User interface and method of data navigation in the user interface of engineering analysis applications

Abstract

A user interface and method. A user interface and method of using said interface that uniquely applies a web browser navigation style to engineering analysis applications is disclosed herein. The user interface, which may be implemented at least in part by use of a computer system, may comprise a browser panel, a tabbed workspace, a graphics view, a search box, and a search and select bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An user interface, implemented at least in part by use of a computer system, for an engineering analysis application comprising:
 a browser panel;   a tabbed workspace;   a graphics view;   a search box; and   a search and select bar.   
     
     
         2 . The user interface of  claim 1  wherein said browser panel includes a property dialog. 
     
     
         3 . The user interface of  claim 1  wherein said graphics view includes a radial menu. 
     
     
         4 . The user interface of  claim 1  wherein said browser panel comprises:
 a display of a plurality of properties that can be selected; 
 a display of a plurality of relationships that can be selected; and 
 a display of a plurality of actions that can be selected. 
 
     
     
         5 . The user interface of  claim 1  that comprises a plurality of hyperlinks to allow a user to jump to selected content. 
     
     
         6 . The user interface of  claim 1  that comprises a plurality of hyperlinks to allow a user to jump to another selected location. 
     
     
         7 . A user interface, implemented at least in part by use of a computer system, for engineering analysis applications comprising:
 a plurality of hyperlinks for navigation and access to actions within said engineering application; and   a plurality of displays of location within the engineering analysis application.   
     
     
         8 . The user interface of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of displays of location comprise:
 a search and select bar. 
 
     
     
         9 . The user interface of  claim 7  additionally comprising a radial menu that allows selection of relationships, capabilities and navigation within the engineering analysis application through gestures. 
     
     
         10 . A computer implemented method for displaying a user interface for an engineering analysis application comprising:
 displaying a browser panel;   displaying a tabbed workspace;   displaying a graphics view;   displaying a search box; and   displaying a search and select bar.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising displaying a radial menu in response to input from a user; and
 selecting an item from said radial menu by a gesture from the user. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising navigating to a different location within the engineering analysis application utilizing a hyperlink. 
     
     
         13 . A computer implemented method for displaying parameters for use in engineering analysis software in a radial menu in a user interface, comprising configuring one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 displaying a plurality of options in a radial orientation around a central node;   receiving a gesture from a screen pointer selecting one of said options;   displaying a second menu of parameters in response to receiving said gesture; and   receiving a gesture from the screen pointer selecting one of said parameters displayed on said second menu.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of options comprises:
 a create option; 
 a navigate option; 
 a hide option; and 
 a fit option. 
 
     
     
         15 . A user interface, implemented at least in part by use of a computer system, for an engineering analysis application comprising:
 at least one diagram showing the flow of data and operations within the engineering analysis application.   
     
     
         16 . The user interface of  claim 15 , wherein said diagram comprises at least one icon representing an operation. 
     
     
         17 . The user interface of  claim 15 , wherein said diagram comprises at least one icon representing a model. 
     
     
         18 . A user interface for computer implemented engineering analysis applications comprising:
 a web browser style display.   
     
     
         19 . The user interface of  claim 18  wherein the web browser style display comprises:
 at least one tab; 
 at least one location display; 
 links that can be selected to access other data and locations within the application; 
 back and next functions that can be selected to move to different displays; 
 a history display; 
 at least one bookmark display; and 
 a search function display that can be selected to locate data and functionality within the application. 
 
     
     
         20 . The user interface of  claim 18  wherein data and actions are grouped and accessible in one display in the web browser style display. 
     
     
         21 . The user interface of  claim 18  wherein the web browser style display includes a search display that can be selected by a user to search for data and functionality. 
     
     
         22 . The user interface display of  claim 18  wherein the web browser style display includes actions that can be selected by an user. 
     
     
         23 . The user interface display of  claim 18  wherein the web browser style display comprises:
 links to data and actions that are grouped and accessible in one display; and 
 a search display that can be selected by a user to search for data and functionality. 
 
     
     
         24 . A method of navigating within a computer implemented engineering analysis application comprising:
 selecting a hyperlink;   displaying another location within the engineering analysis application in response to the selection of the hyperlink.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the location is in a computer program help system. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the location is on a data model within the engineering analysis application. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the location displays content associated with the hyperlink. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising:
 navigating from at one least boundary condition to a table it references; 
 navigating to a library that stores the table; and 
 navigating to at least one parameter in the table.