Patent ID: 7890868
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium comprising program instructions executable by a processor to: receive diagram information regarding a measurement system, wherein the diagram information specifies a plurality of components of the measurement system, wherein the diagram information specifies physical connectivity between the plurality of components of the measurement system, wherein the diagram information specifies a first hardware device component of the measurement system, wherein the diagram information specifies a plurality of connectable elements of the first hardware device component; display a diagram on a display based on the diagram information, wherein said displaying the diagram comprises displaying a plurality of interconnected icons, wherein each icon represents a component of the measurement system, and wherein the interconnections between the icons represent the physical connectivity of the plurality of components of the measurement system, wherein the displayed diagram assists a user in understanding the measurement system; wherein the plurality of interconnected icons comprises a first icon representing the first hardware device component of the measurement system, wherein a graphical indication of the plurality of connectable elements of the first hardware device component is not displayed, wherein the connectable elements of the first hardware device component are not apparent in the diagram when the graphical indication is not displayed; receive user input selecting the first icon, including positioning a cursor over the first icon; display the graphical indication of the plurality of connectable elements of the first hardware device component in response to said user input selecting the first icon, wherein the graphical indication assists the user in understanding the connectivity information of the first hardware device component; select a connectable element of the first hardware device component in response to user input received to the displayed graphical indication of the plurality of connectable elements; and display, in response to user input, a connection on the diagram between the connectable element of the first hardware device component and a second icon in the diagram corresponding to a second hardware device component; wherein the displayed connection of the connectable element of the first hardware device component to the second icon in the diagram visually specifies a physical connection in the measurement system between the first hardware device component and the second hardware device component.