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PATCHIT.HLP
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1993-12-16
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Hello. This is Patchit's help file.
The format is fairly simple. the "hs" code indicates
a help section. The two numbers that follow are the level
and the section. These are organized in a hierarchical fashion,
so that help for higher levels are immediately after the lower
levels. Oh well, it's easier for you to figure it out than it
is for me to explain it. The boh indicates the "beginning of
help" code and the eoh is the "end of help" code. Anything
between these markers will be displayed by Patchit for that help
level and section, so feel free to add more if you need to.
hs:0:0:Patchit
boh
Main Menu
Use the "/" or "F10" Key to access
the menubar, then use the cursor keys
or the highlighted letters to make
your selection
A submenu may be pulled down by
holding down the "ALT" key while typing
the letter corresponding to the submenu
OR select with the mouse.
Patchit is written and Copyright (1993-89)
by:
George B. Grant (617) 625-2419 (Home)
38 Banks St. #2 (617) 625-2419 (Work)
Somerville, MA 02144
USA
ggrant@husc.harvard.edu
- or -
george@mander.berkeley.edu
72361,1116 (Compuserve address)
- Please bring any bugs, complaints,
suggestions or whatever to my attention.
eoh
------------------- File -----------------------
hs:0:1:File
boh
File Menu
- Read Parameters - Load a new set of parameters
for data acquisition
- Write Parameters - Save the current parameter
set to file
- Save Data File - Save the latest set of
acquired data to a file
- Options - Set file related options
- DOS Shell - Allows the user to temporarily
exit to DOS
- About - Shows helpful information
about Patchit
- Quit Program - Exits the program
eoh
------------------- Read Parameters ------------------
hs:1:1:Read Parameters
boh
This allows the user to load a new set
of parameters into Patchit. The parameter
sets determine all aspects of how the
stimulus will be generated and how the
data will be recorded. Parameters are
stored in files called "parameter files".
If there are parameter files in the current
directory, a selection box will pop up
showing the available parameter files.
eoh
hs:2:1:List Files
boh
All files with the extension ".prm" in
the current directory will be shown.
A parameter file may be cursor selected
from this box or else the name of a
parameter file may be typed in (do not
type the ".prm" extension). To change
directories, type the F2 key (or else
click the left mouse button in the upper
window) and then type the name of the
desired directory. The list of parameter
files will be updated for this new directory.
eoh
------------------- Write Parameters ------------------
hs:1:2:Write Parameters
boh
This allows you to store the current
parameter set to a file. The name of
the parameter file should be typed
without the extension ".prm" (this is
automatically appended by the program).
eoh
------------------- Save Data File ------------------
hs:1:3:Save Data File
boh
This allows you to save the latest
set of data that has been recorded.
When the data is saved, a complete
copy of the parameters used to record
this data is also stored along with it.
You must use this option to save the
data that you have just recorded. If
you do not, then the data recorded by
Patchit will be overwritten the next
time you acquire data with Patchit.
The only exception to this is if you
have configured Patchit to record data
directly to your disk (see below,
File:Options:Record to Disk).
eoh
------------------- Options ------------------
hs:1:4:Options
boh
This allows you to control several
very important aspects of Patchit's
operation.
eoh
hs:2:1:Record to Disk
boh
When this feature is enabled, Patchit
will store each record as it is acquired
to a disk file. Patchit will prompt the
user for the name of this file when the
user initially starts sampling data.
Patchit will check prior to writing each
record to disk that there is sufficient
disk space available, and warn the user
if there is not.
eoh
hs:2:2:Comments in Files
boh
When this feature is enabled, Patchit
will prompt the user for a comment before
saving a file to disk. The comment can
be of any length and is useful for
recording pertinent facts about the data.
eoh
hs:2:3:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the state of Record to
Disk and Comments in Files to be saved.
eoh
hs:2:4:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the state of Record to
Disk and Comments in Files to be discarded.
eoh
------------------- DOS Shell ------------------
hs:1:5:DOS Shell
boh
This allows the user to temporarily
exit to DOS to perform simple commands.
In order to allow this, Patchit "spawns"
a copy of the DOS command interpreter.
Note that Patchit is still loaded in
memory so there will be less DOS memory
available to execute a command.
Type "EXIT" at the DOS command line
("C:\>") to return to Patchit.
eoh
------------------- About ------------------
hs:1:6:About
boh
Displays information about Patchit.
This includes memory usage and
information about the author.
eoh
hs:2:1:Patchit
boh
Displays information about Patchit and
it's author. Mainly this is for the
copyright notice and to show you where
you can reach me, to complain about things,
request features or to heap praise and money.
eoh
hs:2:2:Memory
boh
This displays information about the
memory available and in use by Patchit.
There are three types of memory used
by Patchit:
Conventional Memory: This is the
memory used by all DOS real mode programs,
it is limited to a maximum of 640 KB.
Patchit will show you the total amount
of conventional memory on your computer
and the amount that is currently available.
XMS Memory: This is memory above the
1 Megabyte boundary that can be accessed
by Patchit if an XMS driver (such as
Microsoft's HIMEM.SYS) is loaded. XMS
memory allows Patchit to store a great
deal of data without filling up the DOS
(conventional) memory area. If XMS is
available Patchit will store acquired
data in it unless you have disabled this
feature (see below,
Config:Other Options:XMS Data Storage).
Disk Memory: This is the memory available
on the disk. Patchit shows the total disk
space and the available amount on the
current disk.
eoh
hs:2:3:Okay
boh
Exits this menu
eoh
------------------- Quit ------------------
hs:1:7:Quit
boh
This allows you to exit the program.
eoh
------------------- Display ------------------
hs:0:2:Display
boh
Display Menu:
- Clr Scrn - Clears the Data Display Area
- Refresh - Redisplays Acquired Data on Screen
- Parameters - Shows some of the parameters in Use
- Windows - Configures the number and layout
of data display windows
eoh
------------------- Clear Screen ------------------
hs:1:1:Clear Screen
boh
This allows the user to
clear the data display area
eoh
------------------- Refresh ------------------
hs:1:2:Refresh
boh
When this is selected any data that
has been recorded by Patchit will be
redisplayed in the data display area.
Data recorded on channels that have
not been enabled for display will not
be displayed.
eoh
------------------- Parameters ------------------
hs:1:3:Parameters
boh
When this is selected the user can
see some of the currently selected
parameters. This does not show all
of the parameters in effect and is in
need of work.
eoh
------------------- Windows ------------------
hs:1:4:Windows
boh
This allows the user to configure
the number and orientation of the
display windows that will subdivide
the data display area. up to four
such windows may be used. If only
one is used, that will fill the
entire data display area.
Windows are number in ascending
order from left to right and top to
bottom.
NOTE: If the user decreases the
number of windows, then any data
that was configured to have been
displayed in a window that no longer
exists (greater than the number of
windows) will be displayed in window 1.
eoh
hs:2:1:Number
boh
The user is prompted for the number
of display windows to put in the data
display area. Up to four such windows
may be used. If more than one is
selected the screen will clear and the
user will be allowed to determine the
layout of these windows.
Windows are number in ascending
order from left to right and top to
bottom.
NOTE: If the user decreases the
number of windows, then any data
that was configured to have been
displayed in a window that no longer
exists (greater than the number of
windows) will be displayed in window 1.
eoh
hs:2:2:Layout
boh
This allows the user to determine
the layout of the display windows
that subdivide the data display area.
The lines in the data display area
show the limits of these windows.
They may be moved about with the
cursor keys or mouse. Typing the
space bar causes the layout/orientation
of the windows to be changed. When you
are satisfied with the layout, hit the
Enter key.
eoh
------------------- Sample ------------------
hs:0:3:Sample
boh
Sample Menu:
- Go - Begins data acquisition
- Continue - Continues data acquisition
- Num Records - Set the number of records
you wish to acquire
- Length of Rec - Set the length of the data
records
- Clock Period - Set the Sampling Rate
- Delay Time - Set the delay time (between)
data acquisition cycles
- Inputs - Configure the Inputs
- Outputs - Configure the Outputs
- Stimulus - Design the Output Stimulus
Waveform(s)
eoh
------------------- Go ------------------
hs:1:1:Go
boh
When this is selected Patchit will
acquire data. Stimuli will be generated
on any enabled output channels and data
will be acquired on any enabled input
channels. Simultaneously. This process
may be interrupted by hitting a key.
eoh
------------------- Continue ------------------
hs:1:2:Continue
boh
When this is selected Patchit will
continue acquiring data from the record
where it had been before being interrupted
by a keystroke. The user has the option
to continue from a record earlier than
where the data acquisition cycle was
interrupted. That is, if you interrupted
at recording 8 because of a big glitch in
the recording (due to a power line spike
of course) you could continue recording
at recording 6, overwriting records 6-8
with new data.
eoh
------------------- Num Records ------------------
hs:1:3:Num Records
boh
This allows the user to set the number of
records of data to record. Patchit records
data in blocks called "records". Each record
can contain multiple channels of data. The
number of records is limited to ~64000, but
is effectively limited by memory. If you
select a value for which there is insufficient
memory available, Patchit will complain and
reset the value. If you need to record such
large amounts of data, enable
File:Options:Record To Disk.
eoh
------------------- Length of Rec ------------------
hs:1:4:Length of Rec
boh
This allows the user to set the length of a
record (in milliseconds). Each record is limited
in size to a maximum of ~32000 points. The
number of points is equal to ((the number of input
channels) * (the length of the record)) / (the sampling
rate). The number of points in the block is shown
under Display:Parameters. If you choose a value
for the length of the record that exceeds the maximum
number of points allowable, or the amount of memory
available, Patchit will complain and reset this value.
You will need to choose a shorter record length, a
greater sampling interval or fewer channels of input.
eoh
------------------- Clock Period ------------------
hs:1:5:Clock Period
boh
This allows the user to set the sampling interval
at which to record data (in milliseconds). This
value plays a role in determining the size of the
record and is limited (see Length of Record, above).
If you choose too small a value, Patchit will
complain and reset the value. If this happens,
choose a larger value, decrease the record length
or decrease the number of input channels.
NOTE: Due to the design of certain data acquisition
boards, under certain conditions Patchit may use a
smaller sampling interval than you have selected.
This should not affect the size of the memory block
described above, but the sampling interval could be
smaller than the board could handle. This could
cause the program to lock up, a full computer reboot
might then be necessary. Always test your parameter
files before using them for critical recording
sessions!
eoh
------------------- Delay Time ------------------
hs:1:6:Delay Time
boh
This allows the user to set the delay time (in
seconds) between recording sessions. This value
is the amount of time the program waits between
each record. During data acquisition cycles, this
value is counted down on the screen. A value of 0
will NOT cause the records to be acquired
immediately after each other. There is a small
amount of overhead time that Patchit requires
between each data acquisition cycle.
eoh
------------------- Outputs ------------------
hs:1:7:Outputs
boh
When this is selected a menu appears allowing
the user to control aspects of the channels of
output available for use during data acquisition
cycles. The items on this menu correspond to
the available output channels (up to 15 analog
outputs (D/A converters) and one binary output
consisting of 14 separate TTL outputs, depending
on your data acquisition card). Selecting one
of the outputs from this menu allows you to
control aspects of this output, and importantly,
whether this output is enabled. An output will
only be used during a data acquisition cycle if
it is enabled here. Outputs waveforms are
described on the Sample:Stimulus menu, below.
The values on the right side of this menu
describe some of the settings in effect for that
output. For analog outputs ("X Output X"), the
enabled/disabled state of the output is shown,
and the default (holding) voltage on that output.
For binary outputs, the enabled/disabled state
of the output is shown, and the default binary
output, shown in hexadecimal. This corresponds
to the binary state of the 14 individual TTL
outputs.
eoh
hs:2:1:Output 0
hs:2:2:Output 1
boh
Selecting this item, allows the user to
control aspects of this analog outut (D/A
converter). This output will only be
used during data acquisition if it is
enabled here. The values on the right
side of this menu describe some of the
settings in effect for this output.
The enabled/disabled state of the output
is shown, as well as the default (holding)
voltage on this output.
eoh
hs:3:1:Use Channel
boh
Selecting this toggles the
enabled/disabled state of this
output. An output will only
be used during a data acquisition
cycle if it is enabled here.
eoh
hs:3:2:V Hold (Vh)
boh
This allows the user to set the default
(holding) voltage on this output. The
voltage is specified in millivolts and is
emitted on this output at all times except
during data acquisition (if this channel
is enabled for output). Note that values
entered for the stimulus descriptors (see
below, Sample:Stimulus:D/A Channel X) are
entered as absolute values and are not
relative to this holding potential.
eoh
hs:3:3:Attenuation
boh
This allows the user to set the attenuation
factor for the analog output. This value
allows Patchit to correctly set it's analog
outputs to the proper values which correspond
to those needed at the external hardware (e.g.
an amplifier). The value entered here is the
factor by which Patchit's output will be
divided in order to compensate for any
attenuation or amplification at the external
hardware. For the Dagan model 8900 amplifier
which has a command potential input which can
be scaled by -10:1 or -20:1, the value entered
into Patchit would be -10 or -20 for these two
scale factors, respectively. Generally you
should use the attenuation factor you can get
away with in order to scale down any noise
which might enter your amplifier riding on the
command voltage. Using the-20:1 attenuation
factor (in this case) will yield an effective
command voltage range at the amplifier of +/-
500 mV (for D/A converters with a range of +/-
10 V from the data acquisition board divided
by 20). This value is critical and MUST be
properly set in order for Patchit to output
accurate voltages.
eoh
hs:3:4:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the state of this analog
output to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:5:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the state of this analog
output to be discarded.
eoh
hs:2:3:Binary Output
boh
Selecting this item, allows the user to
control aspects of the binary output.
This output consists of 14 separate TTL
outputs (depending on your data acq. card).
The binary output will only be used during
data acquisition if it is enabled here.
The right side of this menu shows whether
this output is enabled or disabled, and
the default binary output, which is shown
in hexadecimal. This 14 bit hexadecimal
value corresponds to the binary state of
the 14 individual TTL outputs.
eoh
hs:3:1:Use Channel
boh
Selecting this toggles the
enabled/disabled state of the
binary outputs. The binary
outputs will only be used
during a data acquisition
cycle if it is enabled here.
eoh
hs:3:2:Default Outs
boh
This allows the user to set the default
binary outputs. This value is expressed
as a 14 bit hexadecimal value. With each
bit corresponding to the default logic
state of the 14 binary output channels.
For most cases these outputs will be zero
(0) unless you have a device whose trigger
uses negative logic (i.e. a falling edge
trigger).
eoh
hs:3:3:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the binary outputs to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:4:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the binary outputs to be discarded.
eoh
hs:2:4:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the outputs to be saved.
eoh
hs:2:5:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the outputs to be discarded.
eoh
------------------- Inputs ------------------
hs:1:8:Inputs
boh
This menu allows the user to control aspects
of the channels of input used during the data
acquisition cycles. The items on this menu
correspond to the available input channels
(up to 16, depending on your data acquisition
card).
NOTE: Due to the design of certain data
acquisition boards, under certain conditions
Patchit may have to temporarily use more input
channels than you have selected. These
unwanted channels will be stripped away once
the data has been recorded, but can have two
effects. 1) The amount of memory available
for a data acquisition cycle may be reduced.
2) The increased number of channels may cause
the sampling interval used to be smaller than
you have selected. This sampling interval
could be smaller than the board could handle.
This could cause the program to lock up, a full
computer reboot might then be necessary. Always
test your parameter files before using them
for critical recording sessions!
eoh
hs:2:1:Input 0
hs:2:2:Input 1
hs:2:3:Input 2
hs:2:4:Input 3
hs:2:5:Input 4
hs:2:6:Input 5
hs:2:7:Input 6
hs:2:8:Input 7
hs:2:9:Input 8
hs:2:10:Input 9
hs:2:11:Input 10
hs:2:12:Input 11
hs:2:13:Input 12
hs:2:14:Input 13
hs:2:15:Input 14
hs:2:16:Input 15
boh
This menu allows the user to control aspects
of this input channel. Selecting this option
allows you to control aspects of this input,
and importantly, whether this input is enabled.
During data acquisition, data will only be
recorded on an input if it is enabled here.
The values on the right side of this menu
describe some of the settings in effect for this
input. The enabled/disabled state of the input
is shown, and if enabled, a code is shown which
summarizes the display options for this input.
There are five characters between parentheses,
they are, in order: 'D':data will be displayed.
'1',2','3' or '4': The window in which the data
will be displayed. '^': the data will be
displayed inverted. '*': the displayed data will
be scaled (multiplied) by some factor. '+': the
displayed data will be vertically offset by some
factor. If any of these display options are not
in effect, the corresponding character will not
be shown.
NOTE: Due to the design of certain data
acquisition boards, under certain conditions
Patchit may have to temporarily use more input
channels than you have selected. These
unwanted channels will be stripped away once
the data has been recorded, but can have two
effects. 1) The amount of memory available
for a data acquisition cycle may be reduced.
2) The increased number of channels may cause
the sampling interval used to be smaller than
you have selected. This sampling interval
could be smaller than the board could handle.
This could cause the program to lock up, a full
computer reboot might then be necessary. Always
test your parameter files before using them
for critical recording sessions!
eoh
hs:3:1:Recording
boh
Selecting this toggles the enabled/disabled
state of this intput. Data will be recorded
on an input during a data acquisition cycle
only if it is enabled here. Enabling/disabling
an input will also automatically turn on
display of this data - you can turn this off below.
eoh
hs:3:2:Type
boh
This allows the user to set the type of data
that is on this channel. This can be set to
indicate that the data represents either
current or voltage.
eoh
hs:3:3:Gain
boh
Selecting this allows the user to set how
Patchit will handle the gain for this data.
Four options are available.
Not Set in Patchit: Selecting this indicates
that the gain will not be set in Patchit for
this data. If this is set for this channel
and the data is saved to a file and loaded
into Tack, Tack will prompt you then and
there for the gain.
Set Gain Right Now: Selecting this causes
Patchit to prompt you for the gain right now.
This gain mode is best suited for circumstances
in which the gain on an input is not likely to
vary often.
Prompt for Later: Selecting this causes
Patchit to prompt you for the gain on this
input channel when the data is saved to file.
This gain mode is best suited for circumstances
in which the gain might change frequently.
Read from A/D Chan: Selecting this causes a
box to appear and for Patchit to prompt you
for the A/D channel from which automatic gain
recordings will be made. This is presently
hard-configured for my Dagan 8900 amplifier.
It has 7 gain settings -1000, -500, -200,
-100, -50, -20, -10 (with the 1G headstage)
- these 7 gains generate a signal of 0.5,
1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 Volts on
the gain output. When this gain mode is active,
Patchit will read the voltage from the selected
A/D gain channel prior to each data acquisition
cycle. This gain mode is best suited for
amplifiers which have an automatic gain sender
unit.
eoh
hs:3:4:Display
boh
Selecting this toggles the enabled/disabled
state for whether or not data on this channel
will be displayed. Data can only be displayed
if this channel is enabled for input.
eoh
hs:3:5:Window
boh
Selecting this allows the user to select in
which of up to four windows this data will be
displayed in. If more than one such window
is available then the user will be prompted
for which window to display the data in.
Windows are set up using Display:Windows,
above.
NOTE: If data on a given channel is
configured to be displayed in a given channel,
and the user then decreases the number of
windows (see Display:Windows), then any data
that was to have been displayed in a window
that no longer exists (greater than the number
of windows) will be displayed in window 1.
eoh
hs:3:6:Invert
boh
Selecting this toggles the enabled/disabled
state for whether or not data on this channel
will be displayed inverted (upside-down).
This feature has been implemented for amplifiers
(such as the Dagan 8900) that have a signal that
is inverted (i.e. upside-down) relative to the
desired convention for that signal. If a
channel of data is configured to be displayed
inverted, then ONLY the display of this data
will be inverted. The raw data is recorded as
it is sampled from the analog signal. If you
need to invert a channel for display, then the
gain at which this data was recorded should be
a negative value.
eoh
hs:3:7:Scale Factor
boh
This allows the user to enter a value by which
the displayed data will be scaled (multiplied by).
This value affects only the display of the data,
the raw data is unaffected. Inverting the display
of a channel can be set here by setting this value
to -1, but toggling the invert flag would cause
the display to be faster.
eoh
hs:3:8:Offset
boh
This allows the user to enter a value by which
the displayed data will be offset vertically
(added to). This value is entered as a value in
the range +1.0 to -1.0, +1.0 causes the data to
be drawn at the top of the display, -1.0 causes
the data to be drawn at the bottom of the display,
0.0 causes the data to be drawn as it is recorded.
Intermediate values cause intermediate effects.
This value affects only the display of the data,
the raw data is unaffected.
eoh
hs:3:9:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
this input to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:10:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
this input to be discarded.
eoh
hs:2:17:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the inputs to be saved.
eoh
hs:2:18:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes
that you have made to the state of
the inputs to be discarded.
eoh
------------------- Stimulus ------------------
hs:1:9:Stimulus
boh
This option allows the user to control the
stimulus waveforms generated on the various output
channels during a data acquisition cycle. There
are two different types of outputs, analog (D/A)
and binary (TTL). The stimuli that can be
generated on these channels are different.
Selecting one of the options on this menu
causes a menu to pop up under which you can
describe the format of the output waveform on the
selected output channel. If the output channel
is not enabled for the channel on which you are
describing the output, you will be warned.
eoh
hs:2:1:D/A Output 0
hs:2:2:D/A Output 1
boh
Selecting this option allows the user to
control the stimulus generated on the selected
analog output during a data acquisition cycle.
If the output channel is not enabled for output
you will be warned.
eoh
hs:3:1:Add Event
boh
This allows you to add an event to the event
list and thus in the output waveform on this
channel. The event will be added to the event
list in its proper chronological order.
Output waveforms are described by a series
of events which occur at specific times during
the data acquisition cycle. Existing events
occurring on this output are listed in
chronological order, in the box shown at the
bottom of the screen. Events may be added,
changed or deleted from this list using the
menu. Events are described by event descriptors.
eoh
hs:4:1:Format
boh
An event can be either a step or a ramp.
A step is an instantaneous (well, as good
as the hardware can do) change in the output
state at the given time. A ramp causes the
output to change state in a linear or ramp
-like fashion starting at some given time.
The next two items on this menu differ
depending upon the format selected here
eoh
hs:4:2:Level
boh
For Step Events, this is the voltage
(in millivolts) to which the output is
stepped at the time of the event.
For Ramp events, this is the voltage
(in millivolts) at which the ramp
starts at the time of the event.
eoh
hs:4:3:Incmt/Slope
boh
For Step Events, this is the voltage
increment (in millivolts) by which the
output voltage is changed during each
successive data acquisition cycle
(record).
For Ramp Events, this is the slope
(in millivolts/millisecond) of the ramp.
eoh
hs:4:4:Time
boh
The time (in milliseconds) at
which the event is to occur.
eoh
hs:4:5:Delta T
boh
The increment (in milliseconds)
by which the time of the event is
shifted during each successive
data acquisition cycle.
eoh
hs:4:6:Okay
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be saved.
eoh
hs:4:7:Cancel
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be discarded.
eoh
hs:3:2:Change Event
boh
This allows you to change an event in the
event list and thus in the output waveform
on this channel. The revised event will be
added to the event list in its proper
chronological order. You will be prompted
for which event you wish to change.
Output waveforms are described by a series
of events which occur at specific times during
the data acquisition cycle. Existing events
occurring on this output are listed in
chronological order, in the box shown at the
bottom of the screen. Events may be added,
changed or deleted from this list using the
menu. Events are described by event descriptors.
eoh
hs:4:1:Format
boh
An event can be either a step or a ramp.
A step is an instantaneous (well, as good
as the hardware can do) change in the output
state at the given time. A ramp causes the
output to change state in a linear or ramp
-like fashion starting at some given time.
The next two items on this menu differ
depending upon the format selected here
eoh
hs:4:2:Level
boh
For Step Events, this is the voltage
(in millivolts) to which the output is
stepped at the time of the event.
For Ramp events, this is the voltage
(in millivolts) at which the ramp
starts at the time of the event.
eoh
hs:4:3:Incmt/Slope
boh
For Step Events, this is the voltage
increment (in millivolts) by which the
output voltage is changed during each
successive data acquisition cycle
(record).
For Ramp Events, this is the slope
(in millivolts/millisecond) of the ramp.
eoh
hs:4:4:Time
boh
The time (in milliseconds) at
which the event is to occur.
eoh
hs:4:5:Delta T
boh
The increment (in milliseconds)
by which the time of the event is
shifted during each successive
data acquisition cycle.
eoh
hs:4:6:Okay
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be saved.
eoh
hs:4:7:Cancel
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be discarded.
eoh
hs:3:3:Delete Event
boh
This allows you to delete an event
from the event list and thus from the
output waveform for this channel. You
will be prompted for which event to delete.
eoh
hs:3:4:Erase All Events
boh
This allows you to delete all events in
the event list and thus from the output
waveform for this channel. If this channel
were still enabled for output and there were
no events on it, then the output would be
the default voltage ouput (set by
Sample:Outputs:X Output X:V Hold Vh).
eoh
hs:3:5:Okay
boh
This exits the event descriptor control
menu for this output channel.
eoh
hs:2:3:Binary Output
boh
Selecting this option allows the user to
control the stimulus generated on the binary
output during a data acquisition cycle.
If the binary output is not enabled you will
be warned.
eoh
hs:3:1:Add Event
boh
This allows you to add an event to the event
list and thus to the binary output waveform.
The event will be added to the event list in
its proper chronological order. You will be
prompted for which event to change.
Output waveforms are described by a series
of events which occur at specific times during
the data acquisition cycle. Existing events
occurring on this output are listed in
chronological order, in the box shown at the
bottom of the screen. Events may be added,
changed or deleted from this list using the
menu. Events are described by event descriptors.
eoh
hs:4:1:Hex Value
boh
The value in hexadecimal (up to 3FFF) which
is to be output on the binary port at the time
of the event. Each binary output is controlled
by one bit of this number. To output the logic
level "1" on binary channel 0, the value in
hexadecimal is 1. To output the logic level "1"
on binary channel 1, the value in hexadecimal is
2. Oh, go look up hexadecimal numbers somewhere
else.
eoh
hs:4:2:Time
boh
The time (in milliseconds) at
which the event is to occur.
eoh
hs:4:3:Delta T
boh
The increment (in milliseconds)
by which the time of the event is
shifted during each successive
data acquisition cycle.
eoh
hs:4:4:Okay
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be saved.
eoh
hs:4:5:Cancel
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be discarded.
eoh
hs:3:2:Change Event
boh
This allows you to change an event in the
event list and thus in the binary output
waveform. The revised event will be added
to the event list in its proper chronological
order. You will be prompted for which event
to change.
Output waveforms are described by a series
of events which occur at specific times during
the data acquisition cycle. Existing events
occurring on this output are listed in
chronological order, in the box shown at the
bottom of the screen. Events may be added,
changed or deleted from this list using the
menu. Events are described by event descriptors.
eoh
hs:4:1:Hex Value
boh
The value in hexadecimal (up to 3FFF) which
is to be output on the binary port at the time
of the event. Each binary output is controlled
by one bit of this number. To output the logic
level "1" on binary channel 0, the value in
hexadecimal is 1. To output the logic level "1"
on binary channel 1, the value in hexadecimal is
2. Oh, go look up hexadecimal numbers somewhere
else.
eoh
hs:4:2:Time
boh
The time (in milliseconds) at
which the event is to occur.
eoh
hs:4:3:Delta T
boh
The increment (in milliseconds)
by which the time of the event is
shifted during each successive
data acquisition cycle.
eoh
hs:4:4:Okay
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be saved.
eoh
hs:4:5:Cancel
boh
This causes any changes that you
have made to this event to be discarded.
eoh
hs:3:3:Delete Event
boh
This allows you to delete an event
from the event list and thus from the
binary output waveform. You will be
prompted for which event to delete.
eoh
hs:3:4:Erase All Events
boh
This allows you to delete all events in
the event list and thus from the binary
output waveform. If the binary output
were still enabled for output and there
were no events on it, then each
individual binary output would be set at
its default value (TTL) (set by
Sample:Outputs:Binary Output:Default Outs).
eoh
hs:3:5:Okay
boh
This exits the event descriptor control
menu for the binary output channel.
eoh
hs:2:4:Okay
boh
This exits the Stimulus control menu.
eoh
------------------- Pulse Generator Menu ------------------
hs:0:4:Pulse_Gen
boh
Pulse Generator Menu:
- Go - Begins pulse generation
- Length of Rec - Set the length of the pulse
generator cycle
- Clock Period - Set the Sampling Rate for
the pulse generator
- Delay Time - Set the delay time (between)
pulse generator cycles
- Inputs - Selects the Input used by
the pulse generator
- Outputs - Selects the Output used by
the pulse generator
The pulse generator allows Patchit to acquire data
in a special mode. Stimulus will be generated on
one enabled output channel and data will be acquired
on one input channel. Simultaneously. This process
may be interrupted by hitting the space bar or the
ESC key. This function generates a square voltage
pulse on the selected output channel. The pulse
width is one half of the length of the event selected
(see below). The pulse is preceded and anteceded by
a time of one quarter of the record length selected
(i.e. the pulse has a 50% duty cycle). While the
pulse generator is active, the menu bar displays the
amplitude of the current pulse and the range of pulse
voltages that can be selected with the function keys.
The initial amplitude of the pulse is +10 mV. This
can be changed by using the function keys. Pressing
any of the keys from F1 to F10 causes the amplitude
of the pulse to be changed on the next pulse to a
voltage from +10 mV to +100 mV (F1 = 10mV, F2 = 20mV,
F3 = 30mV...). ALT, CTRL and SHIFT modify the range
of voltages that can be selected with the function
keys. So, SHIFT-F1 through SHIFT-F10 generate pulses
from -10 mV to -100 mV. ALT-F1 through ALT-F10
generate pulses from +50 mV to +500 mV. CTRL-F1
through CTRL-F10 generate pulses from -50 mV to -500
mV. Typing the "0" key causes the pulse to have an
amplitude of 0 mV.
eoh
------------------- Go! ------------------
hs:1:1:Go
boh
This starts the pulse generator mode. In this
mode Stimulus will be generated on one enabled
output channel and data will be acquired on one
input channel. Simultaneously. This process
may be interrupted by hitting the space bar or the
ESC key. This function generates a square voltage
pulse on the selected output channel. The pulse
width is one half of the length of the event selected
(see below). The pulse is preceded and anteceded by
a time of one quarter of the record length selected
(i.e. the pulse has a 50% duty cycle). While the
pulse generator is active, the menu bar displays the
amplitude of the current pulse and the range of pulse
voltages that can be selected with the function keys.
The initial amplitude of the pulse is +10 mV. This
can be changed by using the function keys. Pressing
any of the keys from F1 to F10 causes the amplitude
of the pulse to be changed on the next pulse to a
voltage from +10 mV to +100 mV (F1 = 10mV, F2 = 20mV,
F3 = 30mV...). ALT, CTRL and SHIFT modify the range
of voltages that can be selected with the function
keys. So, SHIFT-F1 through SHIFT-F10 generate pulses
from -10 mV to -100 mV. ALT-F1 through ALT-F10
generate pulses from +50 mV to +500 mV. CTRL-F1
through CTRL-F10 generate pulses from -50 mV to -500
mV. Typing the "0" key causes the pulse to have an
amplitude of 0 mV.
eoh
------------------- Length of Rec ------------------
hs:1:2:Length of Rec
boh
This allows the user to set the length of a "record"
in milliseconds. This determines the duration of each
pulse generator cycle. The pulse width is one half of
this duration. The data that is sampled by the pulse
generator is read in records. Each record is limited
in size to a maximum of ~32000 points. The number of
points is equal to (the length of the record) / (the
sampling rate). If you choose a value for the length
of a pulse generator cycle that exceeds the maximum
number of points or amount of memory, Patchit will
complain and reset this value. You will need to
choose a shorter event length or a greater sampling
interval.
eoh
------------------- Clock Period ------------------
hs:1:3:Clock Period
boh
This allows the user to set the sampling interval at
which to record data (in milliseconds). This value
plays a role in the size of the memory block allocated
and is limited (see Length of Record, above). If you
choose too small a value, Patchit will complain and
reset the value, so choose a larger value or decrease
the length of the pulse generator cycle.
NOTE: Due to the design of certain data acquisition
boards, under certain conditions Patchit may use a
smaller sampling interval than you have selected.
This should not affect the size of the memory block
described above, but the sampling interval could be
smaller than the board could handle. This could cause
the program to lock up, a full computer reboot might
then be necessary. Always test your parameter files
before using them for critical recording sessions!
eoh
------------------- Delay Time ------------------
hs:1:4:Delay Time
boh
This allows the user to set the delay time (in
seconds) between pulse generator cycles. This
value is the amount of time the program waits
between each cycle. A value of 0 here will NOT
cause the records to be acquired immediately after
each other. There is a small amount of overhead
time that Patchit requires between each pulse
generator cycle.
eoh
------------------- Output Channel ------------------
hs:1:5:Output Channel
boh
This allows the user to set the analog output
channel that will be used for output. It is on
this channel that the voltage pulse will be
generated when Pulse Generator:Go is selected.
eoh
------------------- Input Channel ------------------
hs:1:6:Input Channel
boh
This allows the user to set the analog input
channel that will be used for input. It is on
this channel that analog data from the experimental
preparation will be acquired and displayed.
NOTE: Due to the design of certain data acquisition
boards, under certain conditions Patchit may have to
temporarily use more input channels than you have
selected. These unwanted channels will be stripped
away once the data has been recorded, but can have
two effects. 1) The amount of memory available for
a pulse generator cycle may be reduced. 2) The
increased number of channels may cause the sampling
interval used to be smaller than you have selected.
This sampling interval could be smaller than the
board could handle. This could cause the program to
lock up, a full computer reboot might then be
necessary. Always test your parameter files before
using them for critical recording sessions!
eoh
------------------- Config Menu ------------------
hs:0:5:Config
boh
Config Menu:
- Hardware Config - Select the type of data
acquisition hardware installed
- Graphics Display - Select the graphics display
adapter & resolution
- Colors - Select the colors of Patchit's
Screen components
- Font - Select the font used by Patchit
- Sounds - Configure sound generation
- Display Options - Set certain options about the
display of data
- Other Options - Set several other options
- Write Config File - Save the current configuration
to file
eoh
------------------- Hardware Config ------------------
hs:1:1:Hardware Config
boh
This allows the user to specify the type of data
acquisition hardware in use and its configuration.
When this is selected a menu appears and the user
can select among the data acquisition hardware that
Patchit supports. At present there are two families
of boards that are supported, the Data Translation
DT2821 series and the Tecmar Labmaster series. There
is also the option of selecting "No Board" in which
case you can try out Patchit on a computer that has
no data acquisition card loaded. When one of these
board families is selected, another menu appears
from which the user can select the specific type of
board he or she is using, the base address of the
board, DMA channel(s), interrupt channel, and trigger
source.
eoh
hs:2:1:No Board
boh
This selects a hardware configuration for a
computer with no data acquisition hardware
installed. If you enable one input and one
output, then data from the output will be
copied to the input channel. This is a little
flaky.
eoh
hs:3:1:Family Member
boh
There is only one family member for the
No Board Family of boards
eoh
hs:3:2:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:3:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be discarded.
eoh
hs:2:2:Data Translation DT2821
boh
This selects a board from the the Data
Translation DT2821 family of data acquisition
cards as your data acquisition board.
eoh
hs:3:1:Family Member
boh
Select the specific data acquisition
card that you have from this menu. This
selection allows Patchit to take advantage
of the feautres of the specific board
(i.e., number of input channels etc.).
eoh
hs:3:2:Base Address
boh
Select the base address (in hexadecimal)
of the data acquisition board. It is
imperative that this match the configuration
of the board (see your board's manual) or else
Patchit can't talk to the board.
eoh
hs:3:3:1st DMA Channel
boh
Select the 1st DMA channel that the DT2821
board is set to. The value selected here must
match the configuration of the board.
eoh
hs:3:4:2nd DMA Channel
boh
Select the 2nd DMA channel that the DT2821
board is set to. The value selected here must
match the configuration of the board.
NOTE: This really doesn't matter, since
Patchit doesn't use the second DMA channel.
eoh
hs:3:5:Interrupt
boh
Select the Interrupt channel that the DT2821
board is set to. The value selected here must
match the configuration of the board.
NOTE: This really doesn't matter, since
Patchit doesn't use the Interrupt.
eoh
hs:3:6:Trigger Src
boh
Select whether to use an internal trigger or
an external trigger.
For an internal trigger,
Patchit will start its own data acquisition
cycle. In order for this to work properly the
Binary Output 1, Channel 7 on the DT2821 series
board must be connected to the External Trigger
input on the DT2821.
For an external trigger, a rising-edge TTL
trigger will start the data acquisition cycle.
For the DT2821 series board, this must be
applied to the external trigger input on the
DT2821.
eoh
hs:3:7:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:8:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be discarded.
eoh
hs:2:3:Tecmar Labmaster
boh
This selects a board from the the Tecmar
Labmaster family of data acquisition
cards as your data acquisition board.
eoh
hs:3:1:Family Member
boh
Select the specific data acquisition
card that you have from this menu. This
selection allows Patchit to take advantage
of the feautres of the specific board
(i.e., number of input channels etc.).
eoh
hs:3:2:Base Address
boh
Select the base address (in hexadecimal)
of the data acquisition board. It is
imperative that this match the configuration
of the board (see your board's manual) or else
Patchit can't talk to the board.
eoh
hs:3:3:DMA Channel
boh
Select the DMA channel that the Tecmar
Labmaster DMA is set to. The value selected
here must match the configuration of the
board.
NOTE: This really doesn't matter, since
Patchit doesn't use the DMA channel on the
Labmaster DMA (yet!).
eoh
hs:3:4:Interrupt
boh
Select the Interrupt channel that the Tecmar
Labmaster is set to. The value selected here
must match the configuration of the board.
NOTE: This really doesn't matter, since
Patchit doesn't use the Interrupt.
eoh
hs:3:5:A/D Format
boh
Select whether the the data format on the
Tecmar Labmaster is set to 2's Complement
or Binary. This value must match the
configuration of the board. The default
format for Patchit (and Tack) is 2's complement.
eoh
hs:3:6:Trigger Src
boh
Select whether to use an internal trigger or
an external trigger.
For an internal trigger, Patchit will start
its own data acquisition cycle.
For an external trigger, a rising-edge TTL
trigger will start the data acquisition cycle.
For a Tecmar Labmaster this trigger pulse must
be applied to the binary input port B, Bit 2
(B2).
eoh
hs:3:7:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be saved.
eoh
hs:3:8:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the configuration for the data
acquisition hardware to be discarded.
eoh
------------------- Graphics Display ------------------
hs:1:2:Graphics Display
boh
This allows the user to select the type of
graphics display and display resolution that
should be used. Normally, the graphics
autodetect setting should be used. For a
given display type to be used, the requisite
display driver file (they have the extension
".bgi") MUST be present in the same directory
as Patchit.
eoh
hs:2:1:Display Type
boh
This allows the user to select the type of
graphics display that should be used.
Normally, the graphics autodetect setting
should be used. For a given display type to
be used, the requisite display driver file
(they have the extension ".bgi") MUST be
present in the same directory as Patchit.
Twelve settings are available.
NOTE: If your computer does not support
the display type that you have selected, you
may well crash the program when you try to
switch display types.
eoh
hs:2:2:Resolution
boh
This allows the user to select the display
resolution for the selected display type.
Note that some display types have only one
available resolution.
NOTE: If your computer's display adapter
does not support the resolution that you
have selected, you may well crash the program
when you try to switch display resolutions.
eoh
hs:2:3:Okay
boh
Selecting this option causes any changes
that you have made to the graphics display
type and resolution to go into effect.
eoh
hs:2:4:Cancel
boh
Selecting this option causes any changes
that you have made to the graphics display
type and resolution to be cancelled.
eoh
------------------- Colors ------------------
hs:1:3:Colors
boh
Selects the colors for the elements of
the Patchit display.
eoh
hs:2:1:Menubar
boh
Selects the colors for the Menu Bar
and all menus on the Patchit Display
eoh
hs:3:1:Back Color
boh
Selects the background color for menus
eoh
hs:3:2:Text Color
boh
Selects the color for text for menus
eoh
hs:3:3:Frame Color
boh
Selects the color for the frame (border)
for menus
eoh
hs:3:4:Letter Color
boh
Selects the color for the select letter
(the letter which will access the menu
item) for the menus. This letter is also
underlined
eoh
hs:3:5:Okay
boh
Exits this menu
eoh
hs:2:2:Status Line
boh
Selects the colors for the Status Line
(the bottom part of the display)
eoh
hs:3:1:Back Color
boh
Selects the background color for the
Status Line
eoh
hs:3:2:Text Color
boh
Selects the color for text for
the Status Line
eoh
hs:3:3:Okay
boh
Exits this menu
eoh
hs:2:3:Popup Boxes
boh
Selects the colors for the Popup
Boxes
eoh
hs:3:1:Back Color
boh
Selects the background color
for the Popup Boxes
eoh
hs:3:2:Text Color
boh
Selects the color for text
for the Popup Boxes
eoh
hs:3:3:Frame Color
boh
Selects the color for the frame
(border) of the Popup Boxes
eoh
hs:3:4:Okay
boh
Exits this menu
eoh
hs:2:4:Data Window
boh
Selects the colors for the data window
(the middle portion of the display)
eoh
hs:3:1:Back Color
boh
Selects the background color for
the data window
eoh
hs:3:2:Frame Color
boh
Selects the color for the frame
(border) of the Data window. The
frame only appears if there are more
than one data window.
eoh
hs:3:3:Axis Color
boh
Selects the color for the Grid
and Axes, if they are displayed,
in the Data Window
eoh
hs:3:4:A/D Data 0
hs:3:5:A/D Data 1
hs:3:6:A/D Data 2
hs:3:7:A/D Data 3
hs:3:8:A/D Data 4
hs:3:9:A/D Data 5
hs:3:10:A/D Data 6
hs:3:11:A/D Data 7
hs:3:12:A/D Data 8
hs:3:13:A/D Data 9
hs:3:14:A/D Data A
hs:3:15:A/D Data B
hs:3:16:A/D Data C
hs:3:17:A/D Data D
hs:3:18:A/D Data E
hs:3:19:A/D Data F
boh
Selects the color for the data recorded
on one the indicated one of Patchit's
input channels.
eoh
hs:3:20:Okay
boh
Exits this menu
eoh
hs:2:5:Use Defaults
boh
Resets the colors for all
components of the Patchit display
to their default values.
eoh
hs:2:6:Okay
boh
Keeps the color selections
that you have set here.
eoh
hs:2:7:Cancel
boh
Cancels the color selections
that you have set here.
eoh
------------------- Font ------------------
hs:1:4:Font
boh
This allows the user to select the font
that is used by Patchit. For all but the
default font, the requisite font file
(they have the extension ".chr") MUST be
present in the same directory as Patchit.
An example of some text written in the
selected font is displayed so that you
can see what it will look like.
eoh
hs:2:1:Font
boh
This item allows the user to select the
font family that will be used by Patchit.
Eleven font families are available. The
default font is a bit-mapped font (and
is drawn more quickly on the screen), the
others are stroked (outline) fonts (and
draw more slowly on the screen).
For all but the default font, the
requisite font file (they have the
extension ".chr") MUST be present in the
same directory as Patchit.
eoh
hs:2:2:Height
boh
Selecting this option allows the user
to set the height of the font that will
be used by Patchit. If the selected
font family is the default, bit-mapped
font, the height and the width must be
the same (and Patchit will make that be)
eoh
hs:2:3:Width
boh
Selecting this option allows the user
to set the width of the font that will
be used by Patchit. If the selected
font family is the default, bit-mapped
font, the height and the width must be
the same (and Patchit will make that be)
eoh
hs:2:4:Okay
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the font to go into effect.
eoh
hs:2:5:Cancel
boh
Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the font to be discarded.
eoh
------------------- Sounds ------------------
hs:1:5:Sounds
boh
This allows the user to control aspects
of the sounds that Patchit generates
during its operation.
eoh
hs:2:1:Sounds
boh
Selecting this toggles the state of
whether Patchit will generate sounds.
When disabled Patchit will make no
noise.
eoh
hs:2:2:Type
boh
This allows the user to select the
type of sound generation Patchit will
use, these are:
Single Tone: Patchit will always
generate a tone of the specified
frequency and duration (see below) for
each data acquisition cycle.
Rising Scale: When the first record
is acquired, Patchit will generate a
tone of the specified frequency and
duration. For the next and each
succeeding record, the tone generated
will be of a successively higher
frequency.
From A/D: Patchit will generate a
tone for each record based on the value
of a portion of the data. When this is
selected the user is prompted for the
channel of data from which to record
the value and is then prompted for a
value from 0 to 1. This value tells
Patchit from where in the record (0 is
beginning, 1 is end) to read the value
of the data on which to base the sound.
eoh
hs:2:3:Frequency
boh
This allows the user to select the
frequency (in Hz.) of the sound.
For "Single Tone" sound type, this is
the frequency of that tone.
For "Rising Scale" sound type, this is
the frequency generated for the first
record. For the next and each succeeding
record, the tone generated will be of a
successively higher frequency.
For "From A/D" sound type, this is the
frequency of the lowest A/D value, If
this is the sound type, the user will
be prompted for a frequency corresponding
to the highest A/D value.
eoh
hs:2:4:Duration
boh
This allows the user to set the
duration (in msec) of the sound.
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hs:2:5:Test
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When this is selected, Patchit
demonstrates the sounds that will
be generated during data acquisition
given the currently selected options.
If the tone type is "From A/D", the
demonstration plays the high and low
frequency values over and over.
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hs:2:6:Okay
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Selecting this, leaves the sounds menu.
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------------------- Display ------------------
hs:1:6:Display
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This allows the user to control aspects
of how data is displayed on the screen.
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hs:2:1:Show all pts in record
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Selecting this toggles this option.
If this is enabled then Patchit will
display all of the data points for a
given record on the screen. That is,
if there are more data points in a
record than there are pixels on the
screen horizontally then Patchit will
show multiple Y points for each X point.
If this is disabled then Patchit will
only display one Y point for each X
point. Disabling this feature causes
the display to draw faster.
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hs:2:2:Connect the points
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Selecting this toggles this option.
If this item is enabled then Patchit
will connect the data points on the
screen with lines. This causes the
display of data to look nicer, but
significantly slows the display
of data.
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hs:2:3:Auto-Erase (Storage)
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Selecting this toggles this option.
If this item is enabled then the
screen will automatically be cleared
whenever data is acquired or whenever
the pulse generator is activated.
If this is disabled, then the screen
will not be cleared in either of these
cases.
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hs:2:4:Grid and Axes
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This option allows the user to configure
how the grid and axes in the data window(s)
are displayed.
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hs:3:1:X Axis
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This item allows the user to determine
where X axes are to be placed in the data
window(s). The user can select a variety
of X axis configurations varying from no
X axis to three, appearing at the top,
middle and bottom of each window.
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hs:3:2:Y Axis
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This item allows the user to determine
where Y axes are to be placed in the data
window(s). The user can select a variety
of Y axis configurations varying from no
Y axis to three, appearing at the left,
middle and right of each window.
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hs:3:3:Grid
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This item allows the user to determine
the display of the grid in the data
window(s). The grid can be horizontal,
vertical, both horizontal & vertical or
neither. The spacing of the grid is
determined by the number of divisions
(see next item).
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hs:3:4:Divisions
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This item allows the user to set the
number of divisions for both the X and
Y axes. The number of divisions
determines where the ticks are placed
on the X and Y axes and the spacing of
the grid.
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hs:3:5:Line Style
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This item allows the user to set the
line style for the grid. The line style
is specified by a hexadecimal number
(0 -> FFFF) which specifies how the line
is displayed. FFFF corresponds to a
solid line, while 0 corresponds to no
line. A value of 0F0F would make a
dashed line, while 1 would make a faintly
dotted line. There are 65536 possible
configurations - why not try them all?
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hs:3:6:Okay
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Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the grid and axes to go
into effect.
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hs:3:7:Cancel
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Selecting this causes any changes that
you have made to the grid and axes to be
discarded.
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------------------- Other Options ------------------
hs:1:6:Other Options
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This option allows the user to control
several very important aspects of Patchit's
operation.
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hs:2:1:XMS Data Storage
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Selecting this toggles this option.
When this feature is enabled, Patchit will
use memory accessed via the XMS specification
in order to store data acquired before writing
it to disk. XMS memory is memory above the
1 MB boundary on PC-AT class computers (80286
and above class microprocessors). This memory
can only be accessed if you have installed the
XMS driver HIMEM.SYS (supplied free of charge
by Microsoft), or a compatible XMS driver
(e.g. Desqview's QEMM memory manager) in your
config.sys file.
The use of XMS allows Patchit to store data
above the conventional memory area, which allows
more room for Patchit to work. This feature
need not be disabled unless you suspect a
problem or else have other needs.
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hs:2:2:Startup Prm File
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This allows the user to specify the name of
a parameter file that will be loaded whenever
Patchit is started. This feature allows the
user to load a customized parameter set at
startup. If this file is not found at startup,
Patchit will use a default set which may not be
correct for your experimental configuration!
(in particular the Output Scaling will almost
certainly be wrong).
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hs:2:3:Okay
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Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the items on this menu to be saved.
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hs:2:4:Cancel
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Selecting this causes any changes that you
have made to the items on this menu to be discarded.
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------------------- Write Config File ------------------
hs:1:7:Write Config File
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When this option is selected the current
configuration data will be written to the
Patchit.cfg configuration file. Only the
items that are on controlled by config menu
are stored in this file. These are:
- Hardware Settings (type of board and
hardware configuration)
- Graphics display adapter & resolution
- Colors
- Font
- Sounds
- Display Settings (Show All Pts, Connect
the Pts, Auto-Erase,
Grid)
- XMS Usage
- Start Up Parameter File
All other user-controllable parameters
are stored in the individual parameter (prm)
files. These values will thus be set to
the value stored in the parameter file
whenever a new one is loaded. Of these
parameters, one of the most critical (I
stress again) is the Output Scaling factor.
Please confirm that this value is set
properly in all of the parameter files which
you are using. However, it may be that you
would desire different output scaling values
for different parameter files, so that is
why this value is stored in the parameter
file and not the configuration file.
eoh