National Instruments Corporation

Rajesh Vaidya

Brian M Johnson

Thomas A Makowski

Deborah E Bryant

Stephen C Thorne

System and method for accessing properties of a pre-defined object in a graphical program (GP) operable to perform first functionality. A node icon is displayed in the GP and coupled to the pre-defined object in response to user input, and is associated with program instructions executable to only provide access to a plurality of properties corresponding to the object, and specifying configuration of the object, where the object is associated with a subset of the first functionality. Available properties of the object are displayed, and user input indicating the plurality of properties received. The GP is executed, including executing the property node to: receive input specifying modification of a property, and modify the property to configure the object to perform the subset of the first functionality; and/or to read the property from the pre-defined object, and provide the property to a graphical program element of the GP, e.g., for display.

Function specific property nodes for graphical programs

A task based polymorphic graphical program node system and method. A node is displayed in a graphical program. First user input is received invoking display of a plurality of function type options for the node, and the function type options for the node displayed. Second user input is received specifying a function type from the function type options. Based on the second user input, program instructions executable to provide functionality in accordance with the specified function type are determined and associated with the node, after which the node is executable in the graphical program to provide the functionality in accordance with the specified function type. Associating the program instructions with the node may include configuring the (possibly generic) node with the program instructions, replacing default program instructions of the node implementing default node functionality with the program instructions, and/or replacing the node with another node that includes the program instructions.

Task based polymorphic graphical program function nodes

Function specific graphical program property nodes

A palette of graphical program nodes, including a display window displaying a plurality of graphical program nodes for use in a graphical program. The graphical program nodes form a hierarchy, and include a first plurality of function nodes, each corresponding to a respective functionality; and a second plurality of property nodes, each corresponding to a respective function node and each specifically providing access to properties of the respective function node. The function nodes are arranged according to typical use in program development, and each property node is displayed proximate to the respective function node. Respective node icons for each function node and corresponding property node may include respective corresponding images indicating the functionality of the nodes. Each function node is preferably a polymorphic function node corresponding to a respective generic functionality, and is type-switchable between each of a plurality of function node types, each corresponding to a respective specific functionality.

Palette of graphical programs nodes

System and method for specifying timing or triggering (TT) in a graphical program (GP). A first polymorphic timing or triggering node (PTTN) is displayed in the GP in response to user input. TT type options for the PTTN are presented in response to user input. User input specifying one of the TT type options is received, and a second TT node (TTN) determined in response which corresponds to the specified type, and which provides TT functionality for the graphical program according to the type. The second TTN replaces the first PTTN in the GP, and connects to function nodes in the GP to provide TT functionality in the GP according to the type. The TTN includes a front panel with controls and/or indicators for interactively setting and/or displaying parameters according to the type, and a block diagram graphically representing the implementation of TT functionality according to the type.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Rajesh Vaidya