Deployment and execution of a graphical program on an embedded device from a PDA
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for programming an embedded sensor device, the method comprising,creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program specifies a function to be performed by the embedded sensor device, wherein the graphical program comprises a block diagram that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes or icons which visually indicate the functionality of the program, and a graphical user interface (GUI) portion implementing a GUI for displaying information from the program or providing user input to the program, and wherein the embedded sensor device comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the embedded sensor device does not include a display;
- storing the graphical program on a personal digital assistant (PDA);
transmitting the block diagram of the graphical program from the PDA to the embedded sensor device over a serial link, wherein the GUI portion of the graphical program is not transmitted to the embedded sensor device, and wherein after said transmitting, the embedded sensor device is operable to execute the block diagram of the graphical program to perform the specified function;
the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram to perform the function, wherein the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram generates data;
the embedded sensor device sending the data to the PDA; and
the PDA executing the GUI portion to display the data in the GUI.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for deploying and executing a program, e.g., a graphical program, on an embedded device, e.g., a compact sensor interface (CSI) that includes or is coupled to one or more sensors. The program is stored on a host mobile computer, e.g., a PDA, then downloaded to the CSI over a wired or wireless serial link, e.g., cable, infrared (IR), Bluetooth, etc. The embedded device executes the graphical program to perform the function, thereby generating data. The data is sent to the mobile computer over a wired or wireless serial link, e.g., via a Front Panel Protocol, where the data is displayed. Alternatively, the mobile computer executes a different program to perform a discovery operation to detect and establish communications with the embedded device, retrieves the data from the embedded device via a wireless serial transmission medium, e.g., IR link (e.g., IrDA), Bluetooth, etc., and displays the data.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for programming an embedded sensor device, the method comprising,
creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program specifies a function to be performed by the embedded sensor device, wherein the graphical program comprises a block diagram that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes or icons which visually indicate the functionality of the program, and a graphical user interface (GUI) portion implementing a GUI for displaying information from the program or providing user input to the program, and wherein the embedded sensor device comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the embedded sensor device does not include a display; -
storing the graphical program on a personal digital assistant (PDA); transmitting the block diagram of the graphical program from the PDA to the embedded sensor device over a serial link, wherein the GUI portion of the graphical program is not transmitted to the embedded sensor device, and wherein after said transmitting, the embedded sensor device is operable to execute the block diagram of the graphical program to perform the specified function; the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram to perform the function, wherein the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram generates data; the embedded sensor device sending the data to the PDA; and the PDA executing the GUI portion to display the data in the GUI. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-accessible memory medium which stores program instructions for programming an embedded sensor device, wherein the program instructions are executable by a personal digital assistant (PDA) to perform,
creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program specifies a function to be performed by the embedded sensor device, wherein the graphical program comprises a block diagram that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes or icons which visually indicate the functionality of the graphical program, and a graphical user interface (GUI) portion implementing a GUI for displaying information from the program or providing user input to the program, and wherein the embedded sensor device comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the embedded sensor device does not include a display; -
storing the graphical program on the PDA; transmitting the block diagram of the graphical program from the PDA to the embedded sensor device over a serial link, wherein the GUI portion of the graphical program is not transmitted to the embedded sensor device, and wherein after said transmitting, the embedded sensor device is operable to execute the block diagram of the graphical program to perform the specified function; the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram to perform the function, wherein the embedded sensor device executing the block diagram generates data; the embedded sensor device sending the data to the PDA; and the PDA executing the GUI portion to display the data in the GUI.
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23. A system for programming an embedded sensor device, the system comprising,
a personal digital assistant (PDA), comprising, a processor; -
a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores a first portion of a program, a graphical user interface (GUI) portion implementing a GUI of the program, and a plurality of components of a program execution system, wherein the memory medium also stores program instructions executable to analyze the first portion of the program to determine a subset of the plurality of components required for execution of the first portion of the program; and a display coupled to the processor and memory medium; and an embedded sensor device coupled to the computer system via a serial transmission medium, wherein the embedded sensor device comprises, a processor; a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores a minimal execution system; and one or more sensors, coupled to the processor and memory medium, wherein the embedded sensor device does not include a display; wherein the memory medium of the PDA further stores program instructions which are executable by the processor of the PDA to, transmit the first portion of the program and the subset of the plurality of components to the embedded sensor device over the serial transmission medium wherein the GUI portion of the graphical program is not transmitted to the embedded sensor device; wherein the minimal execution system is executable by the processor of the embedded sensor device to execute the first portion of the program using the subset of the plurality of components; and wherein the PDA is operable to receive data from the embedded sensor device and execute the GUI portion to display the data on the display in the GUI.
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24. A hand-held computer, comprising:
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a processor; a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores a graphical program, wherein the graphical program specifies a function to be performed by a sensor interface device, and wherein the graphical program comprises a block diagram that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes or icons which visually indicate the functionality of the graphical program, and a graphical user interface (GUI) portion implementing a GUI for displaying information from the program or providing user input to the program; and a display coupled to the processor and memory medium; wherein the memory medium further stores program instructions which are executable by the processor to; analyze the graphical program; convert the block diagram of the graphical program into a format suitable for transmission over a serial link to the sensor interface device; and transmit the converted block diagram of the graphical program from the hand-held computer to the sensor interface device over the serial link, wherein the GUI portion of the graphical program is not transmitted to the embedded sensor device; wherein after said transmitting, the sensor interface device is operable to execute the converted block diagram of the graphical program to perform the specified function; and wherein the memory medium further stores program instructions which are executable by the processor to; receive data from sensor interface device during execution of the converted block diagram of the graphical program; and execute the GUI portion to display the received data on the display in the GUI.
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Specification