System and method for graphically manipulating display elements in a signal ...

United States Patent [w]

Alexander

US006054984A [ii] Patent Number: 6,054,984 [45] Date of Patent: *Apr. 25,2000

[54] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR

GRAPHICALLY MANIPULATING DISPLAY
ELEMENTS IN A SIGNAL MEASUREMENT
SYSTEM

[75] Inventor: Jay A Alexander, Monument, Colo.

[73] Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif.

[ * ] Notice: This patent issued on a continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154(a)(2).

[21] Appl. No.: 08/863,994 [22] Filed: May 27, 1997

[51] Int. CI. G06F 15/00

[52] U.S. CI 345/339; 345/340; 345/440;

345/970

[58] Field of Search 345/134, 339,

345/340, 349, 440, 970

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,365,254 11/1994 Kawamoto 345/157

5,553,213 9/1996 Sano 345/440

5,579,462 11/1996 Barber et al 345/440

5,630,164 5/1997 Williams et al 345/440 X

5,631,667 5/1997 Cadwell 345/157

5,757,371 5/1998 Oron et al 345/348

5,760,785 6/1998 Barber et al 345/440

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Waveform Generator/Editor Software from R4 Now Supports Pragmatic arbitrary waveforms generators, 1992. Romonchick, Virtual Instruments meet custom needs, Hitchcock publishing, 1996.

Primary Examiner—Raymond J. Bayerl
Assistant Examiner—Chadwick A. Jackson

[57] ABSTRACT

A display element manipulation system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The display element manipulation system provides a user with the ability to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element presented on the graphical user interface. The display element manipulation system includes a display element selector configured to determine permissible adjustment directions for a selected positionable display element. The display element manipulation system also includes a display element position determinator configured to determine an adjustment command representing a desired adjustment direction and position for the selected display element.

38 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets

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