Graphical display of an animated data stream between devices on a bus

A method of controlling and monitoring devices coupled to a bus structure comprising the steps of:

• a. displaying a plurality of device images each representing a device coupled to the bus structure;
• b. displaying a bus structure representation illustratively coupled to each of the plurality of device images;
• and
• c. displaying an animated data stream between active device images representing data communications between active devices over the bus structure.

A system of controlling and monitoring devices coupled to a bus structure comprising:

• a. a bus structure configured for providing communications between devices;
• b. a plurality of devices coupled to the bus structure for communicating across the bus structure;
• and
• c. a graphical user interface for monitoring and controlling operation of the plurality of devices including:
• i. a plurality of device images each representing a corresponding one of the plurality of devices;
• ii. a bus structure representation illustratively coupled to each of the plurality of device images representing the bus structure;
• and
• iii. an animated data stream illustrated within the bus structure representation between active device images representing data flowing on the bus structure between the devices;
• wherein operation of the devices is controlled through the graphical user interface.

In a system having a control processor, a display, a memory and an input device, a graphical user interface comprising:

• a. a plurality of device images each representing a device coupled to the bus structure;
• b. a bus structure representation coupled to each of the plurality of device images representing the bus structure between the devices;
• and
• c. an animated data stream between appropriate device images for representing data communications between active devices over the bus structure.

In a computer system having a display, a memory and an input device, a graphical user interface comprising:

• a. a plurality of device images each representing a device coupled to the bus structure;
• b. a bus structure representation coupled to each of the plurality of device images representing the bus structure between the devices;
• c. an animated data stream between appropriate device images for representing active devices and data communications between the active devices over the bus structure;
• d. one or more task windows for displaying and selecting potential tasks to be completed by the devices;
• and
• e. a control display window for displaying information and commands relating to a selected task.