Overriding an interface in a graphical block diagram modeling environment

• US 9,442,702 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Inventors: Dalal, Yogesh, Ciolfi, John E., Singh, Sanjai
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhen, Li B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Soltanzadeh, Amir
• Application Number:
  US13/835,918
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

A device receives information that identifies a parameter associated with a masked block that represents elements of a block diagram model that, when executed, simulates a behavior of a system. The masked block is associated with a first user interface that allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the masked block. The device receives an indication that the parameter is to be associated with a derived block that represents the elements of the block diagram model. The derived block inherits one or more properties from the masked block. The device creates the derived block, and associates the derived block with the parameter and a second user interface that allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the derived block. The device outputs or stores information that identifies the parameter, the derived block, and the association between the parameter and the derived block.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

one or more processors to;

receive, via a first user interface, information that identifies a parameter associated with a masked block,

the masked block being associated with a second user interface that identifies the parameter and that allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the masked block, and

the masked block representing one or more elements of a block diagram model,

the block diagram model, when executed, simulating a behavior of a system;

receive, via the first user interface, user input identifying an additional parameter;

receive, via the first user interface, an indication that the parameter and the additional parameter are to be associated with a derived block,

the derived block inheriting one or more properties from the masked block, and

the derived block representing the one or more elements of the block diagram model;

determine whether associating the parameter and the additional parameter with the derived block creates a conflict;

create, based on the indication, the derived block when associating the parameter and the additional parameter with the derived block does not create a conflict,

when creating the derived block, the one or more processors are to create a third user interface based on the second user interface and the additional parameter,

the derived block being associated with the parameter, the additional parameter, and the third user interface,

the third user interface allowing a value of the parameter and a value for the additional parameter to be specified for the derived block,

the first user interface, the second user interface, and the third user interface being associated with the block diagram model;

provide, via the first user interface, an input mechanism that permits navigation through multiple user interfaces included in a mask hierarchy,

the mask hierarchy including the second user interface and the third user interface;

receive an interaction with the input mechanism; and

provide the second user interface or the third user interface for display based on receiving the interaction with the input mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, where the second user interface does not allow a value of the additional parameter to be specified for the masked block, and

where the one or more processors are to output or store information that identifies the additional parameter, the derived block, and an association between the additional parameter and the derived block.

3. The device of claim 1, where the parameter identifies at least one of:

an input to the masked block and the derived block;

an output from the masked block and the derived block;

a manner in which the input is processed by the masked block and the derived block;

or

a manner in which the output is generated by the masked block and the derived block.

4. The device of claim 1, where the one or more properties include at least one of:

initialization code used to specify an initial value of the parameter;

a function associated with the masked block and the derived block;

or

a portion of an icon that represents the masked block and the derived block.

5. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors, when receiving the indication that the parameter and the additional parameter are to be associated with the derived block, are to:

provide, via the first user interface, a plurality of parameters associated with the masked block,

the plurality of parameters including the parameter;

receive a selection of one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters,

the one or more parameters including the parameter; and

receive the indication based on the selection.

6. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are to:

store the derived block in a block diagram library; and

where the one or more processors are further to;

receive a user selection of the derived block from the block diagram library; and

add the derived block to another block diagram model, based on receiving the user selection.

7. The device of claim 1, where the one or more processors are to:

add the derived block to the block diagram model;

receive a value for the parameter via the third user interface; and

execute the block diagram model, having the derived block, to simulate the behavior of the system based on the value for the parameter.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to;

receive, via a first user interface, information that identifies a parameter associated with a first block,

the first block being associated with a second user interface that identifies the parameter and allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the first block,

the first block representing one or more elements of a block diagram model;

receive user input, via the first user interface, of information identifying an additional parameter;

receive, via the first user interface, an indication that the parameter and the additional parameter are to be associated with a second block,

the second block inheriting one or more properties from the first block,

the second block representing the one or more elements of the block diagram model;

determine whether associating the parameter and the additional parameter with the second block creates a conflict;

prevent at least one of the parameter or the additional parameter from being associated with the second block when associating the parameter and the additional parameter with the second block creates a conflict;

create, based on the indication, the second block when associating the parameter and the additional parameter with the second block does not create a conflict,

the one or more instructions to create the second block including one or more instructions to create a third user interface based on;

information selected from the second user interface and the information identifying the additional parameter,

the second block being associated with the parameter, the additional parameter, and the third user interface,

the third user interface allowing a value of the parameter and a value for the additional parameter to be specified for the second block;

provide, via the first user interface, an input mechanism for navigating through information associated with a plurality of blocks included in a block hierarchy,

the block hierarchy including the first block and the second block;

detect an interaction with the input mechanism; and

provide information associated with the first block or the second block based on detecting the interaction with the input mechanism.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the second user interface does not allow a value of the additional parameter to be specified for the first block,

where the first user interface, the second user interface, and the third user interface are associated with the block diagram model, and

where the instructions further comprise one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to output or store information that identifies the additional parameter, the second block, and an association between the additional parameter and the second block.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the parameter identifies at least one of:

an input to the first block and the second block;

an output from the first block and the second block;

a manner in which the input is processed by the first block and the second block;

or

a manner in which the output is generated by the first block and the second block.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more properties include at least one of:

initialization code used to specify an initial value of the parameter;

a function associated with the first block and the second block;

or

a portion of an icon that represents the first block and the second block.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the one or more instructions that cause the processor to receive the indication include one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

provide a plurality of parameters associated with the first block,

the plurality of parameters including the parameter;

receive a selection of one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters,

the one or more parameters including the parameter; and

receive the indication based on the selection.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the instructions further include one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

output or store a hierarchical association among a plurality of blocks,

the plurality of blocks including the first block and the second block,

where the hierarchical association identifies the first block as a base block of the second block, and further identifies the second block as being derived from the first block; and

selectively permit editing of a block, of the plurality of blocks, based on the block being identified as a base block or a derived block.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, where the instructions further include one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

add the second block to the block diagram model,

the block diagram model, when executed, simulating a behavior of a system;

receive a value for the parameter and a value for the additional parameter via the third user interface; and

execute the block diagram model, having the second block, to simulate the behavior of the system based on the value for the parameter and the value for the additional parameter.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a first user interface, information that identifies a first plurality of parameters associated with a masked block that represents one or more elements of a block diagram model,

the masked block being associated with a second user interface that identifies the first plurality of parameters and that allows values of the first plurality of parameters to be specified for the masked block,

the receiving the information being performed by a device;

receiving, via the first user interface, an indication that a parameter, of the first plurality of parameters identified by the second user interface, is to be associated with a derived block that represents at least one of the one or more elements of the block diagram model,

the derived block inheriting one or more properties from the masked block,

the receiving the indication being performed by the device;

receiving, via the first user interface, user input that identifies an additional parameter to be associated with the derived block,

the receiving the user input being performed by the device;

determining whether associating the additional parameter with the derived block creates a conflict,

the determining being performed by the device;

creating, via the first user interface, the derived block based on the indication and the user input when associating the additional parameter with the derived block does not create a conflict,

creating the derived block including creating a third user interface based on information selected from the second user interface and the additional parameter,

the information selected from the second interface including information identifying the parameter,

the derived block being associated with a second plurality of parameters and the third user interface,

the first user interface, the second user interface, and the third user interface being associated with the block diagram model,

the third user interface allowing values of the second plurality of parameters to be specified for the derived block,

the second plurality of parameters including the parameter and the additional parameter,

the second plurality of parameters being different from the first plurality of parameters, and

the creating the derived block being performed by the device;

providing, via the first user interface, an input mechanism for navigating through information associated with a plurality of user interfaces included in a mask hierarchy,

the mask hierarchy including the second user interface and the third user interface,

information identifying the second user interface being provided in a first manner,

information identifying the third user interface being provided in a second manner that differs from the first manner based on the mask hierarchy,

the providing the input mechanism being performed by the device;

detecting an interaction with the input mechanism,

the detecting the interaction being performed by the device; and

providing information associated with the second user interface or the third user interface based on detecting the interaction with the input mechanism,

the providing the information being performed by the device.

16. The method of claim 15, where the second user interface does not allow a value of the additional parameter to be specified for the masked block,

the method further comprising:

associating the additional parameter with the derived block,

where the third user interface allows a value of the parameter and a value of the additional parameter to be specified for the derived block; and

outputting or storing information that identifies the additional parameter, the derived block, and an association between the additional parameter and the derived block.

17. The method of claim 15, where the parameter identifies at least one of:

an input to the masked block and the derived block;

an output from the masked block and the derived block;

a manner in which the input is processed by the masked block and the derived block;

or

a manner in which the output is generated by the masked block and the derived block.

18. The method of claim 15, where the one or more properties include at least one of:

initialization code used to specify an initial value of the parameter;

a function associated with the masked block and the derived block;

or

a portion of an icon that represents the masked block and the derived block.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

adding the derived block to the block diagram model,

the block diagram model, when executed, simulating a behavior of a system;

receiving a value for the parameter via the third user interface; and

executing the block diagram model, having the derived block, to simulate the behavior of the system based on the value, for the parameter, received via the third user interface.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

identifying a block type associated with the masked block;

receiving information identifying at least one of an input port or an output port to be included in the derived block;

receiving information identifying a mask type of the derived block and a description of the derived block; and

where creating the derived block further comprises;

creating the derived block as a same block type as the block type associated with the masked block,

the derived block including the at least one of the input port or the output port.