Patent US2046254A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7076411B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation using a plurality of graphical programs that share a single graphical user interface
Assignee: National Instruments Corp
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Filing: 2002-01-15
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Granted: 2006-07-11
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Expires: 2022-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation using a plurality of graphical programs that share a single graphical user interface. A first graphical program that models a physical system may be created. The first graphical program may be deployed on a first computer system for execution. A second graphical program that performs a measurement function may be created. A control unit may be coupled to the first computer system. The first graphical program may be executed on the first computer system to simulate operation of the physical system, wherein the control unit interacts with the first computer system. The second graphical program may be executed to measure characteristics of the operation of the control unit. A single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program may be displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Mike Santori
- 👤 John Limroth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for evaluating operation of a control unit, the method comprising: creating a first graphical program that models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program is created in a first graphical program development environment; deploying the first graphical program on a first computer system for execution; creating a second graphical program that performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program is created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; coupling a control unit to the first computer system, wherein the control unit interacts with the first computer system; executing the first graphical program on the first computer system to simulate operation of the physical system; executing the second graphical program to measure characteristics of the operation of the control unit; and displaying a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for evaluating operation of a control unit, the method comprising: creating a first graphical program that models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program is created in a first graphical program development environment; deploying the first graphical program on a first computer system for execution; creating a second graphical program that performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program is created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; coupling a control unit to the first computer system, wherein the control unit interacts with the first computer system; executing the first graphical program on the first computer system to simulate operation of the physical system; executing the second graphical program to measure characteristics of the operation of the control unit; and displaying a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program display one or more parameters related to operation of the first graphical program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a model of the physical system; wherein the one or more parameters affect operation of the model of the physical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: receiving user input to one of the first one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the first graphical program during said executing the first graphical program; wherein the user input operates to adjust the model of the physical system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program display information related to simulation of the physical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program display measured characteristics relating to operation of the control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving user input to one of the second one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the measurement function during said executing the second graphical program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program display information related to performance of the control unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving user input to one of the second one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the control unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: coupling a second computer system to the control unit; wherein said executing the second graphical program comprises executing the second graphical program on the second computer system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the second graphical program is executable to cause the second computer system to interface with the control unit through one or more instruments to measure characteristics of the control unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising: displaying the single graphical user interface on one or more of: a display screen of the first computer system; and a display screen of the second computer system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said control unit interacting with the first computer system comprises the control unit affecting the simulated operation of the physical system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first computer system comprises a real-time computer system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first computer system is a board included in a slot of a second computer system; wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system for execution comprises configuring the board to execute the first graphical program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first computer system is external to a second computer system; wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system for execution comprises transferring the first graphical program from the first computer system to the second computer system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system comprises storing the first graphical program in a memory of the first computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the memory of the first computer system stores a graphical program execution engine for executing graphical programs created in the first graphical program development environment; wherein said executing the first graphical program includes executing the graphical program execution engine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system comprises: converting the first graphical program to machine language code; and storing the machine language code in a memory of the first computer system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system comprises: converting the first graphical program to a program in a text-based programming language; compiling the program in the text-based programming language to machine language code; and storing the machine language code in a memory of the first computer system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first computer system includes a programmable hardware element; wherein said deploying the first graphical program on the first computer system comprises: converting the first graphical program to a hardware configuration program; and configuring the programmable hardware element on the first computer system according to the hardware configuration program.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said control unit interacting with the first computer system comprises the control unit controlling the first computer system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: assembling the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements on a display in response to user input.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: assembling the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements on a single window of a display in response to user input.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements are selected from the first graphical program development environment; and wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements are selected from the second graphical program development environment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements are selected from the second graphical program development environment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements are selected from the first graphical program development environment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: creating the single graphical user interface in response to user input, wherein said creating includes selecting the first one or more graphical user interface elements from the first graphical program development environment and selecting the second one or more graphical user interface elements from the second graphical program development environment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: selecting the first one or more graphical user interface elements from the first graphical program development environment; creating the single graphical user interface in the second graphical program development environment, wherein said creating comprises including the first one or more graphical user interface elements selected from the first graphical program development environment in the single graphical user interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein said creating the single graphical user interface in the second graphical program development environment includes selecting the second one or more graphical user interface elements from the second graphical program development environment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the single graphical user interface comprises a single window containing the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the single graphical user interface comprises a single front panel containing the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements comprise: one or more graphical user interface elements for receiving user input and providing the user input to the first graphical program; and one or more graphical user interface elements for displaying output from the first graphical program.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements comprise: one or more graphical user interface elements for receiving user input and providing the user input to the second graphical program; and one or more graphical user interface elements for displaying output from the second graphical program.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said executing the second graphical program is performed concurrently with at least a portion of said executing the first graphical program.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured characteristics of the operation of the control unit are useful in analyzing operation of the control unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the first graphical program.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the second graphical program.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a block diagram.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second graphical program comprises a block diagram.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical program comprises one of a data flow diagram or a control flow diagram; and wherein the second graphical program comprises one of a data flow diagram or a control flow diagram.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical program comprises one of a data flow diagram and/or a state transition diagram; wherein the second graphical program comprises a data flow diagram.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a Simulink diagram.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second graphical program comprises a LabVIEW diagram.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method performs a hardware-in-the-loop simulation.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for evaluating operation of a control unit, the system comprising: a first computer system configured to execute a first graphical program, wherein the first graphical program models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program was created in a first graphical program development environment; a control unit coupled to the first computer system; a second computer system coupled to the control unit, wherein the second computer system is configured to execute a second graphical program, wherein the second graphical program performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program was created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; wherein the first computer system is operable to execute the first graphical program to simulate operation of the physical system; wherein the control unit is operable to interact with the first computer system to affect the simulated operation of the physical system; wherein the second computer system is operable to execute the second graphical program to measure characteristics of operation of the control unit; and wherein one or more of the first computer system and the second computer system are operable to display a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for evaluating operation of a control unit, the system comprising: a first computer system configured to execute a first graphical program, wherein the first graphical program models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program was created in a first graphical program development environment; a control unit coupled to the first computer system; a second computer system coupled to the control unit, wherein the second computer system is configured to execute a second graphical program, wherein the second graphical program performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program was created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; wherein the first computer system is operable to execute the first graphical program to simulate operation of the physical system; wherein the control unit is operable to interact with the first computer system to affect the simulated operation of the physical system; wherein the second computer system is operable to execute the second graphical program to measure characteristics of operation of the control unit; and wherein one or more of the first computer system and the second computer system are operable to display a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
107 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program display one or more parameters related to operation of the first graphical program; wherein the first graphical program comprises a model of the physical system; wherein the one or more parameters affect operation of the model of the physical system; wherein the system further comprises a user input device for receiving user input to one of the first one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the first graphical program; wherein the user input operates to adjust the model of the physical system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program display measured characteristics relating to operation of the control unit; wherein the system further comprises a user input device for receiving user input to one of the second one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the measurement function.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program display information related to performance of the control unit; wherein the system further comprises a user input device for receiving user input to one of the second one or more graphical user interface elements to adjust operation of the control unit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first computer system includes a processor and memory; wherein the memory of the first computer system stores the first graphical program; wherein the memory of the first computer system also stores a graphical program execution engine for executing graphical programs created in the first graphical program development environment; wherein the processor in the first computer system is operable to execute the graphical program execution engine in executing the first graphical program.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first computer system includes a processor and memory; wherein the memory of the first computer system stores executable code created from the first graphical program; and wherein the processor in the first computer system is operable to execute the executable code.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first computer system includes a programmable hardware element; wherein the programmable hardware element is configured with a hardware configuration program based on the first graphical program.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the single graphical user interface comprises a single window containing the first one or more graphical user interface elements and the second one or more graphical user interface elements.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the first graphical program.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the second graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes which visually indicate functionality of the second graphical program.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the first graphical program comprises a data flow diagram; and wherein the second graphical program comprises one of a data flow diagram or a control flow diagram.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 46 , wherein the system performs a hardware-in-the-loop simulation.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, the method comprising: creating a first graphical program that models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program is created in a first graphical program development environment; deploying the first graphical program on a first computer system for execution; creating a second graphical program that performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program is created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; coupling a control unit to the first computer system; executing the first graphical program on the first computer system to simulate operation of the physical system, wherein the control unit interacts with the first computer system; executing the second graphical program to measure characteristics of the operation of the control unit; and displaying a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, the method comprising: creating a first graphical program that models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program is created in a first graphical program development environment; deploying the first graphical program on a first computer system for execution; creating a second graphical program that performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program is created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; coupling a control unit to the first computer system; executing the first graphical program on the first computer system to simulate operation of the physical system, wherein the control unit interacts with the first computer system; executing the second graphical program to measure characteristics of the operation of the control unit; and displaying a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, the system comprising: a first computer system configured to execute a first graphical program, wherein the first graphical program models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program was created in a first graphical program development environment; a control unit coupled to the first computer system; a second computer system coupled to the control unit, wherein the second computer system is configured to execute a second graphical program, wherein the second graphical program performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program was created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; wherein the first computer system is operable to execute the first graphical program to simulate operation of the physical system; wherein the control unit is operable to interact with the first computer system to affect the simulated operation of the physical system; wherein the second computer system is operable to execute the second graphical program to measure characteristics of operation of the control unit; and wherein one or more of the first computer system and the second computer system are operable to display a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for performing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, the system comprising: a first computer system configured to execute a first graphical program, wherein the first graphical program models a physical system, wherein the first graphical program was created in a first graphical program development environment; a control unit coupled to the first computer system; a second computer system coupled to the control unit, wherein the second computer system is configured to execute a second graphical program, wherein the second graphical program performs a measurement function, wherein the second graphical program was created in a second graphical program development environment, wherein the second graphical program development environment is different than the first graphical program development environment; wherein the first computer system is operable to execute the first graphical program to simulate operation of the physical system; wherein the control unit is operable to interact with the first computer system to affect the simulated operation of the physical system; wherein the second computer system is operable to execute the second graphical program to measure characteristics of operation of the control unit; and wherein one or more of the first computer system and the second computer system are operable to display a single graphical user interface comprising a first one or more graphical user interface elements for the first graphical program and a second one or more graphical user interface elements for the second graphical program.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 59 , wherein the control unit is designed to control the physical system that the first graphical program models.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-07-10 | 2010-01-09 | 2010-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-07-10 | 2014-01-09 | 2014-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-07-10 | 2018-01-09 | 2018-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |