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

• Main Authors: Maddocks, Peter M, Ferguson, David P, Rauenzahn, Douglas Wesley
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.04.2004

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating and editing machine control sequences via a tree-based graphical user interface (GUI) system, which eliminates the problems associated with using text-based scripts to create or edit machine control sequences. 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.