# US 6,775,579 B2 · Flowchart-based control system with active debugging objects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,775,579 B2 - Document ID: US6775579B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/212,460 - Filed: 2002-08-05 - Published: 2003-02-20 - Granted: 2004-08-10 - Earliest claimed: 2001-08-06 - Assignees: Entivity, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph Gasiorek; Andrew H. McMillan; Michael McFarland; James B. Behm; John Brandow; Kurudi Muralidhar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6775579B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - G05B 2219/23267: Program derived from sequence time diagram and stored in table - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A machine programming and control system includes a computer including a processor, memory, a display and a device associated with a process. A flowcharting module executed by the computer generates and edits a flowchart that contains action and decision blocks which define logic for operating the device to further the process. The flowcharting module allows active debugging objects to be added to the flowchart. The active debugging objects provide information relating debugging of flowchart code and/or debugging of a portion of the process that is related to the flowchart code. The active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website, and text demonstrating the desired operation of the process. The active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website, and text describing correct values for control variables at a first logical point in the flowchart. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine programming and control system, comprising: a computer including a processor, memory and a display; a device associated with a process; and a flowcharting module executed by said computer that generates and edits a flowchart that contains action and decision blocks that define logic for operating said device to further said process, wherein said flowcharting module allows active debugging objects to be added to said flowchart, wherein said active debugging objects are user actuated and are linked to at least one of a file, a document and a software component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging objects provide information relating to at least one of debugging of flowchart code and debugging of a portion of said process that is related to said flowchart code. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging objects include an icon that is added to said flowchart adjacent to related flowchart code to visually identify said active debugging object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging object provides at least one of audio and visual feedback. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging object provides at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website and textual information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website and text demonstrating the desired operation of the process. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said active debugging object includes at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website and text describing correct values for control variables at a first logical point in said flowchart. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The machine programming and control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one of said file, said document and said software component provides a desired value of variables that are associated with at least one flowchart block that is located adjacent to said active debugging object. ### Claim 9 A method of operating a machine programming and control system, comprising: generating and editing a flowchart using a flowcharting module; adding action and decision blocks to said flowchart to define logic for operating a device to further a process; adding active debugging objects to said flowchart, wherein said active debugging objects are user actuated; and linking said active debugging objects to at least one of a file, a document and a software component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein said active debugging objects provide information relating to at least one of debugging of flowchart code and debugging of a portion of said process that is related to said flowchart code. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising adding said active debugging objects to said flowchart adjacent to related flowchart code. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising providing at least one of audio and visual feedback using said active debugging object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising providing at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website and textual information using said active debugging object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising providing at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website and text demonstrating the desired operation of the process using said active debugging object. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising wherein providing at least one of audio, a movie clip, a link to a website, and text describing correct values for control variables at a first logical point in said flowchart using said active debugging object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein said at least one of said file, said document and said software component provides a desired value of variables that are associated with at least one flowchart block that is located adjacent to said active debugging object.