Programming toolkit with aligning clipper windows for use in the development of knowledge enhanced electronic programs

• US 7,685,528 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helena Keeley, Thomas M. Keeley
• Original Assignee: Helena Keeley, Thomas M. Keeley
• Inventors: Keeley, Thomas M., Keeley, Helena
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu; Tadesse
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAUDHURI, ANITA
• Application Number:
  US11/446,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20070022076A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 715/762, 715/763, 715/764, 345/440
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

A graphical programming interface for use in developing computer programs uses a structure of graphically displayed elements representing positions, arguments and linkages to enable the development of computational decision making programs. The present invention provides new functionality to a clipper element that allows for simple division of a range of input values into contiguous sub-ranges, such as may be used to define a curve or other function.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method executable on an electronic computer to:

(i) present on a graphical user interface at least a first and second position value display element displaying position values by displacement of a graphical marker along a path;

(ii) present on the graphical user interface at least a first and second clipper display element positioned adjacent to the first and second position value display elements, respectively, along the path to define a range of position values between position values defined by an upper clipper limit and a lower clipper limit; and

(iii) accept instructions from a program user linking an upper clipper limit of the first clipper display element to a lower clipper limit of the second display element so that the lower clipper limit automatically follows the upper clipper limit so that a lower clipper value associated with the lower clipper limit of the second display element is equal to the upper clipper value associated with the upper clipper limit of the first display element as the upper clipper limit of the first display element is changed;

whereby a sequence of contiguous clipper ranges can be established among position value elements.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the program further executes to:

(iv) accept instructions from a program user linking an upper clipper limit of the first clipper display element to another graphical element so that a value received by the other graphical element is related to a relative value of the first position display element within the range of the first clipper display element.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein step (iii) links the upper clipper limit to the lower clipper limit by creation of a graphical connection between points on the first clipper display element and the second clipper display element.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein the graphical connection is a line between graphical connection points on the first clipper display element and the second clipper display element at points denoting the upper clipper limit and lower clipper limit.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein the graphical connection point denoting the upper clipper limit is at one end of a clipper display element and the graphical connection point denoting the lower clipper limit is at another end of a clipper display element.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the position display elements are bar displays and the clipper elements are elements spanning a portion of the bar.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the program is further executable to:

(iv) accept instructions from a program user linking the lower clipper limit of the first clipper display element to the second value position display element so that the position value displayed on the second position value display element is equal to the position value of the lower clipper limit of the second clipper display element.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein step (iii) links the upper clipper limit to the lower clipper limit by creation of a line between graphical connection points on the first clipper display element and the second clipper display element at points denoting the upper clipper limit and lower clipper limit.

wherein the graphical connection point denoting the upper clipper limit is at one end of a clipper display element and the graphical connection point denoting the lower clipper limit is at another end of a clipper display element;

and

wherein the end of the clipper display element denoting the lower clipper limit on the second clipper display element is aligned with the position value of the second position display element.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the program further operates so that a position value associated with the lower clipper limit cannot exceed the position value associated with the lower clipper limit of the second clipper display value.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the program further operates so that a position value associated with the lower clipper limit cannot exceed the maximum position value of the second clipper display value.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the program further operates to:

(iv) accept instructions from a program user changing a maximum position value of the first position display element and changing the upper and lower clipper limits so that the range of position values remains a constant percentage of the maximum position value.

12. A computer-implemented method executable on an electronic computer to:

(i) present on a graphical user interface at least a first and second position value display element displaying position values;

(ii) present on the graphical user interface at least a first and second clipper display element associated with the first and second position value display elements, respectively, to define a range of position values between position values defined by an upper clipper limit and a lower clipper limit; and

(iii) accept instructions from a program user linking an upper clipper limit of the first clipper display element to a lower clipper limit of the second display element so that the lower clipper limit automatically follows the upper clipper limit with changes so that a lower clipper value associated with the lower clipper limit of the second display element is equal to the upper clipper value associated with the upper clipper limit of the first display element as the upper clipper limit of the first display element is changed; and

(iv) accept instructions from a program user changing a maximum position value of the first position display element and changing the upper and lower clipper limits so that the range of position values remains a constant percentage of the maximum position value.