Patent ID: 7058800

Claim:
A system for defining internal variables embedded in an instrument that govern an operation of the instrument, comprising: means for defining a range of values of a first variable corresponding to one or more physical restraints of a corresponding physical structure of the instrument; means for selecting a value for the first variable; means for confirming the selected value for the first variable is within the defined range of values; means for storing the value of the first variable; means for changing the value of the first variable; means for confirming the changed value of the first variable is within the defined range of values of the first variable; means for designating a second variable that is to be evaluated in accordance with a change in the first variable; means for modifying a predetermined second variable in accordance with the changing of the value of the first variable; and means for confirming that the changed value of the second variable is within an allowed range of values of the second variable corresponding to one or more physical constraints of a corresponding physical structure of the instrument.