Windows-based flowcharting and code generation system
OwnerFrank G. Logan III, Kenneth W. Bunch +2inventors
InventorsFrank G. Logan III, Kenneth W. Bunch, Teddy Martin Davis, Jeffrey M. Achesinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine control system (130) includes a computer (132) that generates, edits and displays a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program and compiles the program from the flowchart to control the operations of a machine (140). The system (130) also includes a debugger (146) for displaying the flowchart in a debugger window (170) for runtime execution control of the program.
Claims16
A machine programming and control system (130) including means for editing and generating (142) a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program for controlling the operations of a machine (140), means (136) for displaying the flowchart, continuous and contiguous portions of the flowchart containing more than one flowchart block being displayed, means for directly compiling (148) the program from the flowchart, and means for executing (144) the compiled program represented by the flowchart such that the machine is controlled in accordance with a displayed flowchart, comprising:
- a computer (132) including means for editing and generating (142) a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program for controlling the operations of a machine (140) connected to said computer;
- and
- a display means (136) connected to said means for editing and generating (142) and including a screen (150, 152) divided into a plurality of columns (154) and rows (156) for displaying the flowchart with each block of a plurality of blocks (158, 160, 162) being positioned at an associated intersection of one of said columns and one of said rows.
The system (130) according to claim 13 wherein when the program reaches one of said blocks (158, 160, 162) having a breakpoint, said computer (132) responds by changing said predetermined color to another predetermined color.
A method of machine programming and control including editing and generating a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program for controlling the operations of a machine, displaying the flowchart, continuous and contiguous portions of the flowchart containing more than one flowchart block being displayed, directly compiling the program from the flowchart, and executing the compiled program represented by the flowchart such that the machine is controlled in accordance with a displayed flowchart, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a computer (132) including means for editing and generating (142) a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program for controlling the operations of a machine (140) connected to the computer;
- b. providing a display means (136) connected to the means for editing and generating (142);
- and
- c. displaying a screen (150, 152) on the display means (136) divided into a plurality of columns (154) and rows (156) for displaying the flowchart with each block of a plurality of blocks (158, 160, 162) being positioned at an associated intersection of one of said columns and one of said rows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.