Event Timer

An Event Timer is a Screen Object which can be used to measure the time intervals (from 0.01 seconds up to 596 hours) between various occurrences while the main run-time loop is executing. An occurrence can be the reception of a specific command from a DAQ Module, one or more steps in an ongoing Script, a Conditional statement which evaluates to TRUE, etc. The Event Timer can be run in stand-alone mode using its "Conditionals" section, or operated on by other objects. The value of the Event Timer can also be used to trigger other actions within ModCom.

Once an Event Timer is placed on the screen it can be selected by clicking on it with the left mouse button. To move the object, place the cursor over it, hold down the left mouse button and drag the object to the desired position. Resize handles are provided to allow adjustment of the overall size by dragging on them with the mouse in a similar fashion.

To set the properties of an Event Timer, right-click on the object or select "Properties" in the <Edit> menu while the Event Timer is selected. The following is a summery of the user defined attributes in the Properties dialog box.

Properties Dialog Box:

Title: Type in the text that will appear to the left of the data field.

Size: Selects the font size used for the text characters in the Event Timer. Making changes to this attribute will also change the overall size of the Event Timer respectively.

Color: Selects the font color used for text in the title field.

Title Width: Selects the width of the title field. Note, dragging the resize handles will change the width of the data field only.

Object ID Label: Type in a label that will be used for identification by other objects within ModCom when sending instructions to the Event Timer, using the displayed reading as a variable in another object's function, or when evaluating Conditional statements specific to the Event Timer's value.

Timer Resolution: Selects the timer resolution and display format of the Event Timer. If <minutes> is selected the time will be shown as "hrs:min". If <seconds> is selected the time will be shown as "hrs:min:sec". If <1/10 sec> is selected the time will be shown as "hrs:min:sec" including one place to the right of the decimal point. If <1/100 sec> is selected the time will be show as "hrs:min:sec" including two places to the right of the decimal point.

Reset when start/stop run loop: Check this box if wishing the Event Timer to reset when starting or stopping the main run-time loop. If unchecked, the Event Timer will hold its value between run sessions and ask the operator to save changes upon exit. Note, all running timers will be halted when stopping the main run-time loop regardless of this check box selection.

Show manual operate buttons: Check this box to show the manual operate buttons to the right of the data field. When the main run-time loop is executing, clicking on the top button with the left mouse button will start the timer, bottom button will stop the timer, and the center button will reset the timer. Uncheck this box to prohibit manual operation of the Event Timer.

Start Timer if a DAQ Module sends this: Type in the data string and/or variable which, upon reception from a DAQ Module, will cause the timer to start running. If wishing to start the timer with the reception of many different data strings, set up Conditional statements in the <Run-Loop> menu to act on each. Note, any data which is received in direct response to a command transmitted by another object within ModCom, will not start this timer unless the transmitting object has the word "Conditionals" typed into its box called "Send the response to this Screen Object".

Halt Timer if a DAQ Module sends this: Type in the data string and/or variable which, upon reception from a DAQ Module, will cause the timer to stop running. If wishing to halt the timer with the reception of many different data strings, set up Conditional statements in the <Run-Loop> menu to act on each. Note, any data which is received in direct response to a command transmitted by another object within ModCom, will not halt this timer unless the transmitting object has the word "Conditionals" typed into its box called "Send the response to this Screen Object".

Reset Timer if a DAQ Module sends this: Type in the data string and/or variable which, upon reception from a DAQ Module, will cause the timer to reset. If wishing to reset the timer with the reception of many different data strings, set up Conditional statements in the <Run-Loop> menu to act on each. Note, any data which is received in direct response to a command transmitted by another object within ModCom, will not reset this timer unless the transmitting object has the word "Conditionals" typed into its box called "Send the response to this Screen Object".

Note, resetting an Event Timer does not halt it if it is currently running, it simply sets the current value to zero.