Abstract: A computer-based virtual instrumentation system including a host computer and an embedded system or device, wherein graphical programs created using the computer system can be downloaded to the embedded system for execution in a real-time or more deterministic manner. The present invention thus provides a method for automatically generating an embedded application in response to a graphical program created by a user. This provides the user the ability to develop or define instrument functionality using graphical programming techniques, while enabling the resulting program to operate in an embedded real-time system. The invention includes a novel method for configuring the embedded system. During execution of a graphical program in the embedded system, the block diagram portion executes in the embedded system, and the host CPU executes front panel display code to display on the screen the graphical front panel of the graphical program.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual instrumentation system including a host computer and an embedded system or device, wherein graphical programs created using the computer system can be downloaded to the embedded system for execution in a real-time or more deterministic manner. The present invention thus provides a method for automatically generating an embedded application in response to a graphical program created by a user. This provides the user the ability to develop or define instrument functionality using graphical programming techniques, while enabling the resulting program to operate in an embedded real-time system. The invention includes a novel method for configuring the embedded system. During execution of a graphical program in the embedded system, the block diagram portion executes in the embedded system, and the host CPU executes front panel display code to display on the screen the graphical front panel of the graphical program.

Abstract: A system and method for improved image characterization, object placement, and mesh design utilizing Low Discrepancy sequences. The Low Discrepancy sequence is designed to produce sample points which maximally avoid one another, i.e., the distance between any two sample points is maximized. The invention may be applied specifically to methods of image characterization, pattern matching, acquiring image statistics, object location, image reconstruction, motion estimation, object placement, sensor placement, and mesh design, among others. Image characterization is performed by receiving an image and then sampling the image using a Low Discrepancy sequence, also referred to as a quasi-random sequence, to determine a plurality of sample pixels in the image which characterize the image. Sensor placement is performed by generating a Low Discrepancy sequence for the desired placement application, and then selecting locations for the optimal placement of sensors using the generated Low Discrepancy sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for performing pattern matching to locate zero or more instances of a template image in a target image. The method first comprises sampling the template image using a Low Discrepancy sequence, also referred to as a quasi-random sequence, to determine a plurality of sample pixels in the template image which accurately characterize the template image. The Low Discrepancy sequence is designed to produce sample points which maximally avoid each other. After the template image is sampled or characterized, the method then performs pattern matching using the sample pixels and the target image to determine zero or more locations of the template image in the target image. The method may also perform a local stability analysis around at least a subset of the sample pixels to determine a lesser third number of sample pixels which have a desired degree of stability, and then perform pattern matching using the third plurality of sample pixels.

Abstract: A system and method for performing pattern matching to locate zero or more instances of a template image in a target image. The method first comprises sampling the template image using a Low Discrepancy sequence, also referred to as a quasi-random sequence, to determine a plurality of sample pixels in the template image which accurately characterize the template image. The Low Discrepancy sequence is designed to produce sample points which maximally avoid each other. After the template image is sampled or characterized, the method then performs pattern matching using the sample pixels and the target image to determine zero or more locations of the template image in the target image. The method may also perform a local stability analysis around at least a subset of the sample pixels to determine a lesser third number of sample pixels which have a desired degree of stability, and then perform pattern matching using the third plurality of sample pixels.

Abstract: A system and method for performing pattern matching to locate zero or more instances of a template image in a target image. The method first comprises sampling the template image using a Low Discrepancy sequence, also referred to as a quasi-random sequence, to determine a plurality of sample pixels in the template image which accurately characterize the template image. The Low Discrepancy sequence is designed to produce sample points which maximally avoid each other. After the template image is sampled or characterized, the method then performs pattern matching using the sample pixels and the target image to determine zero or more locations of the template image in the target image. The method may also perform a local stability analysis around at least a subset of the sample pixels to determine a lesser third number of sample pixels which have a desired degree of stability, and then perform pattern matching using the third plurality of sample pixels.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual instrumentation system including a host computer and an embedded system or device, wherein graphical programs created using the computer system can be downloaded to the embedded system for execution in a real-time or more deterministic manner. The present invention thus provides a method for automatically generating an embedded application in response to a graphical program created by a user. This provides the user the ability to develop or define instrument functionality using graphical programming techniques, while enabling the resulting program to operate in an embedded real-time system. The invention includes a novel method for configuring the embedded system. During execution of a graphical program in the embedded system, the block diagram portion executes in the embedded system, and the host CPU executes front panel display code to display on the screen the graphical front panel of the graphical program.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a computer-based instrumentation system which provides simplified application development and improved performance for instrumentation systems. The present invention provides a system including a software architecture which defines the control and management of an instrumentation system. The present invention includes a base object class, an object manager, session and resource classes, and one or more resource templates. The instrumentation system of the present invention provides a plurality of instrument control resources which are used as building blocks to create instrument drivers and higher level applications. The present invention also uses object oriented technology which allows device resources to be easily combined to create higher level applications. The present invention is independent of I/O interface type, operating system, and programming language while also providing a common look and feel and consistent API to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling applications written for SICL driver level software to operate with a VISA system. The present invention maps driver level event function calls from the SICL driver level library to VISA resource operations. This enables a VISA system to operate in conjunction with applications written for the SICL I/O library. The SICL Driver level library provides a completely different methodology for enabling and handling events than does a VISA system. According to the present invention, the method verifies and translate session identifier parameters from SICL functions to corresponding session identifiers in a VISA system. The method also verifies and translates interrupt condition parameters from SICL to corresponding event types in VISA for numerous event functions. Further, the method examines parameters in various SICL event functions and invokes the appropriate VISA operations to perform the indicated functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling instrumentation systems and for providing a user with the capability to develop instrument drivers and application software for controlling instrumentation systems. The present invention provides a system including a software architecture which defines the control and management of an instrumentation system. The method of the present invention utilizes a device resource independence approach whereby the individual capabilities of devices are broken down into a plurality of objects called resources and these resources are then used to develop instrument drivers or instrument control applications. The method of the present invention also uses object oriented technology which allows device resources to be easily combined to create higher level applications. The present invention is independent of I/O interface type, operating system, and programming language while also providing a common look and feel and consistent API to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for developing instrument drivers and applications in a computer-based instrumentation system. The present invention provides simplified application development and improved performance for instrumentation systems. The instrumentation system of the present invention provides a plurality of instrument control resources which are used as building blocks to create instrument drivers and higher level applications. The present invention also uses object oriented technology which allows device resources to be easily combined to create higher level applications. The present invention is independent of I/O interface type, operating system, and programming language while also providing a common look and feel and consistent API to the user. A developer creates a resource in the VISA system by first determining if the desired resource can inherit from a currently existing resource.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling applications written for SICL driver level software to operate with a VISA system. The present invention maps driver level event function calls from the SICL driver level library to VISA resource operations. This enables a VISA system to operate in conjunction with applications written for the SICL I/O library. The SICL Driver level library provides a completely different methodology for enabling and handling events than does a VISA system. According to the present invention, the method verifies and translate session identifier parameters from SICL functions to corresponding session identifiers in a VISA system. The method also verifies and translates interrupt condition parameters from SICL to corresponding event types in VISA for numerous event functions. Further, the method examines parameters in various SICL event functions and invokes the appropriate VISA operations to perform the indicated functions.