Object oriented graphical user interface for a test and measurement instrument

A test and measurement instrument, comprising:

• an input channel;
• a display;
• and
• one or more processors configured to display on the display
• a waveform viewing area to display one or more waveforms,
• a channel badge associated with the input channel, the channel badge including information associated with at least one waveform of the one or more waveforms displayed in the waveform viewing area, the channel badge having a perimeter that does not obstruct the waveform viewing area and
• the one or more processors further configured to receive an error signal associated with the input channel, and, when the error signal is received, change the perimeter of the channel badge to partially obstruct the waveform viewing area, and display a warning symbol on the channel badge until the error signal is removed.

A method comprising:

• displaying a waveform viewing area on a display of a test and measurement instrument;
• displaying a waveform in the waveform viewing area, the waveform representing an input signal received at an input channel of the test and measurement instrument;
• displaying a channel badge associated with the input channel on the display, the channel badge including information associated with the waveform, the displayed channel badge not obstructing the waveform viewing area;
• receiving an error signal associated with an error or safety condition of the test and measurement instrument;
• and
• modifying the displayed channel badge by expanding a dimension of the displayed channel badge to partially obstruct the waveform viewing area in response to the error signal until the error signal is removed.