US 8,479,218 B2 · Automatically arranging objects in a graphical program block diagram

Abstract

Various embodiments of a system and method for automatically arranging or positioning objects in a block diagram of a graphical program are described. A graphical programming development environment or other software application may be operable to automatically analyze a block diagram of a graphical program, e.g., in order to determine objects present in the block diagram, as well as their initial positions within the block diagram. The graphical programming development environment may then automatically re-position various ones of the objects in the block diagram. In various embodiments, the objects may be re-positioned so as to better organize the block diagram or enable a user to more easily view or understand the block diagram.

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Drawings

Claims27

Dependent claims

A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium comprising program instructions executable to:

display a graphical program on a display, wherein the graphical program includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by wires indicating data flow among the nodes, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, wherein displaying the graphical program comprises displaying the plurality of interconnected nodes in a block diagram on the display, wherein each of the nodes is initially displayed in the block diagram at a respective initial horizontal coordinate;
receive a request to automatically organize the graphical program;
automatically organize the graphical program in response to the request, wherein said automatically organizing comprises:
horizontally ranking the nodes by assigning each respective node to one of a plurality of horizontal ranks, wherein the horizontal ranks divide the block diagram along a horizontal axis, wherein the nodes are assigned to the horizontal ranks based on how the nodes are interconnected by the wires, wherein assigning the nodes to the horizontal ranks indicates a desired horizontal positioning of the nodes relative to each other, wherein for each source node that is connected to one or more target nodes to indicate data flow from the source node to the one or more target nodes, the source node is assigned to a horizontal rank leftward of the respective horizontal rank(s) to which the one or more target nodes are assigned, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes includes a first node connected to a second node by a wire indicating data flow from the first node to the second node, wherein the first node is initially positioned rightward of the second node, wherein the horizontal rank to which the first node is assigned is leftward of the horizontal rank to which the second node is assigned;
and
determining a desired horizontal coordinate for each respective node based on the horizontal rank to which the respective node is assigned, wherein one or more of the nodes has a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate;
and
for each respective node with a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate, automatically re-positioning the respective node to its desired horizontal coordinate within the block diagram, wherein the first node is automatically re-positioned leftward of the second node.

5 more elements

A computer-implemented method comprising:

a computer system displaying a graphical program on a display, wherein the graphical program includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by wires indicating data flow among the nodes, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, wherein displaying the graphical program comprises displaying the plurality of interconnected nodes in a block diagram on the display, wherein each of the nodes is initially displayed in the block diagram at a respective initial horizontal coordinate;
the computer system receiving a request to automatically organize the graphical program;
the computer system automatically organizing the graphical program in response to the request, wherein said automatically organizing comprises:
horizontally ranking the nodes by assigning each respective node to one of a plurality of horizontal ranks, wherein the horizontal ranks divide the block diagram along a horizontal axis, wherein the nodes are assigned to the horizontal ranks based on how the nodes are interconnected by the wires, wherein assigning the nodes to the horizontal ranks indicates a desired horizontal positioning of the nodes relative to each other, wherein for each source node that is connected to one or more target nodes to indicate data flow from the source node to the one or more target nodes, the source node is assigned to a horizontal rank leftward of the respective horizontal rank(s) to which the one or more target nodes are assigned, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes includes a first node connected to a second node by a wire indicating data flow from the first node to the second node, wherein the first node is initially positioned rightward of the second node, wherein the horizontal rank to which the first node is assigned is leftward of the horizontal rank to which the second node is assigned;
and
determining a desired horizontal coordinate for each respective node based on the horizontal rank to which the respective node is assigned, wherein one or more of the nodes has a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate;
and
for each respective node with a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate, automatically re-positioning the respective node to its desired horizontal coordinate within the block diagram, wherein the first node is automatically re-positioned leftward of the second node.

5 more elements

A computer system comprising:

one or more processors;
memory storing program instructions;
and
a display device;
wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to:
display a graphical program on the display device, wherein the graphical program includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by wires indicating data flow among the nodes, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the graphical program, wherein displaying the graphical program comprises displaying the plurality of interconnected nodes in a block diagram on the display, wherein each of the nodes is initially displayed in the block diagram at a respective initial horizontal coordinate;
receive a request to automatically organize the graphical program;
automatically organize the graphical program in response to the request, wherein said automatically organizing comprises:
horizontally ranking the nodes by assigning each respective node to one of a plurality of horizontal ranks, wherein the horizontal ranks divide the block diagram along a horizontal axis, wherein the nodes are assigned to the horizontal ranks based on how the nodes are interconnected by the wires, wherein assigning the nodes to the horizontal ranks indicates a desired horizontal positioning of the nodes relative to each other, wherein for each source node that is connected to one or more target nodes to indicate data flow from the source node to the one or more target nodes, the source node is assigned to a horizontal rank leftward of the respective horizontal rank(s) to which the one or more target nodes are assigned, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes includes a first node connected to a second node by a wire indicating data flow from the first node to the second node, wherein the first node is initially positioned rightward of the second node, wherein the horizontal rank to which the first node is assigned is leftward of the horizontal rank to which the second node is assigned;
and
determining a desired horizontal coordinate for each respective node based on the horizontal rank to which the respective node is assigned, wherein one or more of the nodes has a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate;
and
for each respective node with a desired horizontal coordinate different from its initial horizontal coordinate, automatically re-positioning the respective node to its desired horizontal coordinate within the block diagram, wherein the first node is automatically re-positioned leftward of the second node.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description12,753 words

Summary423 words

#The present invention relates to the field of graphical programming, and more particularly to a system and method for automatically arranging or positioning objects in a block diagram of a graphical program.

#Traditionally, text-based programming languages have been used by programmers in writing application programs. Many different text-based programming languages exist, including BASIC, C, C++, Visual C++, Java, FORTRAN, Pascal, COBOL, ADA, APL, etc. Increasingly, computers are required to be used and programmed by those who are not highly trained in computer programming techniques. When traditional text-based programming languages are used, the user's programming skills and ability to interact with the computer system often become a limiting factor in the user's efficiency of creating a computer program.

#Graphical programming development environments that enable a user to create a program in a graphical manner without necessarily writing source code in a text-based programming language have been developed. Graphical programming development environments enable a user to create a software program by including a plurality of nodes or icons in a block diagram and interconnecting the nodes or icons, e.g., such that the interconnected plurality of nodes or icons visually indicates functionality of the resulting software program (called a “graphical program”). The resulting interconnected nodes may visually indicate a function or process performed by the graphical program during its execution.

Brief description of the drawings35 figures

#A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computer system that may execute a graphical programming development environment application that implements the automatic arrangement of objects in a graphical program block diagram;

#FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary instrumentation control system 100;

Detailed description11,512 words

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

#Incorporation by Reference:

#The following references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein:

Facts

Application

11/774,651Filed 9 Jul 2007

Published

US 2009/0019453 A115 Jan 2009

Granted

2 Jul 2013

Term ends

19 Nov 2030

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 1,229 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification3 codes

G06F 8/10
Arrangements for software engineering: requirements analysis; Specification techniques
G06F 2111/12
Details relating to CAD techniques: symbolic schematics
G06F
Computing and data processing

Timeline

9 Jul 2007Application filedUS 11/774,651
9 Jul 2007Assigned to National Instruments Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
15 Jan 2009PublishedUS 2009/0019453 A1
8 Dec 2010Assigned to National Instruments Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
2 Jul 2013GrantedUS 8,479,218 B2
14 Jun 2020Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationsecurity interest
18 Jun 2021Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationsecurity interest
13 Oct 2023Assigned to National Instruments Corporationrelease of security interest in patents (reel/frame 057280/0028)
13 Oct 2023Assigned to National Instruments Corporation, Phase Matrix, Inc.release of security interest in patents (reel/frame 052935/0001)
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
19 Nov 2030Term endsEstimated, includes 1,229 days of adjustment

Automatically arranging objects in a graphical program block diagram

Life of this patent

Automatically arranging objects in a graphical program block diagram

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims27

Description12,753 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description12,753 words