National Instruments Corporation

Thomas A Makowski

Brian M Johnson

Rajesh Vaidya

Deborah E Bryant

Geoffrey Schmit

Stephen C Thorne

Brent C Schwan

Jonathan Brumley

Christopher T Bartz

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

A system and method for performing a measurement task. A node is displayed in a graphical program, and configured to receive a measurement task specification (MTS). The node may be coupled to an MTS node, or to a configuration node which constructs the MTS at run time. When the program executes, the node receives the MTS, invokes an expert system to analyze the MTS, optionally validate the MTS, generates a run-time specification for the task. The node them invokes a run-time builder to analyze the run-time specification and generate a run-time based on the run-time specification, where the run-time is executable to perform the measurement task. The node may be a read node, a write node, or a start node connected to a read or write node. Additional operations may be performed prior to or during the first iteration, and/or during or after the last iteration, of the task.

Graphical program node for generating a measurement program

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 creating measurement applications. The system includes a measurement task specifier for generating a measurement task specification (MTS) for a measurement task in response to user input; an expert system for analyzing and validating the generated MTS, and generating a run-time specification (RTS) for the measurement task; a run-time builder for analyzing the RTS, configuring one or more measurement devices according to the RTS, and generating a run-time which is executable to perform the measurement task. The system includes a storage system for storing the generated MTS, the generated RTS, and configuration information for one or more measurement devices. The expert system includes one or more measurement experts which analyze all or part of the MTS and populate complete or partial RTSs. The partial RTSs are iteratively populated by other experts to form complete RTSs. Competing RTSs may be assessed and a final RTS selected based upon user preferences.

Measurement system software architecture for easily creating high-performance measurement applications

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

Thomas A Makowski