Elsag International N.v.

Jeffrey S Mills

Stewart Thoeni

Donald R Spriggs

A custom segment that includes softkey prompts which are included as icons in the display. A number of keys are associated with the display. Several functions are assigned to the same key. The prompts that must be displayed for each function so that the operator or user of the device in which the display is used could easily operate the keys to obtain those functions were identified at the start of the device design effort. The prompts were assigned to the keys in a logical manner so that in each state of each operating mode of the device an easy to understand set of prompts appear on the display.

Method and apparatus for providing a softkey prompted user interface

A method and apparatus for notifying a receiving device of fault conditions in a sensing element or an instrument. The instrument generates an analog signal that has an amplitude which is representative of a variable. The analog signal amplitude has a range defined by a lower limit and an upper limit. The instrument transmits the analog signal to the receiving device. When the instrument detects a fault condition in itself or in the sensing element, the transmitter periodically changes the analog signal amplitude by a predetermined amplitude for as long as the fault condition exists. The predetermined amplitude and its polarity are such that the amplitude of the periodically changed analog signal lies within the range. The receiving device generates an alarm when it detects the pulses.

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Carson City, NV, United States of America

Jeffrey S Mills