Abstract: A hit-test system and methodology for use in a computer-based system having a display for searching a display pixel map in successively-increasing distances from a selected pixel location associated with a current cursor position in accordance with a predetermined search topology defined by pixel offset values. The pixel offset values may be determined a priori and stored in memory in, for example, a look-up table, may be determined algorithmically, or any combination thereof. The hit text system determines whether each queried pixel location in the display pixel map contains a color or other attribute indicative of a display element. Preferably, a maximum search distance which defines a range of pixel locations likely to include a display element of interest to the user while avoiding causing the user to select an undesired display element. The selected pixel location may be represented by a cursor positioned with a pointing device such as a mouse, light pen, keyboard controls, touch pad, etc.

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 rescaling 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 rescaling rectangle.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for use in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes an operating system responsive to one or more system calls. Each system call causes the operating system to process user inputs in a predetermined manner. In this aspect of the invention, the graphical user interface includes means for generating at least one dialog box request in response to a user input provided on the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface also includes a plurality of dialogs each constructed and arranged to control display of and interactivity with an associated dialog box opened on the graphical user interface in response to one or more of the dialog box control requests. A dialog box control system of the graphical user interface is responsive to a selected one of a plurality of dialog launch modalities, and is constructed and arranged to close open dialog boxes not having a predetermined relationship with the selected dialog box.

Abstract: A display element manipulation system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The display element manipulation system provides a user with the ability to graphically manipulate a selected positionable display element presented on the graphical user interface. 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 hit-test system and methodology for use in a computer-based system having a graphical user interface for searching a display pixel map in successively-increasing distances from a selected pixel location associated with a current cursor position in accordance with a predetermined search topology defined by pixel offset values stored in a look-up table. The hit-test system comprises a distance computation module for generating the pixel offset values corresponding to each of the successively-increasing distances. The pixel offset values define a determined search topology. A display search engine searches pixel locations determined from the pixel offset values and the selected pixel location. The display search engine comprises a radius search module selecting the successively-increasing distances and adds the pixel offset values to the selected pixel location. A display analysis module determines whether the queried pixel location in the display pixel map contains a color indicative of a 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: Methods and structure for storing context data regarding electronic test equipment and the device under test or stimulus sources in a manner integrated with the capture and storage of test data as well as test setup data associated with a test environment. The context data may include information regarding parameters of the test environment (e.g., test equipment or test bench set points and configurations, configuration information regarding the device under test, etc.). The context data may be provided in the form of standard textual data as well as user voice sequences to be recorded. The context data is associated with any stored test data or test setup data so as to be easily retrieved along with the retrieval of the associated data. The data are associated by any of several methods including file naming conventions, structured files, table lookups, etc.

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 rescaling 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 rescaling rectangle.

Abstract: A measurement instrument's correspondence between channel controls and selectable trace color on a display is indicated by visual indicators placed proximate the groupings of controls for the different channels. The color of each visual indicator tracks that of the trace corresponding to the channel for that group of controls. In one embodiment a knob located within each group of controls selects a color. Each knob has on its shaft a wheel with colored regions, behind the panel, and only one color shows through a window. Changes in shaft position indicate electrically to the rest of the instrument what color to make the associated display. Another embodiment provides a group of three light emitting diodes (LED's) of primary colors, controls their relative intensities, and then makes their combined light visible upon the front panel, as a visual indicator. Also, small portions of the active region of the display may be covered by the source ends of an optical path for transmitting light.

Abstract: A graphical display system in which a background graphical image is at least partially visible within a foreground window. Examples of foreground windows include pull-down menus or pop-up dialog boxes. In a specific example embodiment, the background image is digitized waveform data for a digital oscilloscope, and the foreground window is an interactive dialog box for control. Digitized waveforms are at least partially visible in parts of the dialog box. The system has separate memories for the dialog box and the waveform data. A dual-path video controller chip can switch between the two memories for any pixel. The video chip is programmed to switch when the data from the dialog box memory is a particular programmed color. For translucent areas, a checkerboard pattern is defined in the dialog box memory in which alternate pixels in the dialog box memory are the programmed color. As a result, in the translucent areas, digitized waveforms are displayed in half the pixels in a checkerboard pattern.

Abstract: A lead frame design and manufacturing process comprising a lead frame (18) having its internal lead fingers (20) punched out to dimensions optimized to accommodate the body size of a selected die. A die pad (30), also optimized to accommodate the body size of the selected die, is attached to the lead frame with mechanical or chemical bonding. Punches are used to punch out the internal lead pins according to selected dimensions.