Graphical Programming Wire Appearance Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical programming systems lack the ability to visually differentiate wires based on user-defined data types or communication functionality, making it difficult for users to understand the nature of data being conveyed and communication specifics within a program.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow users to configure wire appearances in a graphical programming environment, enabling unique visual representations for specific data types and communication functionalities through user input, including patterns, colors, thickness, and shapes, displayed via a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wires are assigned default or uniform appearance, then the graphical programming system maintains simplicity and ease of operation, but users cannot visually differentiate between different data types or communication functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different visual appearances to wires based on their specific data types and communication functionalities. Each wire type (e.g., data wire, control wire, timing wire) receives a customized appearance configuration including distinct colors, patterns, thicknesses, or styles that locally differentiate it from other wire types within the graphical programming environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes as a primary visual differentiation mechanism. Different data types and communication functionalities are represented by distinct wire colors (e.g., red for data, blue for control, green for timing), enabling users to quickly identify wire purposes through color coding without requiring complex visual distinctions.
2Ease of operation
If custom wire appearances are implemented for each data type and communication functionality, then program readability and usability improve, but the system complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a centralized wire appearance configuration system that serves multiple purposes. A single configuration interface and framework handle various wire types, data types, and communication functionalities, allowing users to define appearances once and apply them across different wire scenarios without requiring separate configuration mechanisms for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible and adaptable wire appearance configurations. The system allows users to dynamically adjust appearance parameters (color, pattern, thickness) based on specific needs, and the configuration system automatically adapts to different wire types and communication protocols, providing versatility without requiring rigid predefined settings for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for configuring a wire appearance in a graphical programming environment. A first data type (or class), or communication functionality between nodes, e.g., timing, or data transfer, e.g., data transfer semantics, mechanism, or medium, in a graphical program is specified in response to user input. A first wire appearance denoting the first data type or specified functionality is created in response to user input, including, e.g., a specified wire pattern, thickness, shape, color(s), portion of the wire to be configured with the first wire appearance, wire label and/or wire icon to be displayed on or near the wire. A graphical program including a first icon and a second icon is created, including connecting the first icon to the second icon in response to user input, and displaying a wire between the first icon and the second icon in response, where the wire has the first wire appearance.