Method and apparatus for varying automated data processing
First Claim
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different, one of said predetermined function definitions being a branching definition which is responsive to a condition parameter; 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, said function portions including a branching portion which corresponds to said branching definition and which identifies a specified condition to serve as said condition parameter, said branching portion being operable in accord with said branching function and the current state of said specified condition to selectively effect and inhibit the application to one said output port thereof of data which is based on data received at one said input port thereof;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which 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 data can be supplied to the data destination; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed, and then supplied to at least one data destination (16-17). The data can 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. A subset of the available modules are branch modules, which can change a flow of execution through the modules that make up the project definition. One type of module effects branching by changing the flow of execution based on the state of data being processed by the project definition, whereas another type of branch module changes the flow of execution based on real-time interaction with a person.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different, one of said predetermined function definitions being a branching definition which is responsive to a condition parameter; 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, said function portions including a branching portion which corresponds to said branching definition and which identifies a specified condition to serve as said condition parameter, said branching portion being operable in accord with said branching function and the current state of said specified condition to selectively effect and inhibit the application to one said output port thereof of data which is based on data received at one said input port thereof;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which 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 data can be supplied to the data destination; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions that are different, one of said predetermined function definitions being a branching definition which is responsive to a condition parameter, said program being operable when executed to facilitate preparation of a project definition, said project definition including:
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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, said function portions including a branching portion which corresponds to said branching definition and which identifies a specified condition to serve as said condition parameter, said branching portion being operable in accord with said branching function and the current state of said specified condition to selectively effect and inhibit the application to one said output port thereof of data which is based on data received at one said input port thereof;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which 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 data can be supplied to the data destination; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different;
executing 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 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 data can be supplied to the data destination; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein one of said function portions is operative according to the corresponding function definition to permit a user to interactively influence a selected operational characteristic thereof during said executing step; and
wherein said one of said function portions defines a first said output port and a second said output port; and
defining the function definition which corresponds to said one of said function portions in a manner so that said selected operational characteristic determines which of said first and second output ports is used to output data which is present within said one of said function portions. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions that are different, said program being operable when executed to facilitate execution 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 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 data can be supplied to the data destination; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein one of said function portions is operative according to the corresponding function definition to permit a user to interactively influence a selected operational characteristic thereof during said execution of said project definition;
wherein said one of said function portions defines a first said output port and a second said output port; and
wherein said program is operable when executing the function definition which corresponds to said one of said function portions to cause data present within said one of said function portions to be output therefrom through one of said first and second output ports which is selected as a function of said selected operational characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification