Abstract: A system and method for computer control of machine processes. The system and method provide a set of predefined data management or data analysis tasks which an operator of the system can use when using the system to run a selected process.Measurement data structures for storing data measured during the running of processes, and related data, for a multiplicity of processes are defined and stored. Data is added to these data structures each time a process is run, and this data is automatically accessed when the operator requests data analysis on the data collected during previous uses of a selected process.Access to measurement data for detailed data management tasks is provided graphically through the use of trend charts and statistical quality control charts. These charts depict trends in the measurement data for selected processes. By pointing at any data point in the chart, the user can access the corresponding record of data for detailed data analysis or for use in a data management task.

Abstract: A method of selecting items from a hierarchy of items and then performing a selected task on the selected set of items. An engineering set up control program includes a procedure for denoting processes, groups of processes, and subgroups of processes which are available for use by operators of the system. The processes, groups and subgroups are visually presented in a three level menu. Subgroups and groups of processes can be selected using the three level menu, and then operated on as a group.

Abstract: A system and method for computer control of machine processes. The operator of the system selects and specifies process control parameters through the use of a three level dynamic menu. The first level of the menu is used to select a group of process parameters. The second and third menus together have the visual appearance of a set of index cards, the second menu forming tabs on the index cards, and the third menu comprising the set of process parameters listed on each index card. Each process parameter has a preassigned entry status: operator unalterable, operator alterable, forced operator entry, or single time forced entry (value must be entered only once when the process is run several times). The selected process cannot be run until values have been entered for all parameters having an entry status of forced operator entry or single time forced entry. Edit field parameters limit the operator's options to a predefined set of parameter values.

Abstract: A process control interface includes a multi-level dynamic menu for selecting processes from a set of processes that are organized into groups and subgroups. An engineering set up control program enables an engineer to denote which of these groups, subgroups and processes are available for selection by an operator using the process control interface. Only those groups, subgroups and processes which are available for selection are displayed in the dynamic menu. The set of processes defined by the engineering set up control program can be stored on individual operator-related disks so that each operator has access to a distinct set of available processes. Process subgroups and groups can be duplicated by the engineering setup control program to facilitate the setting up of new control processes.

Abstract: A method of controlling a process using a programmed digital computer with a set of process control programs. An operator control program allows the user to select and run a specified process and to collect measurement data while the selected process is run. A data analysis program enables interactive computer controlled data analysis, including displaying a trand chart depicting a sequence of data points, each data point representing at least a portion of the measurement data collected and stored while running a selected process. A selectably positionable pointer is displayed on the trend chart for pointing at an individual data point so that the user can select and perform a predefined task on the measurement data stored in the data structure corresponding to the data point being pointed at by said selectably positionable pointer.

Abstract: A system and method for computer control of machine processes, including a dynamic menu feature used in the selection of processes and the definition and selection of operating parameters used by a process control program to direct the performance of the process by the machine.Data structures for a multiplicity of processes are defined and stored. Values stored in the data structures indicate which processes are available for use and the process control program associated with each process. Furthermore, for each parameter of each process a data structure contains an indicia of whether the parameter is a forced entry parameter (which must be given a value before the process is run), a may change parameter (with a default value that may be changed when the process is run), or a locked parameter which has a fixed value.