Method and apparatus for more efficient function synchronization in a data flow program
First Claim
1. A method for programming a computer system including a CPU which executes functions, a video display screen and means for creating a data flow diagram, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- displaying on the screen a first input terminal icon, wherein said first input terminal icon references a first input variable;
displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon, wherein said first output terminal icon references a first output variable;
displaying on the screen a first function icon, wherein said first function icon controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data;
displaying on the screen a second input terminal icon, wherein said second input terminal icon references a second input variable;
displaying on the screen a second output terminal icon, wherein said second output terminal icon references a second output variable;
displaying on the screen a second function icon, wherein said second function icon controls a second function, wherein said second function icon requires said first data from said first function icon before beginning operation;
displaying on the screen a set occurrence icon, wherein said set occurrence icon is associated with said first function icon;
displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon is associated with said second function icon;
assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, and said set occurrence icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said first output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon;
assembling on the screen a second data flow diagram including said second input terminal icon, said second output terminal icon, said second function icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the second data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said second output terminal icon from at least one value for said second input terminal icon;
wherein said set occurrence icon in said first data flow diagram triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data;
wherein said wait on occurrence icon in said second data flow diagram generates said output to said second function icon when said first data is generated and said occurrence is triggered;
wherein said second function icon in said second data flow diagram begins operation when said wait on occurrence icon output is received; and
wherein said second function icon in said second data flow diagram does not require any CPU time until said first function icon in said first data flow diagram generates said first data.
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Abstract
An occurrence capability which allows a first function to "go to sleep" while waiting for a second function to produce a result. In this manner, the first function does not consume any CPU time while waiting for the second function. Three icons are provided with associated control software which implement the occurrence function. A Wait on Occurrence function icon is associated with the first function that is waiting on the result from the second function. A Set Occurrence function icon is typically associated with the second function icon and triggers an occurrence when the second function produces the desired result. A Generate Occurrence function icon is used to pass identifier values linking multiple sources and destinations having Set Occurrence and Wait on Occurrence function icons, respectively.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for programming a computer system including a CPU which executes functions, a video display screen and means for creating a data flow diagram, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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displaying on the screen a first input terminal icon, wherein said first input terminal icon references a first input variable; displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon, wherein said first output terminal icon references a first output variable; displaying on the screen a first function icon, wherein said first function icon controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data; displaying on the screen a second input terminal icon, wherein said second input terminal icon references a second input variable; displaying on the screen a second output terminal icon, wherein said second output terminal icon references a second output variable; displaying on the screen a second function icon, wherein said second function icon controls a second function, wherein said second function icon requires said first data from said first function icon before beginning operation; displaying on the screen a set occurrence icon, wherein said set occurrence icon is associated with said first function icon; displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon is associated with said second function icon; assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, and said set occurrence icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said first output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon; assembling on the screen a second data flow diagram including said second input terminal icon, said second output terminal icon, said second function icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the second data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said second output terminal icon from at least one value for said second input terminal icon; wherein said set occurrence icon in said first data flow diagram triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data; wherein said wait on occurrence icon in said second data flow diagram generates said output to said second function icon when said first data is generated and said occurrence is triggered; wherein said second function icon in said second data flow diagram begins operation when said wait on occurrence icon output is received; and wherein said second function icon in said second data flow diagram does not require any CPU time until said first function icon in said first data flow diagram generates said first data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system which provides increased efficiency in synchronizing separate activities in a data flow diagram, comprising:
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a video screen; means for displaying on the screen a first input terminal icon, wherein said first input terminal icon references a first input variable; means for displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon, wherein said first output terminal references a first output variable; means for displaying on the screen a first function icon, wherein said first function icon controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data; means for displaying on the screen a second input terminal icon, wherein said second input terminal icon references a second input variable; means for displaying on the screen a second output terminal icon, wherein said second output terminal references a second output variable; means for displaying on the screen a second function icon, wherein said second function icon controls a second function, wherein said second function icon requires said first data from said first function icon before beginning operation; means for displaying on the screen a set occurrence icon, wherein said set occurrence icon is associated with said first function icon that triggers an occurrence when said first data is generated; means for displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon is associated with said second function icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon activates said second function icon when said first function icon generates said first data; and means for assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, and said set occurrence icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said first output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon; means for assembling on the screen a second data flow diagram including said second input terminal icon, said second output terminal icon, said second function icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the second data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said second output terminal icon from at least one value for said second input terminal icon; wherein said set occurrence icon in said first data flow diagram triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data; wherein said wait on occurrence icon in said second data flow diagram generates said output to said second function icon when said first data is generated and said occurrence is triggered; wherein said second function icon begins operation when said wait on occurrence icon output is received; and wherein said second function icon does not require any CPU time until said first function icon generates said first data. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification