US 6,724,409 B1 · Tree-based graphical user interface for creating and editing machine control sequences

Abstract

A tree-based graphical user interface (GUI) creates and edits command sequences. The GUI simultaneously displays a tree structure and a list. The tree includes a sequence, which is the root node of the tree, at least one step branching from the sequence node, at least one device branching from each step node, and at least one command branching from each device node. When a step node of the tree is selected, the list displays devices that can be added to the step node. When a device node is selected, the list displays commands that can be added to the step. Items can be added or removed from the selected node. The steps, devices, and commands can be configured by selecting the corresponding node in the tree, and by selecting appropriate options on the screens. Operations can be performed absent knowledge of the underlying code and command sequences.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for generating a tree-based graphical user interface (GUI), the apparatus for generating the tree-based GUI capable of being used to create or edit machine control sequences, the apparatus comprising:

a computer, the computer being programmed to execute GUI generation code and GUI user interaction handling code;
a display device in communication with the computer, wherein when the computer executes the GUI generation code, an item list and a tree structure are simultaneously displayed on the display device, the tree structure comprising a machine control sequence comprised of at least one step, wherein each step includes at least one device to be utilized in the step, the at least one device hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step, and at least one command to be executed in the step, the at least one command hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step and the at least one device, the item list displaying commands that can be added to the tree structure.

A method for creating and editing machine control sequences, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a tree-based graphical user interface (GUI) in a computer, the tree-based GUI being capable of being used by a user to create or edit machine control sequences;
and
displaying the tree-based GUI on a display device in communication with the computer, the tree-based GUI including an item list and a tree structure that are simultaneously displayed on the display device, the tree structure comprising a machine control sequence, comprising at least one step, wherein each step includes at least one device to be utilized in the step, the at least one device hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step, and at least one command to be executed in the step, the at least one command hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step and the at least one device, the item list illustrating commands that can be added to the tree structure.

A computer program for generating a tree-based graphical user interface (GUI) and for handling interactions between a user and the tree-based GUI when the tree-based GUI is displayed on a display device, the computer program enabling a user to interact with the tree-based GUI to create or edit machine control sequences, the computer program being embodied on a computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising:

a first code portion for generating the tree-based GUI and for causing the tree-based GUI to be displayed on the display device, the tree-based GUI including an item list and a tree structure that are simultaneously displayed on the display device, the tree structure comprising a machine control sequence, comprising at least one step, wherein each step includes at least one device to be utilized in the step, the at least one device hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step, and at least one command to be executed in the step, the at least one command hierarchically differentiated within the tree structure from the at least one step and the at least one device, the item list illustrating commands that can be added to the tree structure;
and
a second code portion for handling interactions between a user and the tree-based GUI.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tree-based graphical user interface for creating and editing machine control sequences

Life of this patent

Tree-based graphical user interface for creating and editing machine control sequences

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20