Abstract: A digital oscilloscope assists in the process of identifying, cataloging and restoring views of interest within a stored trace acquisition by implementing the notion of bookmarks. In response to a command to establish a bookmark, the scope takes note of selected display control parameters, such as the location of the view in the overall acquired trace and horizontal time per division, and stores that as a named bookmark. The scope accepts from the operator a comment associated with each bookmark. Another command lists defined bookmarks and causes the scope to re-institute the view and parameters associated with a specified bookmark. There is a mechanism for editing the descriptors or parameters that are defined by a bookmark.

Abstract: A pulse management system configured to perform a plurality of pulse measurements on each of a plurality of pulses of an acquired signal and to store results of the pulse measurements in an accessible data structure. The pulse management system includes a pulse analyzer that searches the data structure for pulses of the acquired signal that satisfy operator-provided search criteria. Similarly, the pulse analyzer can sort the selected subset of pulses based on sort criteria provided, for example, by an operator. The pulse analyzer can provide the operator with a user interface environment in which the operator specifies the search and sort criteria and in which the pulse analyzer displays the selected pulses with their associated pulse measurement results. The operator can advance through the selected pulses in any manner desired to display different pulses together or separately.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The apparatus constructed and arranged to simultaneously render on a display of pixels a main waveform display and a magnified waveform display is disclosed. The main waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein one or more waveforms and associated data on a first graticule with a background while the magnified waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein a magnified view of a region of the main waveform display on a second graticule with a background. The region of the main waveform display to be magnified is defined by a graphically-controllable selection window positioned over the main waveform display to encompass the region. Preferably, the operator-controllable selection window has a position and extent that may be graphically manipulated.

Abstract: A quick measurement apparatus and method for invoking automated measurements in a signal measurement system. The system sequentially applies one or more predetermined automated measurements to each of a plurality of predetermined waveforms. The automated measurements, which are applied to each of the user-selected waveforms in response to a single respective measurement request, measure a respective predetermined extent of each of the selected waveforms. Preferably, each single respective activation request is generated in response to the performance of an associated single operator action. It is also preferable that the system is configured to enable a user to define the sequence in which the automatic measurements are applied to the selected waveforms. The signal measurement system further includes a graphical user interface for displaying the waveforms and the measurement results.

Abstract: A pulse management system for use by an operator that automatically performs measurements on a subset of pulses of an acquired signal stored in an acquisition memory, and generates an accessible data structure that stores characteristics of the chosen subset of acquired signal pulses, including pulse measurement results. The system searches the data structure for pulses of the acquired signal that satisfy operator-provided search criteria. In addition, the operator can sort the selected pulses in any desired manner by specifying a desired sort criteria. The system displays selected pulses along with the associated measurement results, and enables the operator to advance through the selected pulses in any mannerism to display different pulses together or separately along with the associated pulse measurement results. A method for analyzing pulses of an acquired signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal scaling system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system such as a digital or analog oscilloscope, logic analyzer, network analyzer, spectrum analyzer or waveform generator that has a graphical user interface which controls a waveform display region on a display device. The signal scaling system determines one or more displayed waveform scaling parameters to cause portions of selected displayed waveforms appearing within a rescaling rectangle to occupy a predetermined portion of the waveform display region other than the resealing rectangle. For each of the selected displayed waveforms, the scaling parameters may include horizontal scaling, horizontal offset, vertical scaling and vertical offset. Preferably, the predetermined portion of the waveform display region comprises the entire waveform display region and the selected displayed waveforms include all waveforms at least partially within the resealing rectangle.

Abstract: A pulse management system for use by an operator that automatically performs measurements on a subset of pulses of an acquired signal stored in an acquisition memory, and generates an accessible data structure that stores characteristics of the chosen subset of acquired signal pulses, including pulse measurement results. The system searches the data structure for pulses of the acquired signal that satisfy operator-provided search criteria. In addition, the operator can sort the selected pulses in any desired manner by specifying a desired sort criteria. The system displays selected pulses along with the associated measurement results, and enables the operator to advance through the selected pulses in any manner desired to display different pulses together or separately along with the associated pulse measurement results. A method for analyzing pulses of an acquired signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A speech-responsive command and control system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system, enabling an operator to control certain features and functions of the oscilloscope without using manual or graphical controls. A speech-responsive command and control system includes a speech recognition engine constructed and arranged to validate digital voice signals in accordance with an associated grammar file defining command and control utterances for controlling the signal measurement system. A voice controlled measurement system controller is also included. This controller is constructed and arranged to control the signal measurement system in response to text utterances validated by the speech recognition engine. The grammar may include rules defining acceptable command and control utterances suitable for controlling the signal measurement system.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The apparatus constructed and arranged to simultaneously render on a display of pixels a main waveform display and a magnified waveform display is disclosed. The main waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein one or more waveforms and associated data on a first graticule with a background while the magnified waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein a magnified view of a region of the main waveform display on a second graticule with a background. The region of the main waveform display to be magnified is defined by a graphically-controllable selection window positioned over the main waveform display to encompass the region. Preferably, the operator-controllable selection window has a position and extent that may be graphically manipulated.

Abstract: A snake apparatus for threading a web through a printing press includes a body portion and a ridge integrally formed on a surface of the body portion. The ridge is configured to engage and guide the snake along a track through the printing press. Intermittent gaps are located in the ridge to allow the snake to flex. The snake is attached to an end of a web roll, and inserted into the track to guide the web through the press in the path desired.

Abstract: A real-time annotation system and methodology for annotating measurement waveforms in a signal measurement system that includes a graphical user interface for displaying waveforms and measurement results on a signal measurement system display. Generally, he annotation system enables an operator to generate a graphical annotation label containing any desired data, and to graphically position the annotation label at any desired location on the measurement display, enabling the operator to positionally associate the graphical annotation label with a desired waveform or waveform feature displayed on the graphical user interface. The annotation system is constructed and arranged to enable an operator to graphically generate an annotation label containing operator-generated information and to graphically alter the position of the annotation label such that the annotation label is positionally associated with a desired feature of a waveform displayed on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A display element manipulation system and methodology for use in a computer-based system for providing a user with the ability to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element presented on a display device. The display element manipulation system includes a display element selector configured to determine permissible adjustment directions for a selected positionable display element. The display element manipulation system also includes a display element position determinator configured to determine an adjustment command representing a desired adjustment direction and position for the selected display element.

Abstract: A system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The measurement invocation system is configured to provide graphical control elements on the graphical user interface such that the selection of a control element invokes a measurement operation on a selected displayed waveform. The measurement invocation system automatically performs a waveform measurement function when graphically associated by a user with a waveform displayed in a waveform display region of a graphical user interface is disclosed. The measurement invocation system includes a measurement toolbar manager configured to display on the graphical user interface one or more measurement icons. Each of the icons corresponds to a waveform measurement function. The toolbar manager identifies which of the one or more measurement icons has been selected by the user.

Abstract: A real-time annotation system and methodology for annotating measurement waveforms in a signal measurement system that includes a graphical user interface for displaying waveforms and measurement results on a signal measurement system display. Generally, the annotation system enables an operator to generate a graphical annotation label containing any desired data, and to graphically position the annotation label at any desired location on the measurement display, enabling the operator to positionally associate the graphical annotation label with a desired waveform or waveform feature displayed on the graphical user interface. The annotation system is constructed and arranged to enable an operator to graphically generate an annotation label containing operator-generated information and to graphically alter the position of the annotation label such that the annotation label is positionally associated with a desired feature of a waveform displayed on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An annotation system and methodology for annotating a display of a computer-based system that includes a graphical user interface. Generally, the annotation system enables an operator to generate a graphical annotation label containing any desired data, and to graphically position the annotation label at any desired location on the display, enabling the operator to positionally associate the graphical annotation label with a desired graphical element displayed on the graphical user interface. The annotation system is constructed and arranged to enable an operator to graphically generate an annotation label containing operator-generated information and to graphically alter the position of the annotation label such that the annotation label is positionally associated with a desired graphical element on the graphical user interface. The annotation label may be implemented as dialog box, window or other display region in the graphical environment provided by the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The measurement invocation system is configured to provide graphical control elements on the graphical user interface such that the selection of a control element invokes a measurement operation on a selected displayed waveform. The measurement invocation system automatically performs a waveform measurement function when graphically associated by a user with a waveform displayed in a waveform display region of a graphical user interface is disclosed. The measurement invocation system includes a measurement toolbar manager configured to display on the graphical user interface one or more measurement icons. Each of the icons corresponds to a waveform measurement function. The toolbar manager identifies which of the one or more measurement icons has been selected by the user.

Abstract: A signal measurement system is disclosed. The signal measurement system includes an operating system and a graphical user interface. A dialog box control system constructed and arranged to manage display and interactivity with respect to a selected one of a plurality of dialog boxes to be opened on the graphical user interface in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of dialog launch modalities is included in the signal measurement system. For each of the plurality of dialog launch modalities the dialog box control system closes open dialog boxes not having a predetermined relationship with the selected dialog box, thereby achieving a display clarity associated with the selected dialog box modality. Preferably, for each of the plurality of dialog launch modalities the dialog box control system controls user interactivity with the system beyond an active dialog box, thereby also achieving an extent of system interactivity associated with the selected dialog box modality.

Abstract: A signal scaling system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system such as a digital or analog oscilloscope, logic analyzer, network analyzer, spectrum analyzer or waveform generator that has a graphical user interface which controls a waveform display region on a display device. The signal scaling system determines one or more displayed waveform scaling parameters to cause portions of selected displayed waveforms appearing within a rescaling rectangle to occupy a predetermined portion of the waveform display region other than the resealing rectangle. For each of the selected displayed waveforms, the scaling parameters may include horizontal scaling, horizontal offset, vertical scaling and vertical offset. Preferably, the predetermined portion of the waveform display region comprises the entire waveform display region and the selected displayed waveforms include all waveforms at least partially within the resealing rectangle.

Abstract: A system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The measurement invocation system is configured to provide graphical control elements on the graphical user interface such that the selection of a control element invokes a measurement operation on a selected displayed waveform. The measurement invocation system automatically performs a waveform measurement function when graphically associated by a user with a waveform displayed in a waveform display region of a graphical user interface is disclosed. The measurement invocation system includes a measurement toolbar manager configured to display on the graphical user interface one or more measurement icons. Each of the icons corresponds to a waveform measurement function. The toolbar manager identifies which of the one or more measurement icons has been selected by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The apparatus constructed and arranged to simultaneously render on a display of pixels a main waveform display and a magnified waveform display is disclosed. The main waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein one or more waveforms and associated data on a first graticule with a background while the magnified waveform display is adapted to have displayed therein a magnified view of a region of the main waveform display on a second graticule with a background. The region of the main waveform display to be magnified is defined by a graphically-controllable selection window positioned over the main waveform display to encompass the region. Preferably, the operator-controllable selection window has a position and extent that may be graphically manipulated.