Tecator™ Digestor Software

Software Manual
1001 2957 / Rev. 5

Copyright 2005 / All rights reserved

FOSS Analytical AB, Box 70, SE-263 21 Höganäs, Sweden
Tel Int +46 42 361500, Fax +46 42 340349, E-mail info@foss.dk
 Tecator™ Digestor Software

Information may be changed or updated without notice. The latest version is found at www.foss.dk.

Rev. Date of Issue Revised Material

1 2005-04-06 First issue

2 2005-05-30 Configuration/Service/Digestion Reports updated. Permissions updated. Screen
dumps updated. Minor text changes.
3 2006-03-22 New section “3.1.4 Installation of Bluetooth Modules (TDK)”
4 2006-06-22 Section “6 Transferring Files to/from PC” and “3.1.3 Installation of PC Cable”
updated.
5 2014-01-15 Section “3. Installation”, “4. Starting Tecator™ Digestor Software and Logging
In”,“5. Windows and Menues” and section “6. Transferring Files to/from PC”
updated.

NOTE: Please note that all information is liable to change without prior
notice.

Please inform Market Communication Dpt - Technical Communication Team at the address given
below, if you have any opinions about or proposals for changes to this manual.

Technical Communication Team

e-mail tig@foss.dk
FOSS Analytical AB, Box 70, SE-263 21 Höganäs, Sweden
Tel Int +46 42 361500, Fax +46 42 340349

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1 Introduction.............................................................. 1:1
1.1 Tecator Digestor Software ...................................... 1:1

2 Security ....................................................................... 2:1

2.1 Authorization Levels ................................................ 2:1
2.2 Permissions ................................................................. 2:1
2.3 Tecator™ Digestor Software Configuration
Permissions .................................................................. 2:2
2.4 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Applications
Permissions .................................................................. 2:3
2.5 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Operators
Permissions ................................................................. 2:4
2.6 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Settings
Permissions .................................................................. 2:5
2.7 Tecator™ Digestor Auto History Permissions .... 2:6

3 Installation ................................................................ 3:1

3.1 General ........................................................................ 3:1
3.1.1 System Requirements ................................................... 3:1
3.1.2 Installation of Tecator Digestor Software ................... 3:1

4 Starting Tecator™ Digestor Software and

Logging In .................................................................. 4:1

5 Windows and Menues ......................................... 5:1

5.1 Main Window ............................................................. 5:1
5.1.1 File Menu ...................................................................... 5:1
5.1.2 Digestor Menu .............................................................. 5:4
5.1.3 Report Menu ................................................................. 5:5
5.1.4 Help Menu .................................................................... 5:5
5.2 Applications Tab ........................................................ 5:7
5.2.1 Working with Applications .......................................... 5:8
5.2.2 Creating and Editing Applications ............................ 5:10
5.2.3 Deleting Applications ................................................. 5:14
5.3 Operators Tab ........................................................... 5:15
5.3.1 Working with Operators ............................................ 5:16
5.3.2 Creating and Editing Operators ................................ 5:17
5.4 Settings Tab .............................................................. 5:18
5.4.1 Working with Settings ............................................... 5:20
5.5 History Tab ................................................................ 5:22
5.5.1 Working with History ................................................. 5:23

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6 Transferring Files to/from PC ...........................6:1

6.1 Check Connection between PC and Digestor ...... 6:1
6.2 Transferring Application Files from Digestor
to PC ...............................................................................6:1
6.3 Transferring Application Files from PC to
Digestor ....................................................................... 6:2
6.4 Transferring Operators/Settings/History Files .... 6:2

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1 Introduction
1.1 Tecator Digestor Software
Tecator™ Digestor Auto can be connected to a PC and the application software
(Tecator™ Digestor software) helps the user configure and operate the digestor unit.
The digestor is shipped with FOSS Analytical application notes for digestion
preinstalled. With the application software the operator can set up the applications
selectable in the digestor unit and change their listing order. Some operators, see
section 2.2 Permissions on page 2:1, are able to create their own applications and
transfer them to the digestor. New applications can be created either from scratch, or
by first copying an existing application and making the necessary modifications to it.
Some configuration options of the digestor can be set in the application software and
operators can be added, removed or edited.
The digestor stores information about the latest digestions performed, and this
information can be transferred to a PC. In the application software the digestion
information can be viewed, printed or saved in a number of file formats.
The following data is stored for each digestion:
• Date
• Time
• Application
• Application deviations
• Operator
• Batch no.
• Lab-id
• Temperature log

Depending on operator permission a number of reports can be printed:

• Standard application report
• User application report
• Configuration report
• Service report
• Digestion configuration report
• Digestion log report
• Digestion graphic report

The reports are shown in Fig. 1:1 to Fig. 1:4.

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Fig. 1:1 Standard application report and user application report

Fig. 1:2 Configuration report and service report

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Fig. 1:3 Digestion configuration report

Fig. 1:4 Digestion log report and graphic report

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2 Security
Every time the Tecator™ Digestor software starts up, it checks that certain files are
where they are supposed to be and that they have a correct checksum. These files are
DIGESTOR.DAT and, by default, BLOCK.BTO. DIGESTOR.DAT contains
information about settings used in the software, but most important in this file is the
path to the authorization file, BLOCK.BTO.
The first thing checked when the software starts up is that DIGESTOR.DAT exists
in the same directory as the executable file for the Tecator™ Digestor software. If it
does not, a default DIGESTOR.DAT will be created that is identical to the one that
was installed by the setup program. If DIGESTOR.DAT exists, the next thing
checked is its checksum. If there is a checksum mismatch, a default
DIGESTOR.DAT will be created.
If DIGESTOR.DAT exists and its checksum is correct, the same procedures will be
performed for the authorization file, which is by default BLOCK.BTO installed in
the same directory as the executable file. If the authorization file does not exist or if
it has a bad checksum, a default file will be created, resetting all operators to the
default ones.
In addition to these file checks there is a log file, DIGESTOR.LOG that keeps track
of all main operations performed within the software. It logs when it starts up, shuts
down, when an operator logs in or out, when files are created, opened, saved, closed
or transferred to and from the digestor.

2.1 Authorization Levels

There are four different levels of authorization when working with the Tecator™
Digestor software. The level is defined when a user logs in. The four levels are:
• Specialist
One user with this authorization level is installed in the default BLOCK.BTO file.
This user is called FOSS specialist. The password for this account is not public.
• Service engineer
One user with this authorization level is installed in the default BLOCK.BTO file.
This user is called FOSS engineer. The password for this account is not public.
• Power user
One user with this authorization level is installed in the default BLOCK.BTO file.
The default name of this user is Admin, but it can be changed. The default password
for this account is digest, but it can be changed.
• User
One user with this authorization level is installed in the default BLOCK.BTO file. By
default this user cannot log on to the software, but a power user can grant access to
both the software and the digestor. The default name of this user is User 1, but it can
be changed. There is no password for this account by default, but one can be added.
Each authorization level has different permissions to perform different tasks in the
software, and these permissions are covered in section 2.2 Permissions on page 2:1.

2.2 Permissions
Permissions are separated into five groups covering five different main groups of
tasks in the Tecator™ Digestor software. The five groups are:
• Tecator™ Digestor software configuration permissions, see section 2.3 Teca-
tor™ Digestor Software Configuration Permissions on page 2:2.

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This permission group handles tasks affecting the behaviour of the software, such as
the user interface language, the temperature unit used and connection options for the
digestor connection.
• Tecator™ Digestor Auto applications permissions, see section 2.4 Tecator™
Digestor Auto Applications Permissions on page 2:3.
This permission group handles tasks related to digestor applications, such as adding
applications, deleting applications and editing applications.
• Tecator™ Digestor Auto operators permissions, see section 2.5 Tecator™ Diges-
tor Auto Operators Permissions on page 2:4.
This permission group handles tasks related to operators, such as adding operators,
deleting operators and editing operators.
• Tecator™ Digestor Auto settings permissions, see section 2.6 Tecator™ Diges-
tor Auto Settings Permissions on page 2:5.
This permission group handles tasks related to configuring the digestor. Some
configuration items are available on both the digestor and in the Tecator™ Digestor
software, some are only available on the digestor and some are only available in the
Tecator™ Digestor software.
• Tecator™ Digestor Auto history permissions, see section 2.7 Tecator™ Digestor
Auto History Permissions on page 2:6.
This permission group handles tasks related to the digestion history, such as creating
digestion reports.
Each task has permissions set per authorization level as described in the following
sections.

2.3 Tecator™ Digestor Software Configuration

Permissions
This permission group handles tasks affecting the behaviour of the software, such as
the user interface language, the temperature unit used and options for the
digestor connection.

Table 1: TecatorTM Digestor software configuration permissions

Power Service
Task User Specialist
user engineer

Change alarm X X X

Change software temperature unit X X X X

Change connection to digestor X X X

Create connection X X X

Edit connection X X X

Delete connection X X X

Change report logotype file X X X

Change authorization file path X

View the software log file X X X X

Clear the software log file X X X

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2.4 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Applications

Permissions
This permission group handles tasks related to digestor applications, such as adding,
deleting and editing.

Table 2: TecatorTM Digestor Auto applications permissions

Power Service
Task User Specialist
user engineer

Create new application file X X X

Open application file from disk X X X X

Save application file to disk X X X

Load application file from digestor X X X X

Send application file to digestor1) X X X

View header information in application file X X X

Add standard application X

Change name of standard application X

Change index of standard application X

Change digestion steps in standard application X

Make standard application visible/invisible in digestor X X X

Copy standard application X

Copy standard application to user application X X

Delete standard application X

Add user application X X

Change name of user application X X

Change index of user application X X

Change digestion steps in user application X X

Make user application visible/invisible in digestor X X X

Copy user application X X

Delete user application X X

Create standard application report X X X X

Create user application report X X X X

1) There must be at least one application in the file set to be visible in the digestor.

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2.5 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Operators

Permissions
This permission group handles tasks related to operators, such as adding, deleting
and editing.

Table 3: TecatorTM Digestor Auto operators permissions

Power Service
Task User Specialist
user engineer

Create new operator file X X X

Open operator file from disk X X X X

Save operator file to disk X X X X

Load operator file from digestor X X X X

Send operator file to digestor X X X X

Add operator 1) X X X

Delete operator 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) X X X

Change operator list order X X X

Change operator name of other account 7) X X X

Change operator password of other account 8) X X X

Change digestor access of other account 2) X X X

X X X
Change software access of other account 3) 9)

X X X
Change authorization level of other account 1) 4) 5) 6) 10)

Change operator name of own account X X X

Change operator password of own account X X X X

Change digestor access of own account 2) X X X

Change software access of own account 3)

Change authorization level of own account 1) 4) 5) 6)

1)
An operator can not set a higher authorization level than his/her own.

2)
There must be at least one operator in the file granted digestor access.

3) There must be at least one operator in the file granted software access.

4) There must be at least one operator in the file with the authorization level Specialist that has PC access.

5)
There must be at least one operator in the file with the authorization level Service engineer.

6)
There must be at least one operator in the file with the authorization level Power user.

7)
An operator cannot change the operator name of an account with higher authorization level than his/her own.

8)
An operator cannot change the operator password of an account with higher authorization level than his/her own.

9)
An operator cannot change software access of an account with higher authorization level than his/her own.

10)
An operator cannot change authorization level of an account with higher authorization level than his/her own.

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2.6 Tecator™ Digestor Auto Settings

Permissions
This permission group handles tasks related to configuring the digestor. Some
configuration items are available on both the digestor and in the software, some are
only available on the digestor and some are only available in the software.

Table 4: TecatorTM Digestor Auto settings permissions

Power Service
Task User Specialist
user engineer

Create new settings file X X

Open settings file from disk X X X X

Save settings file to disk X X X X

Load settings file from digestor X X X X

Send settings file to digestor X X X X

Change serial number X

Change digestion counter X

Change laboratory name X X X

Change PT100 temperature sensor offset value X X

Change block size setting X X

Change AC power setting X X

Change AC power above 230V setting (Yes/No) X X X

Change language X X X X

Change date format X X X X

Change time format X X X X

Change temperature unit X X X X

Change ready sound volume X X X X

Change alarm sound volume X X X X

Change standby heater setting (Yes/No) X X X X

Change standby heater time X X X X

Create configuration report X X X

Create service report X X X

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2.7 Tecator™ Digestor Auto History Permissions

This permission group handles tasks related to the digestion history, such as creating
digestion reports.

Table 5: TecatorTM Digestor Auto history permissions

Power Service
Task User Specialist
user engineer

Create new history file X X

Open history file from disk X X X X

Save history file to disk X X X X

Load history file from digestor X X X X

Send history file to digestor X X

Create digestion configuration report X X X

Create digestion log report X X X

Create digestion graph report X X X

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3 Installation
3.1 General
Tecator™ Digestor Auto is supplied with two different software systems. One of the
systems is the embedded software. This system is already installed in the digestor
unit upon delivery. The embedded software controls the analysis and contains all the
necessary functions to operate the digestion system on a daily basis.
The other system is a PC application software (Tecator™ Digestor software). This
application system is the managing software for the Tecator™ Digestor Auto.
Changes in the default settings of the embedded software are carried out via the
application software.
The application software has a two-way communication with the Tecator™ Digestor
Auto through the PC cable and information can be sent in both directions on user
command.
During installation it is recommended to go through the settings, both in the
embedded software and in the application software, and make the necessary
modifications.

3.1.1 System Requirements

• Windows XP or Windows 7 (32/64 bit)
• Pentium 500 MHz
• 128 MB RAM
• 10 MB available space on the hard disc drive
• One RS232 serial port, or one USB port and a USB-to-RS232 converter

Note: If using a USB-to-RS232 converter, it is strongly advised to use a converter

utilizing a FTDI USB-to-RS232 chipset.

3.1.2 Installation of Tecator Digestor Software

1. Insert the CD-ROM in the CD-drive of the PC. Run the SETUP.EXE file and
follow the instructions on the screen.

2500023a

Fig. 3:1 Installation of TecatorTM Digestor software

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4 Starting Tecator™ Digestor Soft-

ware and Logging In
Start the Tecator™ Digestor software by clicking the icon in the Windows Start
menu. For about three seconds a splash screen will show up presenting the current
version number of the software, see Fig. 4:1 below.

Fig. 4:1 TecatorTM Digestor Software splash screen

When the splash screen disappears, the login window is displayed, as shown in Fig.
4:2. The latest logged in operator is displayed by default.

Fig. 4:2 Login window

When the software is installed there will be four default operators configured as
shown in the table below.

Table 1: Default operators

Digestor Software Authorization

Name Password
access access level

User 1 <none> No No User

Admin digest Yes Yes Power user

FOSS engineer <not public> No Yes Service engineer

FOSS specialist <not public> No Yes Specialist

Enter the correct operator name and operator password and click the OK button to
proceed or click cancel to quit. Attempting to log in with a non-existent operator
name displays the following message (see Fig. 4:3):

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Fig. 4:3 Non-existant operator

Entering an invalid password displays the following message (see Fig. 4:4):

Fig. 4:4 Invalid password

If both the operator name and the operator password are correct, but the selected
operator is not granted software access the following message (see Fig. 4:5) will be
displayed:

Fig. 4:5 Operator has no access

Access to the software can be granted by another operator with authorization level
Power user or higher. If the login procedure is successful the main application
window will show up, displaying its application tab. It is possible to return to the
login window without quitting the software. This can be done by selecting Log off...
from the File menu.

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5 Windows and Menues

5.1 Main Window
The main working window contains four different tabs dedicated to the four main
tasks: applications, operators, settings and the history. It is only possible to work with
one main task at a time. When an application file is opened, the other tabs will be
disabled until the application file is closed. The same applies when an operator file,
a settings file or a history file is opened. There is also a main menu top most in the
main window. See Fig. 5:1 below.

Fig. 5:1 Main menu

The main menu has four submenus: a File menu, a Digestor menu, a Report menu
and a Help menu. The following sections explain the submenus and the four tabs,
starting with the File menu.

5.1.1 File Menu

The File menu (Fig. 5:2) handles access to the Tecator™ Digestor Auto files stored
on disk. There are also some other items in this menu described below.

Fig. 5:2 File menu

• New
Creates a new data file. The type of file created depends on which tab is selected.
When the applications tab is selected, New will create a new applications file. When
the operators tab is selected, New will create a new operators file, and so on. When
changes are made in the currently opened file, the operator will be prompted to save
the changes.
• Open...
Initiates an open file dialogue. The file dialogue will be filtered so that it only
displays application files when the applications tab is selected, it will only display
operator files when the operators tab is selected, and so on. When changes are made
to the currently opened file, the user will be prompted to save the changes.
• Save
Saves the currently opened file. If it has not been saved before, a save file dialogue
will be initiated, letting the user select where to save the file.

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• Save as...
Initiates a save file dialogue. The file dialogue will be filtered so that it only displays
application files when the applications tab is selected, it will only display operator
files when the operators tab is selected, and so on.
• Close
Closes the currently opened file. When changes are made to the file, the user will be
prompted to save the changes.
• Application group information...
This item applies to application files only. It will open a new window, displaying
header information about the application file. This header contains the names of the
application groups, the creator of the application groups and the creation date and
time. Additionally there is a change log with information about the five latest
changes to the application groups. The operator who made the changes and the
change date and time are logged.
• Tecator™ Digestor software configuration...
Opens the configuration window, where it is possible to configure the behaviour of
the Tecator™ Digestor software, for example the user interface language and the
temperature unit used.
• Log file...
Displays the contents of the Tecator™ Digestor software log file.
• Log off
Opens the login window letting the user change the current operator.
• Exit
Exits the Tecator™ Digestor software. If changes are made to the currently opened
file, the user will be prompted to save the changes.
Viewing the Log File
The Tecator™ Digestor software logs all major events in a log file that can be viewed
by selecting the menu item Log file... from the File menu. The following window will
show up (Fig. 5:3).

Fig. 5:3 Log file window

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Logged events are, for example, starting and stopping the software, operators logging
in and logging off and files that are created, opened, saved or closed. Connections to
a digestor and file transfers are also logged. There are two buttons in this window.
• Clear
This button clears the log file. However, this event will be recorded as the first event
of the purged log file. The user will be prompted to confirm before the log file is
cleared. Not all operators will be able to clear the log file.
• OK
Closes the log file window. This can also be done by pressing the Enter key or the
ESC key on the keyboard.

Configuring Tecator™ Digestor Software

There are a few configurations that can be made for the Tecator™ Digestor software.
These can be accessed from the File menu by selecting the menu item Tecator
Digestor Software configuration... The following window will show up (Fig. 5:4).

Fig. 5:4 Configuration window

These are the configurations that can be made:

• User interface settings
The temperature unit used for setting and presenting temperature values. Available
units are Celsius and Fahrenheit.
• Digestor communication settings
This setting shows the COM-port connected to the digestor block.
• Report settings
The logotype printed on the top left of the reports. By clicking the Change... button
the user can browse for any bitmap he wants. For best appearance the selected bitmap
should have an aspect ratio similar to the white background square displayed to the
left of the button.

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• Authorization settings
The path to the file that contains user names and passwords for logging into the
Tecator™ Digestor software. This file is actually just an ordinary operator file. For
security reasons this file path can only be changed by a FOSS specialist.
• Enable email
At an alarm the alarm.bat file will run. The alarm.bat file activates the external mail
program which sends an email to warn the operator.
• Enable sound
An alarm will sound when the digestor for some reason needs to warn the operator.
• Enable light
At an alarm the main window will flash.

At the bottom of this window there are two buttons:

• Cancel
Cancels all changes made since this window was opened. This can also be done by
pressing the ESC key on the keyboard.
• OK
Saves all changes made since this window was opened. This can also be done by
pressing the Enter key on the keyboard.

5.1.2 Digestor Menu

The Digestor menu (Fig. 5:5) handles access to the Tecator™ Digestor Auto files
stored on the digestor.

Fig. 5:5 Digestor menu

• Connect
Connects to the digestor block.
• Disconnect
Hangs up the connection to the digestor block.
• Get file...
Initiates a save file dialogue. The file dialogue will be filtered so that it only displays
application files when the applications tab is selected, it will only display operator
files when the operators tab is selected, and so on. The file received from the digestor
block also depends on the tab currently selected.
• Send file...
Initiates an open file dialogue. The file dialogue will be filtered so that it only
displays application files when the applications tab is selected, it will only display
operator files when the operators tab is selected, and so on.

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5.1.3 Report Menu

The Report menu (Fig. 5:6) contains commands for viewing and printing reports
from the data files.

Fig. 5:6 Report menu

• Standard application report...

Creates a report of the currently selected standard application. There will be different
options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in a number of
formats. This report type is only available when an application file is opened.
• User application report...
Creates a report on the currently selected user application. There will be different
options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in a number of
formats. This report type is only available when an application file is opened.
• Configuration report...
Creates a report on the configuration data in the currently opened settings file. There
will be different options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in
a number of formats. This report type is only available when a settings file is opened.
• Service report...
Creates a report on the diagnostic data in the currently opened settings file. There will
be different options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in a
number of formats. This report type is only available when a settings file is opened.
• Digestion configuration report...
Creates a report on the configuration data of the currently selected digestion. There
will be different options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in
a number of formats. This report type is only available when a history file is opened.
• Digestion log report...
Creates a report on the temperature data of the currently selected digestion. There
will be different options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving it in
a number of formats. This report type is only available when a history file is opened.
• Digestion graph report...
Creates a graphics report on the temperature data of the currently selected digestion.
There will be different options for the report, such as viewing it, printing it or saving
it in a number of formats. This report type is only available when a history file is
opened.

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5.1.4 Help Menu

The Help menu (Fig. 5:7) contains a Help item and an About item presenting
information about the Tecator™ Digestor software.

Fig. 5:7 Help menu

• Help...
Opens the online help file.
• About...
Displays information about the current version of the Tecator™ Digestor software.

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5.2 Applications Tab

The default tab in the main working window is the applications tab. This tab is
displayed when the software is first started.

Fig. 5:8 Applications tab

The area contains two groups, the standard application group and the user application
group.
Standard applications are applications defined by the FOSS application notes and
they are preprogrammed in the digestor and in the default application file. Standard
applications cannot be changed or renamed by operators with a PC authorization
level other than Specialist. They cannot be deleted or added. However, each
application can be set to be visible or invisible if the user wants to define which
applications are to be accessible from the digestor.
User applications are applications created by laboratory operators. There is room to
store 127 different user applications. They can be created either from scratch, or by
copying other applications (both standard and user) and then modifying them to fit
an operator’s individual requirements. The operator must have a PC authorization
level of at least Power user if he wants to add, edit or delete user applications.
There is a number of buttons to the right of each application list:
• New...
Opens the application editor window where it is possible to name and program a new
application.
• Open...
Opens the application editor window where it is possible to rename and/or edit the
application steps in the currently selected application.
• Delete
Deletes the currently selected application. The user will be prompted to confirm
before the application is deleted.

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• Up
Moves the currently selected application one step up in the application list. Note that
this will make this application's index decrease by one.
• Down
Moves the currently selected application one step down in the application list. Note
that this will make this application's index increase by one.
• Copy
Makes a copy of the currently selected application and puts it last in the application
list. The name of the new application is automatically generated, but it can be
changed in the application editor window.
• Copy >>
This button is only found in the standard application group. It makes a copy of the
currently selected standard application and puts the copy last in the user application
group. The name of the new user application is automatically generated, but it can be
changed in the application editor window.
Below the application lists there are some fields presenting information about the
currently selected standard application and the currently selected user application
respectively.
• Index
This is the application's order number in the list. This number will change if the user
moves the application up or down the list.
• Name
This is the name of the application. This name is displayed in the digestor. It can
consist of up to 31 characters.
• Number of steps
This shows the number of separate application commands required to run the
complete application. This number includes all commands to control the
temperature, the tube lift and the scrubber.
• Changed by
This is the name of the operator who has made the latest changes to the application.
• Selectable
This indicates whether the application will show up in the application list in the
digestor.
• Checksum
This confirms that the application data is correct.

5.2.1 Working with Applications

When working with applications the applications tab must be selected in the main
window. Each application is stored in a structure that can hold up to 127 standard
applications and up to 127 user applications. Altogether 254 applications make up an
application structure that is saved in an application file. These files all have the file
extension BTA.
There is one application file installed by default in the Tecator™ Digestor software
install directory. This file is called BLOCK.BTA. When the software is installed, the
contents of this file are identical to the application file stored in the digestor when it
is manufactured. Open this file by selecting Open... from the File menu, after making
sure that the application tab is selected in the main window. The following file
dialogue will be initialized (Fig. 5:9).

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Fig. 5:9 Open application file dialogue

The look of this window might differ from the one illustrated, depending on the
Windows™ version. Select the file and click on the Open button. This will list all
standard applications and user applications in the main window. The standard
applications are listed to the left and the user applications are listed to the right. See
Fig. 5:10.

Fig. 5:10 Opened application file

Above each list there is a header indicating what name the application group has. In
this case the application group is called FOSS applications because this is the name
of the standard applications from FOSS. There are 85 applications, but there can be
up to 127 applications stored in this group.
The user application group is called USER applications. There are currently no
applications stored, but this group can also hold up to 127 applications.

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To the left of each application name there is a check box. When this box is ticked the
application will be visible and selectable in a digestor to which this file is sent.
Unticking the box will not delete the application from the file or from the digestor,
but it will make the application invisible in the digestor unit. This feature is useful
when only using a few applications, as you will not have to browse among a lot of
applications in the digestor.
All changes made to the opened application structure will take place in the memory
only, if the user does not save the application file. To save all changes made, select
the menu item Save or Save as... in the File menu. If changes are not to be saved,
simply close the application structure without saving them. Do this by selecting
Close in the File menu.

5.2.2 Creating and Editing Applications

End users will not be able to make any changes at all in the set of FOSS standard
applications. Standard applications cannot be added, deleted, edited, renamed or
rearranged. The only thing the user can change within the standard applications is the
check box beside each application name. This means the user will be able to decide
if the application is to be selectable in a digestor. On the other hand, within the set
user applications there are no constraints at all. This goes for operators at Power user
level, but not for operators at User level.
Make sure that an application file, for example the preinstalled file BLOCK.BTA,
has been opened, by following the instructions in the previous section. Start creating
a new user application by clicking on the New... button, or open an existing
application by clicking the Open... button beside the user application list. The
following window will show up (Fig. 5:11). This displays the editor when starting
with a new empty application.

Fig. 5:11 Application editor window

This is the application editor window. This editor is used when creating new
applications or when editing existing applications. At the top of this window there is
a field called Application name where each application can be given a unique name.
The name can be up to 31 characters long, including blanks. In the middle of the
editor there are 23 squares for application commands. At the bottom of this window
are the commands available for building the application. The available commands
are:

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• Lift up
Move the tube lift up.
• Lift down
Move the tube lift down.
• Scrubber off
Set the scrubber to off mode.
• Scrubber low
Set the scrubber to run at low speed.
• Scrubber high
Set the scrubber to run at high speed.
• Heat/Cool
Warm up or cool down the block to a specified temperature in a specified time.
• Hold
Maintain a specified temperature for a specified time.
To move a command to one of the 23 application steps (squares), simply double click
on the command to be used. The command will be put in the first free application
steps if no step is selected. If an application step is selected, the command will be put
in the step that comes after the one already selected. A selection is made by simply
clicking in the appropriate step. A selected step is highlighted in white. Other steps
are gray.
The editor keeps track of which commands can be used for the application step that
will receive a new command. Only commands that are coloured green can be put in
the receiving application step. Commands coloured red can not be put in the
receiving step. The first application step in each application must be a Heat/Cool
command.
When double clicking the Scrubber low or Scrubber high command, the user will be
prompted for the number of minutes the scrubber is to run, see Fig. 5:12.

Fig. 5:12 Scrubber parameter

It is not necessary to fill in a time at this point. Just click the OK button. The time
parameter for a scrubber command is only applicable when adding a scrubber
command that is not followed by any Heat/Cool commands or any Hold commands.
A time value for a scrubber command that is followed by a Heat/Cool or a Hold
command, the time will be ignored when saving the application, see Fig. 5:13.

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Fig. 5:13 Timer controlled scrubber commands reset to manual scrubber

commands

This is to prevent the scrubber from switching off during digestion. If a time
parameter is to be used, the valid time range is 0-999 minutes.
When double clicking the Heat/Cool command, the user will be prompted for both a
time and a temperature, see Fig. 5:14.

Fig. 5:14 Heat/Cool parameters

Enter a temperature value, the time value is optional. If a time is entered, the digestor
will try to heat or cool to the specified temperature in the specified number of
minutes. If no time is entered, the digestor will heat or cool at maximum speed. The
valid time range is 0-999 minutes, but there are also physical limits for the digestor
that cannot be exceeded. The valid temperature range is 20-500 °C or 68-932 °F.
When double clicking the Hold command, the user will be prompted for the time for
which the temperature is to be maintained, see Fig. 5:15.

Fig. 5:15 Hold parameter

Enter a time value. The valid time range is 1-999 minutes. Note that the temperature
to be maintained is already filled in, and cannot be changed. This temperature value
is determined by previous Heat/Cool commands to avoid temperature gaps.
Note!
When editing an application and wanting to locate different command
types, simply move the mouse pointer to the corresponding command
at the bottom of the editor window and hold the right mouse button
down. All commands of this type will then be highlighted (in white)
until the mouse button is released.

The application editor window contains five buttons. They are Edit..., Delete, Undo,
Cancel and OK.
The Edit... button can be used for changing a time parameter or a temperature
parameter. Select the step to be edited and click the Edit... button. Alternatively,
double click the selected step to make changes to it. If the selected step is not
editable, the Edit... button will not be available.

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The Delete button simply deletes the selected step from the application.
The Undo button rolls back the application to its previous state. The editor saves the
10 latest states meaning that the Undo button can be clicked 10 times, provided at
least 10 changes have been made to it.
The Cancel button cancels all changes made to the application since the application
editor window was opened. It then closes the editor window and the main window is
displayed.
The OK button saves the application and returns to the main window. If the user has
not assigned the application a name, the following message will appear, see Fig.
5:16.

Fig. 5:16 No application name

If the name selected is not valid or not unique within the application file, the
following message will appear, see Fig. 5:17.

Fig. 5:17 No valid application name

While an application file is opened the menu item Application group information...
will be available in the File menu. Selecting this menu item will open a window
displaying information about the application file, see Fig. 5:18.

Fig. 5:18 Application group information

In this window the user can obtain information about the application group, the
standard applications and the user applications. The Header field is the name of the
application group, the Created by field gives the name of the operator who created
the application structure and the Created field gives the date and time the application
structure was created. In addition to this there is a list of the four latest changes to the
structure. This list contains the name of the operator who made the change and the

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date and time the change was made. Close this window by clicking the OK button or
by pressing the Enter key or the ESC key on the keyboard.
Note!
There are a lot of constraints regulating which commands and which
parameter values can be used for each step. For example, the Lift down
command cannot be used unless the lift is up, the Lift up command
cannot be used unless the lift is down, a Scrubber low command cannot
directly follow another Scrubber low command unless the last of them
is timer controlled, the Hold command cannot be used unless the lift is
down, and so on.
The editor will make sure the application is kept within these
constraints even when the user deletes, inserts or edits commands, or
changes parameters for existing commands. However, this control
feaure can be a bit confusing for the beginner. For example, if a Lift
down command is deleted in the middle of an application, the
constraint rules will need to delete all following Hold commands, and
additional steps might be deleted because of that, and so on.

5.2.3 Deleting Applications

An application can be deleted simply by selecting the application in the list and
clicking on the Delete button to the right of the list. End users will not be able to
delete applications in the standard application list. When the Delete button is clicked
the following confirmation question will show up, see Fig. 5:19.

Fig. 5:19 Delete application confirmation

Click the Yes button to delete the application, or the No button to cancel.

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5.3 Operators Tab

The operators tab is shown in Fig. 5:20.

Fig. 5:20 Operators tab

The area contains an operator list to the left and information about the selected
operator to the right.
There are a number of buttons to the right of the operator list:
• New
Creates a new operator.
• Delete
Deletes the selected operator. The user will be prompted to confirm before the
operator is deleted.
• Up
Moves the selected operator one step up in the list of operators. The operators will be
presented in this order in the digestor as well.
• Down
Moves the selected operator one step down in the list of operators. The operators will
be presented in this order in the digestor as well.
At the bottom of the area and to the right there are two buttons:
• Cancel
Cancels all changes made to the currently selected operator.
• Edit
Opens the area to the right to make the operator information editable. When in this
mode the button will switch to be an OK button, confirming all changes made to the
currently selected operator.
By clicking the Edit button the operator information will be opened for editing.
Depending on authorization level and the authorization level of the currently selected
operator, the user will have access to none, some or all of the information fields.
These are the information fields for an operator:

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• Name
The operator name that will show up in the digestor as well.
• Password
The operator password used when logging in to the Tecator™ Digestor software.
Note that passwords are not used for operating the digestor.
• Access
This information consists of two parts: Block and PC.
When the Block box is checked, the operator will show as a selectable operator when
operating the digestor. When the Block box is not checked, the operator will be
invisible in the digestor.
When the PC box is checked, the operator will be able to log in to the Tecator™
Digestor software. When the PC box is not checked the operator will not be able to
log in to the software even if the operator gives the correct password. No user will be
able to check or uncheck this box when editing his or her own operator account.
• PC authorization
The permission level of the operator. This permission level determines what an
operator can do within the Tecator™ Digestor software and what the operator can not
do. No user will be able to change this level when editing his or her own operator
account.
• Checksum
This confirms that the operator data is correct.

5.3.1 Working with Operators

When working with operators the operators tab must be selected in the main window.
There is an operators file installed by default in the Tecator™ Digestor software
install directory. This file is called BLOCK.BTO. Open the operators file by
selecting Open... from the File menu, after making sure that the operators tab is
selected in the main window. The following file dialogue will be initiated (Fig. 5:21).

Fig. 5:21 Open operators file dialogue

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Select the file (BLOCK.BTO) and click on the Open button. This will make the main
window list all operators (Fig. 5:22).

Fig. 5:22 Opened operators file

5.3.2 Creating and Editing Operators

Make sure the operators (BLOCK.BTO) file is opened, by following the instructions
in the previous section. Start creating a new operator by clicking the New... button or
open an existing operator by clicking the Edit... button. The operator can now be
created/edited (Fig. 5:23).

Fig. 5:23 Operator editing

When selecting PC authorization, it is not possible to select an authorization higher

than for the user that is logged in.
Press OK and Exit when finished.
When the user clicks Exit the following confirmation question will appear:

Fig. 5:24 Save operators confirmation

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5.4 Settings Tab

The settings tab is shown in Fig. 5:25 below.

Fig. 5:25 Settings tab

The area is divided into different groups of settings. At the bottom of the area there
are two buttons:
• Cancel
Cancels all changes made to the settings.
• Edit
Opens the settings area to make the settings information editable. Different settings
items will be editable depending on the user’s authorization level. When in this mode
the button will switch to be an OK button, confirming all changes made to the
settings.
There are four groups of settings: Information, Regional, Operation and Sound. The
other two groups, Delay timer and Diagnostics are for information only.
Each group contains several setting items. These are the information settings:
• Serial number
The serial number of the digestor. This is a factory set identification number
consisting of up to 15 characters.
• Lab ID
The laboratory identification name consisting of up to 31 characters. Can be set by a
local Power user.
• Digestion counter
The number of digestions started.
• PT100 offset
The temperature offset value for the PT100 temperature sensor. Can only be set by a
Service engineer or Specialist.

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• Block size
The size of the block. Can be an 8 tubes block or a 20 tubes block. This setting affects
the internal temperature regulation parameters only.
• AC voltage
The main power voltage level. Can be either 115V or 230V for an 8 tubes block, but
it can only be 230V for a 20 tubes block. This setting affects the internal temperature
regulation parameters only.
• 240V
This box should be ticked if the block is set to operate at 230V but the actual voltage
level is 240V. This setting affects the internal temperature regulation parameters
only.
These are the regional settings:
• Language
The language that is displayed in the digestor display.
• Date format
The date format used in the digestor. The available date formats are DDMMYYYY,
MMDDYYYY, YYYYDDMM and YYYYMMDD.
• Time format
The time format used in the digestor. The available time formats are 12 hour clock
and 24 hour clock.
• Temperature unit
The temperature unit used when presenting temperature values in the digestor. The
available units are Celsius and Fahrenheit.
These are the operation settings:
• Use standby heater
This box should be ticked if the user wants the digestor to keep warmed up even
when the user is not running any digestion. The digestor will stay warmed up for the
time specified in the time field. The maximum time that can be set is 1092 minutes.
These are the sound settings:
• Ready sound volume
This is the volume of the sound signal emitted when a digestion is finished. The
available volume levels are Off, Low and High.
• Alarm sound volume
This is the volume of the sound signal when the digestor for some reason needs to
warn the operator. The available volume levels are Off, Low and High.
These are the delay timer settings (note that these cannot be edited in the Tecator™
Digestor software):
• Delay timer
This setting tells the operator when the digestor is currently waiting to start a timer
controlled digestion.
• Application index
This is the index number of the application that the delay timer is set to start. When
the delay timer is not activated this field will be empty.
• Delay timer type
This setting determines how the digestor should run the timer controlled digestion.
The available values are Pause and Run. When the delay timer type is set to Pause,
the digestor will run the first temperature ramp and then set the digestor in paused

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mode, waiting for an operator to interact. The paused mode will be automatically
interrupted after 60 minutes. When the delay timer type is set to Run, the digestor will
run the timer controlled digestion unattended until it is completed. When the delay
timer is not activated this field will be empty.
• Start date and time
This is the date and time set for the digestion to start. When the delay timer is not
activated this field will be empty. The last group on the settings tab is the diagnostics.
This information is for fault tracing only.

5.4.1 Working with Settings

When working with settings, the settings tab must be selected in the main window.
There is a settings file installed by default in the Tecator™ Digestor software install
directory. This file is called BLOCK.BTS. Open this file by selecting Open... from
the File menu, after making sure that the settings tab is selected in the main window.
The following file dialogue will be initiated (Fig. 5:26)

Fig. 5:26 Open settings file dialogue

Select the file and click the Open button. The main window will show all settings
(Fig. 5:27).
Click Edit to edit the settings. Depending on authorization level, a selection of
settings can be changed.

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Fig. 5:27 Opened settings file

Press OK and Exit when finished.

When the user clicks Exit the following confirmation question will appear:

Fig. 5:28 Save settings confirmation

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5.5 History Tab

The history tab is shown in Fig. 5:29 below.

Fig. 5:29 History tab

At the top there is a selection list called Batch id. From this list the user can select
which digestion to retrieve historical information from. The digestions are listed in
reverse chronological order. The 32 latest digestions are stored in the digestor.
The area is divided into six different groups of stored information. The six groups
are: Information, Application, Operation, Sound, Delay timer and Diagnostics. Each
group contains several information items. These are the information items:
• Serial number
The serial number of the digestor. This is a factory set identification number
consisting of up to 15 characters.
• Lab ID
The laboratory identification name used when digestion was run.
• Operator
The name of the operator starting the digestion.
• Start date and time
The date and time when the digestion was started.
These are the application items:
• Index
The application index number when the digestion was run. Standard applications
have numbers in the range 1-127, and user applications have numbers in the range
128-254.
• Name
The application name when the digestion was run.

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• Number of steps
The number of separate application commands including all temperature commands,
lift commands and scrubber commands.
• Changed by
The name of the operator who has made the latest changes in the run application.
• Checksum
Confirms that the application information was correct.
There is also a View button in this items group. This button lets the user view the full
contents of the application run.
These are the operation items:
• Standby heater
Indicates whether the standby heater feature was enabled when the digestion was
started. To the left of this item the user can see the number of minutes the standby
heater was set to work, with no operator interaction, before shutting off.
These are the sound settings items:
• Sound ready volume
The sound volume that was set for the ready signal.
• Sound alarm volume
The sound volume that was set for the alarm signal.
These are the delay timer settings items:
• Delay timer
Indicates whether the delay timer was starting the digestion.
• Delay timer type
Shows how the digestor was running the timer controlled digestion. The available
values are Pause and Run. When the delay timer type was set to Pause, the digestor
was running the first temperature ramp and then setting the digestor in paused mode,
waiting for an operator to interact. When the delay timer type was set to Run, the
digestor was running the timer controlled digestion unattended until it was
completed. When the delay timer was not activated this field will be empty.
• Start date and time
This is the date and time that was set for the digestion to start. When the delay timer
was not activated this field will be empty.
• Application name
This is the name of the application that the delay timer was set to start. When the
delay timer was not activated this field will be empty. The last group on the history
tab is the diagnostics. The only diagnostics information saved in history is the
connection status of peripheral devices.

5.5.1 Working with History

When working with history the history tab must be selected in the main window.
There is a history file installed by default in the Tecator™ Digestor software install
directory. This file is called BLOCK.BTH. Open this file by selecting Open... from

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the File menu, after making sure that the history tab is selected in the main window.
The following file dialogue will be initiated (Fig. 5:30).

Fig. 5:30 Open history file dialogue

Select the file and click the Open button. The main window will show the history of
the first batch.
View the history for another batch by selecting it in the Batch id scroll down menu.

Fig. 5:31 The opened history file

Press View to see the application history window.

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Fig. 5:32 Application history window

Press OK and/or Exit when finished.

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6 Transferring Files to/from PC

6.1 Check Connection between PC and Digestor
1. Before transferring files, check that the correct “Comport Number” is selected
on the Tecator Digestor Software configuration menu:

Fig. 6:1 Digestor communication settings

2. Make sure the “Applications” tab is selected in the main window.

3. Select “Connect” on the Digestor menu. Wait until the software has establish the
connection. The status will change from “Connecting....” to “Connected” on the
status bar.
4. Select “Disconnect”on the “Digestor” menu. The status will change from
“Connected” to “Not connected” on the status bar.

6.2 Transferring Application Files from Digestor

to PC
1. Make sure the “Applications” tab is selected in the main window.
2. Select “Connect” on the Digestor menu. Wait until the software has establish the
connection. The status will change from “Not connected” to “Connected” on the
status bar.
3. Select “Get file...” on the “Digestor” menu.
4. Name the application file and click “Save” to save it on the PC.
5. Select “Disconnect”on the “Digestor” menu. The status will change from
“Connected” to “Not connected” on the status bar.

Note! It is recommended to transfer all four files (applications, settings,

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operators and history) during the installation in order to keep identical files in
both digestor and PC.

6.3 Transferring Application Files from PC to

Digestor
1. Before an application file can be sent from PC to digestor it has to be saved and
closed. Select “Save as...” on the “File” menu and save the file with a unique
name with the extension *.bta. Then select “Close” on the “File” menu.
2. Make sure the “Applications” tab is selected in the main window.
3. Select “Connect” on the “Digestor” menu. Wait until the software has establish
the connection. The status will change from “Not connected” to “Connected” on
the status bar.
4. Select “Send file...” on the “Digestor” menu.
5. Select the application file and click “Open”.
6. Select “Disconnect” on the “Digestor” menu. The status will change from
“Connected” to “Not connected” on the status bar (this will take a few seconds).

Warning
It is important that the disconnect command is properly performed,
otherwise serious damage to the digestor may occur.
7. To complete the transfer the digestor must be restarted. Press twice.
Note! Only press when the status is “Not connected” on the status bar, other-
wise the file will not be transferred.

6.4 Transferring Operators/Settings/History Files

Section 6.2 Transferring Application Files from Digestor to PC on page 6:1 and
section 6.3 Transferring Application Files from PC to Digestor on page 6:2 are also
applicable for transferring operators, settings and history files. Just select the correct
tab (Operators/Settings/History).

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