Dynamic user panels

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that allows a programmer or user to dynamically create a user panel (706, 708), including selecting the icons (808), for an iconic network program, or part of an iconic network program, within an iconic programming environment. The programmer or user may select a show-on-execute option (714) for the panel which causes the panel to be displayed when any one of the icons within the panel is processed by the iconic programming system (1006, 1016). The panel may also be secured by removing all panel options that would allow any change to the panel or the iconic network program (712).

Description: This invention relates to computer systems and more particularly to Iconic Programming Systems. Even more particularly, the invention relates to dynamically creating user panels in such a system. An iconic programming system is a "programming-less" environment where programming is done by connecting graphical images of tools (icons), together with connecting lines, to form a directed graph and create an iconic network which represents a software program. The iconic programming system may be used in research and development test environments, where several different electronic instruments are connected to test a system or device. Programming such a system requires instructions to cause the various instruments to perform desired functions in order to operate as a system. When an iconic programming system is used, each instrument will be represented by a graphical icon, also called a graphical object, and the connections between the instruments are represented by lines between these graphical images. In addition to graphical icons representing instruments in such a system, graphical icons are provided for programming functions, for example looping, IF-THEN statements, etc. By combining instrument and programming icons, a user can create an iconic network involving the programmed operation of several instruments. An iconic network program can be large and/or complicated. Often the user of the program does not need to know the details of all icons within the program, but does need to see certain icons such as data input icons and data display icons. Also, some icons need only display when certain events occur. This provides a way of displaying information only when the information is needed. Prior art iconic programming environments, such as the environment disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,901,221 issued Feb., 13, 1990 to Kodosky et al . and 4,914,568 issued April 3, 1990 to Kodosky et al . do not allow a user to select elements for a user panel and includes all Input-Output elements on the panel. Also, the panels in this system do not allow non-input/output elements on a panel. There is a need in the art then for a system that will provide a way for a programmer in an iconic system to define a user panel. There is further need for such a system to allow a panel to be defined to only be visible when an icon is processed. A still further need is to allow a user to select the elements that will be included in the panel. The present invention meets these needs. IEEE SOFTWARE, vol. 7, no. 6, November 1990, LOS ALAMITOS, CA, US, pages 63-68; T. ICHIKAWA et al. "Iconic Programming; Where to Go?" discloses a number of known iconic programming environments. For example, it describes Pict, High-Visual 88, Language for Intelligent and Visual Environment (LIVE). The reference discloses specifying a program by arranging data and function icons and defining wires to connect certain icons with associated icons first. After specifying the program view, a presentation view of the program is defined. Once a program is built, all but selected icons can be hidden (and all wiring) from the user. However, this reference does not disclose placing selected icons on another or new panel, since they are simply hidden from view on the same panel. Features of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims. Various features and components of an iconic network system are disclosed in U.S. Patents US-A-5 313 575 (Beethe), US-A-5 377 318 (Wolber), US-A-5 261 043 (Wolber et al.), US-A-5 293 476 (Wolber et al.), and in European patent application EP-A-0 443 768 (Hewlett Packard Co.). It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a system that allows an iconic programmer within an iconic programming system to dynamically create a user panel for an iconic network. It is another aspect of the invention to provide such a system that will optionally display the user panel when an icon within the panel is processed. A further aspect of the invention is to allow the panel to be secured to prevent further change to the panel or its network program. The above and other aspects of the invention are accomplished in a system that allows a programmer or user of the system to dynamically create a user panel for an iconic network program. The user selects the icons from the network that are to be included on the panel and then selects an add to panel function to place the icons on a panel. The system displays the panel after adjusting the icon locations so that they fit within the panel. The programmer or user is then allowed to further move the icons to a desired location. The programmer or user may select a show-on-execute option for any panels for user objects (subprograms). This will cause these panels to display automatically if one of the icons on the panel is processed by the iconic programming system. The programmer or user may also secure the panel by removing all panel options that would allow any change to the panel or its iconic network program. The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reading the following more particular description of the invention, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a computer system incorporating the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an example iconic network; Fig. 3 shows a user panel created from the iconic network of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a more complicated example iconic network; Fig. 5 shows a user panel created from the iconic network of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows an example of a user panel containing a show-on-execute user panel created from the network of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of the top level process used by the iconic programming system to interact with the user; Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of the create user panel process; Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of the secure user panel process; and Fig. 10 shows a flowchart of the execution process and illustrates the show-on-execute process. The following description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a computer system incorporating the present invention. Referring now to Fig. 1, a computer system 100 contains a processing element 102 which connects to the other components of the system through a system bus 104. A keyboard 106 allows a user to input textual data to the system, and a mouse 110 allows a user to input graphical data to the system. A graphics display 108 allows the system to output text and graphical information to the user. A disk 112 is used by the system to store the software of the iconic programming system environment, as well as the user-defined iconic network. An instrument bus 116, typically an IEEE 488 bus, is used to allow the iconic programming system to communicate with test instruments. Memory 114 is used to contain the software and user data of the iconic programming environment. A multi-tasking operating system 120 can have a plurality of tasks, also called processes, here illustrated by task 122 and task 124. Task 122 is shown containing the iconic programming process of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an example iconic network. Referring now to Fig. 2, a display screen 202 contains a numeric input icon 204 which is used to define a number of points, in this example 15, which will be displayed on a strip chart icon 216. 'The number of points is sent over a connecting line 206 to a count icon 208. The count icon 208 will count from zero to the number of points received on the connecting line 206. Each time the count icon 208 increments the count value by one, a signal will be sent over connecting line 210 to a random number icon 212. When the random number icon 212 receives the signal on connecting line 210, the random number icon 212 outputs a random number over a connecting line 214 which is input as the Y value to the strip chart 216. After all 15 random numbers have been output by the random number icon 212, a sequence signal is sent from the count icon 208 over dashed connecting line 218 to autoscale input 220 of the strip chart 216. This signal will cause the strip chart to rescale and redisplay a waveform 224. The iconic programmer who created the system illustrated in Fig. 2 needs to see the complete display of Fig. 2. However, to use the iconic network, a user of the iconic network of Fig. 2 would not need to see all the details that are shown in Fig. 2. A user would only need to see the number input icon 204 and the strip chart icon 216. The details involved in the count icon 208, the random number icon 212, and the connecting lines would not be necessary just to use the iconic network. In fact, showing these extra details can be quite confusing on a large iconic network. Therefore, the system of the present invention allows an iconic programmer to select certain icons to be displayed on a user panel, thus hiding unnecessary details for a user of the system. Fig. 3 shows a user panel created from the iconic network of Fig. 2. As described above, a user of the iconic network of Fig. 2 would only need to see the number input icon 204 and the strip chart 216. Therefore, the user panel of Fig. 3 only shows these icons, and hides the other details which are unnecessary to a user of the network. Referring now to Fig. 3, a screen 302 shows the user panel created from the network of Fig. 2. The numeric input icon 204 is shown to the side the strip chart 216. Because of the additional space provided by eliminating unnecessary icons on the display, the strip chart 216 can be expanded in size to be more visible to the user of the system. Fig. 4 shows a more complicated example of an iconic network and will be used to illustrate user panels that contain elements that display only when the underlying icon is processed. Referring now to Fig. 4, a display screen 402 contains a numeric input icon 404, which has been used to input the value 15. The numeric icon 404 sends the value to a count icon 406 which will count from zero to the value input from the numeric input icon 404. Each time the count icon 406 increments its counter, it sends a signal to a random number icon 408 which outputs a random number to the Y input 409 of a strip chart 410. After 15 random numbers have been sent from the random number icon 408 to the Y input 409, the count icon 406 outputs a sequence signal over a connecting line 418 which is sent to an autoscale input 411 of the strip chart 410. These icons and connections will cause the strip chart 410 to display a random waveform 420 in the same manner as Fig. 2. In the iconic network of Fig. 4, however, additional icons are used to accumulate the information in a different manner. The random number output by the random number icon 408 is sent to the input of a sliding collector 414 in parallel with being sent to the Y input 409 of the strip chart 410. The sliding collector 414 will collect each of the random numbers and store them in an array. This array will be sent to an actual values icon 416, which has been created as a user object. The sequence output of the count icon 406, which is sent to the step input 411 of the strip chart 410, is also sent in parallel to a show values icon 412. This icon will be used to trigger a user panel which will display the actual values sent to the strip chart 410. A sequence output of the show values icon 412 is sent over a connecting line 424 to a sequence input of the actual values icon 416. Fig. 5 shows a user panel created from the iconic network of Fig. 4. Referring now to Fig. 5, a display screen 502 contains the numeric input icon 404, the strip icon 410, and the show values icon 412 from the iconic network of Fig. 4. If a user of the system uses a graphics input device to click on the show values icon 412, the show values icon will output a signal over the connecting line 424 (Fig. 4) which will trigger the actual values icon 416. The actual values icon 416 has been configured as a show-on-execute user panel. Since the actual values icon 416 receives an array containing the random numbers output by the random number icon 408 and collected by the sliding collector 414, when it receives an input on its sequence input from the connecting line 424, a user panel pops up as illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows an example of a user panel containing a show-on-execute user panel created from the iconic network of Fig. 4. Referring now to Fig. 6, a display screen 602 contains the numeric input icon 404, the strip chart icon 410, and the show values icon 412. In the example of Fig. 6, the iconic network of Fig. 4 has processed, and the user has clicked on the show values icon 412. This causes the actual values user panel 604 to pop up on the display and show the actual random numbers which have been displayed on the strip chart 410. If the show-on-execute option had not been set for the actual values user panel 604, the icon would have processed without displaying the user panel. The show-on-execute option is only available for a user panel connected to a user object, and is not available for the main user panel connected to the entire network. The following description of the flow charts of Figs. 7-10 will illustrate the process of dynamically creating user panels and the show-on-execute function. Fig. 7 shows a flow chart of the top level process used by the iconic programming system to interact with the user. Referring now to Fig. 7, after entry, block 702 determines whether the user has clicked the mouse graphic input device. If not, block 702 transfers to block 704 which determines whether there has been user input, and if not, block 704 returns to block 702. This loop continues until the user either clicks the mouse device on an icon, or types input at the keyboard. When either of these occurs, control transfers to block 706 which determines whether the user is requesting that the system create a user panel. A user panel may be created for the entire iconic network or for any user objects, also called subprograms, within the network. If the user is requesting a create user panel, block 706 transfers to block 708 which calls Fig. 8 to create, or add to, the panel. Block 708 then returns to block 702 to monitor input. If the user did not request the creation of a user panel, block 706 transfers to block 710 which determines whether the user requested that a user panel be secured. If the user requested the secure user panel function, block 710 transfers to block 712 which calls Fig. 9 to secure the panel. After return from Fig. 9, block 712 transfers back to block 702 to wait for user input. If the user did not request the secure user panel option, block 710 transfers to block 714 which determines whether the user requested setting the show-on-exec option for a user panel connected to a user object. If the user requested setting the show-on-exec option, block 714 transfers to block 716 which sets the show-on-exec flag for the user panel connected to a user object and transfers to block 702 to wait for user input. If the user did not request the show-on-exec function, block 714 transfers; to block 718 which processes the user request before returning to block 702 to await additional user input. The many other functions that can be performed with the iconic programming system by block 718 are not described in this application, however, they are described in many of the applications referred to in the background of the invention. Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of the create, or add to, user panel process. Referring now to Fig. 8, after entry, block 802 determines whether a user panel has been previously created. If a user panel has not been previously created, block 802 transfers to block 804 which calls the windowing system to establish a new user panel. The system of the present invention is implemented on a computer system that uses a windows programming environment. An example of such a windows programming environment is the X Window System of the Unix operating system, or the Microsoft Windows System used on the MS DOS operating system. Unix is a trademark of A T & T, and MicroSoft Windows is a trademark of MicroSoft Corporation. After establishing a new panel, block 804 transfers to block 806 which adds the panel and detail buttons to the title bar at the top of the panel. After adding the title bar details; or if the panel had been previously created, control transfers to block 808 which makes copies of all icons selected by the user. To select these icons, the user simply uses the graphical input device to highlight an icon. In this manner, the user, or the iconic programmer, can place any desired icons from the iconic network onto the user panel. After making copies of the user selected icons, block 808 transfers to block 810 which adds these icon copies to the panel created in block 804. Block 812 then determines whether the icons fit into the user panel, and if not, transfers control to block 814 which moves icons to locations within the panel. Control then transfers to block 820 which calls the windowing system to display the entire user panel and then block 822 allows the user to distribute the icons within the panel as they desire, using the facilities available through the windowing system. After the user has performed any moving of the icons within the panel, Fig. 8 returns to Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows a flow chart of the secure user panel process called from Fig. 7. This process is used to set up the panel so that it cannot be altered. Referring now to Fig. 9, after entry, block 902 removes all menu access icons from all elements of the panel. Block 904 then disables interactive move and size operations of elements within the panel. In combination, this prevents further alteration of the user panel. Block 906 then determines whether the secure is permanent, and if it is, block 906 transfers to block 908 which frees all the elements of the detailed view, and block 910 removes panel and detail buttons. These two steps prevents their being reincorporated into the panel at a later date. Control then returns to Fig. 7. Fig. 10 shows a flow chart of the execution process and illustrates the show-on-execute process for user panels for user objects. Referring now to Fig. 10, after entry, block 1002 starts the processing of the iconic network. Block 1004 then gets the next object to get processed. Block 1006 determines whether the show-on-execute flag has been set for the object, and if it has, block 1006 transfers control to block 1008 which determines whether the object has been previously processed. If the object has not been previously processed, block 1008 transfers to block 1010 which creates a carrier for the panel. A carrier is the frame around the user panel which provides a title. Block 1012 then connects the panel to the carrier and transfers to block 1014. Block 1014 calls Fig. 9 to temporarily secure the panel so that it cannot be altered while it is being displayed. After securing the panel block 1016 calls the windowing system to display the carrier and the panel. After displaying the panel, or if the show-on-execute flag was not set, control goes to block 1018 which processes the object. Block 1020 determines whether the show-on-execute flag was set. If this flag was set, block 1020 transfers to block 1022 which unsecures and erases the panel. Control then goes to block 1024 which determines whether all objects have been processed and if not, control returns to block 1004 to get the next object. After all objects have been processed Fig. 10 returns to its caller. The system also allows a panel for a user object to be permanently connected to a higher level panel. This allows a higher level panel to be built from the lower level panels.

Claims: A method of operating an iconic programming system in a computer, wherein a screen (202) of the computer displays icons (204,208,212) or graphical images of tools and connections between said icons to form a network and in which process a user panel (216) on said screen, containing additional icons (222), is provided for executing a program related to the network, the method including dynamically creating a new user panel (216) by the steps of: a) accepting a new user panel display request; b) if the new panel (216) has been created, continuing with step (d); c) establishing the new user panel (216); d) accepting user input for selecting one or more of said icons from the user panel (216) existing on the screen (202); e) placing copies of said selected icon or icons on said new user panel (216); f) displaying said new user panel (216) without displaying details of non-selected icons or of connections (206,210,214,218) to the user panel in said network which were on said screen (202); said method being characterised by the further steps of : g) if at least one selected icon (412) is connected to a user object (416), accepting user input to set a show-on-execute flag for an additional user panel (604); and h) when processing said iconic network, if said show-on-execute flag is set, displaying said additional user panel (604) when said one selected icon (412) within said new user panel (216) is processed. The method of claim 1, wherein step e) further includes moving said selected icon or icons to fit within the boundaries of said new user panel (216). The method of claim 1, wherein the user is allowed to move said selected icon or icons within the boundaries of said new user panel (216). The method of claim 1 wherein step e) further comprises the step of: e1) allowing a user of said iconic programming system to adjust the size of said selected icon or icons within boundaries of said new user panel (216). The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: if a user selects a secure panel option, removing all means from said new user panel (216) that would allow said new user panel or the iconic programming system process to be modified (712). The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: if said new user panel (216) is connected to a user object, accepting user input to permanently connect said new user panel (216) to a higher level panel.

Inventors: HUNT WILLIAM L, HUNT, WILLIAM L.
Applicants: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC, HEWLETT PACKARD CO, AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION), HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G06F9
IPC codes: G06F3, G06F9