Patent ID: 9547479
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: G06F

Claim:
1. A method of operating a data processing system running a visual programming language program development system to provide a virtual instrument that represents a physical instrument having a plurality of controls disposed in a layout pattern relative to one another in a visual program, said method comprising providing an instrument block corresponding to said physical instrument in said visual programming language, said instrument block comprising: a GUI control panel display having a plurality of virtual controls, each of said plurality of virtual controls causing said physical instrument to execute a function that alters a physical state of said physical instrument, said physical instrument being separate from said data processing system; and a connection region associated with said GUI control panel display, said connection region having a pin that is associated with one of said plurality of virtual controls and provides a programming interface for connections to other pins in said visual program, wherein an association between said one of said plurality of virtual controls and said pin is provided in response to user input during a design phase of said visual program, said user input identifying one of said virtual controls in said GUI control panel display and said pin, said GUI control panel display and said connection region being visible to said user during the creation of said visual program, said data processing system compiling a control program containing said instrument block to a program that controls said physical instrument through said virtual controls in a GUI having said GUI control panel when said physical instrument is connected to a processor running said program.