Systems and methods for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface

• US 20030101425A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Makinen, Bruce Allan
• Granted Patent: US 6,760,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 716/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

Systems and methods for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface are provided. One is a method for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface supported by a computer application. Briefly described, one such method comprises the steps of: providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a first portion for providing a graphical display comprising one or more image objects and a second portion for providing an n-dimensional data structure associated with the graphical display; receiving a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion of the graphical user interface; and populating the n-dimensional data structure based on the selection of the image object.

Claims

1. A method for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface supported by a computer application, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a first portion for providing a graphical display comprising one or more image objects and a second portion for providing an n-dimensional data structure associated with the graphical display;

receiving a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion of the graphical user interface; and

populating the n-dimensional data structure based on the selection of the image object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion is via a cursor manipulated by a mouse.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical display comprises a model of a printed circuit board comprising one or more components having one or more pins soldered to the printed circuit board.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of populating the n-dimensional data structure comprises populating the n-dimensional data structure with information corresponding to the location of the image object selected.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the image objects comprises a pin soldered to the printed circuit board.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of populating the n-dimensional data structure comprises populating the n-dimensional data structure with information related to a component associated with the pin.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of populating the n-dimensional data structure comprises populating the n-dimensional data structure with a pin number associated with the pin.

8. A computer program embodied in a computer-readable medium for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface supported by a computer application, the computer program comprising logic configured to:

provide a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a first portion for providing a graphical display comprising one or more image objects and a second portion for providing an n-dimensional data structure associated with the graphical display;

receive a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion of the graphical user interface; and

populate the n-dimensional data structure based on the selection of the image object.

9. The computer program of claim 8, wherein the logic is further configured to receive a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion via a cursor manipulated by a mouse.

10. The computer program of claim 8, wherein the graphical display comprises a model of a printed circuit board comprising one or more components having one or more pins soldered to the printed circuit board.

11. The computer program of claim 8, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with information corresponding to the location of the image object selected.

12. The computer program of claim 10, wherein at least one of the image objects comprises a pin soldered to the printed circuit board.

13. The computer program of claim 12, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with information related to a component associated with the pin.

14. The computer program of claim 12, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with a pin number associated with the pin.

15. A system for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface supported by a computer application, the system comprising:

a means for providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a first portion for providing a graphical display comprising one or more image objects and a second portion for providing an n-dimensional data structure associated with the graphical display;

a means for receiving a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion of the graphical user interface; and

a means for populating the n-dimensional data structure based on the selection of the image object.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the graphical display comprises a model of a printed circuit board comprising one or more components having one or more pins soldered to the printed circuit board.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for populating the n-dimensional data structure populates the n-dimensional data structure with information corresponding to the location of the image object selected.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the image objects comprises a pin soldered to the printed circuit board.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for populating the n-dimensional data structure populates the n-dimensional data structure with information related to a component associated with the pin.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for populating the n-dimensional data structure populates the n-dimensional data structure with a pin number associated with the pin.

21. A system for linking a graphical display and an n-dimensional data structure in a graphical user interface supported by a computer application, the system comprising:

logic configured to;

provide a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising a first portion for providing a graphical display comprising one or more image objects and a second portion for providing an n-dimensional data structure associated with the graphical display;

receive a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion of the graphical user interface; and

populate the n-dimensional data structure based on the selection of the image object;

a processing device configured to implement the logic; and

a display device configured to support the graphical user interface

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the logic is further configured to receive a user selection of one of the image objects in the first portion via a cursor manipulated by a mouse.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the graphical display comprises a model of a printed circuit board comprising one or more components having one or more pins soldered to the printed circuit board.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with information corresponding to the location of the image object selected.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the image objects comprises a pin soldered to the printed circuit board.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with information related to a component associated with the pin.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the logic is further configured to populate the n-dimensional data structure with a pin number associated with the pin.