Patents by Inventor Christopher G. Cifra
Christopher G. Cifra has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9262129Abstract: System and method implementing an integrated interface for multiple instruments for signal analysis, including two or more virtual instruments. The method includes a) receiving user input specifying an operation implementing at least a portion of a signal analysis function; b) performing the operation utilizing at least one of the instruments to perform the operation; c) displaying an icon comprising a graphical representation of the operation in response to the specifying; d) storing information specifying the operation; and repeating a)-d) multiple times to specify the function, thereby producing stored information representing the operations in the function, and after which multiple icons are displayed representing the operations and visually indicating the function. The operations in the function include 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and/or 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Michael L. Santori, Alain G. Moriat, Christopher G. Cifra, Richard Keene
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Patent number: 9134895Abstract: A touch-gesture wiring method for connecting data flow wires to input/output terminals of nodes in a graphical program is described. The method may be implemented by a graphical programming application that executes on a mobile device that includes a touch-sensitive screen configured to receive user input as touch gestures. The method may aid the user by displaying a magnified view of the input/output terminals that makes it easier (relative to the default view of the graphical program) for the user to see the input/output terminals and/or easier to select a desired one of the input/output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Andrew P. Dove, Jesse M. Attas, Grant V. Macklem, Jenica A. R. Welch, Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Christopher G. Cifra, J. Adam Kemp
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Patent number: 9047007Abstract: Providing zooming within a system diagram. Initially, a diagram of a system may be displayed. The diagram may include a plurality of icons representing physical components of the system. These plurality of icons may be initially displayed at a first level of magnification. User input to zoom on a first physical component in the diagram may be received. Accordingly, the first physical component may be displayed at a second level of magnification and other ones of the physical components may be displayed at a third level of magnification. The second level of magnification may be greater than the first level of magnification and the third level of magnification may be less than the first level of magnification. Alternatively, or additionally, different representations for various components of the system may be displayed in the diagram during or after the zoom.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, David W Fuller, III, Jeffrey N. Correll, Mohammed Kamran Shah, Jacob Kornerup, Timothy J. Hayles, Adam K. Gabbert, Christopher G. Cifra, Jenifer M. Loy, Scott D. Postma, Richard M. Ashby, Charles E. Crain, II
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Patent number: 9026987Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Publication number: 20140109044Abstract: System and method for editing a graphical program. A graphical program is displayed on a display device. Multi-touch input is received to a multi-touch interface, where the multi-touch input specifies an edit operation in the graphical program. The edit operation is performed in the graphical program in response to the multi-touch input, and the edited graphical program is displayed on the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATEIONInventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Publication number: 20130031501Abstract: Providing zooming within a system diagram. Initially, a diagram of a system may be displayed. The diagram may include a plurality of icons representing physical components of the system. These plurality of icons may be initially displayed at a first level of magnification. User input to zoom on a first physical component in the diagram may be received. Accordingly, the first physical component may be displayed at a second level of magnification and other ones of the physical components may be displayed at a third level of magnification. The second level of magnification may be greater than the first level of magnification and the third level of magnification may be less than the first level of magnification. Alternatively, or additionally, different representations for various components of the system may be displayed in the diagram during or after the zoom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, David W. Fuller, III, Jeffrey N. Correll, Mohammed Kamran Shah, Jacob Kornerup, Timothy J. Hayles, Adam K. Gabbert, Christopher G. Cifra, Jenifer M. Loy, Scott D. Postma, Richard M. Ashby, Charles E. Crain, II
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Publication number: 20130031508Abstract: Providing zooming within a system diagram. Initially, a diagram of a system may be displayed. The diagram may include a plurality of icons representing physical components of the system. These plurality of icons may be initially displayed at a first level of magnification. User input to zoom on a first physical component in the diagram may be received. Accordingly, the first physical component may be displayed at a second level of magnification and other ones of the physical components may be displayed at a third level of magnification. The second level of magnification may be greater than the first level of magnification and the third level of magnification may be less than the first level of magnification. Alternatively, or additionally, different representations for various components of the system may be displayed in the diagram during or after the zoom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, David W. Fuller, III, Jeffrey N. Correll, Mohammed Kamran Shah, Jacob Kornerup, Timothy J. Hayles, Adam K. Gabbert, Christopher G. Cifra, Jenifer M. Loy, Scott D. Postma, Richard M. Ashby, Charles E. Crain, II
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Patent number: 8239824Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Christopher G. Cifra, John D. Stanhope, Duncan G. Hudson, III
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Patent number: 8185840Abstract: System and method implementing an integrated interface for multiple instruments for signal analysis, including two or more virtual instruments. The method includes a) receiving user input specifying an operation implementing at least a portion of a signal analysis function; b) performing the operation utilizing at least one of the instruments to perform the operation; c) displaying an icon comprising a graphical representation of the operation in response to the specifying; d) storing information specifying the operation; and repeating a)-d) multiple times to specify the function, thereby producing stored information representing the operations in the function, and after which multiple icons are displayed representing the operations and visually indicating the function. The operations in the function include 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and/or 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Michael L. Santori, Alain G. Moriat, Christopher G. Cifra, Richard Keene
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Publication number: 20120089935Abstract: System and method implementing an integrated interface for multiple instruments for signal analysis, including two or more virtual instruments. The method includes a) receiving user input specifying an operation implementing at least a portion of a signal analysis function; b) performing the operation utilizing at least one of the instruments to perform the operation; c) displaying an icon comprising a graphical representation of the operation in response to the specifying; d) storing information specifying the operation; and repeating a)-d) multiple times to specify the function, thereby producing stored information representing the operations in the function, and after which multiple icons are displayed representing the operations and visually indicating the function. The operations in the function include 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and/or 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Michael L. Santori, Alain G. Moriat, Christopher G. Cifra, Richard Keene
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Publication number: 20110225524Abstract: System and method for editing a graphical program. A graphical program is displayed on a display device. Multi-touch input is received to a multi-touch interface, where the multi-touch input specifies an edit operation in the graphical program. The edit operation is performed in the graphical program in response to the multi-touch input, and the edited graphical program is displayed on the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Patent number: 7958488Abstract: System and method for developing a measurement program that performs a measurement function. A measurement program is created in a development environment in response to first user input, possibly including configuring a physical unit under test (UUT) with one or more parameter values. The measurement program includes icons that visually indicate the measurement function, and is executable to receive signals from the physical (UUT). Second user input is received specifying that the measurement program is to receive simulated data instead of signals from the physical UUT. In response, the development environment is configured to provide the simulated data to the measurement program, possibly including configuring the simulated data according to the parameter value(s). The configuring does not change the measurement program.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Publication number: 20100293525Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Publication number: 20100293522Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Christopher G. Cifra, John D. Stanhope, Duncan G. Hudson, III
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Patent number: 7650589Abstract: System and method implementing function blocks for specifying and performing a signal analysis function utilizing multiple instruments, including two or more virtual instruments (VIs). Each function block includes: a function block icon for display in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a signal analysis function development environment, that visually indicates a respective signal operation; and associated program instructions executable to perform the respective operation. Each function block is selectable from the function blocks by a user for inclusion in a set of function blocks, each operable to perform their respective signal operation continuously upon selection, and to provide a respective output, operable to be displayed in the GUI, provided as input to other function blocks, and/or exported to an external device. The set of function blocks is executable to perform the signal analysis function under the signal analysis function development environment using one or more of the multiple instruments.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Patent number: 7496480Abstract: System and method for specifying a signal analysis function. First user input is received, e.g., to a graphical user interface (GUI), indicating a parameter for a first operation implementing at least a portion of the function. The first operation is programmatically included in a sweep loop. Second user input is received specifying a sweep configuration for a sweep on the parameter. The signal includes signal data, e.g., signal plot data or tabular data. The sweep configuration includes: a range of values for the indicated parameter, a number of iterations for the sweep, an interpolation type, step size for the sweep on the indicated parameter, specific values in the range of values for the parameter, source for at least some of the sweep configuration, and/or resultant data. The sweep is performed on the parameter per the sweep configuration, generating resultant data which is stored, and optionally displayed, e.g., in the GUI.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Philippe G. Joffrain, Christopher G. Cifra, Alain G. Moriat, Christohpe A. Restat, John A. Pasquarette, J. Clinton Fletcher
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Patent number: 7366993Abstract: System and method for displaying signals. First user input requesting display of a first signal is received, e.g., to a graphical user interface (GUI) comprised in a signal analysis function development environment, and the first signal programmatically analyzed in response to the first user input. A display tool operable to display the first signal is programmatically determined based on said analyzing, and the first signal displayed in the display tool, e.g., a data type of the first signal is determined, e.g., integer, floating point, Boolean, or user-defined data in a time-domain, frequency-domain, or spatial-domain, and the display tool programmatically determined based on the determined data type, e.g., via a loop-up table, where the display tool comprises an indicator operable to display the signal data. The signal comprises signal data, e.g., signal plot data, where the display tool comprises a graph, or tabular data, where the display tool comprises a table.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Philippe G. Joffrain, Christopher G. Cifra, Alain G. Moriat, Christophe A. Restat, John A. Pasquarette, J. Clinton Fletcher
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Patent number: 7200529Abstract: System and method for specifying a signal analysis function. User input is received specifying a first operation implementing at least a portion of a signal analysis function. Prior operations input by the user are programmatically analyzed to determine and assign an input source for the first operation that provides a first input signal, e.g., based on inputs and their signal or data types required for the first operation, one or more prior operations are determined that provide respective output signals of the respective signal or data types, where the one or more prior operations comprise the input source, and where the respective output signals comprise the first input signal. The first operation is performed on the first input signal, producing an output signal which is then displayed on a display. The programmatically analyzing, performing, and displaying are performed for each of a plurality of first operations input by the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Christopher G. Cifra, Philippe G. Joffrain, Alain G. Moriat, Christophe A. Restat, John A. Pasquarette, J. Clinton Fletcher
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Patent number: 7134081Abstract: An instrument I/O assistant and the algorithms that may be used to manage instrument responses and that may provide an instrument-centric approach to message-based instrument I/O. The instrument I/O assistant may assist the user in parsing instrument responses by offering an environment to interact with an instrument response without forcing the user to write parsing code. Embodiments may be integrated into instrumentation control programs to make instrument I/O as transparent as possible. The instrument I/O assistant may provide code generation so that the parsing of an instrument response performed in the instrument I/O assistant can be reused. The saved code for one query and response may be referred to as a query block. Two or more query blocks may be saved into a task. A task is a series of executable query blocks. The task may be executed, or alternatively code may be generated to execute the task.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: David W Fuller, III, Christopher G. Cifra, Thomas V. Connell, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040230945Abstract: System and method for invoking code-generation functionality in a graphical programming language. User input is received to a graphical program node, e.g., a configured name control for a task or channel, where the graphical program node includes a task specification that specifies hardware and/or software for performing a task. The task specification may include channel configuration information for configuring a physical analog or digital channel of a device, and timing/triggering information. A code-generation function is invoked in response to the user input, and performed, thereby generating at least a portion of a graphical program in accordance with the task specification, where the graphical program implements the task.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Deborah E. Bryant, Brian M. Johnson, Christopher G. Cifra