User interface for performing load analysis

• US 7,949,961 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Shimel, Bruce, Stevenson, Scott W., Wette, Dean H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEGGETT, ANDREA C.
• Application Number:
  US11/552,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 715/243, 715/848, 715/841, 715/769, 715/964
• US Class Current: 715/841
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/964 CAD or CAM, e.g. interactive design tools

Abstract

A user interface for performing load analysis on various geometries is provided. The user interface is especially useful for performing load analysis operations on mobile platforms, for example an aircraft. The user interface includes an object display that lists a plurality of load objects that include object data. A plurality of menu displays list a plurality of load operations. A data display displays the object data associated with the plurality of load objects.

Claims

1. A user interface, including a display screen, for performing load analysis on various geometries of a structure, the user interface comprising:

an object display module for generating an object display that lists a plurality of load objects that include object data;

the object display further being partitioned into;

a first section for displaying a selected load model, a selected component model or a selected applied load object set;

an adjacent second section for displaying an embedded drop down menu for displaying a plurality of items of information relating to a selection made in the first section;

a menu display module for controlling the display of a plurality of menu displays, wherein each said menu display lists at least one load analysis operation interface and at least one object creation interface;

a data display module that generates a script display and a separate data display, the data display displaying the object data associated with the plurality of load objects, and the script display displaying operations relating to a script associated with one of a load operation and an object;

a view configuration display module that displays view properties, based on a user input, in a view configuration display;

the view configuration display being partitioned into a view properties section and a value section;

the view properties section displaying view properties associated with the information being displayed in the data display, the view properties section including a plurality of a view orientation, a vector scale, a color scale, and lighting, and a foreground color; and

a value section adjacent the view properties section for displaying a display value for each one of the view properties being displayed in the view properties section;

wherein the plurality of menu displays includes a toolbar for displaying options for selecting a pressure menu, a loads menu, a mass menu, a geometry menu, and a script file menu, that list pressure operations, load operations, mass operations, geometry analysis operations and scripts file editing, respectively, for assisting in analyzing the structure.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the object display lists the plurality of load objects in a tree structure.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the view properties are configurable.

4. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a command line text box that accepts text input; and

an execute selection device that, when selected, executes load operations associated with the text entered in the command line text box.

5. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a message display that displays load operation messages.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the toolbar displaying the plurality of menu displays includes a matchload menu that lists load match operations.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein a subset of menu displays of the plurality of menu displays includes at least one sub-menu.

8. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the plurality of menu displays are associated with the load objects and wherein the object display includes the plurality of menu displays accessible by the corresponding load object.

9. The user interface of claim 4, wherein a second toolbar includes an auto view selection box that is operable to at least one of turn on and turn off the object data from being displayed in the data display.

10. The user interface of claim 9, wherein the second toolbar includes a memory usage meter display that displays the amount of memory being utilized.

11. The user interface of claim 9, wherein the second tool bar includes a directory selection box that is operable to select the directory to which object data is to be retrieved and stored.

12. A system for managing a load analysis user interface that assists a user in analyzing loads experienced by a structure, comprising:

a computer having a processor;

an object display module that generates an object display on a display device;

wherein the object display lists a plurality of load objects;

the object display further being partitioned into;

a first section for displaying a selected load model, a selected component model or a selected applied load object set;

an adjacent second section for displaying an embedded drop down menu for displaying a plurality of items of information relating to a selection made in the first section;

a menu manager module that generates a plurality of menu displays including at least two of;

a pressure menu that lists pressure operations;

a loads menu that lists loads operations; and

a mass menu that lists mass operations;

a data display module that generates a data display that displays object data associated with the plurality of load objects; and

a view configuration display module that displays view properties associated with object data that is displayed in a view configuration display, the view configuration module including;

a view configuration display for displaying view properties to a user; and

a separate script display for displaying contents of a script operation that is being used with a specific load operation;

the view configuration display being partitioned into;

a view properties section for displaying view properties associated with the information being displayed in the data display; and

a value section adjacent the view properties section for displaying a display value for each one of the view properties being displayed in the view properties section; and

wherein the loads menu, when selected, displays options for enabling;

force options to be carried out for summing forces over an entire load model;

summing forces for selected groups in the load model;

clearing forces for a specific load model;

creating a constant force distribution in a direction of element normals; and

converting forces to pressures.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of menu displays include a matchload menu that lists load match operations.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of menu displays are associated with the load objects and wherein the object display includes the plurality of menu displays accessible by the corresponding load object.