Abstract: A logic analyzer integrates the capabilities of both textual and graphical description into a common environment, so that each can be used as needed, and in conjunction with the other. In an example embodiment a trigger specification can comprise many “steps”. A step can be conceptualized as an atomic segment of flow charting that involves or investigates a quantity or condition of interest. These steps may involve testing, and a decision concerning whether or not to trigger or whether or not to advance to a next step. A given step can be either textual or graphical. A GUT (Graphical User Interface, as in computer windows, and not to be confused with ‘graphical’ meaning ‘waveform-like’) on a CRT screen in conjunction with a pointing device (e.g., mouse) provides the presentation of the integrated textual and graphical (waveform-like) trigger specification steps.

Abstract: A logic analyzer integrates the capabilities of both textual and graphical description into a common environment, so that each can be used as needed, and in conjunction with the other. In an example embodiment a trigger specification can comprise many “steps”. A step can be conceptualized as an atomic segment of flow charting that involves or investigates a quantity or condition of interest. These steps may involve testing, and a decision concerning whether or not to trigger or whether or not to advance to a next step. A given step can be either textual or graphical. A GUI (Graphical User Interface, as in computer windows, and not to be confused with ‘graphical’ meaning ‘waveform-like’) on a CRT screen in conjunction with a pointing device (e.g., mouse) provides the presentation of the integrated textual and graphical (waveform-like) trigger specification steps.

Abstract: Placement position errors for a selected marker within a logic analyzer trace are avoided by allowing the operator to click within the region occupied by a waveform of interest, detecting the subsequent direction of horizontal mouse motion and combining that with the marker's current location to determine which signal transition within that waveform of interest would be encountered next by the selected marker as it moves in the detected direction. The selected marker is then automatically placed at that location. A marker can be selected by clicking on its icon in advance, or automatically as part of the waveform selection by clicking sufficiently close to a cursor portion of the marker as it passes through the waveform. A number of further considerations come into play if such a system is to be convenient to use and intuitive.