Instrument Block GUI Control Panel Pin Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual programming languages for controlling measurement instruments lack intuitive representations and are prone to connection errors due to the large number of pins required, making it difficult for users without programming expertise to automate measurements that involve sequencing control values or coordinating multiple instruments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using instrument blocks with graphical user interface (GUI) control panels and connection regions in a visual programming language, where only the necessary pins are defined and associated with controls, allowing for intuitive control and connection of instruments, similar to virtual workbench representations, and providing an icon representation to save space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a visual programming language uses traditional instrument blocks with all controls represented as pins, then complete control of the instrument is achieved, but the number of pins increases significantly making the interface complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary controls from the full instrument control set and represents them as pins in the visual programming interface. By selecting and extracting only the controls that need to be automated or coordinated, the system maintains complete control capability for those specific functions while dramatically reducing the total number of pins displayed and managed by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument controls are segmented into two categories: those represented as pins in the visual programming block and those accessed through the GUI control panel. This segmentation allows the system to provide both automated control through pins and manual control through GUI, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Extent of automation
If all instrument controls are represented as virtual controls in the visual program, then automation capability is improved, but the interface becomes less intuitive for users without programming expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual programming interface with the instrument's native GUI control panel into a single integrated instrument block. This allows users to access both automated control (through pins connected to programming elements) and manual control (through familiar GUI controls) within the same interface, maintaining intuitiveness while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a visual programming component with pins for automation, a GUI control panel for manual operation, and a representation of the physical instrument. This multi-functionality allows the same interface to serve both programmed automation and direct user control.
3Ease of operation
If the GUI control panel display is included in the instrument block, then ease of operation is improved, but the area required on the development system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument block dynamically adjusts its display based on user interaction. When selected or activated, the full GUI control panel is displayed providing complete control accessibility. When not in use, the block can be collapsed to a compact icon representation, minimizing the area it occupies on the development system workspace.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a data processing system running a visual programming language program development system to represent an instrument having a plurality of controls disposed in a layout pattern relative to one another in a visual program. The instrument block that corresponds to the instrument includes a GUI control panel display having a plurality of virtual controls and a connection region. Each virtual control causing the instrument to execute a function that alters the physical state of the instrument. The connection region is associated with the GUI control panel display. The connection region has a pin that is associated with one of the virtual controls and provides a programming interface for connections to other pins in the visual program. The association between the one of the virtual controls and the pin is provided in response to user input during a design phase of the program.