Preview of an object in graphical modeling environments

• US 8,862,442 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Inventors: Grace, Andrew, Torgerson, Jay Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US13/768,737
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 703/2, 703/22, 345/473, 345/619, 719/313
• US Class Current: 703/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]

Abstract

Graphical programming or modeling environments in which a preview window of an object is provided are disclosed. The preview window may be provided when the pointer of a pointing device hovers over an object and automatically disappear when the pointer of the pointing device is placed out of a predetermined region relating to the object. The object can be hierarchical so that the object includes a subsystem. Another preview window may be provided when the pointer of the pointing device hovers over the subsystem and automatically disappear when the pointer of the pointing device is placed out of a predetermined region relating to the subsystem. The subsystem of the object may also include another subsystem.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

displaying an executable block diagram model in an interface on a display device, the block diagram model including blocks;

detecting a selection of a selected one of the blocks of the executable block diagram model, the detecting performed using a computing device; and

displaying, on the display device, a preview window,

the preview window displayed based on the detecting the selection,

the preview window displayed while the interface is displayed, and

the preview window displaying content of the selected one of the blocks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview window displays ones of the blocks that constitute a subsystem of the block diagram model.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprises:

detecting whether a pointer of a pointing device hovers proximate to or enters a region, in the displayed interface, associated with the selected one of the blocks.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the preview window automatically disappears from being displayed on the display device when the pointer of the pointing device no longer hovers proximate to or exits the region.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a predetermined user action; and

making the preview window automatically disappear from being displayed on the display device based on the detected predetermined user action.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the blocks represents an oscilloscope and wherein the preview window displays a data value for the oscilloscope.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

highlighting the content in the preview window.

8. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

displaying on a display device an executable graphical block diagram model in a graphical window, the executable graphical block diagram model having one or more graphical components;

detecting whether a pointer of a pointing device hovers proximate to or enters a region of the displayed graphical block diagram that is associated with a selected one of the graphical components in the displayed executable graphical block diagram model; and

displaying, using a computing device, a preview window in response to detecting that the pointer of the pointing device is hovering proximate to or entering the region, the preview window presenting content of the graphical component associated with the region, the preview window being displayed while the block diagram model is displayed, wherein the graphical component associated with the region is a subsystem and the content includes content of the subsystem, the content of the subsystem being presented in the preview window.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the preview window automatically disappears from being displayed on the display device when the pointer of the pointing device no longer hovers proximate to or exits the region.

10. A system comprising:

a display device;

and

a processor for;

displaying on the display device, an executable block diagram of a model, the executable block diagram displayed in a model window, the executable block diagram having one or more components,

detecting whether a pointer, associated with a pointing device, hovers proximate to or enters a region of the displayed executable block diagram associated with a selected one of the components in the displayed executable block diagram, and

displaying a preview window based on the detecting that the pointer of the pointing device is hovering proximate to or entering the region, the preview window presenting content of the selected one of the components associated with the region, the preview window being displayed while the executable block diagram is displayed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the preview window automatically disappears from being displayed on the display device when the pointer of the pointing device exits the region or no longer hovers proximate to the region.

12. A non-transitory medium for holding instructions executed in a computer, the medium storing one or more instructions for:

displaying on a display device an executable graphical block diagram of a model, the executable graphical block diagram of the model being displayed in a model window, the executable graphical block diagram model having graphical components;

detecting whether there is a selection of a selected one of the graphical components in the executable block diagram model; and

displaying a preview window in response to detecting that there is a selection of the selected one of the graphical components, the preview window presenting content of the selected one of the graphical components, the preview window being displayed on the display device while the executable block diagram model is displayed.

13. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the detecting further comprises:

determining whether a pointer of a pointing device hovers proximate to a region associated with the selected one of the graphical components on the display device.

14. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the preview window automatically disappears from being displayed on the display device upon detection of a predetermined action of the user.

15. The non-transitory of claim 12, wherein the preview window automatically disappears from being displayed on the display device upon detection of the pointer of the pointing device no longer hovers proximate to or exits the region.

16. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the presented content in the preview window includes a graphical representation of one or more sub-components that belong to the selected one of the graphical components.

17. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the presented content is highlighted in the preview window.

18. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the executable block diagram of the model is an executable state chart.

19. The non-transitory medium of claim 12, wherein the executable block diagram model is a time-based executable block diagram.