DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter described herein, in general relates to the Electronic Trip Units (ETU) of circuit breakers and, more particularly, to an interactive user interface for easy monitoring and parameterization.

BACKGROUND

A traditional electronic trip unit with the display module integrated to it provides a user with a flexibility to communicate with the trip unit. The user can view various parameters such as protection settings, metering, and event records, among others in “View mode” and can change the settings in ‘Configuration mode’. But it becomes tedious for the user to navigate from one mode to another to view the settings and change them. Also as, the number of display screens increases, the memory requirement to store the screens increases as well.

The current circuit breaker designs therefore suffer from a problem of not having any efficient and enhanced mechanism that can navigate using a single mode. Hence, there is a need to provide a limited navigation screens for viewing and configuring settings in electronic trip units of circuit breakers with an interactive user interface for easy monitoring and parameterization.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related a system and method for response time based access for setting of circuit breaker. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the subject matter.

In one implementation, a limited navigation screens for viewing and configuring settings in electronic trip units of circuit breakers with an interactive user interface for easy monitoring and parameterization is disclosed.

In one implementation, the present invention relates to electronic trip units of circuit breakers and display modules connected to it to provide an interactive user interface for easy monitoring and parameterization. The display module provides user with the flexibility of viewing the various parameters and settings applied and allows the authorized user to change the settings by providing password protected access.

In one implementation, the user is provided with a single menu for both viewing and configuring.

In one implementation, an algorithm is provided to limit the memory requirements and also to make the navigation easier for the user.

Accordingly in one implementation, an electronic circuit breaker (100) with a display is disclosed. The electronic circuit breaker (100) comprises of a display (102) electrically coupled to a microcontroller (106) to communicate with a trip mechanism (108) of said electronic circuit breaker (100), wherein the microcontroller (106) being programmed to respond to said communication, and wherein said display (102) enables a user to view pre-set settings and change said pre-set settings by means of a setting menu tab (104) provided on said display (102).

In one impledmentnantion, the present invention enables for viewing as well changing the settings, wherein user may not have to navigate through two different modes, i.e., “View Mode” and “Configuration mode”. Instead by pressing “Enter Key” for fixed timing user is prompted to change the settings if the user enters correct Password for settings change. Thus the navigation becomes easy for the user and also saves memory that is required to display a screen as the number of screens is reduced by giving single mode for viewing as well as changing settings. The present invention focuses on making display navigation convenient for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates an overall system as proposed is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2illustrates a general overview of the overall process proposed is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for the proposed invention is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVNENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Referring now to figure 1 illustrates an overall system as proposed in an embodiment of the present subject matter. An electronic circuit breaker (100) with a display is disclosed. The electronic circuit breaker (100) comprises of a display (102) electrically coupled to a microcontroller (106) to communicate with a trip mechanism (108) of said electronic circuit breaker (100), wherein the microcontroller (106) being programmed to respond to said communication, and wherein said display (102) enables a user to view pre-set settings and change said pre-set settings by means of a setting menu tab (104) provided on said display (102).

In one implementation, the electronic circuit breaker (100) further comprises of said microcontroller (106) that receives power derived from a current that passes through said electronic circuit breaker (100) when said electronic circuit breaker (100) is in an on state; a trip mechanism (108) that trips said electronic circuit breaker (106) in response to detection of at least one fault condition on a line to which said electronic circuit breaker (100) is connected; and a circuitry (110) that causes the trip mechanism (106) to trip said electronic circuit breaker (100) in response to receiving a trip signal from said microcontroller (106).

In one implementation, on user selection of said setting menu tab (104) for a pre-defined interval of time, said display requests for password to said user thereby providing an access to change said pre-set settings after verification of said user.

In one implementation, said display communicate with said trip mechanism (108) by selecting and providing instructions of changing said pre-set settings using said setting menu tab (104).

In one implementation, said settings are related to electronic circuit breaker (100).

In one implementation, microcontroller (106) said is programmed to modify said display (102) when said trip signal is sent to said circuitry, and power is immediately cutoff to said display (102) when said electronic circuit breaker (106) is tripped, when said display (102) shows detection of said at least one fault condition.

In one implementation, said display (102) continues to display the fault-type indication after electronic circuit breaker (100) has tripped and power is cutoff to said display.

In one implementation, said display (102) is touch screen display (102) configured to electrically interact with said electronic circuit breaker (104).

In one implementation, said display (102) is an alphanumeric display (102) and a plurality of keys configured to electrically interact with said electronic circuit breaker (100).

In one implementation, the present invention relates to electronic trip units of circuit breakers and display modules connected to it to provide an interactive user interface for easy monitoring and parameterization. The display module provides user with the flexibility of viewing the various parameters and settings applied and allows the authorized user to change the settings by providing password protected access.

In one implementation, the present invention suggests that instead of having two separate modes for viewing the settings and changing, only one mode can be provided. As shown in figure 2 and figure 3, once the user presses a select key in the ‘Settings’ menu for more than a particular timeout, it is guided to “Enter password to Change Settings” screen. If the user wants to change the settings, he can enter the password, or else can press the Escape key to come back to the previous screen.

If the user enters the correct password, it is allowed to change the settings. Once the user presses “Enter key” after changing the settings, new settings are saved in the memory of the controller of the Electronic Trip Unit or else previous settings are applied. On the other hand, if the user enters the password incorrectly 3 consecutive times, it comes out of configuration mode and enters the view Mode.

This algorithm provides an easier navigation and saves the memory as it will require only one mode. Also, providing password protection, allows only the authorized user to change the settings.

Referring now to figure 2, illustrates a general overview of the overall process proposed is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in figure 2, if the key is pressed for duration longer than a predefined timeout, the ETU prompts for a password. If the password is entered correctly, the user is allowed to configure the settings.

Referring now to figure3, illustrates a flow chart for the proposed invention is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in figure 3, user while accessing the proposed system has to press the key (setting menu tab (104)) for a pre-defined interval of time. If the user presses the key more than or equal to the predefined interval of time, the user is requested to enter the password submitted during registration. The password entered by the user is verified by the system, and if the password entered is correct the system displays users with a configuration mode wherein the user is privileged to change the pre-set setting of the system.

If the key entered by the user is not equal to or less that the pre-defined interval of time, the user is not allowed to change the pre-set settings.

Further, if the user submits the wrong password three times, the user is taken back to main screen on the display.

Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features:

One feature of the invention is that, the proposed invention provides a single mode for both viewing and changing the settings hence requires lesser memory and reduces the number of screens.

Another feature of the invention is that, the user does not have to navigate from one mode to another for changing/viewing the ETU settings, hence provides user friendly navigation.

Yet another feature of the invention is that, by providing password protection ensures that the user does not accidently enter configuration mode when he intends to view the data.

Apart from the above mentioned features, one of the most important feature is that, once the user presses a select key in the ‘Settings’ menu for more than a particular timeout, it is guided to “Enter password to Change Settings” screen. Hence, the user is prompted for entering the password only when the key is pressed for more than a particular timeout. This feature and above mentioned features makes the invention un-obvious for the person skilled in the art.

Although a system and method for limited navigation screens for viewing and configuring settings of circuit breakers been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations a system and method for limited navigation screens for viewing and configuring settings of circuit breakers.
,CLAIMS:1. An electronic circuit breaker (100), comprising:
a display (102) electrically coupled to a microcontroller (106) to communicate with a trip mechanism (108) of said electronic circuit breaker (100),
wherein the microcontroller (106) being programmed to respond to said communication,
wherein said display (102) enables a user to view pre-set settings and change said pre-set settings by means of a setting menu tab (104) provided on said display (102).

2. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises of
said microcontroller (106) that receives power derived from a current that passes through said electronic circuit breaker (100) when said electronic circuit breaker (100) is in an on state;
a trip mechanism (108) that trips said electronic circuit breaker (106)in response to detection of at least one fault condition on a line to which said electronic circuit breaker (100)is connected; and
a circuitry (110) that causes the trip mechanism (106) to trip said electronic circuit breaker (100) in response to receiving a trip signal from said microcontroller (106).

3. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims1 and 2, wherein on user selection of said setting menu tab (104) for a pre-defined interval of time, said display requests for password to said user thereby providing an access to change said pre-set settings after verification of said user.

4. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein said display communicate with said trip mechanism (108) by selecting and providing instructions of changing said pre-set settings using said setting menu tab (104).

5. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein said settings are related to electronic circuit breaker (100).

6. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein microcontroller (106) said is programmed to modify said display (102) when said trip signal is sent to said circuitry, and power is immediately cutoff to said display (102) when said electronic circuit breaker (106) is tripped, when said display (102) shows detection of said at least one fault condition.

7. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims 1-6 wherein said display (102) continues to display the fault-type indication after electronic circuit breaker (100) has tripped and power is cutoff to said display.

8. The electronic circuit breaker (100) as claimed in claims 1-7 wherein said display (102) is touch screen display (102) configured to electrically interact with said electronic circuit breaker (104).

9. The electronic circuit breaker (102) as claimed in claims 1-8 wherein said display (102) is an alphanumeric display (102) and a plurality of keys configured to electrically interact with said electronic circuit breaker (100).