Graphical programming system and method including three-dimensional nodes with pre-defined input and output capabilities

• Main Authors: THOMSEN; CARSTEN, KODOSKY; JEFFREY L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.11.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

A graphical programming system and method which includes three-dimensional nodes that are wired or connected to from a graphical program or block diagram. Each of the three-dimensional nodes includes a plurality of sides that are designed to receive pre-defined inputs. In one embodiment, each node includes a left side for receiving data input and a right side for producing output data. The upper or top side of each node is designed to receive inputs regarding error conditions and/or initialization information. The front side of each node is reserved for displaying the name of the node or the function performed by the node. The back side of each node is reserved for timing and synchronization inputs. The bottom side of each node is designed to receive base configuration information and/or type declaration information. The user is only allowed to connect data of the specified type to the designated inputs of each node. If the user attempts to connect the wrong type of data to a respective input side of a node, the connection is broken, thus alerting the user of the problem. Therefore, the graphical programming system of the present invention simplifies the assembly process and provides increased error checking. The user can also manipulate or rotate the graphical program or block diagram to view different sides and thus view different classes of inputs.