Man-machine interface

Claim 2

Apparatus for controlling an electrical power distribution mains system step voltage regulator, said apparatus comprising: input means for designating for display selected operating parameters of an electrical power distribution mains system step voltage regulator, said input means being formed with a dedicated function portion and a menu navigation portion and said parameters being divided into first and second categories, respectively; display means for simultaneously displaying only a portion of less than the whole of all of said first and second category parameters; and computer means connected to said input means and said display means for controlling said display means in response to activation of said input means; said apparatus being constructed so that any parameter in said first category can be displayed on said display means by activation of said dedicated function portion and any parameter in said second category can be selected for display on said display means by activation of said menu navigation portion.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein any parameter in said first category can be displayed on said display means by activation of said menu navigation portion.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a display screen.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input means comprises a keypad.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input means comprises a keypad, said dedicated function portion comprises a plurality of keys physically grouped together in a first area of said keypad, and said menu navigation portion comprises a plurality of keys physically grouped together in a second area of said keypad.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display means comprises an LED display.

Claim 8

Apparatus for controlling an electrical power distribution mains system step voltage regulator, said apparatus comprising: a keypad for designating selected operating parameters of a step voltage regulator, said keypad being formed with designated function keys selected from the group consisting of a bandwidth key that directly accesses a bandwidth setting screen for regulator control, a voltage level key that directly accesses a voltage level setting screen for regulator control, a time delay key that directly accesses a time delay setting screen for regulator control, a resistance key that directly accesses a line drop compensation resistance setting screen for regulator control, a +/- key for toggling between positive and negative compensation if a line drop compensation resistance or reactance screen is presently being displayed and a change mode is enabled, and a reactance key that directly accesses a line drop compensation reactance setting screen for regulator control; menu navigation keys selected form the group consisting of a menu key that displays a menu screen and scroll keys for scrolling between separate and distinct menus and between items in the menus; a display screen comprising an LED display for simultaneously displaying only a portion of the operating parameters; discrete indicators separate from said LED display screen for indicating selected conditions relating to the operation of said voltage regulators; and said dedicated function keys being physically grouped together in a first area of said keypad and said menu navigation keys being physically grouped together in a second area of said key pad.

Claim 9

Apparatus for controlling an electrical power distribution mains system step voltage regulator, said apparatus comprising: a keypad for designating selected operating parameters of a step voltage regulator, said keypad being formed with designated function keys selected from the group consisting of a bandwidth key that directly accesses a bandwidth setting screen for regulator control, a voltage level key that directly accesses a voltage level setting screen for regulator control, a time delay key that directly accesses a time delay setting screen for regulator control, a resistance key that directly accesses a line drop compensation resistance setting screen for regulator control, a +/- key for toggling between positive and negative compensation if a line drop compensation resistance or reactance screen is presently being displayed and a change mode is enabled, and a reactance key that directly accesses a line drop compensation reactance setting screen for regulator control; menu navigation keys selected form the group consisting of a menu key that displays a menu screen and scroll keys for scrolling between separate and distinct menus and between items in the menus; a display screen comprising an LED display for simultaneously displaying only a portion of the operating parameters; discrete indicators separate from said LED display screen for indicating selected conditions relating to the operation of said voltage regulators; and said dedicated function keys being physically grouped together in a first area of said keypad and said menu navigation keys being physically grouped together in a second area of said key pad.