
information to aid in the selection of an appropriate data sheet.
Add to Front Numeric Adds the number of pages to the front of the
data sheet printout. Add to Back Numeric Adds the number of pages
to the end of the data sheet printout.
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 26 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
inputted values. Cancel Button Clears and closes the page. Global
Button Setting a remark to Global will cause it to print on each
page of the printed data sheet. If a remark is not global, it will
only be printed if it's corresponding Remark Marker appears in the
tolerance column of the printed page. Remarks A/N This field is
where the user inputs their comments. Remark Marker Symbol The
symbol next to the global button indicates the marker used to
indicate the comment. (i.e. *, **, ***). This symbol is placed in
tolerance column of a data sheet row.
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 27 Name Type Description % of I.V. Check Box
Sets specification to include % of I.V. % of F.S. Check Box Sets
specification to include % of F.S. Floor (Fixed Check Box Sets
specifications to include a Floor value. Value relative to the
units of measure) .+-.dB Check Box Sets specifications to .+-.dB.
This check box excludes all other check boxes. Custom Check Box
Sets specifications to include a custom specification calculator.
(Professional and Pro Remote versions only) Nom Value Numeric
Nominal value for specification. Units of A/N Units of measure and
additional parameters. Measure Nominal Value Button Displays the
Nominal Value Wizard to assist in the Wizard selection of
appropriate units of measure and formatting. x % of I.V. Numeric
When the ppm check box is selected this becomes I.V. ppm. This is
only available when the % of I.V. check box is selected. F.S. Val
Numeric This is only available when the % of F.S. check box is
selected. % of F.S. Numeric When the ppm check box is selected this
becomes F.S. ppm. This is only available when the % of F.S. check
box is selected. Floor Val Numeric This is only available when the
Floor (Fixed Value) check box is selected. .+-.dB of I.V. Numeric
This only available when the .+-.dB check box is selected. Db Type
Drop This only available when the .+-.dB check box is Down Box
selected. Contains the following options: Volt/Amp: Log20 based
calculation Power: Log10 based calculation Open Button This allows
the use of a custom calculator. The Calculation Custom Calculator
List is displayed to allow the user to select a custom calculator.
(Professional and Pro Remote versions only) Custom Field Displays
the name of the Custom Calculator in use. Calculation (Professional
and Pro Remote versions only) Asymmetrical Check Box Limits the
Selection Specification Types to: % of I.V., Tol % of F.S., and
Floor (Fixed Value). Also allows entry of separate specifications
for the high and low tolerances. Multiple Test Check Box Allows for
the creation of a series of test points based Point on the
currently entered specifications. It opens the Test Point List. As
% of Numeric This list is only available when the Multiple Test
Point check box is selected. This value is the base value for
percentages entered in the Test Point List. Test Point List Grid
This list is only available when the Multiple Test Point check box
is selected. This list contains percentages of the base value
entered in the "As % of" field. The result of each is the creation
of a data sheet row for each value entered. The nominal test point
value is the derived as the percentage of the "As % of" field. Lo
to High Radio This sets the tolerance format to indicate low and
high Button tolerance values. (No operand selection is available
with this choice.) n Units Radio This sets the tolerance format to
indicate [operand] n Button [units of measure]. n % Radio This sets
the tolerance format to indicate [operand] n Button [%]. n ppm
Radio This sets the tolerance format to indicate [operand] n Button
[ppm]. Opperand Drop This drop down box contains the following
symbols: .+-., Down Box >, >=, <, <=, and =. Decimals
Numeric This numerical box only accepts entries of one to nine
decimal digits. Calculate Button This button will prompt the user
for any required custom calculator values, calculate the tolerance,
format numeric values, prompt the user for a "function tested" and
"step number". Then insert a new data sheet row. Prior to the
currently selected row. Recalc Button This button will prompt the
user for any required custom calculator values, calculate the
tolerance, format numeric values, prompt the user for a "function
tested" and "step number". Then update the currently selected data
sheet row. This button is disabled when the Multiple Test Point
check box is selected. Test Point Drop This is a drop down box
contains a list of test point Definitions Down Box wizards. This
list is created by selecting the menu option Tools, Wizards, Test
Point Definitions, Load. Selecting one of these wizards will
configure the calculator.
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 28 Name Type Description OK Button Accepts
inputted values and closes the page. Cancel Button Closes the page
and aborts the new line creation. Procedure Step Field Sets the
text to be displayed in the data sheet No row's Step Num cell.
Function Tested Field Sets the text to be displayed in the data
sheet row's Function Tested cell.
TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 29 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
edited values. Cancel Button Cancels edits and closes the page.
Units by symbol Button Displays the Units of Measure by Symbol page
to allow the user to select a unit using a symbol search. Units
Groups Grid Lists all available units of measure groups. Units of
measure Grid Lists all available units of measure for the group
currently selected in the Units Groups grid. Parameters Grid Lists
parametric data used in the Nominal Value. The first item listed is
considered the primary parameter and is the quantitative reference
for the nominal value. Other parameters listed are used as
additional selection criteria used to assign Specification Tracking
instrument ranges. Update from Button Replace the unit of measure
in the selected row of the Unit Parameters grid with the unit from
the selected row of the Units of Measure grid. Add Param Button
Appends a new parameter into the Parameters grid using the unit
from the selected row of the Units of Measure grid. Delete Button
Deletes the selected parameter from the Parameters grid. Set
Nominal Field Sets the value of the currently selected parameter.
Value Source Nominal A/N Shows the original content of the data
sheet row's nominal value cell. Data Component A/N Shows the
parametric data component of the nominal value text. Trailing Text
Field Sets the text that will be displayed at the end of the
nominal value text. Trailing text is used for documentation
purposes only. It is has no parametric role. Composite A/N Shows
the fully constructed content for the data sheet Result row's
nominal value text.
TABLE-US-00033 TABLE 30 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
edited values. Cancel Button Cancels edits and closes the page. TAR
Section Sets the status of Test Accuracy Ration (TAR) printing in
the data sheet column and the value to be used. TAR Drop Sets the
status of TAR printing in the data sheet column. Has Down the
following options: Use Boiler Plate (Inclusion is List determined
by the TAR check box setting in the Master Boiler Plate.) Included
(The TAR will be printed.) Not Included (The TAR will not be
printed.) Boilerplate Field Indicates the setting of the TAR check
box in the Master Boiler Plate. Auto . . . :1 Field Indicates the
automatically determined TAR. This field will be left blank if the
application is unable to calculate a TAR. User Declared Field Sets
the TAR to be printed. While this value is stored with the data
sheet, it is used for printing purposes only. The value will not be
used by statistical analysis software. Only the internally
calculated value can occupy the requisite database field. EMU
Section Sets the status of Estimated Measurement Uncertainty (EMU)
printing in the data sheet column and the value to be used. EMU
Drop Sets the status of EMU printing in the data sheet column. Down
Has the following options: Use Boiler Plate (Inclusion is List
determined by the EMU check box setting in the Master Boiler
Plate). Included (The TAR will be printed). Not Included (The TAR
will not be printed). Boilerplate Field Indicates the setting of
the EMU check box in the Master Boiler Plate. Auto . . . % Field
Indicates the automatically determined EMU as a percentage of the
nominal value. This field will be left blank if the application is
unable to calculate an EMU %. Auto . . . Field Indicates the
automatically determined EMU in units of U of M measure. This field
will be left blank if the application is unable to calculate an EMU
in units of measure. User Declared Field Sets the EMU to be
printed. When entering data into this field include any applicable
symbols, such as "%", "mV", "m", etc. While this value is stored
with the data sheet, it is used for printing purposes only. The
value will not be used by statistical analysis software. Only the
internally calculated value can occupy the requisite database
field. Remark Flag Drop Select a symbol that corresponds to the
desired remark from Down the Master Boiler Plate. List Tolerance
Info Field Displays the actual tolerance component of the data
sheet row's Tolerance cell. Auto Data Field Displays the
automatically generated component of the data sheet row's Tolerance
cell. Trailing Text Field Sets the user inserted text that will be
displayed within the Tolerance cell text. Trailing text is used for
documentation purposes only. It is has no systemic role. Composite
Field Shows the fully constructed content for the data sheet row's
Result Tolerance cell text.
TABLE-US-00034 TABLE 31 Name Type Description Accept Button Places
the selected symbol on the windows clipboard and close the form.
Cancel Button Closes the page. Unit of measure Grid Lists the
available units of measure. list Find Symbol Field Searches the
Unit of Measure list for symbol values entered.
TABLE-US-00035 TABLE 32 Name Type Description OK Button Accepts
inputted values. Cancel Button Clears and closes the page. Fetch
Wizards Button Displays the wizards contained in the listed files,
from the selected folder. Drive Drop Lists the drives and network
drives available to the Down Box system. Folder A/N Shows the
folder tree for the selected folder. Files A/N Shows the wizard
files in the selected folder. Select a Wizard Grid Shows wizards in
the selected directory's files. to Load This grid is updated when
the user clicks on the Fetch Wizard button.
TABLE-US-00036 TABLE 33 Name Type Description Create new Button
Creates a new list, clearing all unsaved data. This macro list
button will be followed by a confirmation page requiring the user
to choose yes or no to continue. Open Macro Button This button
opens the standard Windows open file List dialogue box. Save This
Button This button opens the standard Windows save file Macro List
dialogue box. Boiler Plate Button This button opens the Calibration
Process Manager Boiler Plate Data page. Insert a Test Button
Inserts a new test point into the list before the Point Before
selected test point. This One Add Test Point Button Adds a new test
point to the end of the list. To The End Delete This Test Button
Deletes the currently selected test point. Point Clear All Test
Button Clears all test points. Points Accept Changes Button Accepts
all inputted data. to This Test Point Undo the Button Clears all
edits. Changes to the Test Point Exit Button Closes the page. Lo to
High Radio Sets the test point calculations to a "lo to high"
Button value calculation. +/-n Units Radio Sets the test point
calculations +/-n units where n Button is the variable number. +/-n
% Radio Sets the test point calculations +/-n percentage Button
where n is the variable number. +/-n ppm Radio Sets the test point
calculations +/-n parts per Button million where n is the variable
number. Multiple Test Check Box This opens the Test Point List
frame. Points ppm Check Box Sets the appropriate "% of" values to a
ppm value. .+-. (% IV) Tab This selection allows for data entry in
the following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure % of I.V. .+-. (%
IV + % Tab This selection allows for data entry in the FS)
following fields: Nom. Val Units of Measure % of I.V. FS Val. % of
F.S. .+-. (% IV + Tab This selection allows for data entry in the
Floor) following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure % of I.V. Floor
.+-. (% IV + % FS + Tab This selection allows for data entry in the
Floor)) following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure % of I.V. FS
Val. % of F.S. Floor Val .+-. (% FS) Tab This selection allows for
data entry in the following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure FS
Val. % of F.S. .+-. (% FS + Tab This selection allows for data
entry in the Floor) following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure FS
Val. % of F.S. Floor .+-. (Floor) Tab This selection allows for
data entry in the following fields: Nom. Val. Units of Measure
Floor Wizard Title A/N Title of wizard as set by the user. Created
By A/N Name of user creating wizard. Description A/N Description of
wizard and function. Test point Title A/N Definition of test point.
Step Num A/N Content for Step Number cell of test points created
with the wizard. Function Tested A/N Content for Function Tested
cell of test points created with the wizard. Nom. Val Numeric The
nominal value for the test point. Units of Numeric The units of
measure for the test point. Measure % of I.V. Numeric The
acceptable percentage of the indicated value. FS Val Numeric The
full scale value. % of F.S. Numeric The acceptable percentage range
of the full scale value. Floor Val Numeric The floor error value.
Fixed Decimal Numeric The number of decimal places. As % of A/N
Sets the variable for the multiple test points. Test Point List A/N
Shows a list of the multiple test points.
TABLE-US-00037 TABLE 34 Name Type Description O.K. create the
Button Creates the data set specified and asks the user if data
sheet another data set is to be added. If another data set is to be
added, the user is returned to the module to specify the next data
set. No more data Button If at least one data set was created:
Opens the sets Calibration Process Manager Boiler Plate Data page.
If no data sets were created: Clears information and closes the
page. Gauge Type Drop This contains the following gauge selections:
Simple Down Box Gauge, Compound Gauge, Vacuum Gauge, Atmospheric
Ref. Gauge, and Barometer. Analog Button Applies rules relative to
analog gauges. Only one of the Analog or Digital buttons may be
selected at one time. Digital Button Applies rules relative to
digital gauges. Only one of the Analog or Digital buttons may be
selected at one time. View Test Button Creates and displays the
test point information in the Points text field to the right. Top
Scale Units Drop This drop down box contains units of measure
options Down Box to the selected gauge type. In Professional and
Pro Remote versions the units list is dynamically generated from
the system's units of measure list. In Standard Version the units
list is fixed and may contain any of the following units, as
applicable: Psig, mmHg, kPa, psid, Mbar, psia, InH20, bar, mHga,
InHg, Pa, inHga Scale Bottom Numeric The lowest scale value. Full
Scale Numeric The highest scale value. % Full Scale Numeric The
percentage of full value. % I.V. Numeric The percentage of input
value. Floor Value Numeric The unit in the parentheses reflects the
chosen Top (unit) Scale Unit. Ref Temp Numeric Only available when
inH20, inHg, or mmHg units are selected. Max Test Point Numeric
Only available for vacuum gauge. Value Use % Span Check Box This
option sets the module to use a percentage of the gauges span (top
and bottom scales combined) in place of the normal percentage of
full scale for each scale. Applies when the Compound gauge option
is selected. This option requires the module to cross reference the
scales' units of measure in real time to perform span and scale
calculations. Unfortunately, this makes the feature unavailable to
the Standard version Calculate Span Button Calculates the span of
the gauge using the Full Scale value of each scale and their
associated units of measure. The span is resolved to the top
scale's units of measure. The button is only visible when the Use %
Span option is Checked. (Unavailable in the Standard version) Span
Field The span of a compound gauge, resolved to the top scale's
units of measure. The field is only visible when the Use % Span
option is Checked. (Unavailable in the Standard version) % of Span
Field The percentage of span to be applied to the tolerance
calculation, of each scale, of a compound gauge. Once the
percentage of Span is calculated for the top scale units of
measure, the value will be converted to each scale's units of
measure. The field is only visible when the Use % Span option is
Checked. (Unavailable in the Standard version) No. of Decimals
Numeric Displays the number of decimal places. Calculator Button
Calculates the number of points Step No. A/N Displays the
identification number of the step. Increasing Check Box Creates
increasing results values. Decreasing Check Box Creates decreasing
result values Function tested A/N Identification for the tested
function.
TABLE-US-00038 TABLE 35 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
edits to the uncertainty model and closes the page. Cancel Button
Ignores edits to the uncertainty model and closes the page. Use
system Check Box When checked, the Calibration Process Manager will
Default completely manage the uncertainty model. When unchecked,
the user assumes responsibility for the uncertainty model. Copy
Wizard Button Places the contents of the measurement uncertainty
model into a special measurement uncertainty model clipboard. The
clipboard contents will persist until the button is pressed again.
Paste Wizard Button Replaces the contents of the measurement
uncertainty model with the contents of the measurement uncertainty
model clipboard. Type A Section This section of the page displays
and manages the type A uncertainty elements. Uncertainty Grid
Displays the uncertainty elements in the model (all Elements values
are displayed in k = 1 terms. Add Button Adds an uncertainty
element and displays the Uncertainty Element Editor page. Delete
Button Deletes the currently selected uncertainty element. Edit
Button Displays the Uncertainty Element Editor page. Up Button
Moves the currently selected uncertainty element up one row in the
Uncertainty Elements grid. Down Button Moves the currently selected
uncertainty element down one row in the Uncertainty Elements grid.
Type B Section This section of the page displays and manages the
type B uncertainty elements. Uncertainty Grid Displays the
uncertainty elements in the model (all Elements values are
displayed in k = 1 terms. Items automatically managed by
Calibration Process Manager are displayed in blue. Add Button Adds
an uncertainty element and displays the Uncertainty Element Editor
page. Delete Button Deletes the currently selected uncertainty
element. Edit Button Displays the Uncertainty Element Editor page.
Up Button Moves the currently selected uncertainty element up one
row in the Uncertainty Elements grid. Down Button Moves the
currently selected uncertainty element down one row in the
Uncertainty Elements grid. Auto Include Check Box When checked, the
Calibration Process Manager will Standards automatically insert an
element that represents each Uncertainty Specification Tracking
instrument range assigned to the test point. As standards are
substituted, added, or deleted, the entries will be updated
automatically. If this option is turned off, the user must make
sure that standards information is kept current. Auto Include Check
Box When Checked, the Calibration Process Manager will Resolution
automatically insert an element that represents the Uncertainty
resolution of the test point in terms of the unit of measure. Value
A/N Indicates the Calibration Process Manager's perception of the
test point resolution. Override Check Box The limitation of the
automatic resolution detection system is that one count at the
resolution indicated by the data sheet row's Nominal Value cell's
primary parameter is assumed to be the resolution. If more than one
count is applicable, the Override check box must be checked and the
correct resolution must be entered into the Override Value text
box. Override Value Field This field is only visible when the
Override Check Box is checked. Sets the actual resolution that
should be used in the measurement uncertainty model. The override
value will be used if the override check box is checked. k = Field
Sets the coverage factor for the measurement uncertainty
calculation. EMU = A/N Displays the calculated Estimated
Measurement Uncertainty.
TABLE-US-00039 TABLE 36 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
inputted values and closes the page. Cancel Button Ignores edits
and closes the page. Fetch Wizard Button Imports all wizards from
the selected folder. Description Field Sets the display name of the
uncertainty element. Sense Coeff. Field Sets the sensitivity
coefficient of the uncertainty element. Value (k = 1) Field The
uncertainty contribution of the element expressed in k = 1 terms
relative to the unit of measure. Include Element Check When
Checked, the uncertainty element is in TAR Box included in TAR
calculations. Calculations
TABLE-US-00040 TABLE 37 Mode Application "Myself" UUT Self
definition "Def Stds" Default standards determined during data
sheet design "Stds Used" Standards used in an actual
calibration
TABLE-US-00041 TABLE 38 Name Type Description Stds Used Button
Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments Interface to the
Standards used mode. Def Std Button Switches the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface to the Default Standards mode.
Myself Button Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface to the Myself mode. This TP Button Instructs the Nominal
Value decoder to reset the synch parameters for the selected test
point. All TP's Button Instructs the Nominal Value decoder to reset
the synch parameters for all the test points. Instruments Section
All items in this section are data sheet in scope. Instrument List
Grid Displays all instruments assigned to the data sheet and loaded
into memory Add Button This button opens the Instrument
Specifications Catalog. Remove Button Removes the selected
instrument from the list. Replace with Button Replaces the selected
instrument with another Selected instrument. The desired instrument
must already be on the list. Auto Assign Button Auto assigns
instrument ranges to the data sheet's rows. Instrument Ranges
Section All items in this section are test point (data sheet row)
in scope. The currently selected test point to be exact. Instrument
Range List Grid Displays all instrument ranges assigned to a test
point. Auto Assign to TP Button Auto assigns instrument ranges to
the currently selected test point in the data sheet. Manual Assign
to TP Button Allows the user to manually assign instrument ranges
to the selected test point. Remove from TP Button Allows the user
to remove assigned instrument ranges from the selected test point.
Instrument Synch Grid Displays the parametric criteria used to
Parameters automatically select standards and determine if the
Calibration Process Manger can perform calculations based on
instrument ranges assigned. If a parametric match is not achieved
with assigned instrument ranges, no calculations will be performed
using the Specification Tracking instrument range specifications.
UUT Acc Field Displays the accuracy of the UUT. Available only when
test point specifications are present. Std Acc Field Displays the
accuracy of the assigned instrument range/s. Available only when
test point specifications are present, at least one instrument
range is assigned to the test point, and parametric synchronization
is achieved.
TABLE-US-00042 TABLE 39 Name Type Description Stds Used Button
Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments Interface to the
Standards used mode. Def Std Button Switches the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface to the Default Standards mode.
Myself Button Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface to the Myself mode. This TP Button Resets the synch
parameters for the selected test point. All TP's Button Resets the
synch parameters for all the test points. Instruments Section All
items in this section are data sheet in scope. Instrument List Grid
Displays all instruments assigned to the data sheet and loaded into
memory Add Button This button opens the Instrument Specifications
Catalog. Remove Button Removes the selected instrument from the
list. Replace with Button Replaces the selected instrument with
another Selected instrument. The desired instrument must already be
on the list. Auto Assign Button Auto assigns instrument ranges to
the data sheet's rows. Set "Used" as Button Copies instrument and
range assignments from the "Default" Standards Used configuration
and duplicates them in the Default Standards configuration.
Instrument Ranges Section All items in this section are test point
(data sheet row) in scope. The currently selected test point to be
exact. Instrument Range List Grid Displays all instrument ranges
assigned to a test point. Auto Assign to TP Button Auto assigns
instrument ranges to all the currently selected test point in the
data sheet. Manual Assign to TP Button Allows the user to manually
assign instrument ranges to the selected test point. Remove from TP
Button Allows the user to remove assigned instrument ranges from
selected test point. Instrument Synch Grid Displays the parametric
criteria used to Parameters automatically select standards and
determine if the Calibration Process Manger can perform
calculations based on instrument ranges assigned. If a parametric
match is not achieved with assigned instrument ranges, no
calculations will be performed using the instrument ranges. UUT Acc
Field Displays the accuracy of the UUT. Available only when test
point specifications are present. Std Acc Field Displays the
accuracy of the assigned instrument range/s. Available only when
test point specifications are present, at least one instrument
range is assigned to the test point, and parametric synchronization
is achieved. TAR Field Displays the Test Accuracy Ratio (TAR).
TAR's may be calculated using the simple method of comparing the
accuracy ratios or utilizing the measurement uncertainty in the
calculation. This option is set in the master setup of the
Calibration Process manger. Available only when test point
specifications are present, at least one instrument range is
assigned to the test point, and parametric synchronization is
achieved. EMU Field Displays the Estimated Measurement Uncertainty
(EMU). Available only when test point specifications are present,
at least one instrument range is assigned to the test point, and
parametric synchronization is achieved.
TABLE-US-00043 TABLE 40 Name Type Description Stds Used Button
Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments Interface to the
Standards used mode. Def Std Button Switches the Specification
Tracking Instruments Interface to the Default Standards mode.
Myself Button Switches the Specification Tracking Instruments
Interface to the Myself mode. Asset ID's Button This button opens
the Set Instrument Asset ID's page. This TP Button Resets the synch
parameters for the selected test point. All TP's Button Resets the
synch parameters for all the test points. Instruments Section All
items in this section are data sheet in scope. Instrument List Grid
Displays all instruments assigned to the data sheet and loaded into
memory Add Button This button opens the Instrument Specifications
Catalog. Remove Button Removes the selected instrument from the
list. Replace with Button Replaces the selected instrument with
another Selected instrument. The desired instrument must already be
on the list. Auto Assign Button Auto assigns instrument ranges to
the data sheet's rows. Use "Default" Stds Button Copies instrument
and range assignments from the Default Standards configuration and
duplicates them in the Standards Used configuration. The user must
still set the asset ID numbers for the actual standards used.
Instrument Ranges Section All items in this section are test point
(data sheet row) in scope. The currently selected test point to be
exact. Instrument Range Grid Displays all instrument ranges
assigned to a test List point. Auto Assign to TP Button Auto
assigns instrument ranges to all the currently selected test point
in the data sheet. Manual Assign to TP Button Allows the user to
manually assign instrument ranges to the selected test point.
Remove from TP Button Allows the user to remove assigned instrument
ranges from selected test point. Instrument Synch Grid Displays the
parametric criteria used to Parameters automatically select
standards and determine if the Calibration Process Manger can
perform calculations based on instrument ranges assigned. If a
parametric match is not achieved with assigned instrument ranges,
no calculations will be performed using the instrument ranges. UUT
Acc Field Displays the accuracy of the UUT. Available only when
test point specifications are present. Std Acc Field Displays the
accuracy of the assigned instrument range/s. Available only when
test point specifications are present, at least one instrument
range is assigned to the test point, and parametric synchronization
is achieved. TAR Field Displays the Test Accuracy Ratio (TAR).
TAR's may be calculated using the simple method of comparing the
accuracy ratios or utilizing the measurement uncertainty in the
calculation. This option is set in the master setup of the
Calibration Process manger. Available only when test point
specifications are present, at least one instrument range is
assigned to the test point, and parametric synchronization is
achieved. EMU Field Displays the Estimated Measurement Uncertainty
(EMU). Available only when test point specifications are present,
at least one instrument range is assigned to the test point, and
parametric synchronization is achieved.
TABLE-US-00044 TABLE 41 Mode Indicator Information conveyed
"Myself" None Calibration Processor does not anticipate an
instrument range assignment to this test point. This condition
exists when no test point specifications are available or no
Standards Synchronization parameters are available. (Silver square)
Calibration Processor anticipates an instrument range assignment to
this test point, but has not received one. This condition exists
when test point specifications are available and Standards
Synchronization parameters are available. (Green square) An
instrument range is assigned and the test point and instrument
range's calculated accuracies do agree within 0.1% of each other.
(Red square) An instrument range is assigned, but the test point
and instrument range's calculated accuracies do not agree within
0.1% of each other or Calibration Process Manger is unable to
perform calculations using the data. "Def Stds" None Calibration
Processor does not anticipate an instrument and "Stds range
assignment to this test point. This condition exists Used" when no
test point specifications are available or no Standards
Synchronization parameters are available. (Silver) Calibration
Processor anticipates an instrument range assignment to this test
point, but has not received one. This condition exists when test
point specifications are available and Standards Synchronization
parameters are available. (Green) An instrument range is assigned
and the test resulting test accuracy ration is >=4:1. (Red) An
instrument range is assigned, but the test accuracy ratio is
<4:1. (Fuchsia) An instrument range was manually assigned to the
test point that the Calibration Process Manager can not use, but
will store with the data sheet, as directed by the user. This
condition exists when test point specifications are not available,
Standards Synchronization parameters are not available, or
Standards Synchronization parameters do not directly match the
instrument range selected. This condition will most often occur
when an instrument range is manually selected and is not a direct
parametric match with the test point. As of this version, the
Calibration Processor is not able to divine accuracy information
from a combination of standards that indirectly comprise a
parametric match with the test point. i.e.: The test point is
measuring Ohms and a voltage source and current shunt are selected
as standards. The manual assignments should still be made to
facilitate instrument range utilization reporting and statistics,
but the user is on his own for TAR and EMU calculations.
TABLE-US-00045 TABLE 42 Name Type Description OK Button Accepts all
changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes and
closes the page. Search For Field Allows the user to input specific
search criteria. Test No Radial Searches the catalog by test
number. (Exact Match) Button Asset No Radial Searches the catalog
by asset number. (Exact Match) Button Description Radial Searches
the catalog by description. (contains) Button Author Radial
Searches the catalog by author. (contains) Button Revision Field
Displays the revision number of the file in the catalog.
Manufacturer Field Displays the manufacturer of the unit for the
file in the catalog. Model Field Displays the model number of the
file in the catalog. Description Field Displays the description of
the unit for the file in the catalog. Revision Field Displays the
revision number. Manufacturer Field Displays the equipment
manufacturer. Model Field This field displays model number.
Description Field This field displays the equipment description.
Specifications Field Displays the specifications referenced in the
Reference selected item. Author Field Displays the author. Verified
by Field Displays the user who verified the specifications.
Approved by Field Displays the name of the use who approved the
instrument. Data Field Displays the date approved. Approved
TABLE-US-00046 TABLE 43 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
all changes and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels all changes
and closes the page. Assign all Radio This selection will allow the
application to assign applicable Button all standards that are
applicable to the UUT to standards the data sheet. Assign only
Radio This selection will allow the application to assign the
selected Button only the selected standards to the UUT to the
standards data sheet.
TABLE-US-00047 TABLE 44 Name Type Description + Button Adds an
instrument to the list - Button Removes an instrument from the list
Use Range Button Assigns the selected range to the test point.
Remove Button Removes selected range assignment from the Range test
point. Exit Button Closes the page. Show Only Check Filters the
display to only show ranges that fit the Ranges That Box instrument
range search criteria, as determined by Match All the data sheet's
Nominal Value column contents. Critical Criteria Instruments Field
Displays the available instruments Functions Field Displays the
functions of the selected instrument. Ranges Field Displays the
Ranges of the selected instrument function. Range Detail Field
Gives details of the selected range. Composite Field Displays each
of the instrument ranges assigned Selection of to the test point.
Standards For This Test Point Standards Field Displays the
instrument range search criteria, as Search determined by the data
sheet's Nominal Value Criteria column contents. Function Field
Displays the function of the chosen instrument. Nominal Field
Displays the test point's nominal value. TP Accuracy Field Displays
the UUT's test point accuracy. Accuracy Field Displays the
composite accuracy of the assigned (RSS) instruments relative to
the test point's nominal value. This value is calculated using the
Root Sum Squared (RSS) method.
TABLE-US-00048 TABLE 45 Name Type Description Accept Button Removes
the currently selected instrument's range assignments from all data
sheet test point rows, assigns ranges from the instrument selected
in the Substitutes grid, and closes the page. Cancel Button Cancels
the operation and closes the page. Replace Field The instrument to
be replaced. With Grid List of instruments available to act as a
substitute (Substitutes) for the instrument to be replaced.
TABLE-US-00049 TABLE 46 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
changes, and closes the screen. Cancel Button Cancels all changes,
and closes the screen. Standards Grid List of standards currently
assigned to the calibration. Accept Asset Button Accepts the
inputted asset number. No Undo Asset Button Undo the changed asset
number. This cannot No be undone once the Accept Asset No button is
clicked. Asset No Field This field allows the user to assign an
asset number to each of the standards used in the calibration.
TABLE-US-00050 TABLE 47 Name Type Description Execute Command
Button Runs the selected command. Append New Button Inserts a new
command at the end of the command Command to the End list. Opens
the Automation Command Editor page. of the List Insert a New Button
Inserts a new command before the specified row in Command Before
the the command list. Opens Automation Command Selected Row Editor
Page. Delete Selected Button Deletes the selected command/s.
command/s Edit the Selected Button Opens the Automation Command
Editor Page. Command Move Command Up Button Moves the selected
command up in the command list. Move Command Button Moves the
selected command down in the Down command list. Copy Selected
Button Copies all selected commands to the clipboard. Commands
Append Copied Button Pastes the copied commands to the end of the
Commands to the command list. End of the List Insert Copied Button
Pastes the copied commands before the selected Commands Before
command. the Selected Command View Command Button Loads the ATE
Clipboard Viewer. Clipboard Command List A/N listing of commands
assigned to the currently selected data sheet row.
TABLE-US-00051 TABLE 48 Name Type Description Command Drop Lists
all available commands and is used Down Box to select a command.
Group Drop Lists all of the available groups and is Down Box used
to associate a group with the selected command. Use Command Button
Displays the wizard applicable to the Wizard selected command. The
button is only enabled for commands that have a command wizard.
Command Group Button Displays the Command Group Editor Editor page.
Accept Button Accepts the current command configuration. Cancel
Button Clears and closes the page. Copy Var Name Button Copies the
selected variable's name onto the Windows clipboard for pasting
into command parameters. Move Variable Button Moves the selected
variable up in the list. Up Move Variable Button Moves the selected
variable down in the Down list. Add Variable Button Adds a new
variable. Delete Variable Button Deletes the selected variable.
User Defined Button Opens the User Defined Variable page. Variable
Editor Name A/N Name of the Variable. Value A/N Value of the
Variable.
TABLE-US-00052 TABLE 49 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
the edits to the variable and closes the form. Cancel Button
Cancels the edits to the variable and closes the form. Variable
Field The Name given to the user defined variable. This Name name
must be unique and is used to identify the variable in script
commands, equations, etc. There is no restriction on the name of a
variable. It is recommended that the variable name represent it's
utilization to make the script easily readable. Default Field The
default value assigned to the variable. The Value value may be text
or numeric. It is the responsibility of the script author to ensure
that the content of a variable is applicable to its intended
use.
TABLE-US-00053 TABLE 50 Name Type Description Move Group Up Button
Moves the selected group up in the group list. Move Group Down
Button Moves the selected group down in the group list. Insert a
New Group Button Inserts a new group into the command list. Delete
the Selected Button Deletes the selected group. Group Edit Group
Name Button This button opens the Group Editor Panel. Add the Group
to Button Adds the currently selected command group to the My List
data sheet group list. Accept Button Accepts all changes to the
command group. This button is only available when the Edit Group
button is selected. Clear Button Clears all changes to the command
group. This button is only available when the Edit Group button is
selected. Close Button Closes the Command Group Editor page. Menu
Key Numeric Displays the command menu key that executes the command
group. Group Name Text Displays the name of the command group.
Keypad Exec (0-9) Field This field allows the user to change or set
the command menu key for the selected command group. This field is
only available when the Edit Group button is selected. Command
Groups Selections Lists the available command groups in the System
Group List: Configure Group This item is an Interface Group
template (Not a system Directive.) Energize Group This item is an
Interface Group template (Not a system Directive.) De-Energize
Group This item is an Interface Group template (Not a system
Directive.) Execute Step Group This item is an Interface Group
template (Not a system Directive.) Measure Group This item is an
Interface Group template (Not a system Directive.) Join all Groups
Group This item is a System Group: Directs the script system to
execute command members regardless of which command group was
selected from the command menu.
TABLE-US-00054 TABLE 51 Name Type Description Cancel Button Cancels
command selection and closes the page. Command Field Lists the name
of the Command to execute. The Names command name is the name of
Interface Group it [multiple] represents. Command Button Clicking
on this button or pressing the key Key displayed on the button will
execute the associated [multiple] group of commands.
TABLE-US-00055 TABLE 52 Name Type Description Instruction Drop The
name of the currently selected calibration Down List instruction.
Any of the data sheet's calibration instructions can be selected
from the list. Figure No. [1-5] Field The figure number to be
displayed on the Graphical Instruction Viewer's tabs. Image [1-5]
Drop The name of the image selected or blank if not in use. Down
List Any of the data sheet's binary resource images can be selected
from the list. Show Image Button Clicking on one of these buttons
will cause the image to [1-5] be displayed in the Image Viewer box.
Image Viewer Image Box Clicking on one of the Show Image buttons
will cause the image to be displayed. Edit Instructions Button
Opens the Calibration Instruction Editor page. Edit Binary List
Button Opens the Binary Resources List page. Accept Button Accepts
edits, and closes the page. Cancel Button Clears edits, and closes
the page.
TABLE-US-00056 TABLE 53 Name Type Description Resource Grid A list
of the data sheet's binary resource files. The Name size of the
resource's memory utilization is also shown. Image Image Clicking
on an image in the Resource Name grid Viewer Box will cause the
image to be displayed. Add New Button Opens the Binary Resource
Editor page. Resource Remove Button Removes the selected resource
file from the list. Resource Edit Button Opens the Binary Resource
Editor page. Resource Combined Field Shows the combined memory
utilization of all Resource binary resources Size Close Button
Closes the page.
TABLE-US-00057 TABLE 54 Name Type Description Name Field Edit the
name of the binary resource. This name is used to reference this
specific resource on the list. There is no restriction on the name,
but it should be unique within the binary resource list. Item Type
Field Indicates the Calibration Process Manager's perception of the
resource. As of this version, only items of type "Image" can be
added to the resource list. Source File Field The name of the file
that the resource was created from. This name will be included in
the file name when the resource is exported to a file, via data
sheet export: [data sheet file name] + "_(" + [source file name] +
")." + [source file extension] File Date Field The file date of the
file that the resource was created from. Size Field Displays the
memory utilization of the resource item. Load Image Button Displays
the windows image dialog to select an image file that will be the
source of the binary resource. Accept Button Accepts edits, and
closes the page. Cancel Button Clears edits, and closes the
page.
TABLE-US-00058 TABLE 55 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
inputted values and closes the page. Cancel Button Ignores edits
and closes the page. Caption [1-10] A/N Required field (when the
row is in use). This is where the user sets the caption title for
the variable. Default Value A/N Displays the value of the variable.
[1-10] Tail [1-10] A/N A short caption displayed to the right of
the default value i.e. (%, ppm, mv, etc.). Target Variable Drop
Required Field (when the row is in use). Lists [1-10] Down the
options of all user defined variables. Box
TABLE-US-00059 TABLE 56 Name Type Description Accept these Button
Accepts edits to the command parameters, Closes the command form,
and returns to the Command Editor form. parameters Cancel Button
Ignores edits to the command parameters, Closes the form, and
returns to the Command Editor form. GPIB Reset Button Clears the
GPIB interface. Send Button Sends a test command to the GPIB
interface. Command Fetch Button Sends a test command from the GPIB
interface and Command reads the response. >Direct A/N Indicates
the response received from the fetch operation. Response< Cut
Left Numeric The number of characters to remove from the response
string. An entry of -1 indicates no characters are removed. Keep
Left Numeric The number of characters to retain after the "cut
left". An entry of -1 indicates all characters are retained.
Decimals Numeric This option forces the numeric format to use the
listed number of decimal places. GPIB Address A/N 1-31 Rcv Buffer
Numeric Max number of characters to Receive. When in Size doubt set
this to 100. Exponent Drop Selects the desired exponential format
of the result. Down Box Formatted Results Numeric The results from
the entered data. String Resulting Numeric The results from the
entered data. Numeric Value Continuous Run Check When this check
box is selected the machine will Box continually run the fetch
command option.
TABLE-US-00060 TABLE 57 Name Type Description Accept these Button
Accepts edits to the command parameters, Closes the command form,
and returns to the Command Editor form. parameters Cancel Button
Ignores edits to the command parameters, Closes the form, and
returns to the Command Editor form. Send Button Sends a command.
Command Fetch Button Sends a command and displays the returned
value. Command Configure Port Button Opens the Com Port Setup page.
>Direct A/N Indicates the response received from the fetch
operation. Response< Cut Left Numeric The number of characters
to remove from the response string. An entry of -1 indicates no
characters are removed. Keep Left Numeric The number of characters
to retain after the "cut left". An entry of -1 indicates all
characters are retained. Decimals Numeric This option forces the
numeric format to use the listed number of decimal places. Exponent
Drop Selects the desired exponential format of the result. Down Box
Formatted Results Numeric The results from the entered data. String
Resulting Numeric The results from the entered data. Numeric Value
Continuous Run Check When this check box is selected the machine
will Box continually run the fetch command option until halted by
the user.
TABLE-US-00061 TABLE 58 Name Type Description View the Button
Displays the text of a calibration instruction. Instructions Exit
Button Closes the ATE Clipboard Viewer. Calibration List Displays
the title of the calibration instructions Instructions used by the
copied commands. User Defined Grid This group contains the
following fields: Variable List Name Field Lists the name of the
individual user defined variable. Value Field Displays the value
currently stored in the user defined variable. Command Grid This
group has the following fields: Groups Key Field Displays the key
pad selector key for the group. Group Name Field Displays the group
name. Commands List Lists the commands currently copied to the
clipboard.
TABLE-US-00062 TABLE 59 Name Type Description Open Equation Button
This button allows the user to open a saved equation file. Save
Equation Button This button allows the user to save an equation.
Copy Function to Button Copies the selected function to the
clipboard. Clipboard Copy Variable to Button Copies the selected
variable to the clipboard. Clipboard Variables Grid A list of
available variables. Variable Up Button Moves the variable up in
the list. Variable Down Button Moves the variable down in the list.
Add Variable Button Adds a new variable to the list. Remove
Variable Button Deletes the variable from the list. Edit Variable
Button Opens the equation variable editor page. Execute Equation
Button Runs the current variable. OK Button Accepts changes and
closes the page. Equation File Field Displays the path to the file.
Prototype Field Displays the parametric requirements of the
selected function. Description Field Describes the selected
function. Set Value Field This field allows the user to set the
numeric values for the variables. Equation Field Displays the
equation. Result Field Displays the result of the executed
equation. Auto insert Check This check box allows the user to
insert selected functions and Box variables and functions simply by
double clicking the variables into mouse on them. equation on "dbl
click" Include prototype Check This check box allows the
application to include all on auto insert. Box prototype data on
auto inserts. Functions Selection This field has a plurality of
mathematical functions. Field
TABLE-US-00063 TABLE 60 Name Type Description Load Calculator
Button Loads a previously saved Custom Calculator. Save Calculator
Button Saves a Custom Calculator. "user prompt" Button Moves the
selected "user prompt" up in the command Up list. "user prompt"
Button Moves the selected "user prompt" down in the Down command
list. Edit the user Button Opens the Enter the User Query Setup
page. query list Variable Up Button Moves the selected variable up
in the variable list. Variable Down Button Moves the selected
variable down in the variable list. Add Variable Button Opens the
Equation Variable Editor page. Delete Variable Button Deletes the
selected variable Edit Variable Button Opens the Equation Variable
Editor page.. Use as Equation Button Sets equation variable as the
target variable. Target Equation Up Button Moves the selected
equation up in the equation list. Equation Down Button Moves the
selected equation down in the equation list. Add Equation Button
Opens the Equation Editor page. Delete Equation Button Deletes the
selected equation. Edit Equation Button Opens the Equation Editor
page. Exec All Button Executes a test of the custom calculators
function. Use as Equation Button Sets the currently selected
Variable to be the target Target variable for the custom equation.
Note: the "Sys_Result" system variable is always the target of the
last equation executed. This is the return value of the custom
calculator. Exit Button Clears and closes the Custom Calculator
Workshop page. Only available when running from the "tools" menu.
Calculator A/N The name given to the custom calculator by the Name
creating user. Author A/N The name of the user who creates the
custom calculator. Version A/N The version of the custom calculator
as determined by the user. Calculator User A/N Displays user query
prompts that will take place during Queries calculation execution.
System A/N Displays the fixed (System) variables. These variables
Variables can be used in equations, but are read only. They
include: Sys_Result: Return value of the Custom Calculator.
Sys_Nominal: The Absolute value of the Nominal Value
Sys_NominalSign: 1 if the nominal value was positive and -1 if the
nominal value was negative. Note: The Calibration Process Manager's
tolerance calculator uses all absolute values to calculate
tolerances. The original sign of the nominal value is restored when
calculations are completed. The Sys_Nominal variable value is also
made absolute in custom calculators to make them easier to design
for use with the tolerance calculator. If sign is relevant to your
custom calculation, use: (Sys_Nominal * Sys_NominalSign) to restore
sign to the nominal value. Variables A/N Displays the variables as
set in the Equation Editor. Equations A/N Displays the equations as
set in the Equation Editor. Nominal Value Numeric This number is
used to test the custom calculators function. Results Numeric
Displays the result of the custom calculator test. Note: The result
of a custom calculator must be relative to the nominal value's unit
of measure when used with the Calibration Process Manger's
integrated tolerance calculator. The value must also be absolute.
Accept Button Accepts edits to the calculator and closes the
workshop. Only available when editing one of the custom calculators
assigned to the data sheet. Cancel Button Cancels edits to the
calculator and closes the workshop. Only available when editing one
of the custom calculators assigned to the data sheet.
TABLE-US-00064 TABLE 61 Name Type Description Accept Button Accepts
inputted values. Cancel Button Clears and closes Enter the
Following Values page. Caption A/N Required field. This is where
the user sets the caption title for the variable. Default A/N
Displays the value of the variable. Value Tail A/N A short caption
displayed to the right of the default value i.e. (%, ppm, mv,
etc.). Target Drop Lists the options of all system and user defined
Variable Down variables. This is a required field. Box
TABLE-US-00065 TABLE 62 Name Type Description GPIB Reset Button
Clears the GPIB interface. Send Button Sends a test command to the
GPIB interface. Command Fetch Button Sends a test command from the
GPIB interface and Command reads the response. >Direct A/N
Indicates the response received from the fetch operation.
Response< Cut Left Numeric The number of characters to remove
from the response string. An entry of -1 indicates no characters
are removed. Keep Left Numeric The number of characters to retain
after the "cut left". An entry of -1 indicates all characters are
retained. Decimals Numeric This option forces the numeric format to
use the listed number of decimal places. GPIB Address A/N 1-31 Rcv
Buffer Numeric Max number of characters to Receive. When in Size
doubt use 100. Exponents Drop Selects the desired exponential
format of the result. Down Box Formatted Numeric The results from
the entered data. Results String Resulting Numeric The results from
the entered data. Numeric Value Continuous Run Check When this
check box is selected the machine will Box continually run the
fetch command option.
TABLE-US-00066 TABLE 63 Name Type Description Send Command Button
Sends a command. Fetch Button Sends a command and displays the
returned value. Command Configure Port Button Opens the Com Port
Setup page. >Direct A/N Indicates the response received from the
fetch Response< operation. Cut Left Numeric The number of
characters to remove from the response string. An entry of -1
indicates no characters are removed. Keep Left Numeric The number
of characters to retain after the "cut left". An entry of -1
indicates all characters are retained. Decimals Numeric This option
forces the numeric format to use the listed number of decimal
places. Exponents Drop Selects the desired exponential format of
the result. for Down a list of valid values. Box Formatted Results
Numeric The results from the entered data. String Resulting Numeric
Numeric The results from the entered data. Value Continuous Run
Check When this check box is selected the machine will Box
continually run the fetch command option until halted by the
user.
TABLE-US-00067 TABLE 64 .mu.VDC Range VAC Range mA DC Range mVDC
Range .mu.Ohm Range A DC Range VDC Range mOhm Range .mu.A AC Range
VDC Linearity kOhm Range mA AC Range mVAC Range MOhm Range mVAC
Range .mu.A DC Range
* * * * *