Virtual machine programming system

• US RE42,579 E1
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Peckol, James K., Bhaskar, Kasi S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yigdall; Michael J
• Application Number:
  US11/443,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

A system for programming a computer provides a set of software-based virtual machines each for instructing a computer to carry out a selected operation. Each virtual machine is represented by a virtual front panel displayed on a screen and each virtual front panel graphically displays operator controllable values of input and output parameters utilized by the virtual machine it represents. The system is adapted to synthesize a new virtual machine for instructing the computer to perform a sequence of operations wherein each operation is carried out by the computer according to the instructions of an operator selected one of the existing virtual machines. The system also creates a new virtual front panel for displaying input and output parameters associated with the new virtual machine. The system permits the operator to program the computer by directing synthesis of a hierarchy of virtual machines.

Claims

1. An instrumentation system comprising:

a computer;

a plurality of instruments selectively controlled by input data and producing output data;

bus means connecting said instruments to said computer for conveying input data and output data to and from selected instruments;

a screen controlled by, said computer; and

software controlling operation of said computer implementing a plurality of virtual machines each comprising a set of computer instructions, said virtual machines being associated with respective ones of said instruments for providing input thereto or receiving output therefrom, a virtual machine controlling display on said screen of a virtual front panel depicting an instrument and able to display a representation of data associated with an instrument represented by a virtual front panel;

said software further comprising;

software responsive to operator input for enabling a selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said computer being responsive to said selection for generating a new virtual machine comprising a combined set of the computer instructions which comprises the virtual machines associated with the selection of ones of said virtual front panels, said new virtual machine controlling display of a new virtual front panel on said screen including representation of values conveyed on said bus with respect to instruments represented by said selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said new virtual machine initiating transmission of input data to one of said instruments in response to changes in values of input data represented by said new virtual front panel and for portraying an output data value as represented by the new virtual front panel in response to output data received from another one of said instruments.

2. An instrumentation system for carrying out a procedure with respect to equipment being tested by the instrumentation system, comprising:

a computer;

bus means coupled to said computer wherein said bus means carries data to and from said computer;

instrumentation also coupled to said bus means, at least a portion of said instrumentation receiving data from said computer via said bus means and at least a portion of said instrumentation supplying data to said computer via said bus means;

means for coupling at least a portion of said instrumentation to equipment under test; and

a screen controlled by said computer;

wherein said computer is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least one virtual front panel representing at least a said portion of said instrumentation, wherein said software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to a said at least one virtual front panel for controlling coupling of data with a said portion of said instrumentation;

wherein said software provides at least one second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about performance of a computer operation as well as display on said screen of another virtual front panel representing a said computer operation; and

wherein said software is operable in response to operator designation of virtual machines by selection of front panels to generate a combined instruction set from said first and second instruction sets which provides a further front panel, said combined instruction set conjointly controlling said instrumentation for carrying out said procedure.

3. An instrumentation system comprising:

a computer;

an instrument;

bus means connecting the instrument to the computer to provide data interchange therebetween;

a screen controlled by said computer;

means conveying user input including input commands to said computer; and

memory means storing software in execution by said computer implementing a collection of virtual machines, each virtual machine of said collection of virtual machines comprising a set of instructions, said collection of virtual machines including;

a first virtual machine responsive to data on said bus means and displaying on said screen a first virtual front panel representing said instrument; and

a plurality of second virtual machines, each producing designated operation output data in response to operation input data, and displaying a separate second virtual front panel on said screen, wherein said first and second virtual machines respond to input commands by generating output computer instructions corresponding to the sets of instructions of said first and second virtual machine;

said software further implementing software generation responding to user input selecting ones of said virtual machines by combining the output computer instructions generated by said first and second virtual machines in response to input commands to form new software implementing a third virtual machine performing operations corresponding to the operations of selected first and second virtual machines.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3 wherein at least one of said first, second and third virtual front panels displays an input data value and wherein a virtual machine controlling said at least one virtual front panel comprises means for providing input to said software for adjusting said input data value in response to user input.

5. For an instrumentation system comprising a computer, an instrument, bus means connecting the instrument to the computer, a screen controlled by said computer, and means conveying user input including input commands to said computer, a method for controlling said instrument and displaying values relating thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

executing software implementing a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to said instrument and displaying on said screen a first virtual front panel representing said instrument, and implementing a plurality of second virtual machines comprising second sets of computer instructions, each for producing operation output data in response to operation input data and displaying a second virtual front panel on said screen representing an operation controlled by the second virtual machine, wherein said first and second virtual machines respond to input commands for selecting said first and second virtual machines by generating output computer instructions representative of the respective instruction sets of the selected first and second virtual machines;

transmitting said input commands to said software pertaining to ones of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input;

combining output computer instructions generated by said ones of said first and second virtual machines in response to said input commands to form new software implementing a third virtual machine executing a sequence of operations synthesizing the operations of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input and displaying on said screen a third virtual front panel representing said third virtual machine, wherein said user input further defines the sources and destinations of input and output data for said first and second virtual machines as synthesized by said third virtual machine; and

executing said new software implementing said third virtual machine.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said third virtual front panel displays at least one value of instrument output data and wherein the step of executing said new software comprises the step of adjustment of said instrument in response to user input.

7. An instrumentation system for conducting a procedure with respect to a device under test, comprising:

a computer;

a plurality of instruments adapted for coupling to said device under test; and

bus means connecting said instruments to said computer for providing data communication between said instruments and said computer;

said computer being controlled by software implementing a plurality of selectable virtual machines, said virtual machines being associated with said plurality of instruments, a said virtual machine comprising a set of instructions controlling a corresponding instrument and display on said screen of a corresponding virtual front panel;

said software further comprising;

software responsive to operator input for enabling selection of ones of said virtual front panels;

said computer being responsive to said selection for generating a new virtual machine, said new virtual machine controlling display of a new virtual front panel on said screen;

said new virtual machine initiating data transmission with ones of said instruments in response to operator interaction with said new virtual front panel.

8. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines.

9. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation, wherein said first virtual front panel is associated with a first virtual machine;

wherein said computer software is operable to receive user input selecting a type of said first virtual front panel associated with said first virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements said first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines.

10. The instrumentation system of claim 9, wherein the type of the virtual front panel comprises at least one of:

a bar graph, a meter, a logarithmic graph or meter, an alphanumeric readout, simulated lamps, or selector lists.

11. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

wherein the first virtual machine comprises at least one input parameter, wherein a type of the at least one input parameter is operable to be displayed on the screen;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines, wherein the computer software is operable to receive operator input specifying a desired parameter type for the at least one input parameter, wherein said received input is specified using a cursor, and wherein the input parameter is usable by the computer software to specify said interrelationship between said selected virtual machines.

12. The instrumentation system of claim 11,

wherein the new virtual machine is configured to use the at least one input parameter.

13. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

wherein the first virtual machine comprises at least one output parameter, wherein a type of the at least one output parameter is operable to be displayed on the screen;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines, wherein the computer software is operable to receive operator input specifying a desired parameter type for the at least one output parameter, wherein said received input is specified using a cursor, and wherein the output parameter is usable by the computer software to specify said interrelationship between said selected virtual machines.

14. The instrumentation system of claim 13,

wherein the new virtual machine is configured to use the at least one output parameter.

15. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines;

said computer software further implements user initiated testing of the first virtual machine, wherein said testing of the first virtual machine is operable to be performed before said defining the new virtual machine.

16. The instrumentation system of claim 15,

wherein during said testing said computer software is operable to display the output data from said instrumentation in the first virtual front panel.

17. The instrumentation system of claim 15,

wherein said user initiated testing operates to test the first virtual machine and said instrumentation.

18. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

a pointing means for pointing to a location on the screen, wherein the pointing means is coupled to the computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines;

wherein said computer software further implements one or more operations on the first virtual front panel in response to operator input to the pointing means, wherein the one or more operations comprise one or more of resizing the first virtual front panel, moving the first virtual front panel, or closing the first virtual front panel.

19. The instrumentation system of claim 18,

wherein said operator controlled selection comprises receiving input from the pointing means, wherein said input is indicative of selection of at least one of said first virtual machine or said second virtual machine.

20. The instrumentation system of claim 18,

wherein the first virtual front panel is displayed in a window, wherein said resizing the first virtual front panel comprises receiving input from the operator resizing the first virtual front panel as displayed on the screen by moving a corner of the window.

21. The instrumentation system of claim 18,

wherein said moving the first virtual front panel comprises receiving input from the operator relocating the first virtual front panel as displayed on the screen to a new position.

22. The instrumentation system of claim 18,

wherein said closing the first virtual front panel comprises removing the first virtual front panel from view on the screen.

23. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

pointing means for pointing to a location on the screen, wherein the pointing means is coupled to the computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines;

wherein said computer software further implements inspecting the first virtual machine in response to user input to the pointing means.

24. The instrumentation system of claim 23,

wherein said inspecting the first virtual machine comprises displaying information about the first virtual machine.

25. The instrumentation system of claim 23,

wherein the user input to the pointing means to inspect the first virtual machine comprises user input provided to the first virtual front panel.

26. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

pointing means for pointing to a location on the screen, wherein the pointing means is coupled to the computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means; and

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines;

wherein said computer software further implements creating a new instance of the first virtual machine in response to user input to the pointing means.

27. The instrumentation system of claim 26,

wherein said creating a new instance of the first virtual machine comprises creating a new instance of the selected virtual machine in response to the user input to the pointing means.

28. The instrumentation system of claim 26,

wherein the user input to the pointing means to inspect the first virtual machine comprises user input provided to the first virtual front panel.

29. An instrumentation system comprising:

a computer;

an instrument;

bus means connecting the instrument to the computer to provide data interchange therebetween;

a screen controlled by said computer;

means conveying user input including input commands to said computer; and

memory means storing software in execution by said computer implementing a collection of virtual machines, each virtual machine of said collection of virtual machines comprising a set of instructions, said collection of virtual machines including;

a first virtual machine responsive to data on said bus means and displaying on said screen a first virtual front panel representing said instrument; and

a plurality of second virtual machines, each producing designated operation output data in response to operation input data, and displaying a separate second virtual front panel on said screen, wherein said first and second virtual machines respond to input commands by generating output computer instructions corresponding to the sets of instructions of said first and second virtual machine;

said software further implementing software generation responding to user input selecting ones of said virtual machines by combining the output computer instructions generated by said first and second virtual machines in response to input commands to form new software implementing a third virtual machine performing operations corresponding to the operations of selected first and second virtual machines;

wherein the user input selecting ones of said virtual machines comprises receiving input indicative of one or more objects displayed on the screen, wherein the one or more objects are representative of one or more virtual machines.

30. The instrumentation system of claim 29, further comprising:

pointing means for pointing to a location on the screen, wherein the pointing means is coupled to the computer, and wherein the user input selecting ones of said virtual machines comprises receiving input indicative of the one or more displayed objects from the pointing means.

31. The instrumentation system of claim 29,

wherein said user input selecting ones of said virtual machines operates to perform one or more operations on the selected virtual machine.

32. The instrumentation system of claim 31,

wherein the one or more operations comprise adjusting display of the first virtual front panel.

33. The instrumentation system of claim 31,

wherein the one or more operations comprise user initiated testing of the first virtual machine, wherein said testing of the first virtual machine is operable to be performed before said defining the new virtual machine.

34. The instrumentation system of claim 33,

wherein during said testing said software is operable to display the output data from the instrument in the first virtual front panel.

35. The instrumentation system of claim 33,

wherein said user initiated testing operates to test the first virtual machine and said instrument.

36. An instrumentation system for conducting a procedure with respect to a device under test, comprising:

a computer;

a plurality of instruments adapted for coupling to said device under test; and

bus means connecting said instruments to said computer for providing data communication between said instruments and said computer;

said computer being controlled by software implementing a plurality of selectable virtual machines, said virtual machines being associated with said plurality of instruments, a said virtual machine comprising a set of instructions controlling a corresponding instrument and display on said screen of a corresponding virtual front panel;

said software further comprising;

software responsive to operator input for enabling selection of ones of said virtual front panels;

said computer being responsive to said selection for generating a new virtual machine, said new virtual machine controlling display of a new virtual front panel on said screen;

said new virtual machine initiating data transmission with ones of said instruments in response to operator interaction with said new virtual front panel;

wherein the corresponding instrument comprises a real front panel, wherein the corresponding virtual front panel corresponds to the real front panel.

37. The instrumentation system of claim 36,

wherein the real front panel comprises one or more inputs corresponding to one or more inputs on the corresponding virtual front panel.

38. The instrumentation system of claim 36,

wherein the real front panel comprises one or more outputs corresponding to one or more outputs on the corresponding virtual front panel.

39. The instrumentation system of claim 36

wherein selection of ones of said virtual front panels is operable to enable user initiated testing of the virtual machine, wherein said testing of the virtual machine is operable to be performed before said generating the new virtual machine.

40. The instrumentation system of claim 39,

wherein during said testing said software is operable to display the output data from the corresponding instrument in the corresponding virtual front panel.

41. The instrumentation system of claim 39,

wherein said user initiated testing operates to test the virtual machine and the corresponding instrument.

42. An instrumentation system comprising:

computer means;

instrumentation which operates according to input data for producing output data;

bus means connecting the instrumentation to the computer means for carrying said input data from said computer means to said instrumentation and for carrying said output data from said instrumentation to said computer means,

wherein the instrumentation comprises one or more computer-based instruments adapted for performing a test;

a screen controlled by said computer means;

wherein said computer means is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least a first virtual front panel graphically depicting said instrumentation;

wherein said computer software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions for controlling the receipt by said computer means via said bus means of said output data from said instrumentation and a second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about a computer operation;

said computer software controlling display on said screen of a second virtual front panel associated with said second virtual machine;

wherein said computer software implements operator controlled selection of ones of said first and second virtual machines to carry out a programmed process involving said instrumentation; and

wherein said computer software further implements synthesizing a new virtual machine wherein said new virtual machine is defined by the selected virtual machine and operator selected interrelationship between said selected virtual machines;

wherein a first of the one or more instruments comprises a first real front panel, wherein the first virtual front panel corresponds to the first real front panel.

43. The instrumentation system of claim 42,

wherein the computer-based instruments comprise one or more of voltmeters, signal generators, or other instruments for testing a device under test.

44. The instrumentation system of claim 42,

wherein the first real front panel comprises one or more inputs corresponding to one or more inputs on the first virtual front panel.

45. The instrumentation system of claim 42,

wherein the first real front panel comprises one or more outputs corresponding to one or more outputs on the first virtual front panel.

46. The instrumentation system of claim 42,

wherein operator controlled selection operates to enable user initiated testing of the first virtual machine, wherein said testing of the first virtual machine is operable to be performed before said synthesizing the new virtual machine.

47. The instrumentation system of claim 46,

wherein during said testing said computer software is operable to display the output data from the first instrument in the first virtual front panel.

48. The instrumentation system of claim 46,

wherein said user initiated testing operates to test the first virtual machine and the first instrument.

49. An instrumentation system for carrying out a procedure with respect to equipment being tested by the instrumentation system, comprising:

a computer;

bus means coupled to said computer wherein said bus means carries data to and from said computer;

instrumentation also coupled to said bus means, at least a portion of said instrumentation receiving data from said computer via said bus means and at least a portion of said instrumentation supplying data to said computer via said bus means;

means for coupling at least a portion of said instrumentation to equipment under test; and

a screen controlled by said computer;

wherein said computer is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least one virtual front panel representing at least a said portion of said instrumentation, wherein said software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to a said at least one virtual front panel for controlling coupling of data with a said portion of said instrumentation;

wherein said software provides at least one second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about performance of a computer operation as well as display on said screen of another virtual front panel representing a said computer operation; and

wherein said software is operable in response to operator designation of virtual machines by selection of front panels to generate a combined instruction set from said first and second instruction sets which provides a further front panel, said combined instruction set conjointly controlling said instrumentation for carrying out said procedure; and

wherein said software is further operable to respond to operator designation of a value on the first front panel for the first virtual machine, wherein the selected value is generated into the output computer instruction.

50. For an instrumentation system comprising a computer, an instrument, bus means connecting the instrument to the computer, a screen controlled by said computer, and means conveying user input including input commands to said computer, a method for controlling said instrument and displaying values relating thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

executing software implementing a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to said instrument and displaying on said screen a first virtual front panel representing said instrument, and implementing a plurality of second virtual machines comprising second sets of computer instructions, each for producing operation output data in response to operation input data and displaying a second virtual front panel on said screen representing an operation controlled by the second virtual machine, wherein said first and second virtual machines respond to input commands for selecting said first and second virtual machines by generating output computer instructions representative of the respective instruction sets of the selected first and second virtual machines;

transmitting said input commands to said software pertaining to ones of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input;

combining output computer instructions generated by said ones of said first and second virtual machines in response to said input commands to form new software implementing a third virtual machine executing a sequence of operations synthesizing the operations of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input and displaying on said screen a third virtual front panel representing said third virtual machine, wherein said user input further defines the sources and destinations of input and output data for said first and second virtual machines as synthesized by said third virtual machine; and

combining values in response to said input commands for the one or more of the input or output data for one or more of said first and second virtual machines in the new software implementing the third virtual machine; and

executing said new software implementing said third virtual machine.

51. An instrumentation system comprising:

a computer;

a plurality of instruments selectively controlled by input data and producing output data;

bus means connecting said instruments to said computer for conveying input data and output data to and from selected instruments;

a screen controlled by said computer; and

software controlling operation of said computer implementing a plurality of virtual machines each comprising a set of computer instructions, said virtual machines being associated with respective ones of said instruments for providing input thereto or receiving output therefrom, a virtual machine controlling display on said screen of a virtual front panel depicting an instrument and able to display a representation of data associated with an instrument represented by a virtual front panel;

said software further comprising;

software responsive to operator input for enabling a selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said computer being responsive to said selection for generating a new virtual machine comprising a combined set of the computer instructions which comprises the virtual machines associated with the selection of ones of said virtual front panels, said new virtual machine controlling display of a new virtual front panel on said screen including representation of values conveyed on said bus with respect to instruments represented by said selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said new virtual machine initiating transmission of input data to one of said instruments in response to changes in values of input data represented by said new virtual front panel and for portraying an output data value as represented by the new virtual front panel in response to output data received from another one of said instruments;

wherein said computer software is responsive to operator input selecting a type of the new virtual front panel associated with the new virtual machine.

52. An instrumentation system for carrying out a procedure with respect to equipment being tested by the instrumentation system, comprising:

a computer;

bus means coupled to said computer wherein said bus means carries data to and from said computer;

instrumentation also coupled to said bus means, at least a portion of said instrumentation receiving data from said computer via said bus means and at least a portion of said instrumentation supplying data to said computer via said bus means;

means for coupling at least a portion of said instrumentation to equipment under test; and

a screen controlled by said computer;

wherein said computer is controlled by software for displaying on said screen at least one virtual front panel representing at least a said portion of said instrumentation, wherein said software implements a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to a said at least one virtual front panel for controlling coupling of data with a said portion of said instrumentation;

wherein said software provides at least one second virtual machine comprising a second set of computer instructions for bringing about performance of a computer operation as well as display on said screen of another virtual front panel representing a said computer operation; and

wherein said software is operable in response to operator designation of virtual machines by selection of front panels to generate a combined instruction set from said first and second instruction sets which provides a further front panel, said combined instruction set conjointly controlling said instrumentation for carrying out said procedure; and

wherein said operator designation of virtual machines by selection of front panels comprises receiving one or more inputs indicative of one or more objects on the screen, wherein the indicated one or more objects comprise one or more objects corresponding to one or more front panels.

53. An instrumentation system comprising:

a computer;

a plurality of instruments selectively controlled by input data and producing output data;

bus means connecting said instruments to said computer for conveying input data and output data to and from selected instruments;

a screen controlled by said computer; and

software controlling operation of said computer implementing a plurality of virtual machines each comprising a set of computer instructions, said virtual machines being associated with respective ones of said instruments for providing input thereto or receiving output therefrom, a virtual machine controlling display on said screen of a virtual front panel depicting an instrument and able to display a representation of data associated with an instrument represented by a virtual front panel;

said software further comprising;

software responsive to operator input for enabling a selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said computer being responsive to said selection for generating a new virtual machine comprising a combined set of the computer instructions which comprises the virtual machines associated with the selection of ones of said virtual front panels, said new virtual machine controlling display of a new virtual front panel on said screen including representation of values conveyed on said bus with respect to instruments represented by said selection of ones of said virtual front panels,

said new virtual machine initiating transmission of input data to one of said instruments in response to changes in values of input data represented by said new virtual front panel and for portraying an output data value as represented by the new virtual front panel in response to output data received from another one of said instruments;

said software further controlling user initiated testing of the virtual machine, wherein said testing of the virtual machine is operable to be performed before said generating the new virtual machine.

54. For an instrumentation system comprising a computer, an instrument, bus means connecting the instrument to the computer, a screen controlled by said computer, and means conveying user input including input commands to said computer, a method for controlling said instrument and displaying values relating thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

executing software implementing a first virtual machine comprising a first set of computer instructions corresponding to said instrument and displaying on said screen a first virtual front panel representing said instrument, and implementing a plurality of second virtual machines comprising second sets of computer instructions, each for producing operation output data in response to operation input data and displaying a second virtual front panel on said screen representing an operation controlled by the second virtual machine, wherein said first and second virtual machines respond to input commands for selecting said first and second virtual machines by generating output computer instructions representative of the respective instruction sets of the selected first and second virtual machines;

wherein said input commands for selecting said first and second virtual machines are indicative of objects displayed on the screen, wherein said displayed objects comprise one or more objects corresponding to said first virtual machine and one or more of said plurality of second virtual machines;

wherein said user input selecting ones of said virtual machines operates to perform one or more operations on the selected virtual machine;

transmitting said input commands to said software pertaining to ones of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input;

combining output computer instructions generated by said ones of said first and second virtual machines in response to said input commands to form new software implementing a third virtual machine executing a sequence of operations synthesizing the operations of said first and second virtual machines selected in response to user input and displaying on said screen a third virtual front panel representing said third virtual machine, wherein said user input further defines the sources and destinations of input and output data for said first and second virtual machines as synthesized by said third virtual machine; and

executing said new software implementing said third virtual machine.

55. The instrumentation system of claim 54,

wherein the one or more operations comprise adjusting display of the first virtual front panel.

56. The instrumentation system of claim 54,

wherein the one or more operations comprise user initiated testing of the first virtual machine, wherein said testing of the first virtual machine is operable to be performed before said implementing the third virtual machine.