Welcome to EVENTS
EVENTS is a Windows 98, 2000 or XP software program for ALERT and MODBUS applications. EVENTS communicates with Modbus RTUs, PLCs and ALERT decoders for monitoring and control of sensors and devices. EVENTS provides a graphical display interface, alarms, historical database, mini-SQL editor, report generator, security, and scheduler. EVENTS includes the design and runtime interface in one package. There are no limits on the number of sensor data points you can set or use. EVENTS standard window's interface and setup tools make it easy to design new screens and reports for your application.
The scheduler tasks are triggered by timers, buttons, alarms or other inputs. Database reports, forms, statistics, alarms can be output as an HTML file or as a CSV or TAB text file. If the email option has been enabled, these reports can be sent to your office via email.
EVENTS screen display
General Description
EVENTS is written for Windows 98, 2000 or XP operating systems. Windows was chosen as the base platform because of its multitasking capability and handling of computer resources. EVENTS is an object-oriented program: each visual component is an object (Trends, Tanks, Valves, Pumps, Annunciators, LED Displays, Images, Labels, etc.). Every component stores its own display properties and sensor data properties. Once you have created a new component and set its properties, the program updates the component whenever a change is measured.
Run Mode vs. Edit Mode
The program can be toggled from run mode to edit mode by selecting the Edit | Run menu item, or by clicking the red square, run button. Clicking this button changes the state of the program from Edit Mode to Run Mode. When in the edit mode certain functions are disabled until you go back to the run mode. To switch back to the run mode, click the green arrow, run button.
Toolbar
Creating new display objects are easy. Click once on a component button in the toolbar to create a new component. A new component is centered on the active form. To change the component's properties, double click the new component to open the property form. Change the component's properties to get the look you want. When you click the update button, the new properties are applied to the component. Drag the component anywhere on the form, resize it by selecting one of it handles and dragging it. Nudge it by pressing the Ctrl Key and Arrow keys at the same time.
Click on the green triangle button to go back to the run-time mode. (the green triangle changes to a red square).
Click the red square Button to see tool bar.
In Run Mode
In Edit Mode
This program is designed to follow many of the standard Windows mouse and keyboard commands. In edit mode, copy a component by pressing Ctrl-C and paste it back by using Ctrl-V. Right click the mouse button to show a popup menu. Use Ctrl + Arrow keys to move components on the form and Shift + Arrow keys to resize existing components pixel by pixel.
A key part of this program is learning to set the component properties to reflect what you want to display. Once you have set the properties and closed the property form, the new properties are stored in the component. When the program is closed, each form saves its components and their properties.
EVENTS is a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) application. The multiple documents are the child forms or screens you create. The main window houses all the child forms in one area, keeping them together. You can tile, cascade, maximize, resize, and close the forms. Closing a form, however, only minimizes it so that the components are still updated with changes. Deleting a form deletes all its components and it's saved file also.
There are other windows that are not child forms. These windows are either running in the background or created when needed. The Communications Window is always running in the background, just hidden from view. The Data View Window is created when you want to see historical data. The ALERT or MODBUS Setup Windows, the Files & Alarm Window are always running in the background. These windows are updated with new data and alarms as they happen.
EVENTS has been designed to use a minimum amount of Windows resources while running. This will allow you to use other programs at the same time. We have had over 6 programs running at the same time with EVENTS. This includes Excel, Word, Notepad, MEW (word processing), PhotoShop, and ImageEdit. The amount of RAM in your system will affect program speed --64 Megabytes is the minimum recommended. EVENTS also runs while accessing the Internet or CompuServe at the same time.
Important EVENTS files
Main Initialization File "Events.ini"
Project Initialization File "ProjectFolderName.INI"
ALERT Setup File "AlertSet.evt"
ALERT Sensors "Sensors.eet"
Modbus Setup File "ModSet.ewt"
Files/Alarms "Files.fft"
Form Files "Form1.ffr", "Form2.ffr", etc.
Chart Files (Chart Folder) "ButtonChart1.tee", "ButtonChart1.tdd", "ButtonChart1.INI"
Schedule File "Schedule.txt"
Data Files (Data Folder) "Data1.etx, Data2.etx"
Report Files "Report.rtf"
Alarm File "History.csv"
NetworkNetwork File "LanGrid.csv"
Simulate File "Simulate.ini"
Simulate Designer Form "Design.bmm", "Design.dmm"
Simulate Data Form "Data.bnn", "Data.dnn"
Polygon editor "Polydraw.exe"
Events help file "Events.chm"
Form backup when editing "Undo_ffr Folder"
Rain button files "Rain Folder"