Method of generating instruction sequences for controlling data flow processes
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computer system to automatically generate a sequence of computer instructions for controlling a system of resources topologically interconnected and operable to implement a data flow process, the data flow process being represented by block diagram data entered in the computer system with the resources including blocks for performing software functions and for representing and operating physical equipment and including connections representing and operating the data flow of software quantities from one block to another and representing the flow of data and operating physical linkages between the physical equipment, comprising the steps of:
- prestoring in the computer system for each resource block and physical connection a set of implementing instructions;
identifying for each prestored set of implementing instructions a set of different types of tasks to be performed for each resource indicated by the block diagram data;
interleaving the tasks identified from the sets of implementing instructions in accordance with a predetermined set of task-positioning rules that order the tasks according to the data flow interconnections among the resources and the requirements for preparing the physical equipment and linkages for operation, initiating and terminating the operation, to form a network of dependencies among the tasks; and
generating from the network the sequence of computer instructions for controlling the data flow process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer-controlled test and measurement systems, including resources having multiple states and resources having multiple inputs, are modeled as data flow diagrams of topologically interconnected resources. A set of "tasks" are defined for changing the states of multiple-state resources and causing software resources to produce output data. Methods and apparatus, including internal and external task ordering rules, are provided to automatically interleave such tasks and implement input-ordering restrictions. Thereby, a sequence of tasks is produced to control the systems so as to assure valid data collection and protect physical resources from abuse. Data structures are illustrated for implementing the invention in an object-oriented programming environment.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer system to automatically generate a sequence of computer instructions for controlling a system of resources topologically interconnected and operable to implement a data flow process, the data flow process being represented by block diagram data entered in the computer system with the resources including blocks for performing software functions and for representing and operating physical equipment and including connections representing and operating the data flow of software quantities from one block to another and representing the flow of data and operating physical linkages between the physical equipment, comprising the steps of:
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prestoring in the computer system for each resource block and physical connection a set of implementing instructions; identifying for each prestored set of implementing instructions a set of different types of tasks to be performed for each resource indicated by the block diagram data; interleaving the tasks identified from the sets of implementing instructions in accordance with a predetermined set of task-positioning rules that order the tasks according to the data flow interconnections among the resources and the requirements for preparing the physical equipment and linkages for operation, initiating and terminating the operation, to form a network of dependencies among the tasks; and generating from the network the sequence of computer instructions for controlling the data flow process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification