Method and apparatus for obtaining and storing data during automated data processing
First Claim
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a set of predetermined function definitions, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data; and
preparing a project definition, said project definition including;
a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which said image data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which said image data can be supplied to the data destination, said image data from said data source being transferred to said source portion through a network; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein preparing said project definition comprises;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; and
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
wherein execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate said image data according to said one predetermined function definition.
22 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed and then supplied to a data destination (16, 17). The data may include image data, text data, numeric data or other types of data, or a combination of these types of data. The processing of the data is controlled by a project definition (14, 71, 101), which includes a plurality of modules selected from a variety of available modules (Tables 1-4). The modules have input and output ports which are interrelated by binding information. The data source may be located in a remote system, and the data may be obtained from that data source in an automated manner through a computer network. Similarly, the data destination may be a remote system, and the processed data may be deposited in the data destination in an automated manner through a computer network.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of predetermined function definitions, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data; and
preparing a project definition, said project definition including;
a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which said image data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which said image data can be supplied to the data destination, said image data from said data source being transferred to said source portion through a network; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein preparing said project definition comprises;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; and
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
wherein execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate said image data according to said one predetermined function definition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data, said program being operable when executed to facilitate preparation of a project definition which includes:
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a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which said image data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which said image data can be supplied to the data destination, said image data from said data source being transferred to said source portion through a network; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein preparation of said project definition comprises;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; and
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
wherein execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate said image data according to said one predetermined function definition. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of predetermined function definitions, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data; and
preparing a project definition, said project definition including;
a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which said image data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which said image data can be supplied to the data destination, said image data received through said input port of said destination portion being transferred from said destination portion to said data destination through a network; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein preparing said project definition comprises;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; and
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
wherein execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate said image data according to said one predetermined function definition. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data, said program being operable when executed to facilitate preparation of a project definition which includes:
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a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which said image data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which said image data can be supplied to the data destination, said image data received through said input port of said destination portion being transferred from said destination portion to said data destination through a network; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein preparation of said project definition comprises;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; and
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
wherein execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate said image data according to said one predetermined function definition. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification