text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jun 12, 2012
|Priority date
|Aug 14, 2007
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Anthony GARLAND, Joseph Ferrante, Brian Capoccia, Lindsey BERDAN
|Original Assignee
|Fluke Corporation
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (43), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (3), Classifications (9), Legal Events (2)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,881, filed Aug. 14, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. �120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,881.
Multimeters are used for measuring a variety of parameters associated with electrical circuitry, such as currents, voltages, resistances, and capacitances. Multimeters commonly include rotary switches for selecting between different measurement functions. For example, a rotary switch on a conventional multimeter may be configured such that a first position of the rotary switch corresponds to a voltage measurement function, a second position of the rotary switch corresponds to a current measurement function, and a third position of the rotary switch corresponds to a resistance measurement function.
Modern digital multimeters commonly provide many different measurement functions. Accordingly, to save space on these multimeters, researchers have developed rotary switches where each position of the rotary switch corresponds to more than one measurement function. As examples, a single position of a rotary switch may correspond to different units of measurement, such as Amps ("A") and milliamps ("mA"), or different measurement types altogether, such as current measurement and temperature measurement. These multimeters generally allow a user to switch between the different measurement functions associated with a particular position of the rotary switch by actuating a separate button or switch while maintaining the rotary switch in the same position.
Another feature found in modern digital multimeters enables a user to select between different modes that affect what or how measurements are acquired, maintained, and displayed. For example, a user can select a "Minimum/Maximum" (Min/Max) mode, which updates a display with minimum and maximum detected measurement values. As another example, a user can select a "Record" mode to record measurement values for memory storage and later retrieval.
In sum, conventional digital multimeters incorporate various tools for performing different types of measurements and different capabilities for displaying measurement values in a digital format on a screen. Further capabilities and improvements are needed, however, in both hardware and software, to enable users to organize measurement information to be obtained by the instrument so as to operate the instrument efficiently, effectively, and safely.
An inventive digital multimeter and inventive methods for operating the digital multimeter are disclosed below in detail. The digital multimeter incorporates a rotary switch, a set of keys and buttons, and a digital display so as to provide highly integrated, programmable and configurable features not available on conventional multimeters. Several of these features, either taken alone or in combination, provide significant improvements in ease of use, speed of user operation, and safety associated with use of the digital multimeter. Modifications, alterations, and additions to conventional multimeters that were necessary to accomplish these features have resulted in benefits that otherwise would not have been foreseen or appreciated by others skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, a digital multimeter has informative display features including a display for displaying measurement values and available functions of the multimeter and a user interface for inputting or accessing information, inputting commands, or browsing through various multimeter functions. Graphical icons and/or words presented in the display indicate the potential functions of the multimeter. The multimeter also usually has a memory for storing information, including context-sensitive explanatory information, information on how to use or perform a function or mode of the multimeter, safety information, and measurement data information collected by the multimeter. This information may be accessed via an information (or Info/"i") button. The multimeter also typically has a processor, which retrieves information from the memory and shows the retrieved information on the display. Preferably, the digital multimeter is portable and can information transferred to and from an external storage medium, such as an external computer. User input is achieved through actuating one or more buttons or switches on the multimeter.
A multimeter may present detailed graphical representations of data collected. For example, the multimeter may represent trends in the data, which can be used for visualizing a large amount of data at once or documenting performance of multimeter designs, processes or systems. It is useful for monitoring and displaying unattended multimeter use, such that a user could return to a multimeter and quickly review large amounts of data, allowing the user to see overall trends and data anomalies. In one embodiment, a user has the ability to "zoom in" or "zoom out" on graphical trend data to better analyze the data in a desired perspective on the meter screen. Preferably, the multimeter can store and graph can display at least 5,000 data readings, more preferably at least 10,000 data readings.
The display of the multimeter may have a display box that appears over the first display screen, which is called a "pop-up" box. The pop-up box may display pictures, graphics, video, charts or text. In one alternative, the text indicates and explains the available functions of the multimeter. A user may scroll through information listed on either the main display screen or in the pop-up box with an associated scrolling mechanism. The pop-up box may also comprise a title bar, which displays information regarding the multimeter functions in operation at the time when the user input was received. When the pop-up box is displayed, the box may also display smaller versions of the measurement value or values shown on the larger display screen.
In another embodiment, a digital multimeter presents multiple measurements and other information in fonts of various sizes and in various locations on a multimeter display. The digital multimeter has means, including inputs, for gathering various measurements, including electrical measurements and a display, which has various regions or areas within the display. The first region of the display is centrally-located, i.e., in the middle of the display area, which is typically a screen. The second region is peripherally-located, which means that it may be above, below, or to the side of the centrally-located region and may abut the centrally-located region. A primary reading value of an electrical measurement may appear in either the first region or second region or may be in both regions. In another embodiment, the display simultaneously displays both a primary reading value of an electrical measurement and another item, which may be a derivative reading value of the electrical measurement, a dialog, a menu, another value or any combination thereof. If the derivative reading value is displayed, the primary reading value and the derivative reading value are preferably based upon the same electrical property.
In a related embodiment, the multimeter display uses a larger font in the centrally-located (i.e., main) portion of the display than it does in the peripherally-located portion of the display. The font size difference may be any difference such that the centrally-located font is larger, but is preferably larger by at least 25%, and more preferably, larger by at least 50%. If the second region displays the primary reading value, the first region may display one or more of various types of information, including a derivative reading value, a dialog, a menu, or a saved measurement value.
The multimeter may also provide ongoing monitoring of dangerous electrical conditions by showing a warning message on the display. In one embodiment, the results of the monitoring are displayed in the second area of the display. The multimeter can be set or programmed to display a warning message accompanying the primary reading value when the primary reading value is greater than a predetermined limit. This functionality provides additional safety for the user because, no matter what display is occurring in the center of the screen, the user can be apprised of potentially dangerous situations. The warning message may be any symbol or text which would indicate that the reading has exceeded the preset safety level. In certain embodiments, the warning message is a lightning bolt, flashing text, a flashing status bar, a flashing screen, a red screen, an alarm sound, such as a repeated beeping, or any combination thereof so that the warning message causes the user's attention to turn to the excessive value reading.
In another embodiment, the display may be used to show comparisons between values. For example, the primary reading value may be a relative value indicating a difference between an electrical condition and a reference value. The primary reading value may be displayed anywhere on the display, including in the first or second region. Various value comparisons may be displayed in both the first and second region simultaneously. The display may have an indication, such as an icon accompanying the value, that the value displayed is a relative value as opposed to an absolute value or a raw measurement.
In yet another embodiment, a digital multimeter comprises a display for showing measurement values associated with at least one electrical characteristic of an electrical circuit, a user interface for receiving a user input to select a mode governing a display format of the measurement values, a memory for storing an indication of the mode, and a processor for retrieving the indication of the mode from the memory, determining measurement values associated with the electrical circuit based on input to the multimeter, and generating display data for the measurement values in accordance with the mode. When the mode is a live-measurement mode, live actual measurement values are displayed in a normal font size in a central portion of the display. However, when the mode is not a live-measurement mode, live actual measurement values are displayed in a smaller than normal font size in a status bar in a peripheral portion of the display while other measurement values are displayed in the central portion of the display. In one embodiment, when the multimeter is in a mode that is not a live-measurement mode, the status bar at the top of the screen is "inversed," meaning that white characters in the black status bars turn black and the black background of the status bars turns white or otherwise reverses the contrast between the bar background and the text. The status bar may be inversed when the meter is in HOLD, AutoHOLD or AutoSAVE mode, when the user is viewing readings from memory (as opposed to live readings), and when a recording, Min Max, or Peak session has been stopped, but has not yet been closed. An inversed status bar is designed to provide the user with a visual reminder that the values on the central portion of the display are not live measurement values.
A multimeter may also store a voltage threshold value in the memory. A voltage threshold value is an electrical value, a reading above which may indicate a dangerous condition in the vicinity of the multimeter. When the processor determines that any live actual measurement value displayed in the status bar is greater than the stored voltage threshold value, a warning message is displayed. As explained with respect to the above embodiments, the warning message may be any indication that the voltage threshold value has been reached or exceeded, including flashing words or symbols, including a lightning bolt, warning colors, warning sounds, or warning words such as "danger" or "threshold exceeded." A multimeter may also display live actual measurement values in the status bar when the mode is a hold mode and a frozen past measurement is displayed in the central portion of the display. The multimeter may comprise a status bar or bars with one or more of a battery strength indicator, a time, or a date.
Methods of operating digital multimeters of the present invention are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises displaying live measurements within a main area of a display of the multimeter, detecting whether a user has selected a mode for the multimeter, upon detecting that the user has selected a mode for the multimeter, retrieving from a memory, display parameters corresponding to the selected mode, determining whether the display parameters indicate that the live measurements have been removed from the main area of the display, and upon making such a determination, dynamically reconfiguring a status bar within the display to include a smaller-sized or miniature representation of the live measurements. Methods of using the multimeter may also comprise retrieving a voltage threshold value from the memory, comparing the live measurements with the voltage threshold value, and, if one or more of the live measurements exceeds the voltage threshold value, displaying a warning message on the display, which may be displayed in the status bar or in the main display area and may be any of the warning messages described herein.
In another embodiment, a digital multimeter has a rotary switch memory and a rotary switch that has more than one position. Preferably, the rotary switch will have more than two positions, and more preferably, more than three positions. Each position on the rotary switch is associated with a "default" primary measurement function, which is the function that the multimeter performs or reverts to if the associated memory does not store a different function at that position. Additionally, at least one position on the rotary switch is associated with one or more non-default primary measurement functions. In one embodiment, each position on the rotary switch has one default and one non-default primary measurement functions. Alternatively, each position on the rotary switch may have one default and multiple non-default primary measurement functions. A further alternative is that some positions of the rotary switch have only a default primary measurement function and other positions have both default and non-default primary measurement functions. A multimeter user may control and program the multimeter to accommodate the user's needs.
The multimeter of the present invention has a processor, which allows for modification of the primary measurement function selected at a given time for a position on the multimeter ("active primary measurement function") and a memory for storing such associations. For each position on the rotary switch, the active primary measurement function may change from default to non-default, non-default to default, or from one non-default function to a different non-default function. The processor processes and memory stores the active primary measurement and, when the multimeter is switched to a given position on the switch, the process retrieves the active primary measurement function from the rotary switch memory and causes the multimeter to perform the active primary measurement function. The rotary switch memory may also store a mode associated with an active primary measurement function, such that the multimeter performs the active primary measurement function in accordance with the associated mode (such as max/min, hold, etc.)
In certain embodiments, the multimeter stores the active primary measurement functions from each position on the switch even when the multimeter is turned off or the multimeter is powered down and then resumes performance of the active primary measurement function in response to the multimeter being turned back on or powered up. In other embodiments, powering down/turning off the multimeter automatically resets one or more of the active primary measurement functions to the default primary measurement functions. User input can determine whether the active primary measurement is saved or not. The digital multimeter may also have a mechanism for disabling the rotary switch memory, so that the multimeter only performs the default measurement functions associated with a particular position when the disabling mechanism is activated. The memory still retains its non-default position information, however, and can provide that information to the processor when the memory-disabling mechanism is turned off.
In yet another embodiment, the rotary switch memory also stores an active secondary measurement function associated with the active primary measurement function, and the multimeter performs the active secondary measurement function in conjunction with performing the active primary measurement function. The memory may associate the secondary measurement functions with both default and non-default primary measurement functions.
The digital multimeter may have a reset mechanism, which clears the rotary switch memory. After the reset mechanism is activated, the multimeter will perform the default primary measurement function associated with a particular position on the rotary switch. Preferably, reset mechanism has safeguards so that the memory will not be cleared by accident. The user can also customize the rotary switch in any combination or permutation of the various functionalities described herein, including locking the active primary and/or secondary measurement functions at certain locations on the rotary switch, preventing the rotary switch memory from storing non-default primary measurement functions for selected positions of the rotary switch, and resetting one position of the rotary switch without modifying the active primary measurement functions associated with other positions of the rotary switch.
In another embodiment, a multimeter is connected to an external central processing unit or computer. The multimeter may be connected to the external computer before, during, and/or after use. Transfer of data between the multimeter and the computer may occur both ways. For example, the multimeter can be connected to the computer and the computer can download a new set of operating instructions to the multimeter. This is a significant advantage because the multimeter can be updated with new software programs and new versions of existing programs without having to replace the memory of the multimeter. Conversely, the multimeter can upload saved data from its memory into the external computer, thus freeing up more space for additional measurements. If the external computer is connected to the multimeter during use, the processor of the computer and the processor the multimeter can work in tandem to process the data being acquired by the multimeter. The data acquired can then either be saved to the memory of the multimeter or the external computer or both.
Additional optional features of a multimeter include a low impedance voltage function to prevent false readings due to "ghost voltage." Separately, a low pass filter function allows test of ac voltage output, and tests for accurate voltage and frequency measurements on adjustable speed motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment. Finally, a "50 Low Ω" feature allows testing of resistance up to 50 ohms with one milliohm resolution and is useful for testing motor windings or contact resistance or other areas where making reliable low resistance readings is required.
The many embodiments of a digital multimeter described herein may be used alone or in any combination or permutation. For example, a multimeter with a rotary switch and rotary switch memory may also have a mini-measurement feature and an information button. One skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of features for a digital multimeter, which are further described herein with respect to the figures.
Description of Components in a Highly-Integrated Multimeter Instrument
Measurement Functions and Modes
Multimeter 100 may provide primary measurement functions, such as functions for measuring voltage, current, temperature, resistance, electrical continuity, conductance, capacitance, diode test, low impedance, low resistance (e.g., 50 Ohms), and AC/DC combinations ("AC+DC", "AC,DC"). Additionally, multimeter 100 may further provide secondary measurement functions, which are functions for measuring secondary characteristics of signals or measurements generated by the primary measurement functions. Examples of secondary measurement functions include functions for measuring signal frequency, duty cycle, pulse width, decibels, and crest factor. Although multimeter 100 performs only one primary measurement function at a time, it may simultaneously perform a primary measurement function and one or more secondary measurement functions.
Multimeter 100 may be set to certain modes that operate in conjunction with various measurement functions. These modes determine how measurements are acquired and represented without changing the measurement function. Examples of these modes include "Min/Max," "Hold," "Range," "Peak," and "Record" modes. "Min/Max" mode is a mode in which multimeter 100 displays minimum, maximum, and average measurements that have occurred over a period of time. In this mode, whenever a new maximum or minimum occurs—exceeding the previous maximum or minimum—the new maximum or minimum is stored and displayed. "Hold" mode is a mode in which a displayed value is frozen on the display. Manual "Range" mode is a mode in which a range, or resolution, of a displayed value is specified by user input. Auto "Range" mode is a mode in which a range of a displayed value is determined by the multimeter. Both Auto Range and Manual Range may be accessed via the RANGE button. "Recording" mode is a mode in which a sequence of measurements of a parameter is recorded over a period of time for future review or storage. As an example, a sequence of multiple resistance measurements obtained at different parts of a circuit can be recorded using the "record" mode.
User Input Components—Rotary Switch, Buttons, and Keys
User input components of multimeter 100 include, among other things, rotary switch 120, navigation buttons 114-117, soft keys 110-113, dedicated buttons 125-128, an on/off switch 118 and a backlight control button 119. Dedicated buttons 125-128 (also referred to as dedicated mode buttons) include an [Info] button 128, a [HOLD] button 125, a [MIN MAX] button 126, and a [RANGE] button 127. A user can interact with multimeter 100 using the various buttons and other features included on the face of multimeter 100. Additionally, the user's interactions can be guided by information presented on various screens of display 105. Further, multimeter 100 may present the user with output via display 105, an indicator light, and/or an audible beeper. Multimeter 100 further includes an internal memory for storing information such as measurement values.
Soft keys 110-113 are located in an area beneath the display 105 and positioned to correspond with labels 106-109 on the display. Pressing one of the soft keys 110-113 invokes the command indicated by the corresponding label on the display. Every screen shown on display 105 has a custom set of soft key labels 106-109. Some screens have fewer soft key labels than soft keys. When a soft key label is left blank, the corresponding soft key is disabled. For example, in the screen shown in
In the example of
[Info] button 128 can provide access to context-sensitive explanatory information about a measurement function and display contents. Additional details regarding [Info] button 128 are discussed further below. The context-sensitive explanatory information may appear in a pop-up information dialog which covers a portion, including most or all, of the underlying screen.
Multimeter 100 may include a backlight for the display 105 to allow improved viewing in conditions of reduced light. The backlight is typically activated by backlight control button 119. Multimeter 100 can also include an On/Off button 118 used to turn multimeter 100 on or off.
Rotary switch 120 includes positions 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148. Each of these positions corresponds to at least one primary measurement function of multimeter 100. These primary measurement functions are indicated by symbols about the periphery of rotary switch 120. Where more than one symbol is located next to a single position of rotary switch 120, the symbol closest to rotary switch 120 corresponds to a default primary measurement function for that position and any symbols located farther away from rotary switch 120 correspond to non-default primary measurement functions for that position. For instance, position 142 of rotary switch 120 corresponds to a default primary measurement function for capacitance measurement (indicated by a capacitance circuit symbol), and a non-default primary measurement function for diode testing (indicated by a diode circuit symbol). A user can change the primary measurement function currently associated with a particular position of rotary switch 120 by actuating specific buttons on the face of multimeter 100, as will be described in further detail below.
For explanation purposes, the term "active primary measurement function" will be used to refer to the primary measurement function currently associated with a particular position of rotary switch 120. In other words, the active primary measurement function for a particular position of rotary switch 120 is the function that is performed by multimeter 100 when rotary switch 120 is moved to the particular position. As will be appreciated, the active primary measurement function for a particular position of rotary switch 120 may be a default primary measurement function or a non-default primary measurement function.
As indicated by the various symbols around rotary switch 120, multimeter 100 may perform several different primary measurement functions. These primary measurement functions may include, for example, AC voltage measurement (e.g., from 0 V to 1000.0 V), AC millivolt measurement (e.g., from 0 mV to 3000.0 mV), DC voltage measurement (e.g., from 0 V to 1000.0 V0, DC millivolt measurement (e.g., from 0 mV to 3000.0 mV), resistance measurement (e.g., from 0Ω to 500.0 MΩ), capacitance measurement (e.g., from 0.001 nF to 50 mF), temperature measurement, AC current measurements (e.g., from 0 mA to 20.000 A), AC current measurements (e.g., from 0 μA to 5000.0 μA), DC current measurements (e.g., from 0 mA to 20.000 A), DC current measurements (e.g., from 0 μA to 5000.0 μA).
When rotary switch 120 is set to a particular position, multimeter 100 may be set to display a particular screen containing pertinent information related to the present primary measurement function. Each screen may present one or more menu items related to the present primary measurement function. These menu items may be presented by placing specific names on soft key labels 106-109. Accordingly, a user may select from the menu items by pressing the corresponding soft keys 110-113. As discussed below with reference to
Dedicated mode buttons 125-128 provide direct single-press access to different modes. Pressing [HOLD] button 125 may cause multimeter 100 to hold a currently displayed measurement value. Pressing [MIN MAX] 126 button may cause multimeter 100 to capture the highest, lowest, and average readings over a period of time. Pressing [RANGE] button 127 may cause multimeter 100 to prompt a user to manually select a desired measurement range. Other modes may be selected by using soft keys 110-113 and navigation buttons 115-117 to make selections from menus on display 105.
Multimeter 100 can be turned off and on again without losing its presently-employed settings. For instance, multimeter 100 can be turned off and on again without reverting from a non-default primary measurement function associated with a particular position of rotary switch 120 to a default primary measurement function associated with the same position. Similarly, multimeter 100 can be turned off and on again without reverting from a non-default mode associated with a particular position of rotary switch 120 to a default mode associated with the same position. Moreover, upon powering up, multimeter 100 can resume performance of any previously selected secondary measurement functions without requiring additional user input. In other words, multimeter 100 preserves specific user-configured settings even when turned off.
When rotary switch 120 changes from a first position to a second position, the screen of display 105 changes in accordance with a new measurement function associated with the second position. Typically, any modes or other configurations that have been designated for the first position are not maintained when rotary switch 120 changes to the second position. For instance, if multimeter 100 performs a first measurement in Hold mode while rotary switch 120 is at a first position, multimeter 100 will not necessarily maintain the Hold mode when rotary switch 120 is moved to a second position.
Multimeter 100 may receive input signals through probes or other input sources connected to input jacks 121-124. Multimeter 100 may produce output through display 105 and other output interfaces such as indicator lights or audio sources for generating a beeping noise. Multimeter 100 can include an internal memory for storing information such as measurement values.
Multimeter User Display
Display 105 may comprise an LCD screen or any other suitable type of display. In
Schematic Layout of Multimeter Circuitry and Components
Display 200 typically comprises an LCD screen or other suitable display. In some examples, display 200 is characterized as having a small footprint of approximately 6-8 square inches. Display 200 includes an area for a status bar 201 near an upper portion, and a soft keys area for displaying soft key labels. Display 200 receives data from controllers/processors 220 and power from power source 210.
In some examples, power source 210 comprises batteries to allow for portability. Alternatively or additionally, power source 210 may incorporate an AC adapter to receive power from a standard AC electrical outlet. Power source 210 is connected to display 200, controllers/processors 220, and memory 230.
In the example of
Application processors 222 typically comprise components for controlling other features of multimeter 100, and for receiving and processing inputs from input components 240, 250, and 260, measurement data from measurement processors 221, and stored data from memory 230. Measurement processors 221 typically comprise components for capturing measurement data provided through one or more electrical leads or contacts of input component 260. Several basic technologies for implementing the functions of controllers/processors 220 are well known and will therefore not be discussed in great detail.
Memory 230 typically comprises one or more volatile or nonvolatile memory devices. The one or more memory devices may store and retrieve data using any of several known techniques, architectures, database systems, and so on. In general, memory 230 stores information 231 and 232 respectively relating to various available measurement functions (e.g., V AC, V DC, ohms, etc.) and modes (e.g., auto-save, relative) of multimeter 100. Such information may be used, for instance, to control the operation of these functions and modes. Memory 230 further stores information 233 related to the state of rotary switch 120 and any current configurations (e.g., non-default primary measurement functions, modes) associated with different positions of rotary switch 120. Memory 230 further stores information 234 related to a status bar mini-measurement display, information 235 related to voltage threshold values for different modes, and information 236 related to an information button of multimeter 100.
Rotary Switch and Rotary Switch Memory
FIGS. 1 and 3-7 illustrate various screens associated with different positions of rotary switch 120. The information displayed in these screens is described in further detail below.
Multimeter 100 includes a rotary switch memory (RSM) for storing configuration information associated with individual positions of rotary switch 120. The RSM may store any non-default primary measurement function, secondary measurement functions, and mode used by multimeter 100 in conjunction with each position of rotary switch 120. In some examples, the RSM comprises a non-volatile memory to maintain the stored configuration information even when multimeter 100 is turned off.
The RSM operates as follows: When a user moves rotary switch 120 to a new position, multimeter 100 accesses the RSM to determine whether any configuration information has been stored for the new position. If the RSM does not store any configuration information for the new position (or the RSM indicates default configuration information), multimeter 100 will perform the default primary measurement function corresponding to the new position using a corresponding default mode. However, if the RSM stores configuration information for the new position, multimeter 100 will perform any primary measurement function indicated by the configuration information, and will use any mode indicated by the configuration information. Accordingly, if the RSM stores non-default function or mode information, multimeter 100 will operate in accordance with the non-default information without requiring the user to access any menus or press any buttons.
Functions associated with the RSM (hereafter, "RSM functions"), such as functions for storing and applying configuration information, can be configured and/or enabled or disabled from a setup screen. An example setup screen can be accessed by pressing soft button 113 when display 105 shows any of the screens illustrated in
Returning to the example of FIGS. 1 and 3-7, where RSM functions are enabled, a user can switch multimeter 100 from the configuration of
On the other hand, where RSM functions are disabled and multimeter 100 has the configuration of
In some embodiments, certain modes or functions may not be affected by RSM functions. For instance, to comply with safety standards, multimeter 100 may prevent the RSM from automatically changing the contents of display 105 based on certain modes. As an example, multimeter 100 may prevent the RSM from automatically changing the contents of display 105 to show only low frequency signals (e.g., in a low-pass filter mode) because a user may mistake the displayed low frequency signals for a complete live measurement. As a result, the user may fail to appreciate the possible danger of touching live connections that the user believes to be safe. While multimeter 100 may automatically prevent some modes or functions from being affected by RSM functions, multimeter 100 may also allow a user to specify certain modes or functions that may or may not be affected by RSM functions.
Multimeter 100 may be programmed to perform certain procedures involving a sequence of measurements taken by a user. These procedures may include steps which require the user to change rotary switch 120 to various new positions and/or to select non-default primary measurement functions for different positions of rotary switch 120. When RSM functions are enabled, multimeter 100 can store information for the procedure. For instance, if the procedure requires the user to perform a sequence of non-default primary measurement functions corresponding to different positions of rotary switch 120, the RSM memory may store information to allow the user to automatically access these functions without accessing menus or pressing buttons after moving rotary switch 120. The RSM function can also store any information necessary to resume a procedure in cases where the power supply for multimeter 100 is interrupted for any reason in the middle of the procedure.
In some embodiments, RSM functions are permanently enabled to prevent a user from accidentally losing stored configuration information. In these embodiments, a user may be able to restore default settings for rotary switch 120 by pressing a button or by making a selection from a menu. Additionally, in some embodiments, RSM functions may be permanently enabled for only some positions of rotary switch 120. In these embodiments, a user can control whether RSM functions are enabled in positions for which RSM functions are not permanently enabled.
Referring to
If RSM functions are enabled (802=Yes), application processors 222 retrieve data from the RSM for the new position of rotary switch 120. Based on the retrieved data, application processors 222 determine whether the most recent primary measurement function performed at the new position of rotary switch 120 was a default primary measurement function or a non-default primary measurement function (804). If the most recent primary measurement function was a default primary measurement function (804=No), multimeter 100 performs the default measurement function (811) and continues to steps 808 through 810.
Otherwise, if the most recent primary measurement function was a non-default primary measurement function (804=Yes), application processors 222 selects the non-default primary measurement function (805). Then, the application processor determines whether a non-default mode was previously enabled in conjunction with the selected non-default primary measurement function (806). If so, (806=Yes), application processors 222 enable the non-default mode (807), and multimeter 100 continues to steps 808 through 810. Otherwise, (806=No), multimeter 100 continues to steps 808 through 810, performing measurements and displaying the measurements using a default mode for the new position of rotary switch 120. After completing step 809, application processors 822 determine whether rotary switch 120 has been moved to a new position (810). If so (810=Yes), multimeter 100 returns to step 801. If not (810=No), multimeter 100 may take more measurements and display the measurements by returning to step 808.
Dynamically Generated Status Bar Providing Live Measurement Reading
Digital multimeters commonly are used to perform relatively simple measurements of voltage, current, resistivity or other circuitry parameters. When used for this purpose, the instrument typically displays the measured value in a prominent manner on a display screen to apprise a user of the measurement result.
As discussed above, more sophisticated digital multimeters include capabilities to display measurement information beyond simple measurement values, relating to one or more different modes. For selection of at least some of these modes, the resulting measurement value displayed on the instrument is no longer the actual value of the voltage, current, or resistivity across a node in a circuit. Instead, the displayed value corresponds to a different characteristic of the actual measurement associated with the selected mode.
As an unfortunate consequence of utilizing different modes when operating a multimeter instrument, a user may easily be lulled into a misperception that the multimeter display is reporting an actual live measurement reading. As an example, while the hold mode is selected, a user may mistakenly believe that a reading reports an actual live measurement, instead of being a previously recorded value. In some situations, such a misperception could prove to be hazardous to the operator of the instrument.
In an example embodiment of a digital multimeter, an additional display value is provided as a live measurement value to ensure that a user can discern the live actual measurement. However, because a portable, handheld multimeter incorporates a very small digital screen, displaying this value could tend to overcrowd the display or otherwise confuse the user. There thus exists a tension between the advantages of displaying the live, actual measurement prominently for safety considerations, and arranging the display in a manner for easy use with a quick glance at the instrument.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, a digital multimeter includes a dynamically generated status bar that provides, in a single, predictable area, dynamically selected information believed to be of significance to a user. As shown in
Accordingly, in some embodiments, a mini-measurement can be displayed automatically when the primary measurement function's measurement is not displayed or is otherwise obscured from view on the screen. As yet another example, as shown in
As shown in
As an additional safety feature, the mini-measurement may be accompanied by a mini lightning bolt (mini bolt) if display 105 is displaying a Volts AC or DC and a potentially hazardous voltage is present. The value that triggers the mini bolt is preferably factory preprogrammed to preserve the integrity of the safety feature. For instance, a user or a manufacturing process could set the mini bolt to appear when multimeter 100 measures a voltage at or above 30 VAC. In some embodiments, the user can set the minimum voltage or other condition triggering the mini bolt to appear, and can alter a factory programmed value.
In some embodiments, primary readings may be accompanied by a comparatively larger lightning bolt (not shown) when a potentially hazardous voltage has been measured or multimeter 100 is being calibrated. If the mini bolt is displayed and a larger lightning bolt accompanying the displayed reading is obscured, the mini-measurement, the mini bolt, or both may blink. Additionally, the mini-measurement may blink when high current is present in the A and mA functions to warn the user that a fuse of multimeter 100 may eventually fail. In some embodiments, a user may be able to set conditions under which the mini bolt will appear and/or blink.
In the method, application processor 222 first detects that a user has selected a mode for multimeter 100 (1002). Next, application processor 222 retrieves display parameters from memory 230 corresponding to the selected mode (1004). Next, the method determines whether the display parameters indicate that the live measurements have been removed from the main area of display 105 (1006). If so (1006=Yes), application processor 222 dynamically re-configures the status bar on display 105 to include a live measurement with a reduced font size, as a "mini-measurement" (1008). Otherwise (1006=No), no re-configuration occurs unless a user selects a new mode for multimeter 100.
Next, application processors 222 retrieve from memory 230 a threshold value that was configured by the user or otherwise programmed into memory (1010). Application processor 222 then compares the retrieved threshold value with a live measurement and determines whether the live measurement is above the threshold value (1012). If so (1012=Yes), a lightning bolt warning icon is included in the status bar area (1014), and application processors 222 then determine whether a new mode was selected (1016). Otherwise (1012=No), application processors 222 skip to step 1016 without including the lightning bolt warning icon in the status bar area.
The method of
Information Screens
Multimeter users do not frequently carry the instruction manual for the multimeter while using the multimeter. However, as multimeters have become increasingly complex and now incorporate a wide variety of features, it is often helpful to provide technical information to help the users take measurements and interpret the multimeter's output. For instance, the information may help a user to remember what a certain icon represents on a multimeter, or how a particular function of the multimeter is used.
To address the user's need for information, multimeter 100 is configured to display explanatory information about the functions of multimeter 100 when a user presses [Info] button 128. In particular, when the user presses [Info] button 128, multimeter 100 displays explanatory information describing available functions of multimeter 100 and indicating the purpose of visual elements appearing in display 105. In addition to or as an alternative to providing descriptions and indications related to the available functions and visual elements in display, the explanatory information may also instruct a user how to use the functions or interact with the visual elements.
The function of [Info] button 128 is described in further detail below. Although the following description presents a dedicated button as a user input for requesting generation of an information screen, other input techniques may be used as an alternative to the dedicated button.
When a user presses [Info] button 128, multimeter 100 displays a pop-up dialog box including information regarding the functionality of icons and other information on display 105. The displayed information may vary according to the context at the time [Info] button 128 was pressed. For example, [Info] button 128 may be pushed by a user to receive additional information regarding measurement functions such as a function for measuring the voltage level of a direct current, a function for measuring a voltage level of an alternating current, a function for measuring the crest factor of a periodic signal, a function for measuring the duty cycle of a periodic signal, a function for recording a sequence of measurements, or a function for choosing a measurement function. Because the context can vary with the position of rotary switch 120 and various soft key choices, the information displayed can vary according to these variables.
Each screen, menu, and dialog of multimeter 100 potentially can have a corresponding information dialog that can be displayed when a user presses [Info] button 128. When a menu is shown on display 105, a selected item on the menu can determine the context for the information dialog. Alternatively, all menu items can determine the context for the information dialog.
Multimeter 100 may display information on any of several different topics when a user presses [Info] button 128. The topics may include, e.g., instructions for using a function or examples of applications in which a user could employ certain functionality available on the multimeter. As one example, a topic could explain what a certain mode of measuring is and when a user would use the mode. Multimeter 100 can be further programmed by the user to include certain topics in certain contexts. For instance, a company may have a particular procedure for taking measurements in a building. The company could program multimeter 100 to display an information dialog including instructions for performing the company's procedure. By relying on these instructions, the operator can perform the procedure without carrying an instruction manual.
Multimeter 100 can be programmed such that the explanatory information disappears after a predetermined amount of time or upon occurrence of a certain event. Once the explanatory information disappears, multimeter 100 restores any information that was covered or displaced by the explanatory information.
In the example of
The user can navigate forward and backward between individual topics as well as between different pages of the information dialog. Soft Key 110 can be set to select "Next" 1112, which moves the dialog to a next topic entry. By pressing soft key 110 and looking at icons 1108, the user can move fairly rapidly to different topics of interest. Soft key 110 can be programmed to become disabled once a last topic is reached in the information dialog.
Soft key 111 can be programmed to select "Prev" 1114, which causes screen 1100 to move to a previous topic entry. Soft key 111 can be programmed to become disabled once a first topic is reached in the information dialog. Soft Key 112 can be programmed to operate to select "More . . . " 1116 which allows the user to scroll down the information one page at a time, ignoring topic boundaries. Selecting "More . . . " 1116 can provide a way for the user to continue reading the text accompanying an icon for a topic when only a portion of the text is shown on the display. Soft key 112 can be programmed to become disabled once the end of a topic is reached. The down navigation button can perform the same function as soft key 112 when the information dialog is present. The up navigation button can perform that opposite function of the down navigation button and soft key 112 when the information dialog is present. In other words, the up navigation button can be programmed to provide a way to scroll up the information on the display. The left and right navigation buttons can be disabled when the information dialog is present.
Soft key 113 can be programmed to select "Exit" 1118, which closes the information dialog once soft key 1111 is pressed. There are various other ways the information dialog can be prompted to close. For instance, the user can close the information dialog by pressing [Info] button 128 while the information dialog is present. The information dialog may also be closed by turning the rotary switch to a new position or pressing on/off button 118 or one of dedicated mode buttons 125-127.
[Info] button 128 can be pressed in any context. Title bar 1106 can reflect the context within which the button as pressed. Examples of such contexts include configurations of multimeter 100 in which it is performing or ready to perform any of the following functions: "Measure Volts DC", "Measure Volts AC", "Measuring Crest Factor", "Measuring Duty Cycle", "Recording Measurements", and "Choosing a Measurement Function".
The information dialog may be associated with a scrolling memory that remembers where in the information dialog the user last scrolled during a previous viewing of the information dialog in the same context. Once the user has scrolled to a certain position in the information dialog, the user may toggle between the underlying screen and the information dialog without losing the user's place in the information dialog. For instance, if the user presses [Info] button 128 while measuring Volts AC, the information dialog can pop up to display the first topic listed in the information dialog. Then, if the user scrolls down the information dialog to a fourth listed topic, and then toggles back to the original screen and subsequently back to the information dialog, the information dialog will display the fourth listed topic. In general, toggling can be accomplished by pressing a button on multimeter 100 to change the screen displayed on display 105.
The overview information displayed when [Info] button 128 is pushed can be available in a variety of languages. The overview information can be stored in a compressed format to minimize storage requirements and provide more capacity for storing measurement information.
In the example of
The information dialog presented in display 105 helps a user to take advantage of the various capabilities of multimeter 100. The information dialog is tailored for a small LCD screen provided on multimeter 100. Because multimeter 100 is intended to be portable and self-contained, it is otherwise highly inconvenient to separately carry a user manual. Further, experienced technicians or other users may be unlikely to tote a user's manual, but would benefit from information presented in the information dialog. By incorporating this functionality with the soft-buttons, navigational buttons, and other forms of user input, a user can easily navigate through a vast glossary of information concerning multimeter 100 to find desired information quickly and efficiently.
As another unique aspect of incorporating [Info] button 128 on multimeter 100, a company can re-program or tailor the presentation of information from [Info] button 128 to correspond to particular company procedures or processes associated with measuring electrical circuits. This highly-innovative feature provides a particular, unforeseen benefit in the context of digital multimeters, since it can be used by a fleet of mobile technicians at remote sites, who may be required to follow strict guidelines provided by a company. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, memory 230 can be programmed for customized information through an associated Flash input, USB port, or other interface.
Referring to
Rotary switch memory, mini-measurement display, and Info button glossary access can be integrated into a single multimeter. Alternatively, each can be provided separately, or independently. A user of the multimeter configures the multimeter to enable or disable the rotary switch memory, the mini-measurement or the Info button.
Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description and in
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
The above detailed description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times.
The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily those described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined or altered to provide further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the invention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein.
The terminology used in the Detailed Description is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Sep 24, 1979
|Sep 28, 1982
|Utility Devices, Inc.
|Data recording method and apparatus
|Nov 22, 1982
|Jul 30, 1985
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Reading sensing meter
|Apr 12, 1985
|Apr 5, 1988
|Schlumberger Electronics (U.K.) Limited
|Data display method and apparatus
|Aug 20, 1986
|Apr 25, 1989
|Freeman Mark S
|Dual function DMM display
|Dec 16, 1987
|Mar 27, 1990
|Synthesis, Inc.
|Method and systems for generating parametric designs
|Aug 31, 1987
|Oct 30, 1990
|Fiat Auto S.P.A.
|System for diagnosing anomalies or breakdowns in a plurality of types of electronic control systems installed in motor vehicles
|Nov 28, 1989
|Jun 2, 1992
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Automatic function selecting multimeter
|Jan 31, 1991
|Jun 8, 1993
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Multi-function, multi-mode switch for an instrument
|Jan 31, 1992
|Oct 5, 1993
|Tegam, Inc.
|Digital voltmeter
|Jun 1, 1992
|Oct 26, 1993
|Digital Equipment Corporation
|Manually-operated continuity/shorts test probe for bare interconnection packages
|Dec 6, 1990
|Jun 14, 1994
|Teradyne, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for a minimal memory in-circuit digital tester
|Apr 19, 1990
|Dec 6, 1994
|Bioscience Analysis Software Ltd.
|System for real-time display of the waveshape of an incoming stream of digital data samples
|Jan 5, 1993
|Jul 11, 1995
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Multimeter having min/max time stamp
|Oct 7, 1994
|Apr 16, 1996
|National Captioning Institute
|System for encoding and displaying captions for television programs
|Dec 4, 1992
|Apr 23, 1996
|Itronix Corporation
|Apparatus and method for performing and controlling testing of electrical equipment
|Jan 20, 1995
|Jun 25, 1996
|Fluke Corporation
|Method and apparatus for determining and selectively displaying valid measurement information
|Jun 25, 1993
|Jul 30, 1996
|Chrysler Corporation
|Hand held automotive diagnostic service tool
|Feb 1, 1996
|Feb 3, 1998
|Hitachi Denshi Kabushiki
|Method and system for storing waveform data of digital oscilloscope as well as method and system for displaying waveform data thereof
|Nov 20, 1995
|Mar 24, 1998
|Nec Corporation
|TV signal codec with amplitude limitation and a shift
|Apr 14, 1997
|Jul 13, 1999
|Universal Enterprises, Inc.
|Graphical display device
|Dec 18, 1997
|Sep 19, 2000
|Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for auto-incrementing through table and updating single register in memory
|Aug 5, 1997
|Oct 31, 2000
|Agilent Technologies
|Hand-held measurement device combining two logic level indicators
|Apr 28, 1995
|Jan 30, 2001
|Chrysler Corporation
|Automotive diagnostic service tool with hand held tool and master controller
|Nov 2, 1998
|Oct 9, 2001
|Agilent Technologies Inc.
|Method and apparatus for automatically acquiring a waveform measurement
|Feb 23, 2000
|Jan 22, 2002
|Rynhart Research Limited
|Hand-held digital moisture meter with memory and communications
|Aug 1, 2000
|Oct 1, 2002
|Spx Corporation
|Digital automobile tester
|May 3, 2000
|Dec 10, 2002
|Schlumberger Resources Management Systems, Inc.
|Metering system
|Mar 20, 2001
|Apr 29, 2003
|Sang Joon Choi
|Computer multimeter
|Aug 14, 2002
|May 8, 2007
|Itron, Inc.
|Transferable meter licenses using smartcard technology
|Aug 13, 2004
|Dec 23, 2008
|Elan Digital Systems Limited
|Digital multi-meter
|Aug 14, 2007
|Dec 1, 2009
|Fluke Corporation
|System and method for configuring a display for a digital multimeter
|Aug 14, 2007
|Mar 16, 2010
|Fluke Corporation
|Digital multimeter having improved recording functionality
|Aug 28, 2002
|Mar 27, 2003
|Molinari Alfred A.
|Graphical application development system for test, measurement and process control applications
|Oct 31, 2005
|May 3, 2007
|Hemang Shah
|Technical information management apparatus and method for vehicle diagnostic tools
|Mar 21, 2006
|Sep 27, 2007
|Kilborn J C
|Patient monitoring help screen system and method
|Jan 9, 2002
|Dec 4, 2002
|Storage universal test meter
|Mar 11, 1997
|Oct 1, 1998
|Tektronix Berlin Gmbh
|Circuit for selecting measuring range, e.g. for digital multimeter
|Jan 14, 1991
|May 27, 1992
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Improved automatic function selecting multimeter
|Apr 16, 1991
|Sep 23, 1992
|John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
|Multi-function, multi-mode switch for an instrument
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Title not available
|Chinese Patent Application No. 200810161112.X, Office Action, 7 pages, Nov. 25, 2011.
|EP Search Report; EP Application No. 08162430.6-2216; Dated Dec. 4, 2008; 8 pages.
|EP Search Report; EP Application No. 08162447.0-1524; Applicant: Fluke Corporation; Mailed Nov. 19, 2008; 24 pages.
|European Patent Application No. 11174639.2, Extended European Search Report, 6 pages, Sep. 9, 2011.
|European Patent Application No. 11174651.7, Extended European Search Report, 6 pages, Sep. 6, 2011.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Aug 14, 2008
|May 24, 2016
|Fluke Corporation
|Auto-numbering of measurements in digital multimeter
|Aug 14, 2008
|May 21, 2009
|Fluke Corporation
|Auto-numbering of measurements in digital multimeter
|May 24, 2016
|Sep 15, 2016
|Fluke Corporation
|Auto-numbering of measurements in digital multimeter
|U.S. Classification
|324/115, 324/141
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Jan 28, 2009
Owner name: FLUKE CORPORATION, WASHINGTON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GARLAND, ANTHONY;FERRANTE, JOSEPH;CAPOCCIA, BRIAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022168/0344;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090127 TO 20090128
Owner name: FLUKE CORPORATION, WASHINGTON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GARLAND, ANTHONY;FERRANTE, JOSEPH;CAPOCCIA, BRIAN;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090127 TO 20090128;REEL/FRAME:022168/0344
|Dec 14, 2015
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4


text:
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- When Jake Morton told baseball scouts that he'd do whatever it takes to play professional ball, he wasn't kidding.
Morton, a redshirt junior at Oakland University, has been a catcher for the past four years.
But when his name was called on Saturday, June 7, he was listed as a right-handed pitcher.
"I pitched a little bit in high school," said Morton, who graduated from Hudsonville in 2010. "But I've never thrown a pitch in college."
Morton, 22, was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft. He is the only player from West Michigan to be drafted this year.
MORE: Complete list of baseball players with Michigan ties who were drafted last week
"The Indians said they are more focused on my arm as a major league tool," Morton said. "They saw I had some potential and the body type that they could turn me into a pitcher. I told them when they approached me about it that I'd be interested in anything that would let me keep playing baseball."
Morton, who hit .239 with 14 RBIs in 36 games this season, has been through this process before. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 45th round out of high school.
He chose to go to college after his first time being selected, and this time, he's still not sure if he'll sign. He said he'll work out for the Indians on the mound before he makes his decision.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," he said of signing. "I talked with the team (Sunday) after the draft. They are going to come out and watch me throw a few bullpens. They want me to jump in some summer games and see how I do. Then we'll sit down and see what the signing will be."
Morton said he's been working out on the mound for about a month and he's getting more comfortable. But his first time throwing a curveball was interesting.
"I think the first time I threw it, it went head-high to the catcher," he said with a laugh. "The next one was right in dirt and the third one was right over the plate."
Morton isn't sure how fast he throws. He said he touched 90 mph in high school and "I throw upper 80s from behind the plate, short-armed."
"I've been working on a curveball and a cutter/slider," he said. "I'm trying to develop the normal pitches."
Morton, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, is the only Hudsonville graduate to be drafted in the 15-year tenure of coach Dave Van Noord. He could be the first Eagle to go pro since John Vander Wal, who played 14 years in the major leagues. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the third round of the 1987 draft.
Morton, who was the Horizon League Player of the Week in April, graduated in May with a double major in psychology and political science. He said if he doesn't sign with the Indians, he'll return to play a final year at Oakland and pursue a masters in public administration.
He said he knows what it takes to be a good pitcher. After all, he's caught teammate Jake Paulson for the past three years. Paulson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round.
"Toward the end of the draft, I kept waiting and waiting," Morton said. "My friend Jake (Paulson) got drafted and I called to congratulate him. We're really good friends and I caught all his starts. Then when my name popped up and he called to say 'congrats' to me."
There were 14 baseball players with Michigan ties that were drafted. Central Michigan pitcher Jordan Foley, who was drafted in the fifth round by the New York Yankees, was the highest selection. His teammate Matt Trowbridge was taken in the 13th round by Baltimore. Western Michigan University infielder Andrew Sohn was taken in the sixth round by St. Louis. The top Michigan high schooler was Grant Reuss, a left-handed pitcher from Cranbrook Kingswood, who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 31st round.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton
Ryan Lavine
★★★ (Superior)
Brasserie Pip is the fun-loving progeny of the formal French dining room of Ivoryton's lovely Copper Beech Inn. A hard act to follow. But Pip-named for the innkeeper's Jack Russell terrier-performs with tail-wagging enthusiasm and darned near runs off with the show.
American-born, with French parents, executive chef François de Melogue comes from a long line of French chef-restaurateurs. As a boy, he spent every summer at Auberge de L'Etang Bleu, his grandfather's hotel and restaurant in Perigord, France, which he revisits annually for culinary inspiration.
But de Melogue is a chef with multicultural interests. His cookbook library contains 1,500 titles and he's cooked all over the United States. In Chicago, he opened Pili Pili, named in 2003 "one of the top 10 new restaurant openings in the world" by Food & Wine. At the Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino, Calif., he cooked totally organic breakfasts, lunches and high-end wine dinners. In Connecticut, he explores farm markets, exchanges recipes with famous chefs and can't wait to try new things. So adventurous eaters would do well to grab Brasserie Pip's list of specials tout de suite.
I did and I learned something. Pumpkin swordfish-what in the world? I asked the waitress who asked the chef who came out to explain that at certain times of the year schools of wild swordfish get into shellfish beds and gorge themselves on shrimp. The pale orange flesh of these hedonistic swordfish is said to be richer, firmer, juicier and more flavorful. I found it so. Served with mashed potatoes, a medley of vegetables and tomato-and-tarragon hollandaise, it was a bargain at $28, which was the highest price for any main dish on the menu-including Dover sole.
Like most chefs who are excited about what they are doing, de Melogue likes to send out a tidbit of something that's not on the menu. For us it was a spoonful of "cantaloupe caviar" topped with shavings of Serano ham. The golden beads, looking for all the world like fish eggs, turned out actually to be cantaloupe. We spent the rest of the meal trying to figure out how they had been made. "With a special gadget-sort of a grater," our waitress said, and offered to take us to the kitchen for a demonstration. We declined but noticed that we were not the only ones comfortably chatting with the staff. So much for French hauteur!
Oysters (four kinds) from the raw bar were fresh, brisk and briny, hailing from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New England. My favorites were the Wiannos from Cape Cod-clean, crisp and unabashedly deep-sea salty. I also liked the pristine Winter Points from Maine.
Both of the men in our party ordered soup. Soupe au fromage made with cream and four kinds of cheese was disappointing-so rich and intense that it was hard to eat more than a few spoonfuls. It would have been better as a sauce. On the other hand, soupe à l'oignon made from a recipe by Jacques Pépin was gloriously classic, deftly gratinéed with Grûyère and served in an earthenware crock so cute I wanted one like it.
Satisfingly traditional, too, were escargots baked in garlic herb butter and a Burgundy-style poultry liver terrine served with cornichons.
Curiously, steak tartare-a huge portion of hand-chopped raw Hereford beef tenderloin with capers, cornichons and cognac-was served as an entrée. Delicious but daunting, I suspect, to even the most intrepid carnivore. We all took a taste and opined that it would be better in a smaller portion as an appetizer.
After years of dining abstemiously on paper-thin slices of duck breast, to receive half a duckling, drumsticks, wings and all, sautéed with local apples and cider, was an old-fashioned treat. Crispy skin, rich, tender meat, thick slices of apple caramelized in the baking. Yes, the leg meat was a tad stringy. But free-range birds run around. And what are knives for?
Hanger steak, once ignored, is now appearing everywhere, gussied up every which way. Brasserie Pip does it simply as brasseries in France do-grilled with frites. Plus a side of sauce béarnaise. Hooray!
But it was the blanquette de veau that brought it all back to me: the cozy bliss of roaming the Left Bank arm in arm, and ducking into a brasserie where the prix fixe included a half bottle of wine and veal stew like the one I got to savor again at Brasserie Pip. It's a simple dish, or should be-just veal, cream, onions, carrots, perhaps a handful of mushrooms. The secret's in the cooking-slowly, slowly, slowly. De Melogue, who knows the brasserie repertoire inside out, cooked it that way-in fact, probably could have done so in his sleep.
I could have stopped right here, without dessert, but when the soufflés Doug ordered arrived, they were irresistible. Passion fruit, lemon and blood orange, each baked and served in its shell. An order of something called "Maui Wowee" brought a ring of grilled pineapple topped with coconut sorbet and rum and vanilla sauce. A bombe of dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate mousses was indulgence times three.
It was cold outside, but in Brasserie Pip it tasted like Paris in the springtime.
Brasserie Pip at the Copper Beech Inn
46 Main St.,Ivoryton (860/767-0330)
Dinner Thursday to Sunday 5 to 10. Wheelchair access. Major credit cards. Price range: appetizers $8 to $20, entrées $16 to $28, desserts $8 to $9.Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton


text:
Ernst & Young's Joe Muscat spoke about the value of awards programs and his company's annual Entrepreneur of the Year program recently with Press: Here's Scott McGrew. Muscat, who leads the firm's Strategic Growth Markets practice on the West Coast, stressed awards programs are a great vehicle for getting a brand name recognized — whether the company ends up winning or not.
Press: Here is a Sunday morning news roundtable discussion on NBC in the Bay Area featuring the top names in the technology industry.


text:
SHEFFIELD — Barbara Ann (Barry) Bush died peacefully at the age of 88 at 6:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She was born in Sheffield, the daughter of John and Margaret (Kane) Barry and moved to the Quad Cities following high school where she met her husband. She was the beloved wife of the late Samuel R. Bush Jr. and sister of the late Jack Barry and Dorothy Maes. The devoted mother of Samuel R. Bush III, Donald Steven Bush and Elizabeth Wey, and grandmother of Sarah Elizabeth Gurren and Kelly Marie Gurren. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Schmitt and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Barry.
Barbara spent many years in the Savings and Loan industry before going to part-time employment to stay busy. She loved her animals, especially her cats.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sheffield. Celebrant will be Fr. Mark Miller. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Save the Animals Foundation located on Red Bank Road in Cincinnati, Ohio, or to the Scratching Post in Silverton, Ohio.
The Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements. This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.ruxfuneralhome.com.


text:
Butternut Squash Cheesecake With A Chocolate Crust
|For basic fig crust
|Dried white figs
|18 , stalk ends removed
|Crushed chocolate wafers
|236 Milliliter (1 Cup)
|For filling
|Cooked butternut squash
|472 Milliliter (Use 1 Small Sized To Yield 2 Cups Cooked)
|Unflavored gelatin
|1 Ounce, completely dissolved in 1 cup or 236 milliliter warmed water (4 Envelopes, 1/4 Ounce Each)
|Brown sugar
|177 Milliliter (3/4 Cup)
|2% fat cottage cheese
|2 Cup (32 tbs)
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Ground cloves
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|1⁄4 Teaspoon
|Plain non-fat yogurt
|236 Milliliter (1 Cup)
|Orange zest/12 paper-thin orange slices.
|1 Ounce, cut into strips (Use 1 Heaping Tablespoon, To Garnish)
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, place face down on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
Remove and let cool.
Scoop 2 cups (47.2 ml) of the flesh out and puree for this recipe and freeze the rest for future use.
Make the Fig Crust, substituting chocolate wafers for the graham cracker crumbs, and press into a springform pan.
The Filling: In a blender, puree all the ingredients except the squash and yogurt until smooth and creamy—about 2 minutes, gradually increasing the speed.
Stir if necessary to complete the incorporation.
Turn this mixture into the reserved squash and stir thoroughly.
Then fold in the yogurt until just combined.
Pour the filling into the prepared crust, pop into the refrigerator and chill until set—about 2 to 3 hours.
To Serve: Unmold, slice with a warm knife and garnish each piece with orange zest or a thin orange slice.
Recipe Summary
Rate It
Nutrition Rank
Nutrition Facts
Serving size
Calories 725 Calories from Fat 102
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12 g17.8%
Saturated Fat 4 g19.9%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 16.8 mg5.6%
Sodium 826.9 mg34.5%
Total Carbohydrates 132 g43.9%
Dietary Fiber 8.7 g34.7%
Sugars 88.6 g
Protein 31 g61.5%
Vitamin A 2.4% Vitamin C 17.7%
Calcium 25.6% Iron 16.6%
*Based on a 2000 Calorie diet


text:
The Project Tracker 1.1
Sponsored Links
The Project Tracker 1.1 Ranking & Summary
RankingClick at the star to rank
Ranking LevelBuy now
User Review: 0 (0 times)
File size: info
Platform: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
License: Commercial
Price: $19.99
Downloads: 371
Date added: 2008-10-26
Publisher: The Bubble Planner
The Project Tracker 1.1 description
The Project Tracker 1.1. Business & Finance
The Project Tracker 1.1 Screenshot
The Project Tracker 1.1 Keywords
Bookmark The Project Tracker 1.1
The Project Tracker 1.1 Copyright
WareSeeker.com do not provide cracks, serial numbers etc for The Project Tracker 1.1. Any sharing links from rapidshare.com, yousendit.com or megaupload.com are also prohibited.
Featured Software
Want to place your software product here?
Please contact us for consideration.
Contact WareSeeker.com
Related Software
egProjectTracker will help you manage your projects. Free Download
Track hours and materials for projects or jobs. Networkable, includes reports. Free Download
A unique application that combines powerful time tracking technology Free Download
PSTracker a plug-in for VC++ 6.0 used to collect various statistical information Free Download
Keeps track of running applications and open documents and records time spent on them automatically. Theres no need to start and stop timer. VPT2.1 detects about 500 popular applications such as illus Free Download
create, plan & manage projects Free Download
Time, Attendance and Project Management Tool. Free Download
Use Contact Tracker to manage your business or personalcontact information. You can view your contact information on screen in a variety of different ways, send faxes, letters, and view one or many of Free Download
Latest Software
Popular Software
Favourite Software


text:
Throughout fall camp, The Oregonian will randomly select 15 freshmen to detail five intriguing facts about themselves. It's part of a new series called "Freshman 15," and today's installment features 6-foot-1, 193-pound quarterback Marcus McMaryion.
1. At one point, he was considered a better prospect in baseball than football.
"I was actually a fairly good baseball player. I played on a U.S. team my freshman year and I actually played in Japan. Australia was there, Korea was there. ... I was going to a lot of football camps through baseball season. So it was kind of the motion for me. I used to pitch and the motion used to throw me off a lot when it'd come to throwing a football. A lot of coaches at football camps used to say, 'You're throwing the football like a baseball. Stop.' It was baseball season, though, so I couldn't really help it. So I dropped that my freshman year and I started focusing more on football."
2. His dad is a former quarterback.
"My dad played quarterback and he had options to play big-college football, too, but his grades weren't as good as mine were. So that's why he's really stressed to me having good grades. ... He went to Reedley College and came out of San Gorgonio High School. Sometimes he likes to mess around and say, 'Come on, you've got to step your grades up. I'm going to live through you.' He's definitely a great guy. He's really always pushed me to be my best, and he's helped me get where I am now. But I've still got a lot of work to do."
3. He ran a pro-style offense in high school that should ease his transition to OSU.
"The offense really isn't that different. The big thing I really have to pick up is the vocab. I know Nick (Mitchell) and I were going over it last night. We stayed up studying. So it's just picking up on the lingo here, I guess you could say."
4. He wants to be the rare Beavers quarterback who can make plays with his feet.
"That's one thing that kind of stuck out in my mind when I came here. There's not a lot of guys that are as mobile, and they put this big knee brace on me (for safety precautions) so I'm more of a pocket passer. But I think I should still be able to move around pretty well."
5. In high school, he was somewhat of a local celebrity.
"Dinuba, not really a lot of people know where it's at. It's right in between Fresno and Visalia. It's a small town, about 22,000 people. There's not a lot of recruiting that goes on down there. I was the first guy to go Division I since I think 1963 or something like that. ... Just walking around Wal-Mart and stuff like that, of course everyone knows who you are because you're the first one to get a big scholarship. It's kind of just more of a pride thing. I'm coming in a small-town guy just kind of playing with a chip on my shoulder. Sean's obviously going to take it over this year, and I'm just trying to pick his brain as much as I can before he heads out."
Previous Freshman 15 profiles:
-- Connor Letourneau | @ConnOregonian


text:
Lincoln police arrest woman who missed sentencing
A 24-year-old Lincoln woman who failed to show up to be sentenced for her role in the death of a 12-year-old girl has been found and arrested.
Lincoln police say officers found Ashley Jackson hiding in a trailer parked on a lot in northeast Lincoln late Saturday night.
Jackson pleaded no contest to child abuse resulting in death in December.
Prosecutors say Jackson brought Serena Garrett to her home to babysit her infant twins last March. Jackson smoked methamphetamine and supplied the girl and other people at her house with alcohol and drugs.
Police say after Jackson left, Serena was sexually assaulted by a 20-year-old man, and then died of a prescription drug overdose.
Jackson was being held in the Lancaster County jail on Sunday.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
No. 23 Oregon at Washington
When: 8 tonight
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena, Seattle
On the air: TV on ESPN2; radio on KXTG-AM (750)
Records: Ducks 19-5, 8-3 Pac-12; Huskies 13-11, 5-6
Probable starters: UO — G Johnathan Loyd, G Damyean Dotson, F E.J. Singler, F Arsalan Kazemi, C Tony Woods; UW — G Abdul Gaddy, G C.J. Wilcox, G Scott Suggs, F Shawn Kemp Jr., C Aziz N'DiayeBriefly: The Ducks dropped four spots to No. 23 in the AP poll this week. ... Washington owns a 187-106 series lead over the Ducks since the schools first played in 1904. This will be the 294th game between them, the second-longest rivalry in the conference, trailing only the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry. ... Oregon shot a 57.8 percent from the field in its 81-76 victory over the Huskies on Jan. 26 in Eugene. Arsalan Kazemi had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win for Oregon, which won despite a season-high 23 turnovers. ... The Ducks snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday against Utah. ... The victory over the Utes was the 80th in which UO senior E.J. Singler played, making him just the fifth player in program history to have won at least 80 games. Freddie Jones and Joevan Catron were part of the most career wins (81), and Luke Jackson and Dick Wilkins each have 80. ... Washington has lost six of its last seven. ... The Huskies lead the Pac-12 with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game, thanks to Aziz N'Diaye's Pac-12-leading 3.6 per game. Conversely, the Huskies are last with 23.5 defensive rebounds per game. Not coincidentally, Washington is last in the conference in field goal percentage defense at .430. ... Shawn Kemp Jr., son of the former Seattle SuperSonics star of the same name, is averaging 10.6 points in his last five games, including his first four starts.
-- Adam Jude; follow on Twitter.


text:
ELSINBORO – In preparation for Hurricane Irene, Mayor Sean Elwell has issued a voluntary evacuation for township residents beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Due to the significant wind and rainfall the region is expected to experience, local officials are concerned about low-lying areas along the river and throughout the township. Areas of concern include Salem-Fort Elfsborg Road, River Lane, South Locust Avenue, Slape Avenue, and Abbotts Farm Road.
"We have had numerous discussions with local and county emergency management officials and felt that suggesting and encouraging residents to evacuate was in the best interest of the residents. We are monitoring the progress of the storm and continuing to prepare for a worst case scenario," said Elwell.
Residents who choose to evacuate are asked to place the yellow "notified" placard from the PSEG calendar on their doors or a note on their doors to signify to emergency responders they have evacuated.
Municipal officials are also asking that residents evacuating call the emergency management building (856) 935-2200 and leave a message indicating they have left the area.
Residents with special needs requiring assistance or who have a question may contact Mayor Sean Elwell at (856) 935-2200.
"Residents are asked to secure their properties and homes to the best of their abilities. Our ultimate goal is to protect the municipality to our best ability and keep everyone safe," Elwell said.


text:
Which Striker Should Chelsea Sign?
Which goal scoring threat should Chelsea sign during the summer transfer window to provide them with a much needed boost in attack? Today on the blog Amit Singh from Think Football considers the likely transfer targets.
Chelsea's three strikers (including Daniel Sturridge) managed to net just eleven Premier League goals between them for Chelsea last season. Such a dismal return, including just two goals for Demba Ba and just the eight league goals from Fernando Torres (with only one coming in 2013) has led to increased speculation that Chelsea will break the bank for a big name striker this summer.
Chelsea major transfer target in the last few years, Radamel Falcao opted to join AS Monaco, so who else might Chelsea turn too in their hunt for a new hit-man?
Will Chelsea Sign Edison Cavani?
Edison Cavani is probably the most high profile striker available for transfer this summer. The Uruguayan centre-forward, currently at Napoli, can reportedly be bought if his buy-out clause (reported to be around £51 million) is met. At 26 Cavani is very much a player in his prime having scored 78 league goals in just 104 appearances since joining Napoli from Palermo.
Cavani's prolific form would make it difficult to see him not being a success in the Premier League, with him also having managed five goals in eight games in last season's Champions League, including a header against Chelsea. Chelsea may try to use Fernando Torres as a make-weight in any move to lower the asking price, given that Rafael Benitez is the new Napoli manager, having worked with Torres at both Liverpool and Chelsea.
Verdict: Cavani's record is clearly incredible but he has already indicated that Real Madrid is a 'dream club' which might make them his number one destination. Manchester City are also in the hunt for a striker and Chelsea might subsequently be reluctant to get into a bidding war over wages with a club as well financed as Manchester City.
Any move for Cavani would also require a significant investment, close to the £50 million mark which may put Abramovich off given that he previously sanctioned two big money moves for strikers in the form of Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko, with neither move working out.
Cavani's Club After Summer Transfer Window Odds
|Real Madrid
|Manchester City
Odds as at 26th June 2013.
Will Chelsea Sign Robert Lewandowski?
Robert Lewandowski will reportedly not be sold to Bayern Munich this summer, meaning that a Premier League club could sign him, given that he will be going into the last year of his contract. Lewandowski scored four times against Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side in the Champions League semi-final so he knows full well what the Polish hitman can do. His prolific goal-scoring form propelled Dortmund to the Champions League final in May as well as helping the side reach back to back Bundesliga titles prior to this season.
The Polish international is arguably one of the best strikers in Europe having scored 46 goals in just 65 games over the last two Bundesliga campaigns, as well as scoring ten goals in twelve appearances in this seasons Champions League.
Verdict: Given that he is just 24 years of age and will be available at a much cheaper price than Cavani he may well represent the best option, if Chelsea are willing to pay £25-30 million for a player with just a year left to run on his contract. That being said there will be stiff competition for his signature with Bayern Munich and Manchester United still interested. Not only that but Dortmund might play hard ball and simply refuse to sell in light of already losing Mario Gotze to Munich.
Lewandowski's Club After Summer Transfer Window Odds
|Bayern Munich
|Manchester United
|Real Madrid
Odds as at 26th June 2013.
How About Wayne Rooney?
Wayne Rooney has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Manchester United and as such has been linked with most of Europe's richest clubs. Jose Mourinho has already indicated that he would be keen on a move for the England striker stating that he should move to where makes him 'happiest.' United won't want to sell their second top domestic goal scorer, especially not to a Premier League rival but given his intent to leave they might be willing to accept an offer if no European clubs come in with a big enough offer.
Rooney's versatility is another plus as he can play as the lone striker as well as behind the forward as one of the 'three amigos.' For the squad game this will be crucial and would certainly appeal to Mourinho.
Verdict: United's reluctance to sell to another Premier League club, coupled with Rooney's fitness problems might not make him the most viable option for Chelsea. At 27 years old and with a questionable attitude as well as having had a decline in form this year Chelsea might look elsewhere, given that they invested heavily in a 27 year old Torres from a Premier League rival back in 2011, which drastically backfired.
Rooney Club After Summer Transfer Window Odds
|Manchester United
|Real Madrid
Odds as at 26th June 2013.
Or Edin Dzeko?
Edin Dzeko is a player who has been tentatively linked with a move to Chelsea in the last few weeks. Manchester City are looking to offload last season's top goal scorer and would apparently let Chelsea make a move for the Bosnian captain if Chelsea cool their interest in Edison Cavani.
Dzeko was City's top scorer with fourteen league goals last season (more than Chelsea's three forwards combined), which could make him an attractive target at what be a relatively cheap price. Dzeko's height, at 6 ft 4, would also be a plus as Mourinho likes to have a big striker who can act as an aerial outlet within his squad.
Verdict: Dzeko is better than Ba and Torres but it's difficult to say whether he'd be that much more effective than Romelu Lukaku, who himself scored seventeen league goals last season. The Belgian striker is similar to Dzeko in terms of offering a great aerial ability and thus might make a move for Dzeko redundant. Any move for Dzeko would probably be as a last resort, rather than a first choice.
Dzeko's Club After Summer Transfer Window Odds
|Bor Dortmund
Odds as at 26th June 2013.
Follow Think Football on Twitter:@Think_Football
And visit Think Football for more great football analysis: ThinkFootball.co.uk
Tags: Football , Premier League


text:
J.Crew Factory at The Outlet Shops of Grand River will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting event Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Event details:
Shoppers will have the opportunity to receive styling tips for fall and enjoy refreshments while taking advantage of Grand Opening discounts on clothing and accessories throughout the store.
J. Crew Factory is located next to LOFT Outlet and across from Coach Factory by the Grand Plaza. Shoppers can expect to find daily deals on the J. Crew style they love, for men, women and crewcuts for kids (sizes 2 – 14).
Go here to register for JCrew emails.


text:
How did this new album and overall concept for it come about, and what are your ultimate goals with it?
This album was a contemplation of a journey to other worlds riding a ship of sound. As things progress, the sights and thoughts experienced are reflected in the tone of the songs. The album winds down in a subdued return, and the story is over. My ultimate goal with the album is to allow others to share in my interpretations of higher levels of consciousness.
Going back in your life as far as you can remember, what song or performance is the first you recall hearing and being affected by?
Watching my mother performing Dionne Warwicks Déjà Vu when I was around 7.
What in your life outside of your music drives you in a creative sense?
Travel to distant lands sparks my creativity. Each location has unique catalysts, which spur creative energy, and I find it reflected in my musical inspirations.
If you were asked (and we are asking now!) for your advice as to what the Smooth jazz format could do moving forward to insure it relevance and growth, what would your suggestion(s) be?
By paying homage to the past, while remaining contemporary, but showing flashes of the future.
How would you describe what inspires you to do what you do?
I often find it easier to express myself with music than with words, but painting pictures with sound is a great feeling. I can capture my travels and immortalize them in a song.
What aspect of the creative process, from concept to market, do you personally find to be the most rewarding?
It is rewarding when others hear and appreciate my music. To move another person in a positive way is both a challenge and reward in itself.


text:
Bill H.2955 188th (2013 - 2014)
An Act relative to renewable energy
By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2955) of Stephen Kulik that the Department of Energy Resources be directed to treat renewable generation equally when creating, developing and administering programs. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
Download text:
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Unsupported Bill Output Format
- The document text is in an unsupported format to view in a browser.
- Please use the "Download PDF" link if you wish to View/Print this document.


text:
As a vocal advocate of Nerlens Noel, you'd think I view this draft as a failure for the Cleveland Cavaliers. And as my reaction-tweet to the first overall pick last night shows, initially, it was a view of failure "no no no no no". But after I took a deep breathe and refocused my thoughts, I remember how much I liked Anthony Bennett. Exhibit A: https://twitter.com/KidCutskey/status/296369601200156672 https://twitter.com/KidCutskey/status/296370353138171905
Before Cleveland had the first pick and had the opportunity to draft Noel, I was all aboard the Bennett bandwagon. At 6'8", 240 pounds (although he's currently at 260 because of a surgery he had that kept him fairly inactive) with good athleticism, great shooting range and touch, and a scorers mentality, he offers Cleveland something that they haven't had, and wouldn't have gotten from Nerlens; versatility.
Anyone who watched the playoffs (and the finals in particular) saw the need to not only to be able to go small, but to also play big. Miami and San Antonio's small ball lineups put up huge numbers, but because of important bigs like Tiago Splitter, Roy Hibbert, David West, and of course, Timmy, the Heat were pushed to a game 7 in two straight series.
The Cavaliers, with a healthy Anderson Varejao (and likely a veteran FA center signing) have the ability to play big. But any small lineup the past two years would either involve Alonzo Gee, C.J. Miles, or Luke Walton playing the four. And that just… isn't good. That's where Bennett comes in. He can come off the bench and be an instant stretch four who will help Cleveland with floor spacing (which it desperately needs) and will add more athleticism to their lineup. This then allows either Tristan Thompson, Varejao, or Tyler Zeller to play center. TT at the five makes for one of the most interesting Cleveland lineups possible, as there wouldn't be a player on the court taller than 6'9". The five-man group of Irving-Waiters-Karasev-Bennett-Thompson is something that could play for stretches and has huge offensive potential, similar to those Spurs and Heat lineups we saw in the finals.
If the Cavs take Nerlens Noel? Now they have three centers and a power forward who all can't stretch the floor. This is so crucial to success in the NBA today that it's worth reaching for a player who, despite being a clear top 5 talent, was probably going to go between picks 6-8. Noel would have added awesome defense inside, but with the hiring of Mike Brown as the new head coach, they might not be as concerned about acquiring elite defensive talent, but instead developing the players they have into the best possible defenders they can be. Think of Tom Thibodeau in Chicago. Other than Joakim Noah, there wasn't really a Bull who people considered to be an excellent defender. But he turned guys like Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli into plus defensive guys (in his system), so why can't Mike Brown do the same thing with the talent in Cleveland? When Brown was head coach previously for the Cavs, the best defensive player was Anderson Varejao, and it wasn't really close. Andy is quite clearly a better player now than he was two to three years ago (again, when healthy) so there's no reason to believe that they can't reach near the same levels of great team defense once more without the aid of an elite defender like Nerlens.
The pick of Anthony Bennett shocked the basketball world. He might not start a game all year long. But given the situation Cleveland was put in, with the pick they had and the players that were available, I truly believe that Chris Grant & co. made the right call. And while they would have liked to trade down and simply grab him at a lower pick, the return teams were asking back for their offers would have taken the Cavs out of the running for Karasev, whom I'm in love with. So hats off to Cleveland management for making one hell of a ballsy move. I'm obviously a little biased when I say that I hope it works out, but it's not just for the benefit of seeing my team do well. But if this pick pans out, then the Cavs are one freaking exciting team to watch.