Patents by Inventor Hugo Andrade

Hugo Andrade has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6954724
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Patent number: 6934668
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Patent number: 6934667
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20050177816
    Abstract: A system and method for programmatically generating a graphical program in response to receiving input, e.g., user or process input. The input may specify functionality of the graphical program to be generated, and also indicate a target platform. In response to the input, a graphical program implementing the specified functionality may be programmatically generated for execution on the indicated target platform. Thus, different graphical programs, or different implementations of the graphical program, may be generated, depending on the input received. The graphical program (or implementation) may be at least partly optimized for execution on the indicated target platform. The graphical program may include a block diagram portion and a user interface portion, where the block diagram portion is specified for execution on the target platform, and the user interface portion is specified for execution on a computer system coupled to the target platform, e.g., for display of a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Ramprasad Kudukoli, Adam Gabbert, Hugo Andrade, Matthew Novacek, Lukasz Darowski
  • Publication number: 20050155014
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program utilizing one or more input/output (I/O) nodes. An I/O node may be displayed in a first graphical program, where the I/O node may include associated generation code for programmatically generating execution-time code associated with the I/O node in the first graphical program. First input may be received to select a first I/O source or target corresponding to the first I/O node, e.g., from various supported hardware resources, and the associated generation code may be executed to programmatically generate or modify the execution-time code, e.g., at compilation or prior to execution of the first graphical program, to provide I/O to or from the first I/O source or target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Hugo Andrade, Matthew Novacek, Lukasz Darowski
  • Publication number: 20050144523
    Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Sierer, Ganesh Ranganathan, John Pasquarette, David Fuller, Joseph Peck, Matthew Novacek, Hugo Andrade
  • Publication number: 20050143968
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a device to perform a function, where the device includes a programmable hardware element and one or more fixed hardware resources. A program is stored which represents the function. A hardware configuration program is generated based on the program, specifying a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and usage of the fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function. A deployment program deploys the hardware configuration program onto the programmable hardware element, where, after deployment, the device is operable to perform the function, where the programmable hardware element directly performs a first portion of the function, and the programmable hardware element invokes the fixed hardware resources to perform a second portion of the function. An optional measurement module couples to the device and performs signal conditioning and/or conversion logic on an acquired signal for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Odom, Joseph Peck, Hugo Andrade, Cary Butler, James Truchard, Newton Petersen, Matthew Novacek
  • Publication number: 20050137840
    Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Peck, Matthew Novacek, Hugo Andrade, Newton Petersen, Ganesh Ranganathan, Brian Sierer, John Pasquarette
  • Publication number: 20050102639
    Abstract: A system and method for deploying one or more graphical programs on a personal digital assistant (PDA). One or more selected graphical programs may be programmatically converted to an executable format that can be executed by the portable computing device. For example, the graphical programs may be initially represented as a plurality of data structures that define or specify the operation of the respective graphical programs, and conversion software program may operate to access these data structures from memory and convert the data structures to an executable format suitable for the portable computing device. The executable may be transferred to the portable computing device for execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Dove, Hugo Andrade, Darshan Shah
  • Patent number: 6889172
    Abstract: A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Sierer, Ganesh Ranganathan, John Pasquarette, David W Fuller, III, Joseph E. Peck, Matthew Novacek, Hugo A. Andrade
  • Patent number: 6876368
    Abstract: A system and method for deploying one or more graphical programs on a portable computing device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) device. One or more selected graphical programs may be programmatically converted to an executable format that can be executed by the portable computing device. For example, the graphical programs may be initially represented as a plurality of data structures that define or specify the operation of the respective graphical programs, and conversion software program may operate to access these data structures from memory and convert the data structures to an executable format suitable for the portable computing device. The executable may be transferred to the portable computing device for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Dove, Hugo Andrade, Darshan Shah
  • Publication number: 20050055666
    Abstract: A system and method for specifying timing relationships among nodes in a graphical program. User input specifying desired timing of a first node with respect to timing of a second node may be received. In various embodiments, any kind of timing relationship or timing constraint between the first node and the second node may be specified. Timing information may be displayed on the display to visually indicate the timing of the first node with respect to timing of the second node. In one embodiment, displaying the timing information may comprise displaying a timing wire between the first node and the second node. The graphical program may be executed in such a way that the visually indicated timing of the first node with respect to timing of the second node is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jacob Kornerup, Jeffrey Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Biren Shah, Aljosa Vrancic, Michael Santori
  • Patent number: 6823283
    Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations. A measurement module includes measurement circuitry for performing signal conditioning and/or signal conversion, and interface circuitry which provides an interface for the measurement circuitry. A carrier unit couples to the interface circuitry of the module. A computer system couples to the carrier unit and stores one or more hardware configuration programs. The interface circuitry communicates an interface protocol describing the interface, e.g., to the carrier unit or the computer system. The computer system provides a hardware configuration program in response to the communicated interface protocol, and programs one or more programmable hardware elements on the carrier unit with the hardware configuration program. After being configured, the programmable hardware elements interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Perry Steger, Garritt W. Foote, David Potter, James J. Truchard, Hugo A. Andrade, Joseph E. Peck, Brian Keith Odom
  • Patent number: 6784903
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method may operate to configure an instrument to perform measurement functions, wherein the instrument includes a programmable hardware element. The method comprises first creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program may implement a measurement function. A portion of the graphical program may be converted into a hardware implementation on a programmable hardware element, and a portion may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. The programmable hardware element is thus configured utilizing a hardware description and implements a hardware implementation of at least a portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian Keith Odom, Cary Paul Butler, Kevin L. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030200076
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030195731
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030195730
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030195729
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030195732
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method comprises first creating a graphical program. A first portion of the graphical program may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. A second portion of the graphical program is converted into a hardware implementation according to the present invention. The operation of converting the graphical program into a hardware implementation comprises exporting the second portion of the graphical program into a hardware description, wherein the hardware description describes a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program, and then configuring a programmable hardware element utilizing the hardware description to produce a configured hardware element. The configured hardware element thus implements a hardware implementation of the second portion of the graphical program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian K. Odom, Cary P. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030192032
    Abstract: A system and method for debugging a program which is intended to execute on a reconfigurable device. A computer system stores a program that specifies a function, and which is convertible into a hardware configuration program (HCP) and deployable onto a programmable hardware element comprised on the device. The HCP is generated based on the program, specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and further specifies usage of one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function. A test configuration is deployable on the programmable hardware element by a deployment program, where, after deployment, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the fixed hardware resources and the program. The program is executable by a processor in the computer system, where during execution the program communicates with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Hugo A. Andrade, Brian Keith Odom, Cary Paul Butler, Joseph E. Peck, Newton G. Petersen