Automatic application programming interface (API) generation for functional blocks

• US 7,337,407 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Ogami, Kenneth Y., Pleis, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonshock, Dennis G.
• Application Number:
  US09/994,599
• Time in Patent Office: 2,290 Days
• Field of Search: 345/519, 345/964, 703/14, 703/15, 715/762, 715/964
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/31 Design entry, e.g. editors specifically adapted for circuit design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/36 Circuit design at the analogue level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/964 CAD or CAM, e.g. interactive design tools

Abstract

A method of generating an application programming interface (API) for an electronic circuit. A graphical user interface is displayed through which a user can initiate generation of the API. A component is selected from a plurality of components for placement in said electronic circuit. The component represents an implementable function in the electronic circuit. The component is configured using the graphical user interface. The data pertaining to the selected component and the configuration of the component is stored. The graphical user interface is utilized to access the stored data. The interface is initiated to invoke a processing of said data which causes a generation of the application programming interface. The application interface is for controlling the function of the component in said electronic circuit.

Claims

1. A method of API (application programming interface) generation for an electronic circuit comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface through which a user can initiate generation of a new API, wherein said user utilizes said new API to customize functionality of said electronic circuit;

selecting a component from a plurality of components for placement in said electronic circuit, said component for executing an implementable embedded function in said electronic circuit;

configuring said selected component via said graphical user interface;

storing descriptive data relative to said selected component and said configuration;

utilizing said interface to access said descriptive data; and

initiating said graphical user interface to invoke a processing of said descriptive data causing an automatic generation of said new API, in response to a user input, said new API comprising a device-interface and interrupt activity framework for source programming and controlling said embedded function of said component in said electronic circuit through user interaction with said new API wherein source code is compiled and built in response to a selection of a graphical element.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said configuring said selected component comprises placing said selected component in said electronic circuit.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises selling parameters of said selected component, said parameters relative to said function of said component and to said electronic circuit.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises selecting pin values for connecting said component to said electronic circuit.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said new API comprises header files.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said new API further comprises assembly code files.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said new API further comprises include files.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said data is substantially expressed in extensible markup language.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface comprises a plurality of windows.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer usable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform:

displaying a graphical user interlace through which a user can initiate the generation of an a new API (application programming interface), wherein said user utilizes said new API to customize functionality of an electronic circuit;

selecting a component from a plurality of components for placement in said electronic circuit, said component for executing an implementable embedded function in said electronic circuit;

configuring said selected component via said graphical user interface;

storing descriptive data relative to said selected component and said configuration;

utilizing said graphical user interface to access said descriptive data; and

initiating said graphical user interface to invoke a processing of said descriptive data causing an automatic generation of said new API, in response to a user input, said new API comprising a device-interface and interrupt activity framework for source programming and controlling said embedded function of said component of said electronic circuit through user interaction with said new API wherein source code is compiled and built in response to a selection of a graphical element.

11. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said configuring said selected component comprises placing said selected component in said electronic circuit.

12. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises setting parameters of said selected component, said parameters relative to said function of said selected component and to said electronic circuit.

13. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises selecting pin values for connecting said selected component to said electronic circuit.

14. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said new API comprises header files.

15. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said new API further comprises assembly code files.

16. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said new API further comprises include files.

17. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said data is substantially expressed in extensible markup language.

18. The computer-usable medium of claim 10 wherein said graphical user interface comprises a plurality of windows.

19. A computer system comprising;

a bus;

a display device coupled to said bus;

a memory unit coupled to said bus;

a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for executing a method for generating an API (application programming interface) for an electronic circuit comprising;

displaying a graphical user interface through which a user can initiate generation of said a new API, wherein said user utilizes said new API to customize functionality of said electronic circuit;

selecting a component from a plurality of components for placement in said electronic circuit, said component for executing an implementable embedded function in said electronic circuit;

configuring said selected component via said graphical user interface;

storing descriptive data relative to said selected component and said configuration;

utilizing said graphical user interface to access said descriptive data; and

initiating said graphical user interface to invoke said processor to process said stored data causing an automatic generation of said new API, in response to a user input, said new API comprising a device-interface and interrupt activity framework for source programming and controlling said embedded function of said selected component in said electronic circuit through user interaction with said new API wherein source code is compiled and built in response to a selection of a graphical element.

20. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said configuring said selected component comprises placing said selected component in said electronic circuit.

21. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises setting parameters of said selected component, said parameters relative to said function of said selected component and to said electronic circuit.

22. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said configuring said selected component further comprises selecting pin values for connecting said selected component to said electronic circuit.

23. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said at API comprises header files.

24. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said new API further comprises assembly code files.

25. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said new API further comprises include files.

26. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said data is substantially expressed in extensible markup language.

27. The computer system of claim 19 wherein said graphical user interface comprises a plurality of windows.