Remote display module

Abstract

A portable display unit includes a serial port to connect to a device such as a vacuum network controller, cryopump, turbomolecular pump, gauges or compressor. In particular, the display unit can be plugged and unplugged to devices of different types. The portable display unit includes a display and control keys for programming, controlling and monitoring the functions of a device. The device accessible to the display unit includes a display interface having software code and files to interface with the display unit. Accordingly, the portable display unit can be used with any device having software code to interface with the display unit. The software code generates, refreshes and communicates menus to the portable display unit to provide graphical interface of the device's functions. The portable display unit further includes inner and outer hand grips so that the display unit can be held by hands of different sizes. The hand grips allow user with different hand sizes to firmly hold and navigate the display using control keys with fingers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of communicating with plural devices comprising: 
 storing a display controller in each of plural devices of different types, each display controller generating display menus specific to the type of device;    providing a portable display unit having a display and control keys;    connecting the portable display unit to a first device of a first type, receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys; and    connecting the portable display unit to a second device of a second type, receiving menus from the second device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plural devices are used in a fabrication plant.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first device is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a water pump, a gauge and a turbopump.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a water pump, a gauge and a turbopump.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of establishing a remote session between the portable display unit and the first device.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the first device from the portable display unit which is connected to the second device to indicate activation of control keys.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of initializing the portable display unit and the first device subsequent to connecting the portable display unit to the first device to assure proper connection between the portable display unit and the first device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of checking software on the display unit to determine whether the software version is compatible with the one on the first device.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of forwarding bitmaps specific to the first device.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the display menus include menus to monitor the first device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the display menus include hidden menus to the first device.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the hidden menus provide a command interface.  
     
     
         13 . A display unit comprising: 
 a display;    control keys including at least up and down scroll keys and an enter key;    a device interface which provides a connection to a device; and    electronic circuitry which forwards messages to the device to indicate activation of control keys and which displays a menu received in messages from the device, the electronic circuitry displaying data entered with the control keys and forwarding the displayed data to the device.    
     
     
         14 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the electronic circuitry stores and forwards the entered data upon request to receive control keys from the device.  
     
     
         15 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprises non-volatile memory which stores code to display menus received in messages from the device.  
     
     
         16 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising volatile memory to store a non-requested key entry.  
     
     
         17 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the control keys include back, home, and help keys.  
     
     
         18 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the control keys are used to scroll data.  
     
     
         19 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the control keys are used to change data.  
     
     
         20 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising a pivotable rest stand to position the display to form an angle along a vertical axis of a horizontal plane.  
     
     
         21 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising a hand grip to support holding of the display unit with a hand.  
     
     
         22 . The display unit of  claim 21  wherein the hand grip is a double hand grip to support hands of different sizes.  
     
     
         23 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising a screw connector for mounting the display unit.  
     
     
         24 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the electronic circuitry performs diagnostic test of the display unit.  
     
     
         25 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the device interface is a serial port.  
     
     
         26 . The display unit of  claim 13  wherein the display is vacuum flourescent display.  
     
     
         27 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising a recess along a side of the display for setting back the display from the front surface.  
     
     
         28 . The display unit of  claim 13  further comprising a shock mount for protecting the display.  
     
     
         29 . A device comprising: 
 a processor;    a display interface in communication with the processor, the display interface providing a connection to a display unit;    a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer-readable medium storing computer-executable software code for: 
 providing a display driver for communication with the display unit;  
 generating a first menu specific to the device;  
 communicating the messages to the display unit; and  
 receiving a key entry from the display unit, processing the key entry and generating a second menu in response to the key entry.  
   
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29  further comprising software code for committing the key entry upon activation of the enter key.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29  wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a waterpump, a gauge and a turbopump.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 29  wherein the display interface is a serial port.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 29  further comprising software code for retrieving monitor data from device components.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33  wherein the software code generates the second menu by refreshing monitor data in the first menu.  
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 29  wherein the software code generates the second menu by changing set data in the first menu.  
     
     
         36 . A method for displaying a menu on a portable display unit comprising: 
 connecting the portable display unit to a device;    initiating the display unit and the device to assure a proper connection between the display unit and the device;    at the device, generating a first menu and communicating the first menu to the display unit;    from the display unit, forwarding a key entry; and    at the device, processing the key entry, generating a second menu in response to the key entry, and communicating the second menu to the display unit.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising resetting the device when the portable display unit is disconnected from the menu.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising periodically forwarding initialization messages from the device to the display unit to assure a proper connection between the display unit and the device.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising at the display unit, receiving the first menu from the device and displaying the menu.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  wherein second menu is the menu having refreshed data.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising at the display unit, the step of receiving a key request from the device.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the second menu is a new menu with different regions and data.