System and method for online configuration of a device for a measurement system.
The user accesses a server with a client computer over a network and specifies
a task. If the user lacks the hardware to perform the task, hardware specifications
are sent to a manufacturer, who sends the hardware to the user. The hardware may
be re-configurable hardware (a programmable hardware element or processor/memory
based device). Software products (programs and/or data) for configuring measurement
system hardware (and/or software) to perform the task may be sent to the user.
The hardware may be configured automatically or by the user. The software products
may include programs usable by the measurement system to perform the task, configuration
information for configuring the client computer or other measurement device, and/or
hardware configuration program(s) for configuring a programmable hardware element.
Thus, hardware and/or software specific to the user's application are be provided
to the user.