Datapoints

Datapoints in Whzan hold values, that is, numbers, dates, text and Booleans (logical on/off).  Once defined, Whzan datapoints can be displayed, stored in history, used in calculations, subject to alarm checking and set via screen mimics.

Whzan is designed to exchange data with different systems. The data is transferred over the internet between the external system and the Whzan datapoints. Whzan Gateways are programs that manage the link between the external system and Whzan.

It is perhaps easier to understand with the use of some examples. Data exists in the external world; we call this the primary data system. These primary data systems can be many things:

• A piece of equipment, like the filtration system of your swimming pool.

• A device, such a boiler at home or the control panel for your garden lights.

• An instrument, like a scale measuring the weight of a product coming off the production line.

• A networked device, like a photocopier, PC, printer or server.

• A PLC which controls an element of a physical production apparatus, such as a conveyor belt or a wrapping machine on a packing line in a factory.

• A software package or database.

Each of these systems have data which could be exchanged with Whzan with a suitable Whzan Gateway application.  A setup process (the Gateway Manager) will permit the user to define the external data that can be captured or set.  Once this is done,  the Gateway Manager will create the necessary datapoints in Whzan such that the external system data is reflected with similar Whzan data.  So, for example, if you had a boiler system linked to Whzan, there would be a Whzan datapoint that linked to the boiler on/off control.  This datapoint would be synchronized with the boiler control by the Gateway.  If in Whzan the boiler was turned off (e.g. via a screen based graphic switch), the 'off' status in the datapoint would be sent to the Gateway which would then switch the boiler off.  Conversely, if someone physically turned the boiler back on, the Gateway program would detect this and change the Whzan datapoint to 'on' status.  Any graphic, alarm or calculation using the datapoint would then be updated.

If you have a very sophisticated heating boiler in your house, you may be able to collect all sorts of data about your heating: the temperature of the heating, use of energy source and many other things. Each of these items can be linked to Whzan datapoints and exchanged via the Internet at a regular intervals.

Once a datapoint is within Whzan, you can apply all of Whzan's facilities to it.  Typically, the main use is in displays, which can be drawn with our Graphics Editor.  This can show values as they are, or as calculations, or in other forms.  For example, if a water temperature value was received from a boiler system in degrees Centigrade, it could be shown on a real time Mimic in Fahrenheit by putting the conversion equation in a text field linked to the datapoint.  Alternatively the text displayed could be based on thresholds, e.g. display 'Cold' if the water temperature is less than 5°C.

Extending the display concept further, Whzan has 'Widgets'. These are custom animations used to represent datapoints (or their derivatives') in full graphical action, such as in a dial or gauge.   All of this can be combined and reused as required, so it would be possible to have a gauge to represents the water temperature that also changes color based upon temperature, with descriptive condition text based upon temperature bands, an email alarm if the water gets too hot, and an output to a boiler if it gets too cold.

The datapoint could also be sent out to another Gateway system and stored in history.