Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for configuring a client system, e.g., a measurement system. First input is received from a client system over a network requesting access to a plurality of configuration diagrams comprising respective solutions to respective tasks. At least a subset of the plurality of configuration diagrams is displayed on a display device of the client system for viewing by a user. Second input is received from the client system selecting one of the displayed configuration diagrams indicating a solution for a task to be performed by the client system. The solution is provided to the client system over the network, and may include the selected configuration diagram and/or pricing information for proposed products. The configuration diagrams are stored in a configuration diagram database. The stored configuration diagrams may be pre-defined solutions for pre-defined tasks, generated in response to received user requirements, and/or received from client systems and/or vendors.

Abstract: System and method for generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task. A server computer communicates with a client system, e.g., a measurement system, including a client computer system, over a network. The server receives requirements, e.g., a task specification, for a task, e.g., a measurement task, where the requirements are provided in response to user input. A plurality of products operable to perform the task are determined in response to the requirements, e.g., by programmatically analyzing the requirements. A diagram is displayed on the client computer system iconically representing the plurality of products, including icons representing at least a subset of the products to the user as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system. Pricing information for the proposed products may be displayed. User input indicating purchase of at least one of the products is received and the purchased products provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for configuring a client system, e.g., a measurement system. First input is received from a client system over a network requesting access to a plurality of configuration diagrams comprising respective solutions to respective tasks. At least a subset of the plurality of configuration diagrams is displayed on a display device of the client system for viewing by a user. Second input is received from the client system selecting one of the displayed configuration diagrams indicating a solution for a task to be performed by the client system. The solution is provided to the client system over the network, and may include the selected configuration diagram and/or pricing information for proposed products. The configuration diagrams are stored in a configuration diagram database. The stored configuration diagrams may be pre-defined solutions for pre-defined tasks, generated in response to received user requirements, and/or received from client systems and/or vendors.

Abstract: System and method for generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task. A server computer communicates with a client system, e.g., a measurement system, including a client computer system, over a network. The server receives requirements, e.g., a task specification, for a task, e.g., a measurement task, where the requirements are provided in response to user input. A plurality of products operable to perform the task are determined in response to the requirements, e.g., by programmatically analyzing the requirements. A diagram is displayed on the client computer system iconically representing the plurality of products, including icons representing at least a subset of the products to the user as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system. Pricing information for the proposed products may be displayed. User input indicating purchase of at least one of the products is received and the purchased products provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for visually indicating deployment of programs in a system. A client system includes a plurality of devices coupled together, where at least one of the devices includes one or more programs, e.g., graphical, text-based, and/or hardware configuration programs. A configuration diagram is displayed which visually represents the client system. The diagram includes device icons representing the devices, including a first device icon corresponding to a first device. A first program is deployed onto the first device. The configuration diagram is programmatically animated to visually indicate the deployment, e.g., a first program icon corresponding to the first program, or one or more other icons, may be propagated from a first location on the display, e.g., from a second device icon representing a second device initially storing the program, to the first device icon, possibly along link icons indicating coupling between the devices. The deployment may be performed programmatically.

Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a system and method method for creating a sub-system in a measurement system. A user may group together various components of the measurement system into a sub-system. Grouping a subset of components together in the sub-system may enable the subset of components to be treated as an atomic unit in various ways. In particular, the subset of components may be displayed as a single unit. For example, in one embodiment the user may be able to request the sub-system to be collapsed into a single icon. In response the individual components within the sub-system may be hidden from view, and a single sub-system icon representing the entire sub-system may be displayed. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for grouping together a plurality of measurement components into a single icon, where each measurement component represents a measurement to be acquired by the measurement system.

Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.

Abstract: System and method for distributed execution of a graphical program. First and second icons associated with respective execution targets are displayed on a display. Each icon has an interior and specifies execution of a respective graphical program portion positioned in the interior of the icon on the respective execution target. First and second graphical program portions are respectively displayed in the interiors of the first and second icons, where each graphical program portion comprises a respective one or more interconnected nodes that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program portion. One or more wires connecting the first graphical program portion and the second graphical program portion are display. During execution of the graphical program, the first and second graphical program portions execute respectively on the first and second execution targets, and the first graphical program portion and the second graphical program portion communicate as specified by the one or more wires.

Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.

Abstract: System and method for representing an unspecified portion of a measurement system or visually indicating an action required of a user in designing the measurement system. Designing a measurement system may be a gradual process where the user progressively specifies more information regarding components in the system. At any point in the design process, it may be desirable to visually indicate to the user that one or more portions of the system are not yet specified or that the user needs to perform one or more actions. A diagram of the system is displayed, including one or more component icons visually indicating components of the system, and a special icon visually indicating that information regarding a portion of the system has not yet been specified. User input specifying information regarding the portion of the system may be received, and in response, the special icon may be removed from the diagram.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for displaying a diagram of a measurement system, in which various components in the diagram may be expanded or collapsed as desired. It may be desirable to allow the user to view various aspects of a measurement system at various levels of granularity. For example, the user may desire to view details regarding one or more components in the measurement system but may not want to see details for other components. Providing the ability to expand or collapse components in a measurement system diagram may allow the user to view a compact diagram illustrating the measurement system from a high level, or to expand various components in the diagram to “drill down” into particular sub-systems or components to view details regarding those sub-systems or components.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a connectable element of a hardware device in a measurement system. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include a first icon representing a hardware device component of the measurement system. The hardware device may include one or more connectable elements. A graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements of the hardware device may be displayed in response to user input. For example, the user may hover a pointer, e.g., a mouse cursor, over the first icon or may hover the pointer in a vicinity of the first icon to cause the graphical indication to be displayed. A first connectable element of the hardware device may be selected in response to user input received to the displayed graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements. For example, the first connectable element may be selected in order to connect the first connectable element to another component in the measurement system.

Abstract: A system and method for visually indicating information regarding a hardware device component of a measurement system. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include a plurality of icons representing components of the measurement system. The plurality of icons may include a first icon representing a first hardware device. User input requesting to display additional information regarding the first hardware device may be received. A second icon may be displayed in response to the received user input, where the second icon displays additional information regarding the first hardware device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a system and method method for creating a sub-system in a measurement system. A user may group together various components of the measurement system into a sub-system. Grouping a subset of components together in the sub-system may enable the subset of components to be treated as an atomic unit in various ways. In particular, the subset of components may be displayed as a single unit. For example, in one embodiment the user may be able to request the sub-system to be collapsed into a single icon. In response the individual components within the sub-system may be hidden from view, and a single sub-system icon representing the entire sub-system may be displayed. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for grouping together a plurality of measurement components into a single icon, where each measurement component represents a measurement to be acquired by the measurement system.

Abstract: A system and method for representing an unspecified portion of a measurement system or visually indicating an action required of a user in designing the measurement system. Designing a measurement system may be a gradual process where the user progressively specifies more information regarding components in the measurement system. At any given point in the design process, it may be desirable to visually indicate to the user that one or more portions of the measurement system are not yet specified or that the user needs to perform one or more actions. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include one or more component icons visually indicating components of the measurement system. The diagram may also include a special icon visually indicating that information regarding a portion of the measurement system has not yet been specified. User input specifying information regarding the portion of the measurement system may be received.

Abstract: System and method for visually indicating deployment of programs in a system. A client system includes a plurality of devices coupled together, where at least one of the devices includes one or more programs, e.g., graphical, text-based, and/or hardware configuration programs. A configuration diagram is displayed which visually represents the client system. The diagram includes device icons representing the devices, including a first device icon corresponding to a first device. A first program is deployed onto the first device. The configuration diagram is programmatically animated to visually indicate the deployment, e.g., a first program icon corresponding to the first program, or one or more other icons, may be propagated from a first location on the display, e.g., from a second device icon representing a second device initially storing the program, to the first device icon, possibly along link icons indicating coupling between the devices. The deployment may be performed programmatically.

Abstract: System and method for characterizing a system. Electronic communication is established between a server computer and a client system over a network. The client system includes a plurality of devices coupled together, where at least one of the devices includes one or more programs, e.g., graphical, text-based, and/or hardware configuration programs. The server programmatically determines presence of the devices and programs of the client system, and programmatically generates a diagram which visually represents the client system. The diagram includes device icons representing the devices, link icons indicating coupling between the devices, and program icons representing the programs. The program icons are displayed proximate to the device icons representing the devices which store and/or execute the respective programs. The server transmits the diagram to the client system. The diagram is displayed on a display of the client system.