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 that references a first input variable;
displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon that references a first output variable;
displaying on the screen a first function icon that controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data;
displaying on the screen a second function icon that 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 associated with said first function icon that triggers an occurrence when said first data is generated;
displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon 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
assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, said second function icon, said set occurrence icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon;
wherein said set occurrence icon triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data;
wherein said wait on occurrence icon 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.
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Accused Products
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
25 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 that references a first input variable; displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon that references a first output variable; displaying on the screen a first function icon that controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data; displaying on the screen a second function icon that 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 associated with said first function icon that triggers an occurrence when said first data is generated; displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon 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 assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, said second function icon, said set occurrence icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon; wherein said set occurrence icon triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data; wherein said wait on occurrence icon 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 (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 that references a first input variable; means for displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon that references a first output variable; means for displaying on the screen a first function icon that controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data; means for displaying on the screen a second function icon that 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 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 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, said second function icon, said set occurrence icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said second function icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon; wherein said set occurrence icon triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data; wherein said wait on occurrence icon 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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14. 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 that references a first input variable; displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon that references a first output variable; displaying on the screen a first function icon that controls a first function, wherein said first function icon requires function code to perform an operation before said first function icon begins operation; displaying on the semen a wait on occurrence icon associated with said first function icon that activates said first function icon when said function code performs said operations; 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 wait on occurrence icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon includes an output coupled to said first function icon, and wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon, wherein said wait on occurrence icon generates said output to said first function icon when said function code performs said operation, and wherein said first function icon begins operation when said wait on occurrence icon output is received; and executing the data flow diagram, wherein said step of executing comprises; propagating inputs to said wait on occurrence icon; beginning execution of said wait on occurrence icon after said step of propagating; halting execution of said wait on occurrence icon after said step of beginning execution; said function code performing said operation after said step of halting execution; completing execution of said wait on occurrence icon after said function code performs said operation, wherein said wait on occurrence icon provides said wait on occurrence output to said first function icon; and beginning execution of said first function icon after completing execution of said wait on occurrence icon. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for creating and executing a virtual instrument in an instrumentation system comprising a computer system including a CPU which executes functions, a video display screen, and means for creating a virtual instrument including a data flow diagram and a graphical front panel, wherein the instrumentation system further includes one or more instruments for performing test and measurement functions, wherein said virtual instrument controls said one or more instruments, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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displaying on the screen a graphical front panel of a first virtual instrument; displaying on the screen a first input terminal icon that references a first input variable; displaying on the screen a first output terminal icon that references a first output variable; displaying on the screen a first function icon that controls a first function, wherein said first function icon generates first data; displaying on the screen a second function icon that 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 associated with said first function icon that triggers an occurrence when said first data is generated; displaying on the screen a wait on occurrence icon 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 assembling on the screen a first data flow diagram including said first input terminal icon, said first output terminal icon, said first function icon, said second function icon, said set occurrence icon, and said wait on occurrence icon, wherein the first data flow diagram displays a procedure for producing at least one value for said output terminal icon from at least one value for said first input terminal icon; wherein said set occurrence icon triggers an occurrence when said first function icon generates said first data; wherein said wait on occurrence icon activates said second function icon when said first data is generated and said occurrence is triggered; and wherein said second function icon begins operation when said wait on occurrence icon activates said second function icon. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification