Windows-based flowcharting and code generation system

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) for editing and generating (142) a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program and for controlling the operations of a machine (140) connected to said computer in accordance with said flowchart, and
• a display (136) connected to said computer for editing and generating (142) and including a screen (150,152) divided into a plurality of columns (154) each having a width and a plurality of rows (156) each having a height, the display (136) for displaying the flowchart with a plurality of blocks (158,160,162), each of said plurality of blocks (158,160,162) being disposed within a cell defined by said columns (154) and rows (156);
• said computer automatically displaying a first of said blocks in a first color and wherein said computer (132) causes said display (136) to display all of said blocks (158, 160, 162) dependent from said first of said blocks with a second color, and to display all remaining ones of said blocks in a third color.

A method of machine programming and control including editing and generating a continuous multi-block flowchart representing a program for controlling 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:

• editing and generating (142) the continuous multi-block flow chart representing a program for controlling the operations of a machine (140) connected to the computer;
• operating the machine in accordance with the flowchart;
• displaying a plurality of blocks (158,160,162) on a screen (150,152) divided into a plurality of columns (154) and rows (156), the plurality of blocks (158,160,162) comprising the flowchart, each of said plurality of blocks (158,160,162) being disposed within a cell defined by said columns (154) and rows (156);
• automatically displaying a first of said blocks in a first color, all of said blocks (158, 160, 162) dependent from said first of said blocks in a second color, and all remaining blocks in a third color.