Method and apparatus for defining operations to be performed during automated data processing

• US 6,961,922 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Corel Corporation (Corel Holdings LP)
• Inventors: Knutson, Loren G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Das, Ohameli C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHRADER, LAWRENCE J
• Application Number:
  US09/657,661
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 717120-123, 717140-146, 717162-164, 717168-170, 717174-175, 717106-109, 345634-636, 347634-636, 382305-307, 710/1, 710/12, 710/20
• US Class Current: 717/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design

Abstract

A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed and supplied to a data destination (16, 17). The data can include image data, text data, numeric data or other types of data, or a combination of 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 include input and output ports which are interrelated by binding information. One of the existing modules provides the capability for execution of a specified command in an independent and separate application program. Further, custom modules can be readily prepared, in order to supplement the default set of available modules.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

providing a set of predetermined function definitions;

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 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 definitions identifies a separate image processing program, wherein one of said function portions which corresponds to said one function definition identifies a command for said image processing program, and wherein execution of said one function portion causes execution of said command by said image processing program in a manner which affects image data present in said one function portion.

2. A method according to claim 1, including the steps of concurrently executing said project definition and an instance of said image processing program.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein execution of said command by said image processing program conforms said image data to a generally similar appearance.

3. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions, said program being operable when executed to facilitate preparation of a project definition which includes:

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 definitions identifies a separate image processing program, wherein one of said function portions which corresponds to said one function definition identifies a command for said image processing program, and wherein execution of said one function portion causes execution of said command by said image processing program in a manner which affects image data present in said one function portion.

4. A computer-readable medium according to claim 3, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate concurrent execution of said project definition and an instance of said image processing program.

20. A computer-readable medium according to claim 3, wherein execution of said command by said image processing program conforms said image data to a generally similar appearance.

5. A method, comprising the steps of:

providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different;

modifying said set to include at least one custom function definition which is functionally different from each of said predetermined function definitions and which identifies a separate image processing program; 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 modified 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 from said modified set;

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 corresponds to said custom function definition, and wherein execution of said one function portion causes execution of a command by said image processing program in a manner which affects image data present in said one function portion.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said modifying step includes the step of creating said custom function definition by modifying one of said predetermined function definitions.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said modifying step includes the step of replacing in said set said one predetermined function definition with said custom function definition.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said modifying step includes the step of including in said set each of said custom function definition and said one predetermined function definition.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein said modifying step includes the steps of:

modifying source code for said one predetermined function definition in a development environment;

compiling the modified source code in said development environment to obtain an object code file; and

including said object code file in said set.

10. A method according to claim 9, including the step of using as said development environment an off-line development environment.

11. A method according to claim 9, including the step of using VisualBasic (VB) as said development environment.

12. 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:

modification of said set to include at least one custom function definition which is functionally different from each of said predetermined function definitions and which identifies a separate image processing program; and

preparation of a project definition, said project definition including;

a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said modified 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 from said modified set;

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 corresponds to said custom function definition, and wherein execution of said one function portion causes execution of a command by said image processing program in a manner which affects image data present in said one function portion.

13. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate said modification of said set in a manner which includes creation of said custom function definition through modification of one of said predetermined function definitions.

14. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate said modification of said set in a manner which includes replacement in said set of said one predetermined function definition with said custom function definition.

15. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate said modification of said set in a manner which includes addition to said set of said custom function definition, so that said set includes each of said custom function definition and said one predetermined function definition.

16. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate said modification of said set in a manner which includes:

modification of source code for said one predetermined function definition in a development environment;

compilation of the modified source code in said development environment so as to obtain an object code file; and

inclusion of said object code file in said set.

17. A computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said program is operable when executed to facilitate said modification of said set by accepting said custom function definition in a form which includes an object code file prepared in a development environment separate from said program by modification and compilation of source code for said one predetermined function definition.

18. A computer-readable medium according to claim 17, wherein said program is operable when executed to use as said development environment VisualBasic (VB).