© 2021 Insight Resources
software resources for science and technology education
Control Systems with Insight iCON
In a control system a sensor sends a signal to a control module which contains a program for controlling an output device. Insight iCON enables you to create systems and write programs which make them perform useful tasks.
The heart of a control system is the control module which has an input (for receiving signals from sensors) and outputs (for sending signals to devices). The control module contains a program for making decisions and giving instructions.
Insight iCON offers another view of the same system using pictures instead of boxes and symbols:
In Run mode the control module is invisible but its program shows as an instruction
in the text panel:
"When the button gets pressed, switch on the fan (forwards) until the button gets released."
The links show that the module controls the fan according to signals from the push button.
Touching the push button makes the fan move according to the the control instruction.
Selecting Design mode makes the control module visible.
Touching the module makes the tabs to appear. These enable you to program the module. As you touch each tab, you can define a different part of the control instruction.
This programs the first part of the control instruction:
"When the button gets pressed, ..."
Tapping the push button shows the other options.
This programs the middle part of the control instruction:
"... switch on the fan (forwards) ..."
Tapping the fan shows the speed and direction options.
This programs the end of the control instruction:
"... until the button gets released."
Tapping the push button shows the other options.
Time is an alternative to the input signal from the push button: Instead of waiting
for the button to be pressed or released, the module can wait for a certain time
to elapse.
To see how the new instruction works, you must select Run mode.
System view
Scene view
