Method and system for programming devices using finite state machine descriptions

• US 20030066050A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WayTech Development, Inc.
• Original Assignee: WayTech Development, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Douglas W., Kadkade, Sudhir Dattacam, Lyons, Clifton Alton Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/962,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066050A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/105
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/045 using logic state machines, consisting only of a memory or a programmable logic device containing the logic for the controlled machine and in which the state of its outputs is dependent on the state of its inputs or part of its own output states, e.g. binary decision controllers, finite state controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23266 Compiler
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23286 Graphical representation of finite machine states to help operator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23289 State logic control, finite state, tasks, machine, fsm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25192 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2666 Toy

Abstract

A method and system for capturing a Finite State Machine (FSM) description of the desired behavior of a device, and converting that description into a program that is executable by the device. In the preferred embodiment, the device is a programmable robot toy. The user enters an FSM description of the desired behavior of the robot toy using a graphical user interface running on a personal computer. When requested, the preferred embodiment compiles the FSM description into a program executable by a virtual machine running on a micro-controller inside the robot toy. This program is sent to the toy via an infrared transmitter and infrared receiver, and stored in the toy'"'"'s memory. Then, when the robot toy is used, the virtual machine executes the stored program so that the toy behaves as specified by the FSM description.

Claims

1. A method of programming a device, comprising:

(a) providing an input means which a human operator can use to enter a specification of desired behavior of said device as a finite state machine description;

(b)converting said finite state machine description to a program which said device can execute;

(c) sending said program to said device, if said input means is not running on said device ; and

(d) storing said program in said device, said program being thereby enabled to control said device in accordance with said finite state machine description;

whereby a person who is not familiar with software or hardware control technology can easily program a device to behave as desired.

2. The method of programming a device of claim 1, wherein said input means displays a plurality of graphical objects on a display and enables said human operator to manipulate said graphical objects to enter all or part of said finite state machine description.

3. The method of programming a device of claim 1, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

4. The method of programming a device of claim 1, wherein said device is a consumer product.

5. The method of programming a device of claim 1, wherein said device is a toy.

6. The method of programming a device of claim 2, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

7. The method of programming a device of claim 6, wherein said device is a consumer product.

8. The method of programming a consumer product of claim 7, wherein said consumer product is a toy.

9. An apparatus for programming a device, comprising:

(a) an input means which a human operator can use to enter a specification of desired behavior of said device as a finite state machine description;

(b) a conversion means which will convert said finite state machine description to a program which said device can execute;

(c) a transmission means for sending said program to said device, if said input means is not running on said device; and

(d) a storage means for storing said program in said device, said program being thereby enabled to control said device in accordance with said finite state machine description;

whereby a person who is not familiar with software or hardware control technology can easily program a device to behave as desired.

10. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 9, wherein said input means displays a plurality of graphical objects on a display and enables said human operator to manipulate said graphical objects to enter all or part of said finite state machine description.

11. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 9, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

12. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 9, wherein said device is a consumer product.

13. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 9, wherein said consumer product is a toy.

14. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 10, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

15. The apparatus for programming a device of claim 14, wherein said device is a consumer product.

16. The apparatus for programming a consumer product of claim 15, wherein said consumer product is a toy.

17. A system for programming a device, comprising:

(a) an input means which a human operator can use to enter a specification of desired behavior of said device as a finite state machine description;

(b) a conversion means which will convert said finite state machine description to a program which said device can execute;

(c) a transmission means for sending said program to said device, if said input means is not running on said device ; and

(d) a storage means for storing said program in said device, said program being thereby enabled to control said device in accordance with said finite state machine description;

whereby a person who is not familiar with software or hardware control technology can easily program a device to behave as desired.

18. The system for programming a device of claim 17, wherein said input means displays a plurality of graphical objects on a display and enables said human operator to manipulate said graphical objects to enter all or part of said finite state machine description.

19. The system for programming a device of claim 17, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

20. The system for programming a device of claim 17, wherein said device is a consumer product.

21. The system for programming a device of claim 17, wherein said consumer product is a toy.

22. The system for programming a device of claim 18, wherein said human operator is a user of said device.

23. The system for programming a device of claim 22, wherein said device is a consumer product.

24. The system for programming a consumer product of claim 23, wherein said consumer product is a toy.