Embedded language interpretation for configuration of fixturing applications
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating modification of a hardware state of a fixture system, comprising:
- selecting a macro of one or more compiled macros in response to one or more stimuli, wherein;
said one or more macros are created using a high-level programming macro language;
compiling one or more macros into a format recognizable by an interpreter residing within a fixturing device;
transferring the one or more compiled macros to a firmware residing within the fixturing device; and
the firmware running the triggered macro and executing one or more commands contained therein in response thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A structure and method is disclosed for modifying the operation of a fixturing device without the requirement to change the fixture'"'"'s firmware or control software. The method uses a macro language that describes the operation of the fixture, and control software that maps hardware resources to logical descriptors. The hardware state of the fixture is monitored and changes in state are logged as events. The fixture firmware responds to these events by autonomously triggering the execution of a pre-stored macro. This event-driven approach provides the flexibility to operate the fixture without the use of controlling software. It is also possible to trigger the execution of a macro through the use of one or more commands external to the fixturing device.
20 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating modification of a hardware state of a fixture system, comprising:
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selecting a macro of one or more compiled macros in response to one or more stimuli, wherein;
said one or more macros are created using a high-level programming macro language;
compiling one or more macros into a format recognizable by an interpreter residing within a fixturing device;
transferring the one or more compiled macros to a firmware residing within the fixturing device; and
the firmware running the triggered macro and executing one or more commands contained therein in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A structure that facilitates a modification of a hardware state of a fixturing device, further comprising:
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a supervising automation software module, coupled to a control software module, said automation software module operable to initiate operation of the structure; and
a fixturing device, coupled to the control software module, said fixturing device further comprising;
a firmware module, said firmware module operable to receive one or more stimuli, preferably corresponding to one or more hardware state changes of said fixturing device;
one or more local memory modules, coupled to the firmware module, said local memory modules operable to contain one or more compiled macros and one or more stimuli preferably corresponding to one or more hardware states; and
the one or more macros, in response to the firmware module receiving one or more stimuli, causing one or more hardware states of the fixturing device to be changed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification