the collected data to efficiently maintain the specified temperature of the cargo area and
adjust for changes in the operating conditions affecting the temperature within the cargo
space.
The control device or main module is typically mounted on the refrigeration
5 unit, and may include a graphical user interface having a display screen and input devices,
such as buttons, that allow a uscr to vicw information storcd at thc control dcvicc, to changc
settings for the refrigeration unit, and to navigate through a system of menus to get to the
desired information and to cause functions to be executed by the control device to control the
operation of the refrigeration unit. Currently, a visual output device, such as dot matrix or
10 similar type of display, may display the available menus to a user, but menus are typically
difficult to traverse and manage, and take time to navigate to the desired function or data.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide a control device having input devices and displays
allowing a user to quickly and intuitively navigate menus and display desired data and control
functionality.
15 Another issue with control devices for the transport refrigeration units in
current use is the general availability of the entire menu system to virtually anyone that can
operate the inputs of the control device. With many current control devices, any person could
walk up to the refrigeration unit when the vehicle is parked at a truck stop, press the buttons
on the control device, and view information contained therein and possibly alter settings of
20 the graphical user interface. Certain information available at the control device is important
for the driver of the vehicle to know the current conditions within the cargo space and
whether the refrigeration unit is operating properly. However, the owners of the vehicles
may wish to limit the amount of information and menus available to drivers, and the amount
of data to which the drivers have access, either for security reasons or because such
information is wholly irrelevant to the driver's task of transporting the shipment to its
destination. Therefore, a further need exists to lock the driver out of certain menus while
allowing other authorized users of the control device to freely navigate the menus to which
5 they are granted access.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a graphical user interface
10 device for controlling and monitoring the operation of a transport refrigeration unit may
include a display device, a plurality of input devices, a data storage device, an input port for
operatively connecting an external device to the graphical user interface device, and a
processor operatively connected to the display device, the plurality of input devices, the
memory device and the input port. The processor may be programmed to store a menu
15 structure in the data storage device of the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu
structure may include multiple levels of menu options, and wherein each menu option may
have an option security level designation stored therewith. The processor may further be
programmed to cause the display device to display a first subset of the menu options when no
authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu
20 options in the first subset may have option security level designations equal to a first security
level designation, and the processor may be programmed to cause the display device to
display a second subset of the menu options in response to entry of an authorization code by a
user at the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu options in the second subset
may include the menu options in the first subset and menu options having option security
level designations equal to a second security level designation.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for providing
access for display of a menu structure of a graphical user interface device for a transport
5 refrigeration unit may include storing the menu structure in a data storage device of the
graphical user interface device, wherein the menu structure may include multiple levels of
menu options, and wherein each menu option may have an option security level designation
stored therewith. The method may further include displaying a first subset of the menu
options at a display device of the graphical user interface device when no authorization code
10 is input by a user at the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu options in the first
subset may have security level designations equal to a first security level designation, and
displaying a second subset of the menu options at the display device of the graphical user
interface device in response to entry of an authorization code by a user at the graphical user
interface device, wherein the menu options in the second subset may include the menu
15 options in the first subset and menu options having menu security level designations equal to
a second security level designation.
In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for
regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer for transporting perishable goods may
include a transport refrigeration unit capable of producing warm or cold air and directing the
20 warm or cold air into a cargo space of the insulated trailer, and a graphical user interface
device operatively connected to the transport refrigeration unit to display information
regarding the operation of the transport refrigeration unit and allow users to make input
selections for controlling the operation of the transport refrigeration unit. The graphical user
interface device may include a display device, a plurality of input devices, a memory device,
an input port for operatively connecting an external device to the graphical user interface
device, and a processor operatively connected to the display device, the plurality of input
devices, the memory device and the input port. The processor may be programmed to store a
5 menu structure in the data storage device of the graphical user interface device, wherein the
menu structure may include multiple levels of menu options, and wherein each menu option
may have an option security level designation stored therewith. The processor may further be
programmed to cause the display device to display a first subset of the menu options when no
authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu
10 options in the first subset may have security level designations equal to a first security level
designation, and the processor may be programmed to cause the display device to display a
second subset of the menu options in response to entry of an authorization code by a user at
the graphical user interface device, wherein the menu options in the second subset may
include the menu options in the first subset and menu options having menu security level
15 designations equal to a second security level designation.
Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the disclosed system and method,
reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
HG. 1 is a pictorial view of a portion of a tractor-trailer having a transport
refrigeration unit with a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure;
HG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the graphical user interface of the
transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the graphical user
interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 4 is a front view of a main display screen of the graphical user interface
of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1 ;
HG. 5 is a front view of an active alarm screen of the graphical user interface
10 of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 6 is a front view of an inactive alarm screen of the graphical user
interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 7 is a front view of a main display screen of the graphical user interface
of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1 with a first set of top level menu options;
15 HG. 8 is a front view of the main display screen of FIG. 7 with a second set of
top level menu options;
HG. 9 is a front view of a unit data sub-menu for a normal user of the
graphical user interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 10 is a front view of an engine sub-system screen for a normal user of the
20 graphical user interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
HG. 11 is a front view of the unit data sub-menu for an advanced user of the
graphical user interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the engine sub-system screen for an advanced user
of the graphical user interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a front view of the main display screen of HG. 4 with labels for
pre-programmed soft keys;
FIG. 14 is a front view of a trip graph display screen of the graphical user
interface of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 15 is a front view of a main display screen of the graphical user interface
10 of the transport refrigeration unit of FIG. 1 with a USB main menu displayed in the advanced
communication strip.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that
the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views.
In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed
15 methods and systems or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been
omitted. It should be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular
embodiments illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous
different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the
invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible
embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
5 using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent,
which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this
patent using the sentence "As used herein, the term ' ' is hereby defined to mean . . . "
or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or
10 by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted
to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than
the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of
this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is
done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such
15 claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a
claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and a function without the recital of
any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on
the application of 35 U.S.C. § 1 12, sixth paragraph.
HG. 1 illustrates an implementation of a graphical user interface for a
20 transport refrigeration unit in accordance with the present disclosure in a semi-trailer truck
having a tractor 1 hauling an insulated trailer 2 on which a transport refrigeration unit 3 is
mounted to provide conditioned air to the interior cargo space of the trailer 2. The operation
of the transport refrigeration unit 3 may be controlled by a control device or main control
module 4 having a graphical user interface device 10 having a display screen and input
devices as will be discussed further below. The control module 4 may be operatively coupled
to the trailer 2, either directly or via the transport refrigeration unit 3 to receive information
regarding the current status of relevant aspects of the trailer 2 and the surrounding
5 environment that may be used in the control of the transport refrigeration unit 3. For
example, the control module 4 may receive data from temperature and moisture sensors
within the trailer 2 as well as external to the trailer 2 for use in the control strategy for
maintaining the temperature within the trailer 2, as well as from a sensor that may indicate
whether the trailer door is open or closed. Similarly, the control module may be operatively
10 coupled to the transport refrigeration unit 3 to monitor various operating parameters of the
components and sub-systems of the refrigeration unit 3, such as the engine, compressor and
fan, and to provide control signals to the components of the refrigeration unit 3 for operation
of the refrigeration unit 3 in accordance with a selected control strategy. As indicated by the
transmission waves in FIG. 1, the control module 4 may further be configured with wireless
15 communications capabilities to communicate with equipment within the tractor 1, such as an
on-board computer, PDA, cellular telephone or the like, or with remote equipment that may
be located at a main office of the owner. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand
that the control module 4 may be provided with communications capabilities for direct
connect with an external device, such as the will be discussed below, and such wireless and
20 direct connections are contemplated by the inventors as having use in user interfaces in
accordance with the present disclosure.
Turning to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a user interface 10 is shown. The
components of the user interface 10 may be installed within a housing 12 that may be
mounted to the transport refrigeration unit 3 and that is sufficiently durable to withstand
exposure to the elements and impacts as the semi-tractor trailer transports cargo between
destinations. An onloff switch 13 may control the power to the user interface 10 as well as
the entire transport refrigeration unit 3, and may be any appropriate switch, such as the
5 illustrated toggle switch. The user interface 10 may include a central display screen 14 sized
to clearly display information thereon, and may provide graphics large enough to be seen
from a distance, such as from inside the cab of the tractor 1. The display screen 14 may be
any appropriate type of display device, such as dot matrix display or LCD screen, to provide
sufficient resolution for the users when displaying information thereon. The user interface 10
10 may include a further visual output device in the form of an alarm lamp 16 that may be
illuminated to notify the driver or other user of the user interface 10 when alarm conditions
are present in the transport refrigeration unit 3 and/or the trailer 2. If necessary, the user
interface 10 may be capable of producing an audible output of alarm signals, instructions and
the like from a speaker (not shown) disposed within the housing 12.
15 The user interface 10 is provided with various inputs for controlling the
operation of the transport refrigeration unit 3 and the display of information on the display
screen 14. An engine mode button 18 allows a user to select a mode of operation of the
transport refrigeration unit 3. In the "StartIStop" mode, the user interface 10 will control the
engine of the refrigeration unit to start and stop as necessary to maintain the cargo space or
20 box of the trailer 2 within a specified temperature control band. In the "Continuous" mode,
the user interface 10 will keep the engine running continuously to provide continuous airflow
and more constant temperatures. The user interface 10 may be configured to toggle between
the "StartIStop" and "Continuous" modes each time a user presses the engine mode button
18. Additional direct control of the operation of the refrigeration unit 3 may be provided by a
defrost button 20. Pressing the defrost button 20 may cause the user interface 10 to signal the
control module 4 to defrost the evaporator coil in the refrigeration unit 3. Such manual
defrosting of the evaporation coil may be necessary before the trailer 2 is loaded, or when the
5 refrigeration unit 3 is experiencing other conditions causing the coil to ice up. Once manual
defrosting is actuated by pressing the defrost button 20, the user interface 10 may be
configured to continue defrosting until the defrost button 20 is pressed again and the user
interface 10 sends a signal to discontinue defrosting, for a predetermined period of time after
which the manual defrosting mode is discontinued, and/or until the control module 4
10 determines that the coil is defrosted.
A menu button 22 is provided to allow a user to enter the menu hierarchy
when the button 22 is depressed. When the menu button 22 is pressed, the display on the
display screen 14 may be updated to the display a main menu listing the top level menu
options available to the user. In one embodiment, the menu options may be listed in a
15 vertical column on the display screen 14, with one of the menu options being highlighted to
indicate that the menu option is the active option. In such a listing, a scroll up button 24 and
scroll down button 26 may be pressed to sequentially highlight the menu options upwardly or
downwardly, respectively. When a desired one of the menu options is highlighted, a
savelselect button 28 may be pressed to select the highlighted menu option and cause the user
20 interface 10 to update the display screen 14 with a further display corresponding to the
selected menu option, such as a display of a lower level menu or a display of parameter
values indicative of the operating conditions or performance of the transport refrigeration unit
3.
In an alternative embodiment discussed more fully below, menu options may
be provided in a horizontal list at a lower portion of the display screen above soft keys 30-36.
The functionality of the soft keys 30-36 will be discussed more fully below, but in the menu
display, one of the soft keys 30-36 may be pressed to cause the user interface 10 to execute
5 the corresponding menu option in a similar manner as pressing the savelselect button 28 as
discussed above. Where the menu includes more menu options than the number of soft keys
30-36, a user may be able to scroll through the additional menu options by pressing the menu
button 22 multiple times to sequentially display the menu options. Alternatively, the
additional menu options may be displayed by pressing the scroll buttons 24, 26 as discussed
10 above. For example, where the user interface 10 is provided with four soft keys 30-36,
pressing the scroll down button 26 may cause the four listed menu options to be replaced by
the next four menu options, and pressing the scroll up button 24 may cause the four listed
menu options to be replaced by the previous four menu options.
While the buttons 24-36 have just been described with respect to their menu
15 functions, the buttons may perform different functions for the user interface 10 when the
device 10 is not displaying a menu listing at the display screen 14. For example, the scroll
buttons 24,26 may be used to increase and decrease the value of a parameter being set by a
user. The display at the display screen 14 in FIG. 2 may be the display associated with the
function of setting the set point for the box temperature in the trailer 2. For this function,
20 pressing the scroll up button 24 may increase the set point temperature by increments of 1°F,
and pressing the scroll down button 26 may decrease the set point temperature by increments
of 1°F. Once the desired set point temperature is displayed, the user may press the savelselect
button 28 to save the new set point value and cause the user interface 10 to transmit the new
set point value to the control module 4 to control the temperature accordingly. The soft keys
30-36 may also perform different functions depending on the menu being displayed or the
function being performed as will be discussed more fully below.
As previously discussed, the alarm lamp 16 may be illuminated when alarm
5 conditions are present in the transport refrigeration unit 3 and/or the trailer 2. As an
altcrnativc to immcdiatcly displaying alarm mcssagcs on thc display scrccn 14, an alarm list
button 38 may be provided to allow a user to display the alarm message(s) at the appropriate
time after being prompted by the alarm lamp 16. After the alarm list button 38 is pressed and
the alarm message(s) islare displayed, the user may be able to navigate through the alarm
10 message(s) and associated functionality using the buttons 24-36 is a similar manner as
discussed above.
In addition to the input and output devices of the user interface 10 discussed in
the immediately preceding paragraphs, the user interface 10 may also be capable of two-way
communications with external devices. As mentioned above, the user interface 10 may be
15 configured for performing wireless communications, such as with devices within the cab of
the tractor or with other remote locations. The user interface 10 may further be configured
with ports providing the capability of direct connection to external devices. Consequently,
the user interface 10 may be provided with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 40 to which an
external device may be connected via an appropriate cable. External devices such as USB
20 flash drives, personal computers, cellular telephones, smart phones, PDAs and the like may
be connected to the user interface 10 via the USB port 40.
Once connected, the user interface 10, control module 4 and the external
device may be able to exchange software, data and other information necessary for
controlling and monitoring the operation of the transport refrigeration unit 3 in regulating the
temperature within the trailer 2. For example, the external device may download updated
versions of the system software of the control module 4 or user interface 10, or new or
revised set points or control schedules for the operation of the control module 4. The
5 external device may also provide software for performing diagnostics routines for
determining the operational status of the control module 4 and refrigeration unit 3, and
correcting detected issues. Conversely, the user interface 10 and/or control module 4 may
download historical data regarding the operation of the control module 4 and the refrigeration
unit 3 to the external device that may be used to analyze the performance of the control
10 module 4 and unit 3. Additional external connections and corresponding external device to
which the user interface 10 and/or control module 4 may be connected will be apparent to
those skilled in the art and are contemplated by the inventors as having use with user
interfaces 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.
HG. 3 provides a block diagram of a configuration of electrical components
15 that may be provided in the user interface 10. For purposes of avoiding confusion and
unnecessary redundancy in the present disclosure, the switches corresponding to the buttons
18-38 will be identified by the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 2. Those skilled in
the art will understand that for each mechanical portion of the input devices described above,
a corresponding electrical component operatively connected thereto creates a detectable input
20 signal causing the user interface 10 to do something. Consequently, the buttons 18-22 on the
left side of the display screen 14 have corresponding switches 18-22, the buttons 24-28 on the
right side of the display screen 14 have corresponding switches 24-28, and so forth.
In addition to the components discussed above, the user interface 10 may
include a processor 42, read only memory (ROM) 44, erasable programmable read only
memory (EPROM) 46 and a communications module 48, with all the components being
interconnected to perform the processing described herein. The processor 42 may be any
5 appropriate processing device capable of executing program instructions stored in ROM 44
and EPROM 46, read data from and write data to EPROM 46, detect actuation of the
switches 18-38, output signals causing the display screen 14, alarm lamp 16 and a speaker 50
to operate, and to communicate with external devices connected to the user interface 10 at
USB port 40 or other connectivity ports provided in the user interface 10. Power for the user
10 interface 10 may be provided by a power supply 52 operatively connected to the processor 42
via the onloff switch 13 when the switch 13 is in the "on" position. ROM 44 and EPROM 46
may be any appropriate permanent and erasable non-volatile memories, respectively, capable
of storing the software necessary to provide the functionality of the user interface 10
discussed herein. The communications module 48 may encompass the hardware and
15 software necessary for performing communications with the control module 4 and with
additional external devices. Consequently, the communications module 48 may be
configured with a direct connection to the control module 4, and for performing wireless
communications with external devices such as those discussed above. Moreover, the
communications module 48 may include additional external interface ports in addition to the
20 USB port 40 to which external devices may be directly connected to the user interface 10 for
the exchange of information. Those skilled in the art will understand that the combination of
electrical components illustrated and described herein is merely exemplary, and other
combinations of electrical components capable of providing the functionality set forth herein
are contemplated by the inventors as having use in user interfaces 10 in accordance with the
present disclosure. Additionally, though portions of the disclosure discuss the operation of
the user interface 10 with reference to the actuation of the buttons 18-38, the outputting of
information at the output devices 14, 16, 50, and the exchange of information with a device
5 connected at the USB port 40, it should be understood that the underlying execution of the
functionality is performed by the internal electrical components in a manner that is
understood by those skilled in the art.
HG. 4 illustrates a main display screen 54 that may be output at the display
screen 14 of the user interface 10 when the control module 4 is functioning normally to
10 control the refrigeration unit 3. Each screen display may include a main display area 56, an
upper status indication strip 58 and a lower advanced communications strip 60. The
advanced communications strip 60 may provide information to the user necessary for the
performing functions on the user interface 10. For example, the strip 60 displays an
indication that the unit 3 has shut down and that the alarm list button 38 should be pressed.
15 The message may be accompanied by the illumination of the alarm lamp 16. When the alarm
list button 38 is pressed, an active alarm screen 62 (FIG. 5) may be displayed at the display
screen 14 listing all the active alarms. If necessary, the user may use the scroll buttons 24,26
to scroll through the list of active alarms. The advanced communications strip 60 may
display actions that may be taken in response to the alarms, with each action being positioned
20 above a corresponding one of the soft keys 30-36. Consequently, pressing the soft key 30
may clear the active alarms and move them to an inactive alarms list, pressing the soft key 34
may cause an inactive alarm screen 64 (FIG. 6) to be displayed, and pressing the soft key 36
may cause the main display screen 54 to again be displayed, possibly without the alarm
message in the advanced communications strip 60.
As discussed above, the user interface 10 may have a series of menus and submenus
allowing a user to navigate to the functions and data available to the user. In
5 previously known user interfaces, all users of the user interface had access to the all the menu
and sub-mcnu options. In thc prcscnt uscr intcrfacc 10, acccss to mcnus and data may bc
restricted based on the level of authorization granted to a group of users or a particular user.
In one embodiment, a menu structure may be stored in the ROM 44 and/or EPROM 46 of the
user interface 10 having a top level of menu options, one or more lower levels of options, and
10 ultimately the functions that can be executed and parameters that may be displayed at the
lowest levels. Each menu option, function and parameter may have an associated security
level stored there with that may control whether a given user having a prescribed
authorization may have the menu option, function or parameter displayed. For example,
options, functions and data that may be generally available to all users regardless of their
15 authorization may have a security level designation of " N for normal users, and options,
functions and data available only to users with greater levels of authorization may have a
security level designations of "A" for advanced users and "T" for technicians. Though three
levels are described herein, the user interface 10 may be capable of providing multiple levels
of increasing security corresponding to increasing levels of authorization that may be desired
20 by the owner of the system. Moreover, two or more security level designations may provide
a similar amount of security within the system, but with each providing information and
menu options that are meaningful to the user's job. Consequently, there may be overlap in
the menus to which two levels are authorized, but with each level having access to certain
information and/or menus to which the other level does not have access.
The menu structure and security level designations for the menu options,
functions and parameters may be input to the user interface 10 and stored in the memories 44,
5 46 using any appropriate data input or downloading methods or combination of methods. For
cxamplc, a basic, pcrmancnt mcnu structure may bc hard codcd into thc uscr intcrfacc 10 and
stored in ROM 44 when the user interface 10 is manufactured and/or initially configured with
the system software. At the same time, portions of the menu structure that may later be
modified may be written to EPROM 46. Alternatively, the entire initial menu structure may
10 be written the EPROM 46. After the initial configuration, updates to the menu structure and
security level designations may be downloaded to the user interface 10, along with other
software updates, from external devices via the USB port 40 and/or communications module
48.
The updates may be loaded onto a USB flash drive, for example, that is then
15 delivered to the refrigeration unit 3 and connected to the user interface 10 via the USB port
40. Once connected, the updates may be loaded automatically or through upload functions
that may be executed using the buttons 18-36 of the user interface 10. For example, the user
interface 10 may cause a list of USB menu options 65 to be displayed in the advanced
communication strip 60 when the USB device is connected as shown in FIG. 15. The menu
20 items may include options for downloading data, installing software, installing settings, such
as IntelliSet settings for products, and removing the USB device. When "Download Data" is
selected, the display at the advanced communication strip 60 may be changed to indicate that
data is being copied along with a graphical or numeric indication of the progress of the
download, and then provide an indication that the download is complete. When "Install
Software" is selected, a series of additional screens may be displayed showing the software
versions on the user interface 10 and the USB device along with instructions for initiating the
installation, the progress of the software installation, and an indication of the completion of
5 the installation. When "Install Settings" is selected, a series of additional screens may be
displayed showing the settings available for downloading, the progress of the installation of
the selected settings, and an indication of the completion of the installation. Alternatively,
the updates may be downloaded to the user interface 10 from local or remote external devices
via the communications module 48 using direct connections or wireless communications
10 depending on the particular configurations of the communications module 48. As a further
alternative, the user interface 10 may be configured for manual updating of the menu
structure and security level designations by authorized users using the input devices at the
user interface 10.
The configuration of the user interface 10 may also set the mechanism by
15 which users having higher levels of authorization may gain access to the menu options,
functions and data having correspondingly higher security level designations. In one
embodiment, authorization codes at an authorization level or at a user level may be stored at
the user interface 10, and access to the appropriate menu options, functions and data may be
granted when an authorized user inputs the correct authorization code at the user interface 10.
20 Entry of the authorization code may entail pressing buttons 18-36 in a specific sequence that
matches the authorization code stored in the user interface 10. The sequence may include
pressing multiple buttons 18-36 simultaneously. In one example, the soft keys 30-36 may
represent the numbers 1-4, respectively, and the authorization code may be a multiple digit
number. Consequently, the authorization code "1234" may require the user to press soft keys
30-36 in order from left to right. Larger numbers such as "5," "6" and "7" may require the
user to press two of the soft keys 30-36 simultaneously, such that the authorization code
"5 137" may be entered by pressing the soft keys 30 and 36 or 32 and 34 simultaneously,
5 followed by soft key 30, soft key 34 and soft keys 34 and 36 simultaneously. The processor
42 may detect the sequence and compare the authorization code represented by the sequence
to the stored authorization code. If a match is found, the processor 42 may update an
authorization level for access to the information of the user interface 10 to match the
authorization code such that the appropriate menu options, functions and data are displayed.
10 The level of authorization may remain in effect until a logout function is executed, or a
predetermined period of time elapses and the user is logged out automatically.
In an alternative embodiment, the authorization code may be stored on a USB
flash drive or other device in possession of the user and that may be connected to the user
interface 10. At the time the device is connected to the user interface 10, the processor 42
15 may read the authorization code stored on the device and compare it to the authorization
code(s) stored in the memories 44,46. If a match is found, the appropriate level of access
may be granted to the user in a similar manner as discussed above. These methods of entry
for the authorization codes are exemplary and other entry methods for entering such data will
be apparent to those skilled in the art.
20 When the user interface 10 is configured and operational, a normal
authorization level may provide all users with access to the default menu options, functions
and data having the minimum security level designation, such as "N" for normal users. At
the normal authorization level, the processor 42 may select the subset of menu options,
functions and data having the minimum security level designation for display to and use by
the user. When the user presses the menu button 22, the top level menu options may be
displayed for the user in the advanced communications strip 60 of a main menu screen 66 as
shown in FIG. 7. The top level menu options for a transport refrigeration unit 3 may include
5 "Operating Mode," which may lead to a sub-menu providing a plurality of options for the
operation of the refrigeration unit, "IntelliSet," which may lead to a sub-menu listing
products for which refrigeration settings are pre-programmed into the user interface 10 and/or
the control module 4, "Pretrip," which may lead to a sub-menu with options to execute a
pretrip refrigeration routine or view the results of a previously-executed pretrip routine, and
10 "Language," leading to a list of language options from which the user may select and that
will be applied to all messages, including programmable messages.
Additional top level menu options may be provided on a second main menu
screen 68 shown in FIG. 8. The user may navigate to the screen 68 by pressing the scroll
down button 26, or by pressing the menu button 22 a second time. The advanced
15 communications strip 60 may be updated by the processor 42 to list additional top level menu
options such as "Hour Meter," which may lead to a list of parameters for which the hours of
operation or hours of remaining availability may be viewed, "Unit Data," which may lead to
a sub-menu listing sub-systems of the refrigeration unit 3 for which values of operating
parameters are recorded and may be viewed, "Data Recorder," that may lead to a sub-menu
20 with options for graphically displaying or printing recorded data, and "Exit," which may
return to the main display screen 54 of FIG. 4. The present example assumes that all the top
level menu options of the main menu screens 66, 68 are available to all users regardless of
their level of authorization. However, one or more of the menu options may have a higher
security level designation, in which case the menu options would be blanked out and not be
displayed until an appropriate authorization code is entered by a user.
For the normal users, the subset of menu options, functions and data available
to them will be displayed at the display screen 14 as they drill down into the menu structure
5 by making selections using the scroll buttons 24,26, the savelselect button 28 and the soft
kcys 30-36. Conscqucntly, whcn thc sccond main mcnu scrccn 68 is displaycd, thc uscr may
press the soft key 32 to navigate to a unit data sub-menu screen 70 having a list of subsystems
of the refrigeration unit 3 that are monitored by the control module 4 and for which
data is available to be viewed at the user interface 10. In this example, the minimum security
10 level users may be able to view data for the engine, refrigeration, remote sensors and the
refrigeration system. Other sub-systems may exist in the refrigeration unit 3, but not all are
available to the normal user.
The user may use the scroll buttons 24,26 to move up and down the list, and
then press the savelselect button 28 to select the desired sub-system. When the "Engine" sub-
15 system is selected, an engine sub-system screen 72 may be displayed showing the parameters
of the engine sub-system for which the normal user has access, along with the current
measure value of each parameter that is stored at the control module 4 andlor the user
interface 10. Consequently, the fuel level, battery voltage, charging amps and coolant
temperature are displayed. After viewing the engine parameters, the user may go back to the
20 previous unit data sub-menu screen 70 by pressing the soft key 34, or may exit out of the
menu structure and back to the main display screen 54 by pressing the soft key 36.
The display and access for the normal users may now be contrasted with the
display and access provided to the users with higher levels of authorization. At some point
during use of the user interface 10, the advanced user or technician enters an authorization
code using the buttons 18-38 of the user interface 10, a connected external device such as a
USB flash drive, or other suitable mechanism for delivering the authorization code to the
processor 42. Once the authorization code is confirmed and the user enters the menu
5 structure, the processor 42 selects a broader subset of the available menu options, functions
and data to which the advanced user or technician is permitted access. The additional
information will be displayed to the advanced user or technician in addition to the
information that was displayed to the normal user. As a result, the unit data sub-menu screen
70 of FIG. 9 is updated in FIG. 11 to include an option to the advanced user or technician for
10 viewing data recorder sensor data. If selected, a data recorder sensor data screen (not shown)
that was wholly unavailable to the normal user will be displayed to the advanced user or
technician. Similarly, when the advanced user selects the engine sub-system for viewing, the
engine sub-system screen 72 of FIG. 10 is displayed as shown in FIG. 12 including a value for
the engine oil pressure. Similar differences between the menu options, functions and data
15 displayed for the normal user and the advanced user or technician will be present throughout
the menu structure. In addition, any of the functions may be locked out from any type of
user. For example, the engine mode button 18 may be locked out for normal users to prevent
them from changing between the stoplstart and continuous modes. On the other hand, the
button 18 may be active for advanced users and technicians.
20 Other levels of authorization may be established based on the level of access
required for a user or group of users that may provide more or less information than is
provided for the advanced user. Depending on the needs of the respective users, the subset of
the total information to which a particular level of authorization has access may entirely
encompass the subset of information available to the lower level users, and may be entirely
encompassed by the subset of information available to the higher level users. Conversely, the
respective subsets of information for the various authorization levels may overlap without the
higher level subsets completely encompassing the lower level subsets.
In addition to customizing the menu options, functions and data that may be
acccsscd bascd on thc authorization lcvcl of thc uscr, thc uscr intcrfacc 10 may bc customizcd
for a user to provide shortcuts to frequently used menus, functions and/or data. The
customization may be performed by programming the processor 42 and memories 44,46 to
interpret actuation of the soft keys 30-36 for all users, or by authorization code entered by the
10 user. The customer may be able to program the keys 30-36 via PC software and program
control to provide efficient navigation to important functions and information. For example,
it may be desirable to allow the driver of the tractor-trailer 1 to quickly view the fuel level for
the unit 3 without spending time navigating several menus and sub-menus to find the unit
data screen that displays the fuel level. When a technician logs into the user interface 10 to
15 evaluate the recent performance of the refrigeration unit 3, it may be desirable, for example,
to allow the technician to quickly initiate a pretrip routine if the trailer is being prepared to
haul a load of perishable goods, or to retrieve information regarding the ability of the control
module 4 and unit 3 to maintain the temperature within the cargo space at or near the set
point temperature during a previous trip. To facilitate recovery and display of the
20 information, the soft keys 30-36 and the main display screen 54 may be customized for the
technician as shown in FIG. 13. The user interface 10 may be programmed so that actuation
of the soft key 30 causes the control module 4 to begin executing a pretrip routine of the
refrigeration unit 3.
The user interface 10 may also be programmed to display a trip graph 74, such
as that shown in FIG. 14, when the soft key 32 is pressed. During a trip, the control module 4
monitors the performance of the refrigeration unit 3 and may store data related to the
performance at a memory associated with the control module 4 and/or at the EPROM 46 of
5 the user interface 10. The performance data may include the set point temperature and the
actual temperature within the cargo area of the trailer at discrete time periods during the trip,
information for events, such as opening of the door and defrosting of the refrigeration unit,
occurring during the trip including the time of the events and their duration, and the like.
This information may be displayed at the user interface in the form of the trip graph 74
10 during or after the trip to assist in evaluating the performance of the refrigeration trip at the
trailer 2 without the necessity of downloading the information to another device, perhaps at a
location remote from the trailer 2.
The trip graph 74 may have a vertical axis representing the temperature within
the cargo space, and a horizontal time axis. The trip graph 74 may plot the actual
15 temperature 76 over time, and include a reference line 78 representing the set point
temperature during the trip. To further assist the technician in evaluating the performance of
the unit 3, the trip graph 74 may indicate events during the trip that may have affected the
temperature within the cargo space, such as defrosting the evaporator coil 80 and opening the
trailer door 82. The display could also summarize and indicate if the cargo was within a
20 temperature range or out of range based on user specified parameters. Returning to the main
display screen 54 of FIG. 13, the user interface 10 may further be programmed to logoff the
advanced user when the soft key 36 is pressed. After the soft key 36 is pressed and the
advanced user is logged off, the advanced user's session on the user interface 10 is terminated
and the main display screen 54 may return to the normal display presented to normal users of
the user interface 10.
The customized programming may be installed at the user interface 10 in a
similar manner as discussed above for the security level designations during initial
5 configuration, via subsequent downloads or use of the input devices of the user interface 10.
For cxamplc, in onc implcmcntation, thc uscr intcrfacc 10 may bc configurcd to rcprogram
soft keys 30-36 in a similar manner as station buttons of a radio. After a user navigates
through the menu structure to a particular screen, the user may press one of the soft keys 30-
36 and hold for a predetermined period of time, such as a few seconds, after which the
10 processor 42 will update the information associated with the authorization code so that the
user interface 10 will display the same screen when the same soft key 30-36 is pressed at the
main display screen 54. The user interface 10 may further be programmed to display an
indication of the preprogrammed screen or function in the advanced communications strip 60
of the main display screen above the corresponding soft key 30-36, or on other screens where
15 direct access to certain other functions or data by the technician or other user of the user
interface 10 is desirable. The reprogrammable soft keys 30-36 provide the customer with the
flexibility to provide each user of the user interface 10 with rapid access to the information
and functions that are important to the performance of their job by minimizing the need to
navigate multiple menu levels. Each authorization code or authorization level may have
20 associated unique programming for the soft keys 30-36 to further increase the flexibility of
the customer to facilitate the employees' ability to complete their tasks associated with the
refrigeration unit 3.
Implementing the USB port 40 at the user interface 10 may provide additional
advantages in configuring the user interface 10 and controlling and maintaining the transport
refrigeration unit 3. It may not be necessary to store software at the user interface 10 that is
not used during normal operation of the user interface 10 to control the operation of the unit
5 3, thereby conserving space in memories 44, 46 and even allowing for use of smaller, less
expensive memory devices. For example, diagnostics routines used by technicians to
diagnose and correct problems in the refrigeration unit 3 may not have to be stored in the user
interface 10 or control module 4. Since the technician and the refrigeration unit 3 will be in
the same location during servicing, the diagnostics routines may be stored on a USB flash
10 drive or other external device in the possession of the technician. When the technician
connects the device to USB port 40 or other port, the diagnostics routine(s) may be executed
by user interface 10 and provide step-by-step instructions to the technician for diagnosing the
problem with the refrigeration unit 3 on the display screen 14 of the user interface. Those
skilled in the art will understand that other software applications that may not be necessary to
15 the normal operations of the refrigeration unit 3 may be stored on external devices, and that
the external devices may be connected to the user interface 10 at the appropriate time for
execution of the software.
The programmable user interface 10 in accordance with the present disclosure
provides many enhanced features over user interfaces presently known in the transport
20 refrigeration industry. The trip graph allows the performance of the refrigeration unit 3 to be
evaluated at the device without the necessity of transferring the trip information to a separate
device for display of the trip information. Designated user levels both control the access to
information and functions provided by the system by the various classes of users of the
system, and reduces the amount of information and functionality presented to a user to only
that which is necessary for the performance of their job. Integration of the USB port
facilitates the exchange of information between the refrigeration unit 3 and the external
systems of the enterprise so that the performance of the unit 3 may be monitored, maintained,
5 upgraded and integrated into the information systems of the enterprise. Moreover, the ability
to program the soft keys to provide custom menu structures and other functionality allows
flexibility for an organization to customize the refrigeration unit and user interface to meet
the needs of the organization without the expense of developing custom control systems.
While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different
10 embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description
is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current
15 technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall
within the scope of the claims defining the invention.

What is claimed is:
1. A graphical user interface device (10) for controlling and monitoring
the operation of a transport refrigeration unit (3), comprising:
a display device (14);
a plurality of input dcviccs (1 8-36);
a data storage device (46);
an input port (40) for operatively connecting an external device to the
graphical user interface device (10); and
10 a processor (42) operatively connected to the display device (14), the plurality
of input devices (18-36), the memory device (46) and the input port (40),
the processor (42) being programmed to store a menu structure in the
data storage device (46) of the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the menu
structure includes multiple levels of menu options, and wherein each menu option has
an option security level designation stored therewith,
the processor (42) being programmed to cause the display device (14)
to display a first subset of the menu options when no authorization code is input by a
user at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the menu options in the first
subset have option security level designations equal to a first security level
designation, and
the processor (42) being programmed to cause the display device (14)
to display a second subset of the menu options in response to entry of an authorization
code by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the menu options in
the second subset include the menu options in the first subset and menu options
having option security level designations equal to a second security level designation.
2. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
5 (3) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to detect input of an
authorization code by a user at the graphical user interface device (10) by actuating input
devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10) in a predetermined sequence.
3. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
10 (3) according to claim 1, wherein an authorization code is stored on an external device
configured for attachment to the input port (40) of the graphical user interface device (lo),
and wherein the processor (42) is programmed to detect connection of the external device to
the input port (40), to receive the authorization code from the external device, and to compare
the transferred authorization code to the at least one authorization code stored in the data
15 storage device (46).
4. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
(3) according to claim 3, wherein the input port (40) is a usb port (40) and the external device
is a USB flash drive.
20
5. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
(3) according to claim 1, wherein the menu structure includes a lower level menu option
having at least one menu option between a top level menu option and the lower level menu
option, where in the processor (42) is programmed to require a user to actuate input devices
(18-36) to select each of the menu options between the top level menu option and the lower
level menu option to display the lower level menu option at the display device (14) when no
authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), and wherein
5 the processor (42) is programmed to display the lower level menu option at the display device
(14) without requiring a user to actuate input devices (18-36) to select each of the menu
options between the top level menu option and the lower level menu option in response to
detecting actuation of a preprogrammed one of the input devices (18-36) of the graphical user
interface device (10) after the authorization code matching the authorization code stored in
10 the data storage device (46) is input by the user at the graphical user interface device (10).
6. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
(3) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to store a plurality of
data items associated with a first menu option in the data storage device (46), wherein each
15 data item has a data item security level designation stored therewith, and wherein the
processor (42) is programmed to cause the display device (14) to display a first subset of the
data items of the first menu option having menu security level designations equal to the first
security level designation at the display device (14) when the first menu option is selected
and no authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), and
20 wherein the processor (42) is programmed to cause the display device (14) to display a
second subset of the data items of the first menu option at the display device (14) after the
authorization code matching the authorization code stored in the data storage device (46) is
input by the user at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the data items in the
second subset of the data items include the data items in the first subset of the data items and
data items having data item security level designations equal to the second security level
designation.
7. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
(3) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to store at least one
authorization code in the data storage device (46), wherein each authorization code has a
code security level designation stored therewith, and wherein the processor (42) is
programmed to cause the display device (14) to display the second set of menu options after
10 an authorization code matching an authorization code stored in the data storage device (46) is
input by a user.
8. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
(3) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to generate a trip graph
15 (74) based on performance data for the transport refrigeration unit (3) collected over a period
of time, and to cause the display device (14) to display the trip graph (74) at the display
device (14).
9. A graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit
20 (3) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to read a diagnostic
routine stored on an external device operatively connected at the input port (40), and to
execute the diagnostic routine to diagnose problems with the operation of the transport
refrigeration unit (3).
10. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3), comprising:
storing the menu structure in a data storage device (46) of the graphical user
interface device (lo), wherein the menu structure includes multiple levels of menu options,
5 and wherein each menu option has an option security level designation stored therewith;
displaying a first subset of the menu options at a display device (14) of the
graphical user interface device (10) when no authorization code is input by a user at the
graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the menu options in the first subset have
security level designations equal to a first security level designation; and
displaying a second subset of the menu options at the display device (14) of
the graphical user interface device (10) in response to entry of an authorization code by a user
at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the menu options in the second subset
include the menu options in the first subset and menu options having menu security level
designations equal to a second security level designation.
15
11. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, wherein an authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (10)
by actuating a plurality of input devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10) in
20 a predetermined sequence.
12. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, wherein an authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (10)
by connecting an external device storing the authorization code to the graphical user interface
device (10) and transferring the authorization code from the external device to the graphical
user interface device (10).
13. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
12, wherein the external device is a USB flash drive.
14. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, wherein a lower level menu option requires selection of multiple menu options using
input devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10) before the lower level menu
option is displayed at the display device (14), wherein the method comprises:
15 requiring a user to select multiple menu options to display the lower level
menu option at the display device (14) when no authorization code is input by a user at the
graphical user interface device (10); and
displaying the lower level menu option at the display device (14) without
requiring a user to select multiple menu options in response to detecting actuation of a
20 preprogrammed one of the input devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10)
after the authorization code matching the authorization code stored in the data storage device
(46) is input by the user at the graphical user interface device (10).
15. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, comprising:
storing a plurality of data items associated with a first menu option in the data
5 storage device (46) of the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein each data item has a
data item security level designation stored therewith;
displaying a first subset of the data items of the first menu option at a display
device (14) of the graphical user interface device (10) when the first menu option is selected
and no authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo),
10 wherein the data items in the first subset of the data items have security level designations
equal to the first security level designation;
displaying a second subset of the data items of the first menu option at the
display device (14) of the graphical user interface device (10) after the authorization code
matching the authorization code stored in the data storage device (46) is input by the user at
15 the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the data items in the second subset of the
data items include the data items in the first subset of the data items and data items having
data item security level designations equal to the second security level designation.
16. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
20 graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, comprising:
connecting an external device having a transport refrigeration unit (3)
diagnostics program stored thereon to the graphical user interface device (10) at an input port
(40);
executing the transport refrigeration unit (3) diagnostics program and
5 displaying a diagnostics program display at the display device (14) of the graphical user
interface device (10); and
performing a diagnostics routine of the transport refrigeration unit (3)
diagnostics program on the transport refrigeration unit (3) in response to inputs by a user at
input devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10).
17. A method for providing access for display of a menu structure of a
graphical user interface device (10) for a transport refrigeration unit (3) according to claim
10, comprising:
storing at least one authorization code in the data storage device (46), wherein
15 each authorization code has a code security level designation stored therewith;
displaying the second subset of the menu options at the display device (14) of
the graphical user interface device (10) after an authorization code matching an authorization
code stored in the data storage device (46) is input by a user at the graphical user interface
device (10).
20
18. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
for transporting perishable goods, comprising:
a transport refrigeration unit (3) capable of producing warm or cold air and
directing the warm or cold air into a cargo space of the insulated trailer (2); and
a graphical user interface device (10) operatively connected to the transport
refrigeration unit (3) to display information regarding the operation of the transport
refrigeration unit (3) and allow users to make input selections for controlling the operation of
the transport refrigeration unit (3), the graphical user interface device (10) comprising:
a display device (14),
a plurality of input devices (18-36),
a memory device (46),
an input port (40) for operatively connecting an external device to the
graphical user interface device (lo), and
a processor (42) operatively connected to the display device (14), the
plurality of input devices (18-36), the memory device (46) and the input port (40),
the processor (42) being programmed to store a menu structure
in the data storage device (46) of the graphical user interface device (lo),
wherein the menu structure includes multiple levels of menu options, and
wherein each menu option has an option security level designation stored
therewith,
the processor (42) being programmed to cause the display
device (14) to display a first subset of the menu options when no authorization
code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the
menu options in the first subset have security level designations equal to a first
security level designation, and
the processor (42) being programmed to cause the display
device (14) to display a second subset of the menu options in response to entry
of an authorization code by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo),
wherein the menu options in the second subset include the menu options in the
first subset and menu options having menu security level designations equal to
a second security level designation.
19. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 18, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to detect input of an
authorization code by a user at the graphical user interface device (10) by actuating input
devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10) in a predetermined sequence.
20. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 18, wherein an authorization code is stored on an external device
configured for attachment to the input port (40) of the graphical user interface device (lo),
and wherein the processor (42) is programmed to detect connection of the external device to
the input port (40), to receive the authorization code from the external device, and to compare
20 the transferred authorization code to the at least one authorization code stored in the data
storage device (46).
21. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 20, wherein the input port (40) is a usb port (40) and the external device is
a USB flash drive.
22. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 20, wherein the menu structure includes a lower level menu option having
at least one menu option between a top level menu option and the lower level menu option,
where in the processor (42) is programmed to require a user to actuate input devices (18-36)
to select each of the menu options between the top level menu option and the lower level
10 menu option to display the lower level menu option at the display device (14) when no
authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), and wherein
the processor (42) is programmed to display the lower level menu option at the display device
(14) without requiring a user to actuate input devices (18-36) to select each of the menu
options between the top level menu option and the lower level menu option in response to
15 detecting actuation of a preprogrammed one of the input devices (18-36) of the graphical user
interface device (10) after the authorization code matching the authorization code stored in
the data storage device (46) is input by the user at the graphical user interface device (10).
23. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
20 according to claim 20, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to store a plurality of data
items associated with a first menu option in the data storage device (46), wherein each data
item has a data item security level designation stored therewith, and wherein the processor
(42) is programmed to cause the display device (14) to display a first subset of the data items
of the first menu option having menu security level designations equal to the first security
level designation at the display device (14) when the first menu option is selected and no
authorization code is input by a user at the graphical user interface device (lo), and wherein
the processor (42) is programmed to cause the display device (14) to display a second subset
5 of the data items of the first menu option at the display device (14) after the authorization
code matching the authorization code stored in the data storage device (46) is input by the
user at the graphical user interface device (lo), wherein the data items in the second subset of
the data items include the data items in the first subset of the data items and data items having
data item security level designations equal to the second security level designation.
24. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 20, comprising an external device having a transport refrigeration unit (3)
diagnostics program stored thereon, wherein the external device is operatively connected to
the graphical user interface device (10) at the input port (40), wherein the processor (42) is
15 programmed to execute the transport refrigeration unit (3) diagnostics program and to display
a diagnostics program display at the display device (14), and wherein the processor (42) is
programmed to perform a diagnostics routine of the transport refrigeration unit (3)
diagnostics program on the transport refrigeration unit (3) in response to inputs by a user at
the input devices (18-36) of the graphical user interface device (10).
20
25. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 18, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to store at least one
authorization code in the data storage device (46), wherein each authorization code has a
code security level designation stored therewith, and wherein the processor (42) is
programmed to cause the display device (14) to display the second set of menu options after
an authorization code matching an authorization code stored in the data storage device (46) is
input by a user.
26. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 18, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to generate a trip graph (74)
based on performance data for the transport refrigeration unit (3) collected over a period of
time, and to cause the display device (14) to display the trip graph (74) at the display device
10 (14).
27. An apparatus for regulating the temperature of an insulated trailer (2)
according to claim 18, wherein the processor (42) is programmed to read a diagnostic routine
stored on an external device operatively connected at the input port (40), and to execute the
15 diagnostic routine to diagnose problems with the operation of the transport refrigeration unit
(3).