User interface for automated optical inspection systems

A user interface method and system are disclosed that allow for user selection on a display device of one or more functions performed via a computer in an automated optical inspection system. The user interface provides a real-time information display that makes apparent critical board inspection information and potential undesirable operating conditions so that corrective action can be rapidly initiated. The user interface includes one or more button icons respectively associated with the user selectable functions and at least one view area window for displaying information items. The information items displayed in a view window can be dynamically linked to provide interactivity between windows and simultaneous updating of related information items in all windows. A filter area window is used for selecting which information items to discriminate and display in the view windows. The user interface of the present invention can be a graphical user interface having view windows in which either text, graphics or both are displayed simultaneously.