Method and apparatus for triggering automated processing of data
First Claim
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
- providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data;
storing a project definition that is operable when executed to process said image data and 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 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; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition;
allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and
automatically initiating execution of said project definition in response to a change to said image data in said data source;
wherein said execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate a graphical aspect of said image data.
22 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed and then deposited in at least one data destination (16, 17). The data can be image data, text data, numeric data or some other type 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. Execution of the project definition can be initiated by various events. One such event is the receipt of a communication expressed in a publication communication protocol. Another such event is an update to the data in the data source, resulting in automatic initiation of the execution of the project definition.
109 Citations
17 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, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data; storing a project definition that is operable when executed to process said image data and 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 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; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and automatically initiating execution of said project definition in response to a change to said image data in said data source; wherein said execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate a graphical aspect of said image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions that are different, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data, said program being operable when executed to facilitate:
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storing of a project definition that is operable when executed to process said image data and 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 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; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;displaying of a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; allowance of a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and automatic initiation of execution of said project definition in response to a change to said image data in said data source; wherein said execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate a graphical aspect of said image data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of predetermined function definitions which are different, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data; storing a project definition that is operable when executed to process said image data and 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 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; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;displaying a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; allowing a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and automatically initiating execution of said project definition in response to receipt through a communications link of a trigger expressed in a public communication protocol; wherein said execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate a graphical aspect of said image data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions that are different, at least one of said predetermined function definitions defining a function for manipulating image data, said program being operable when executed to facilitate:
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storing of a project definition that is operable when executed to process said image data and 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 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; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;displaying of a project window that includes a graphical representation of said project definition; allowance of a user to modify said project definition by interacting with said graphical representation using a pointing tool; and automatic initiation of execution of said project definition in response to receipt through a communications link of a trigger expressed in a public communication protocol; wherein said execution of said project definition operates at least in part to manipulate a graphical aspect of said image data. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification