Block diagram system and method for controlling electronic instruments with simulated graphic display

• US 5,155,836 A
• Filed: 03/17/1989
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dale A. Jordan, David D. Stubbs, Gregory L. Hoffman, Lynne A. Fitzsimmons, William A. Greenseth
• Original Assignee: Dale A. Jordan, David D. Stubbs, Gregory L. Hoffman, Lynne A. Fitzsimmons, William A. Greenseth
• Inventors: Fitzsimmons, Lynne A., Stubbs, David D., Greenseth, William A., Hoffman, Gregory L., Jordan, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Lawrence E.
• Application Number:
  US07/325,170
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/300, 364/900 MS File, 364/488, 364/521, 395/500
• US Class Current: 703/23
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2834 Automated test systems [ATE]; using microprocessors or computers G01R31/317 takes precedence; ATE for detection of defective computer hardware G06F11/2736
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31912 Tester/user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/12 Symbolic schematics
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

A block diagram editor system and method is implemented in a computer workstation that includes a CRT and a mouse, graphics and windowing software, and an external communications interface for test instruments. The computer is programmed for constructing, interconnecting and displaying block diagrams of functional elements on the CRT. From prestored routines for each functional element, the software assembles and executes a program that emulates the functional operations of each element and transfers data from output from each element in turn to an input of a succeeding block, as determined by the block diagram configuration. The block functions include signal generating and analysis functions, and functions for control of various types of test instruments, which can be interactively controlled through the CRT and mouse. The computer converts desired outputs of the instruments into control settings and receives, analyzes and displays data from the instruments. Blocks can also be grouped into macroblocks.

Claims

1. A data processing system for generating, displaying and executing a block diagram program, at least one block of the program representing a predetermined function having at least one associated parameter with a predetermined range of values specifying an operating range for the function, the system comprising:

user-operable input means for inputting data, including data for selecting a block and associated function, and selecting a value for a parameter of the function limited to said predetermined range of values;

programmable computer means including memory means for storing computer program instructions and data, and processing means coupled to the input means and to the memory means for executing the stored program instructions, the processing means being responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the selected block and the operating range of the function associated with the selected block;

graphic display means responsive to graphic data from the processing means for displaying an image of the selected block, and a representation of the operating range of the associated function.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the input means is operable for selecting at least a portion of the operating range, and the processing means determines a parameter value corresponding to the selected operating range.

3. A system according to claim 2 where the selected portion is a point on the displayed operating range.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein the processing means constrains the parameter value to within predetermined range limits.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the operation of a function associated with a selected block is specified by at least two associated parameters having corresponding predetermined ranges of values, specifying, in combination, an operating region of the associated function;

the processing means further produces graphic data representing an operating region of the associated function; and

the display means further displays a representation of the operating region of the associated function.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the input means is operable for selecting at least a portion of the representation of the operating region, and the processing means determines parameter values corresponding to the selected operating region.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing a second selected block of the program, and flow of signal data between the block functions.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the display means displays an image of the second selected block, and a representation of the flow of signal data between the block functions.

9. A system according to claim 7 wherein the processing means also produces signal data representing output from performance of functions associated with selected blocks.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the processing means sequences the performance of block functions according to established data flow, including applying output from a first selected block function as input to a second selected block function and producing a resultant output from the second selected block function.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the processing means also produces graphic data representing input and output terminals of selected blocks showing signal data input via an input terminal and signal data output via an output terminal.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein data flow is represented by a line connecting an output terminal of a block to an input terminal of another block.

13. A system according to claim 1 for controlling a first electrical device where the selected block represents the electrical device, the system further comprising communications means coupled to the processing means and connectable to the electrical device for transmitting data between the processing means and the electrical device, output data from the processing means, resulting from performance of the function, is transmitted to the electrical device for stimulating the device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the device.

14. A system according to claim 13 for controlling a second electrical device coupled to the first electrical device, where, upon being stimulated by the system, the first electrical device in turn outputs a signal stimulating the second electrical device.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data for selecting a second block representative of the second electrical device, the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the second block, and the display means displays an image of the second block.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data for selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of the signal path between the first and second electrical devices, the processing means produces graphic data representing the line, and the display means displays an image of the line.

17. A system according to claim 15 where the first electrical device is a signal generator and the second electrical device is a device under test.

18. A system according to claim 15 wherein data descriptive of the second electrical device is stored in the memory means and is selectively retrievable for display by user manipulation of the input means.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data for selecting a third block representative of a third electrical device coupled to the second electrical device, the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the third block, and the display means displays an image of the third block.

20. A system according to claim 19 for controlling the third electrical device where the second electrical device, upon being stimulated by the first electrical device, outputs a signal stimulating the third electrical device.

21. A system according to claim 20 where the processing means is connectable to the third electrical device via the communications means for detecting output from the third electrical device.

22. A system according to claim 20 where the processing means is connectable to the third electrical device via the communications means for stimulating the third electrical device.

23. A system according to claim 22 where the processing means detects output from the third electrical device upon stimulation of the third electrical device by the second electrical device and the processing means.

24. A system according to claim 23 where detected output from an electrical device is processed as input to a function.

25. A system according to claim 24 where the first electrical device is a signal generator, the second electrical device is a device under test, and the third electrical device is a signal measurement device.

26. A system according to claim 25 where the signal generator is a waveform synthesizer, the device under test is an electrical circuit, and the signal measurement device is a digitizer.

27. A system according to claim 1 for detecting output of a first electrical device where the selected block represents the electrical device, the system further comprising communications means coupled to the processing means and connectable to the electrical device for transmitting data between the processing means and the electrical device.

28. A system according to claim 27 where a second electrical device is coupled to the first electrical device and outputs a signal stimulating the first electrical device.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data for selecting a second block representative of the second electrical device, the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the second block, and the display means displays an image of the second block.

30. A system according to claim 29 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of a signal path between the first and second electrical devices, the processing means produces graphic data representing the line, and the display mans displays an image of the line.

31. A system according to claim 27 where detected output from the electrical device is processed as input to a function.

32. A system according to claim 27 for controlling a second electrical device coupled to the first electrical device and connectable to the communications means, output data from the processing means, resulting from performance of a function, is transmitted to the second electrical device for stimulating the second electrical device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the second electrical device.

33. A system according to claim 32 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data for selecting a second block representative of the second electrical device, the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the second block, and the display means displays an image of the second block.

34. A system according to claim 33 wherein the input means is operable for inputting data selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of a signal path between the first and second electrical devices, the processing means produces graphic data representing the line, and the display means displays an image of the line.

35. A system according to claim 27 for controlling an electrical device, where output data from the processing means, resulting from performance of a function, is transmitted to the electrical device for stimulating the electrical device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the device.

36. A system according to claim 35 where the stimulation and detected signals are represented as two-dimensional signals, each signal having a first parameter representing a first dimension and a second parameter representing a second dimension of the signal.

37. A system according to claim 36 where the first parameter value is within a first range of values and the second parameter value is within a second range of values, and the first and second ranges define, in combination, a signal window.

38. A system according to claim 35 where the stimulation and detected signals are represented as two-dimensional signals, each signal having first and second parameters representing a first range along a first dimension, and third and fourth parameters representing a second range along a second dimension, the first and second ranges defining, in combination, a signal window.

39. A system according to claim 38 wherein the processing means is responsive to input data representing a superimposed signal window, for determining parameter values corresponding to the superimposed signal window.

40. A system according to claim 39 where the processing means is responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing a new signal corresponding to the determined parameter values, and the display means displays an image of the new signal.

41. A system according to claim 39 wherein the processing means constrains the parameter values within predetermined range limits.

42. A method for generating, displaying and executing a block diagram program in a system, at least one block of the program representing a data processing predetermined function having at least one associated parameter with a predetermined range of values specifying an operating range for the function, the method comprising the steps of:

inputting data into the system, including data for selecting a block and associated function, and selecting a value for a parameter of the function limited to said predetermined range of values;

producing on programmable computer means including memory means for storing computer program instructions and data, and processingmeans coupled to the input means and to the memory means for executing the stored program instructions, the processing means being responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the selected block and the operating range of the function associated with the selected block; and

displaying the graphic data as an image of the selected block and a representation of the operating range of the associated function.

43. A method according to claim 42 further comprising the steps of selecting at least a portion of the displayed operating range, and determining a parameter value corresponding to the selected operating range.

44. A method according to claim 43 where the step of selecting the portion comprises the step of selecting a point on the displayed operating range.

45. A method according to claim 43 further comprising the step of constraining the parameter value to within predetermined range limits.

46. A method according to claim 42 wherein the operation of a function associated with a selected block is specified by at least two associated parameters having corresponding predetermined ranges of values, specifying, in combination, an operating region of the associated function;

the method further comprising the steps of producing graphic data representing an operating region of the associated function, and displaying a representation of the operating region of the associated function.

47. A method according to claim 46 further comprising the steps of selecting at least a portion of the representation of the operating region, and determining parameter values corresponding to the selected operating region.

48. A method according to claim 42 wherein the step of producing graphic data includes the step of representing a second selected block of the program, and flow of signal data between the block functions.

49. A method according to claim 48 further comprising the step of displaying an image of the second selected block, and a representation of the flow of signal data between the block functions.

50. A method according to claim 48 further comprising the step of producing signal data representing output from performance of functions associated with selected blocks.

51. A method according to claim 50 further comprising the step of sequencing the performance of block functions according to established data flow, including the steps of applying output from a first selected block function as input to a second selected block function and producing a resultant output from the second selected block function.

52. A method according to claim 51 further comprising the step of producing graphic data representing input and output terminals of selected blocks showing signal data input via an input terminal and signal data output via an output terminal.

53. A method according to claim 52 further comprising the step of representing data flow by a line connecting an output terminal of a block to an input terminal of another block.

54. A method according to claim 42 for controlling a first electrical device where the selected block represents the electrical device, the method further comprising the step of transmitting output data, resulting from performance of the function, to the electrical device for stimulating the device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the device.

55. A method according to claim 54 for controlling a second electrical device coupled to the first electrical device, where, upon being stimulated, the first electrical device in turn outputs a signal stimulating the second electrical device.

56. A method according to claim 55 further comprising the steps of inputting data for selecting first and second blocks representative of the first and second electrical devices, respectively, producing graphic data representing the first and second blocks, and displaying an image of the first and second blocks.

57. A method according to claim 56 further comprising the steps of inputting data selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of the signal path between the first and second electrical devices, producing graphic data representing the line, and displaying an image of the line.

58. A method according to claim 56 where the first electrical device is a signal generator and the second electrical device is a device under test.

59. A method according to claim 56 further comprising the steps of storing data descriptive of the second electrical device, inputting data selecting the descriptive data, and displaying the descriptive data.

60. A system according to claim 57 further comprising the steps of inputting data for selecting a third block representative of a third electrical device coupled to the second electrical device, producing graphic data representing the third block, and displaying an image of the third block.

61. A method according to claim 60 for controlling the third electrical device where the second electrical device, upon being stimulated by the first electrical device, outputs a signal stimulating the third electrical device.

62. A method according to claim 60 further comprising the step of detecting output from the third electrical device.

63. A method according to claim 60 further comprising the step of stimulating the third electrical device.

64. A method according to claim 63 further comprising the step of detecting output from the third electrical device upon stimulation of the third electrical device by the second electrical device and the processing means.

65. A method according to claim 64 further comprising the step of processing detected output from an electrical device as input to a function.

66. A method according to claim 65 where the first electrical device is a signal generator, the second electrical device is a device under test, and the third electrical device is a signal measurement device.

67. A method according to claim 66 where the signal generator is a waveform synthesizer, the device under test is an electrical circuit, and the signal measurement device is a digitizer.

68. A method according to claim 42 further comprising the step of detecting output received from a first electrical device.

69. A method according to claim 68 where a second electrical device is coupled to the first electrical device and outputs a signal stimulating the first electrical device.

70. A method according to claim 69 further comprising the steps of inputting data for selecting a second block representative of the second electrical device, producing graphic data representing the second block, and displaying an image of the second block.

71. A method according to claim 70 further comprising the steps of inputting data selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of a signal path between the first and second electrical devices, producing graphic data representing the line, and displaying an image of the line.

72. A method according to claim 68 further comprising the step of processing detected output from the electrical device as input to a function.

73. A method according to claim 68 for controlling a second electrical device coupled to the first electrical device, the method further comprising the step of transmitting output data resulting from performance of a function to the second electrical device for stimulating the second electrical device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the second electrical device.

74. A method according to claim 73 further comprising the steps of inputting data for selecting a second block representative of the second electrical device, producing graphic data representing the second block, and displaying an image of the second block.

75. A method according to claim 74 further comprising the steps of inputting data selecting a line extending between the first and second blocks representative of a signal path between the first and second electrical devices, producing graphic data representing the line, and displaying an image of the line.

76. A method according to claim 68 for controlling an electrical device, the method further comprising the step of transmitting output data resulting from performance of a function to the electrical device for stimulating the electrical device, initiating performance of a predetermined function of the device.

77. A method according to claim 76 further comprising the step of representing the stimulation and detected signals as two-dimensional signals, each signal having a first parameter representing a first dimension and a second parameter representing a second dimension of the signal.

78. A method according to claim 77 where the first parameter value is within a first range of values and the second parameter value is within a second range of values, and the first and second ranges define, in combination, a signal window.

79. A method according to claim 76 further comprising the step of representing the stimulation and detected signals as two-dimensional signals, each signal having first and second parameters representing a first range along a first dimension, and third and fourth parameters representing a second range along a second dimension, the first and second ranges defining, in combination, a signal window.

80. A method according to claim 79 further comprising the steps of inputting data representing a superimposed signal window, and determining parameter values corresponding to the superimposed signal window.

81. A method according to claim 80 further comprising the steps of producing graphic data representing a new signal corresponding to the determined parameter values, and displaying an image of the new signal.

82. A method according to claim 80 further comprising the step of constraining the parameter values within predetermined range limits.