Abstract:
A User Programmable Key resides on an instrument to assist a user to access and execute preferred features of the instrument in a minimal amount of time. A feature or a set of features are programmed into the User Programmable Key by a user from some or all of the available features in an instrument. The User Programmable Key is assigned to an area adjacent or on the graphical user interface and visible while a user accesses other available buttons, menus or features of an instrument&#39;s menu tree.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Hardware and software functionality of contemporary electronic instruments is accessible through context menus. The term context menu is commonly used for menus and sub-menus which appear on a graphical user interface, offering a list of options which vary depending on the context of the action, the application running, and the item selected. Context menus are often hierarchically organized, allowing navigation through different levels of the menu structure. A context menu is typically invoked by a button or a key marked with a specific feature, called a Labeled Hard Key (LHK), presented on the instrument&#39;s front panel for a user to traverse a list of features available within an instrument&#39;s features. 
         [0002]    To compliment an LHK or a group of LHKs, instrument manufacturers have designed into their front panels a set of unlabeled buttons whereby menu options corresponding to a user selected LHK are displayed alongside the unlabeled buttons. The unlabeled buttons, also referred to as soft key buttons (SKBs) are paired with labels; a column of labels referred to as a soft key menu (SKM). Together they are referred to as soft keys (SKs). Various features can be mapped onto SKs. SKs are reassigned and relabeled to allow a user to methodologically traverse many levels of a menu tree in order to reach features provided by a manufacturer. 
         [0003]    Complex and advanced instruments have a tall menu tree to enable access to the multitude of features available. A general user interface provides access to all features and organizes all settings and operations into categories and subcategories of a menu tree structure having a depth of as many as six levels or more. As users rarely make use of all the instrument&#39;s features, only a subset of overall available features is used throughout the tenure of an instrument. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a front panel of an electronic instrument of the prior art. In particular, the figure highlights a graphical user interface, soft keys and labeled hard keys. 
         [0005]    A user invokes features of the electronic instrument by selecting an LHK from a cluster of LHKs  20  on a front panel  100  of  FIG. 1 . Feature categories assist the user in commencing an action, and in  FIG. 1  the cluster of LHKs is grouped into feature categories  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  to provide the user with visual assistance in beginning an action. 
         [0006]    A set of SKBs  30  arranged along the side of graphical user interface (GUI)  50 , and a corresponding SKM column  40  appears within the GUI immediately adjacent to the soft keys. When a labeled hard key from cluster  20  is pressed, the SKM column is drawn with labels corresponding to the actions of the labeled hard key. 
         [0007]    An example to illustrate operating the instrument of  FIG. 1  is described herewith. When LHK  25  is selected to initiate a feature termed ‘Traces’, an SKM column  40  is created with an SKM heading  41  corresponding to LHK  25  and labels  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  and  47  indicating actions under the SKM heading. 
         [0008]    When SKB  32  is pressed, an action indicated by screen label  44  executes. In some cases, a screen label expands into another sub-menu of features resulting in the SKM column  40  being redrawn with new labels found in that sub-menu. Otherwise, the SKM label is an immediate action label which results in a feature being executed when SKB  32  is selected. 
         [0009]    The design described in the prior art allows for accessing a large number of an instrument&#39;s features with a limited number of LHKs and SKs. As features are categorized in a hierarchical tree structure, a finite number of labeled hard keys and a number of soft keys are designed into a front panel  100  to create a comprehensive browsing environment. 
         [0010]    One disadvantage of the prior art implementation is accessing capabilities mapped deep within the menu structure. As such, many keystrokes are required to access a particular feature. As a corollary, it is also tedious when instructing another user of the procedure to reach a required feature. 
         [0011]    Features used frequently by a user are not usually found within close proximity in a menu tree, but are rather scattered throughout the overall tree. Thus, a second disadvantage inherent to this design is that a user must sift through a tall, multilevel tree of soft keys, repeatedly clicking through settings and operations that the operator intends to use frequently. 
         [0012]    A continuing debate in implementing new functionality to an instrument ensues between manufacturers and customers. Advocates of more keys point out the benefit of reducing the number of key strokes to get to all features. Proponents of fewer keys note the friendliness and simplicity of a sparer front panel. When deciding the answer to this debate it is important to consider the amount of use the customer makes of a given feature. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, a need exists to make it easier to locate features that are placed deep within a multi-level menu structure in order to reduce the number of keystrokes and the amount of time needed to access frequently accessed features to improve the usability of a user interface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a prior art front panel of an electrical instrument illustrating labeled hard keys, soft keys, soft key menus and a graphical user interface; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate front panels utilizing two embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is another view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a Soft Key menu map and the assignment of features to a User Defined Menu of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-B ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart describing a sequence that an instrument will perform when executing instructions relating to implementing the embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    An embodiment of the invention includes a user key, herewith referred to as a User Programmable Key (UPK), on the front panel of an instrument with combined attributes of a labeled hard key and a soft key to enhance a user interface with the instrument. 
         [0020]    A UPK may represent a feature or a subset of features frequently accessed by a user. The subset of features can be a manufacture-set sub-menu or a user created sub-menu of features. A UPK is located adjacent to a graphical user interface and situated beside labeled hard keys and soft keys on an instrument&#39;s front panel such that the UPK is within short reach and its label and button are conspicuous during operation of the instrument. The customized UPK label and button do not change when a menu is redrawn as an instrument&#39;s features are selected. A UPK can take the form of a physical button or a virtual button on a touch screen graphical user interface. 
         [0021]    A UPK enables the manufacturer to introduce new features and makes it possible for a customer to promote a feature as needed to the highest level of the user interface. By having a UPK, a manufacturer bypasses justifying how popular a feature is by empowering the customer to decide on a feature to promote to the front panel. 
         [0022]    In addition to the attributes mentioned above, during testing and debugging of a new feature a manufacturer may reserve a UPK for the new feature thereby reducing the need to modify existing bug-free features. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is an image of a front panel  200  on an electronic test instrument incorporating the inventive feature. The front panel has a cluster of labeled hard keys (LHKs)  220  and soft keys  255 . The soft keys (SKs) include a column of soft key buttons (SKBs)  230  and a soft key menu (SKM) column  240 . A graphical user interface (GUI)  250  is adjacent to the SKBs. SKM column  240  is visible on the GUI with labels corresponding to features that will be performed by the instrument if the corresponding SKBs are invoked. (The SKM is may also be referred to as ‘menu’.) An embodiment of the present invention, UPK  238  is located below the column of soft key buttons  230 . 
         [0024]    The LHKs and SKs afford a user access to the myriad of features available in a sophisticated electronic instrument, such as the one shown in of  FIG. 2A . 
         [0025]    A user intending to execute an action will begin by selecting a labeled feature from the cluster of LHKs  220  provided for by the instrument&#39;s manufacturer. Once an LHK is selected, the soft key menu column  240  is drawn with labels corresponding to the features of the selected labeled hard key. 
         [0026]    In this embodiment, a UPK  238  is a physical button on the front panel  200  of an instrument located below the column of soft key buttons and is available to a user to program or customize. A UPK label  248  to identify a feature corresponding to the UPK is reserved below Soft Key Menu column  240  and in line with the UPK  238 . In  FIG. 2A , UPK label  248  is not yet assigned to an existing feature. 
         [0027]    As an example to illustrate a user&#39;s navigation through a menu tree, an LHK  225  labeled ‘Freq’ is selected to execute an action from a feature category called ‘Stimulus’. This action redraws the SKM column  240  of the GUI to show a sub-menu of options available to a user. The user subsequently selects a desired option which could lead to the SKM column being redrawn with another sub-menu or the execution of an immediate action feature. 
         [0028]    The UPK button  238  and label  248  are visible to a user as menus change, and as the user traverses the menu tree. In  FIG. 2A , if the user selects label “Center”  242  by depressing soft key button  232  an action will execute but UPK label  248  will not be redrawn. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2B  is a front panel  260  on an electronic test instrument and incorporates the inventive feature using a touch screen GUI  270 .  FIG. 2B  is similar to that of  FIG. 2A  except that the front panel  260  of the instrument does not have physical soft key buttons but incorporates soft keys  271  as virtual buttons and labels on the touch screen GUI  270  panel. 
         [0030]    The embodiment of a UPK  268  in  FIG. 2B  is a virtual button to match the characteristics of existing soft keys  271 . The same UPK  268  is always visible to the user as soft keys  271  are redrawn. 
         [0031]    A UPK enhances a user&#39;s interactive experience by providing a link to a frequently accessed feature, a set a set of menus within a menu tree or a customized sub-menu of desired features.  FIG. 3  is a front panel  300  of an instrument incorporating this inventive feature. A user programmable key  338  and its UPK label  348  are shown in a similar layout as the front panel  200  in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 3  the UPK label  348  has been programmed and displays a label as “Test BPF”. 
         [0032]    When a user selects UPK  338 , an SKM  340  is redrawn on GUI  350 , listing manufacturer-set features (made available by the manufacturers of the equipment). The list of features displayed in the SKM would be no different from that of a sub-menu displayed when the user traversed the menu tree by commencing with an LHK from LHK group  320 . A heading  344  of the Soft Key Menu  340  also replicates the UPK label  348  to indicate the user&#39;s selection. 
         [0033]    The user then continues interacting with the instrument by selecting an action from the soft keys  355 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  also describes computer readable media  390  containing code for providing instructions to and for execution by the instrument  300  in an embodiment of the invention. The computer readable media  390  can be, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a DVD, a hard drive or other computer readable media known in the art. 
         [0035]    Individual features from multiple sub-menus can be amalgamated and displayed onto a single user defined menu (UDM) using the UPK.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram representing a menu tree  400  of a complex instrument. The menu tree depicts top level menus  422  and  440  that correspond to the labeled hard keys on a front panel while sub-menus  430  to  434 ,  451  to  455  and  441  to  445  represent soft keys on the front panel.  FIG. 4  also illustrates a user programmable key  460  with an assignment of manufacturer-set features to the UDM  461 . 
         [0036]    In the block diagram shown in  FIG. 4 , the features within the UDM  461  are menu items short listed by a user to replicate existing features often found deep within an instrument&#39;s menu tree. The user has selected five features from an instrument&#39;s menu tree  400 ; SK  1 . 2 #, SK  1 . 1 . 1 #, SK  1 . 2 . 1 #, SK  1 . 2 . 2 # and SK  1 . 2 .N# (reference numeral  462 ,  463 ,  464 ,  465  and  466  respectively) as entries into UDM  461 . 
         [0037]    User defined menu items SK  1 . 2 # and SK  2 .N# (reference numerals  462  and  466 ) are referenced as examples to illustrate the use and creation of a UDM herewith. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a user selects Labeled Hard Key  1  (represented in the menu tree by reference numeral  422 ) from the instrument&#39;s front panel and Menu  1  (reference numeral  430 ) is displayed on the instrument&#39;s GUI as labels for the SKs. The labels are a list of manufacturer-set features indicated by reference numerals  431  to  434 . 
         [0039]    Soft key label indicated by sub-menu SK  1 . 2  (reference numeral  432 ) is chosen as an entry to UDM  461 . This label will now appear as sub-menu item  462  in the UDM. 
         [0040]    Another UDM item SK  2 .N# (reference numeral  466 ) is an immediate action feature that was added from within Hard Key  2  (reference numeral  424 ). Menu  2  (reference numeral  441 ) displays labels  442  to  445  onto soft keys of an instrument&#39;s GUI. Feature SK  2 .N (reference numeral  445 ) is selected as an entry to UDM  461  and is presented as UDM item SK  2 .N# (reference numeral  466 ). 
         [0041]    When UPK  460  is selected by a user from the instrument&#39;s front panel, UDM  461  is drawn as SKs on an instrument&#39;s GUI listing features described by labels  462  to  466 . 
         [0042]    If menu item  462  is selected by a user, a sub-menu is redrawn on the instrument&#39;s GUI displaying labels illustrated in Sub-Menu  1 . 2  (reference numeral  451 ). The user can then proceed with selecting from features  452  to  455 . When a user selects menu item  466  from the UPM  461 , an immediate action is performed that is identical to selecting the immediate action from menu item  445  of the menu tree  400 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart that describes a sequence an instrument will perform when executing instructions related to implementing the embodiments of the invention. The code resides on the computer readable media  390  described above with reference to  FIG. 3  and is used by a Central Processing Unit within an instrument to execute the instructions. Alternatively, the code can be executed by a computer external to the instrument which controls the instrument. Block  510  describes assigning a feature of the instrument to a UPK in response to an action by the user (described below). 
         [0044]    In Block  520 , instructions are defined to identify a label with the UPK corresponding to the feature assigned to the user programmable key. The user key label is a text label or a graphic icon that can best represent the feature in the space provided for a label on a GUI. Subsequently, Block  530  instructs an instrument to display the menu and the user key label on a graphical user interface where the menu is a subset of features from a hierarchal menu tree of the instrument. 
         [0045]    Lastly, Block  540  describes redrawing the menu on the GUI to display a different subset of features from the hierarchal menu tree and to display the user key label with the feature assigned to the UPK. As an example to illustrate executing this instruction, a user may select a feature on the menu or the user programmable key that requires the menu to be redrawn. The menu is redrawn on the GUI to display a subset of features corresponding to the selection made. The UPK label and assignment does not change when the menu is redrawn—remaining available to the user to select. 
         [0046]    Features can be assigned to the UPK in different ways. For example, a user invokes the features of a hard key and a number of soft keys on various menus. When the user locates a soft key to replace the existing UPK  338  in  FIG. 3  or add to the UDM  461  in  FIG. 4 , the UPK button is depressed for a predetermined duration, for example between 2 to 5 seconds. The instrument will beep and display a message indicating that the feature previously executed will replace the existing UPK and UPK label  348  for the embodiment in  FIG. 3  or add to the UDM  461  in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . In a variation to the above example, depressing the UPK button for a predetermined duration will cause the setup dialog to be displayed. The setup dialog shows a list of choices which can be assigned to UPK  338 . The user then makes a selection on the dialog which alters the behavior and label of the UPK. 
         [0047]    In another variation of programming a UPK, after a user locates a feature to add to the UPK, the soft key is depressed for a predetermined duration, for example between 2 to 5 seconds. The instrument will beep and display a message indicating that the feature will replace the existing UPK and UPK label  348  of  FIG. 3  or that the feature will be added to the UDM  461  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0048]    In yet another embodiment the UPK assignment change is done programmatically over a remote computer interface such as a LAN or the Internet, for example. 
         [0049]    While the embodiments described above constitute exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be recognized that the invention can be varied in numerous ways without departing from the scope thereof. It should be understood that the invention is only defined by the following claims.