Multi-state label

Function

The multi-state label in ibaQPanel can show different texts and colors dependent on the state of a digital or analog state signal. The state is defined as value range. It is possible to assign a static text or text signal section to each state.

Every multi-state label has at least two states:

• No channel state

• Default state

No-channel state remains when no signal state has been configured.

If a state signal is configured, but the current value of the signals cannot be assigned to any of the defined states in the multi-state text display, the default state will be displayed.

The following example shows (from left to right) the no-channel state, the default state and three configured states of multi-state text displays.

Configuration

You can add further states by clicking on the  button.

Please note that the no-channel state is not available in the properties dialog. The signal can be assigned via the drop-down list of the field Data Source. You can also drag and drop the signal from the signal tree onto the text field after leaving design mode. This makes it easy to change the status signal.

While a digital signal can only have 2 values (0 or 1), analog signals can control plenty of states depending on the value range and the granularity you want to obtain.

Defining text display

Select the signal whose status is to be displayed in the data source field. You can enter the update interval in ms.

If you select the Show tooltip option, the signal name is displayed as a tooltip.

You can also select the text alignment in the text field and whether the text should be rotated. For the rotation, you can enter a value from 0° to 360° manually or select predefined values from the selection list. Examples of text rotation:

You can define the number format with the parameters digits before decimal point, number of digits after decimal point and format positive numbers.

Defining value ranges

Each row in the table refers to a state and hence to a value or value range of the data source signal.

The No channel and Default states are mandatory and two states are preset for example.

You can add further states in the table by clicking on the button. You can delete a selected state from the table by clicking on the button. Use the arrow keys to move selected lines up or down.

By entering values in the Min and Max columns, you set the value or value range for the state. Please note: the value range is >= Min and <= Max, i.e., the min and max values are included in the respective range.

For each state, you can configure foreground (text), background, border colors and border size.

For each state, you can select text type and text source. You have the choice between manually entered text or text from a signal.

• • Text type = static: enter the text to be displayed on the label in the Source column.

  • Text type = dynamic: If you select an analog signal in the Source column, the signal value is displayed. You can specify the number format with the parameters Minimal number of digits before decimal point, Number of digits after decimal point and Format positive numbers. Additionally the unit can be displayed.

    Alternatively, you can select a text signal that provides the text to be displayed.

The Font setting determines the font and text size of the label.

Please also note that the order of the states is important. The first match with the value ranges is always applied.

Example:

If the source signal in the example below has a value of 2, the first match is in the second row. This means that with the following configuration, “low” is displayed on a green background.

If the source signal in the example below has a value of 2, the first match is also found in the second row. However, with the following configuration, “high” is displayed on a yellow background.