US 7,480,906 B2 · Programmatically analyzing and modifying a remote graphical program via a network

Abstract

A system and method for programmatically analyzing and modifying a graphical program via a network. The graphical program may be stored on a memory medium at a first location. A program may be executed on a computer system at a second location. The computer system at the second location may be coupled via a network to the memory medium at the first location or may be coupled to a computer system or device which includes or has access to the memory medium at the first location. The program on the computer system at the second location may execute to programmatically analyze the graphical program via the network. In one embodiment the program on the computer system at the second location may also execute to programmatically modify the graphical program via the network, based on the programmatic analysis of the graphical program.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims21

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for automatically analyzing a graphical program, the method comprising:

a first computer system accessing a memory medium over a network, wherein the memory medium stores the graphical program, and wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality nodes and connections between the nodes, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the program;
the first computer system automatically analyzing the graphical program stored on the memory medium, wherein said automatically analyzing the graphical program comprises automatically analyzing the plurality of nodes and the connections between the nodes;
and
displaying one or more suggested modifications to the graphical program based on said automatically analyzing, wherein said displaying the one or more suggested modifications comprises displaying one or more suggested modifications to at least one node and/or connection of the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually alters an appearance of the graphical program, wherein the one or more suggested modifications are selected from the following set:
displaying a new node;
removing a node;
displaying a new connection;
modifying a connection;
and
removing a connection.

7 more elements

A memory medium comprising program instructions for automatically analyzing a graphical program, wherein the memory medium is comprised in a first computer system, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement:

accessing a second memory medium over a network, wherein the second memory medium stores the graphical program, and wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of nodes and connections between the nodes, and wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the program;
automatically analyzing the graphical program stored on the second memory medium, wherein said automatically analyzing comprises automatically analyzing the plurality of nodes and the connections between the nodes;
and
displaying one or more suggested modifications to the graphical program based on said automatically analyzing, wherein said displaying the one or more suggested modifications comprises displaying one or more suggested modifications to at least one node and/or connection of the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually alters an appearance of the graphical program, wherein the one or more suggested modifications are selected from the following set:
displaying a new node;
removing a node;
displaying a new connection;
modifying a connection;
and
removing a connection.

7 more elements

A system, comprising:

a processor;
and
a first memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the first memory medium stores program instructions for automatically analyzing a graphical program, wherein the program instructions are executable to:
access a second memory medium over a network, wherein the second memory medium stores the graphical program and wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of nodes and connections between the nodes, and wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicate functionality of the program;
automatically analyze the graphical program stored on the second memory medium, wherein said automatically analyzing comprises automatically analyzing the plurality of nodes and the connections between the nodes;
and
display one or more suggested modifications to the graphical program based on said automatically analyzing, wherein said displaying the one or more suggested modifications comprises displaying one or more suggested modifications to at least one node and/or connection of the plurality of interconnected nodes which visually alters an appearance of the graphical program, wherein the one or more suggested modifications are selected from the set of:
displaying a new node;
removing a node;
displaying a new connection;
modifying a connection;
and
removing a connection.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,450 words

Summary2,923 words

#The present invention relates to the fields of computer software and graphical programming. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for programmatically analyzing and modifying a remote graphical program via a network.

#Traditionally, high level text-based programming languages have been used by programmers in writing application programs. Many different high level programming languages exist, including BASIC, C, Java, FORTRAN, Pascal, COBOL, ADA, APL, etc. Programs written in these high level languages are translated to the machine language level by translators known as compilers or interpreters. The high level programming languages in this level, as well as the assembly language level, are referred to herein as text-based programming environments.

#Increasingly, computers are required to be used and programmed by those who are not highly trained in computer programming techniques. When traditional text-based programming environments are used, the user's programming skills and ability to interact with the computer system often become a limiting factor in the achievement of optimal utilization of the computer system.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system operable to programmatically analyze a graphical program and programmatically modify the graphical program based on the analysis;

#FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary systems for programmatically analyzing and/or modifying a graphical program via a network;

Detailed description8,342 words

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

#Incorporation By Reference

#The following references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein:

Facts

Application

10/382,118Filed 5 Mar 2003 · us provisional application

Priority

14 Aug 2002

Published

US 2004/0034696 A119 Feb 2004

Granted

20 Jan 2009

Term ended

2 Mar 2025

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 728 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification3 codes

G06F 8/70
Arrangements for software engineering: software maintenance or management
G06F 8/34
Creation or generation of source code: graphical or visual programming
G06F
Computing and data processing

Timeline

14 Aug 2002Priority claimedParent application 60/403,351
5 Mar 2003Application filedUS 10/382,118
23 May 2003Assigned to National Instruments Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
19 Feb 2004PublishedUS 2004/0034696 A1
20 Jan 2009GrantedUS 7,480,906 B2
14 Jun 2020Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationsecurity interest
18 Jun 2021Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationsecurity interest
13 Oct 2023Assigned to National Instruments Corporationrelease of security interest in patents (reel/frame 057280/0028)
13 Oct 2023Assigned to National Instruments Corporation, Phase Matrix, Inc.release of security interest in patents (reel/frame 052935/0001)
2 Mar 2025Term endedEstimated, includes 728 days of adjustment

Programmatically analyzing and modifying a remote graphical program via a network

Life of this patent

Programmatically analyzing and modifying a remote graphical program via a network

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims21

Description11,450 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,450 words