Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Mercer

Stephen R. Mercer 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: 10235265
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer, Owen B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10019339
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining. Such techniques may allow validation of a larger set of programs than conventional models while maintaining deterministic results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer, Owen B. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20160103760
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining. Such techniques may allow validation of a larger set of programs than conventional models while maintaining deterministic results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer, Owen B. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20160103755
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining. Such techniques may allow validation of a larger set of programs than conventional models while maintaining deterministic results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer, Owen B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9250894
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining. Such techniques may allow validation of a larger set of programs than conventional models while maintaining deterministic results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer, Owen B. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20140075419
    Abstract: System and method for validating a program under a specified model of computation. The model of computation may be related to the synchronous statechart model of computation. A program may be received that specifies a plurality of operations using a variable within a logical tick such that the variable has multiple values within the logical tick. The program may be statically analyzed according to a specified model of computation that specifies program execution based on logical ticks, which may include determining that the program has deterministic semantics that specify deterministic results for each logical tick during execution of the program, including specifying deterministic results of the plurality of operations performed within the logical tick. The program may be validated in accordance with the specified model of computation in response to the determining. Such techniques may allow validation of a larger set of programs than conventional models while maintaining deterministic results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard von Hanxleden, Michael Mendler, Stephen R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8458682
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Patent number: 8438550
    Abstract: System and method for implicit downcasting at compile time in a data flow program. A first data flow function in an object-oriented dataflow program is identified, where the first function includes an input of a parent data type and an output of the parent data type. The first function is analyzed to determine if the output preserves the run-time data type of the input. A second dataflow function in the object-oriented data flow program is identified, where the second function includes a program element that calls the first function, passing an input parameter of a child data type of the parent data type as input. If the analysis determines that an output parameter returned by the output of the first function will always be of the child data type, the program element is automatically configured at compile time to always downcast the output parameter from the parent data type to the child data type at run-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Steven W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8423977
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Patent number: 8375355
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Patent number: 8356290
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Publication number: 20100275194
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Publication number: 20100275070
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Publication number: 20100275181
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Publication number: 20100275187
    Abstract: System and method for converting a class oriented data flow program to a structure oriented data flow program. A first data flow program is received, where the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, and wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function. The first data flow program is automatically converted to a second data flow program, where the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and where the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function. The second data flow program is stored on a computer memory, where the second data flow program is configured to be deployed to a device, e.g., a programmable hardware element, and where the second data flow program is executable on the device to perform the first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Akash B. Bhakta, Matthew E. Novacek
  • Publication number: 20100251228
    Abstract: System and method for implicit downcasting at compile time in a data flow program. A first data flow function in an object-oriented dataflow program is identified, where the first function includes an input of a parent data type and an output of the parent data type. The first function is analyzed to determine if the output preserves the run-time data type of the input. A second dataflow function in the object-oriented data flow program is identified, where the second function includes a program element that calls the first function, passing an input parameter of a child data type of the parent data type as input. If the analysis determines that an output parameter returned by the output of the first function will always be of the child data type, the program element is automatically configured at compile time to always downcast the output parameter from the parent data type to the child data type at run-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Steven W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7793273
    Abstract: System and method for implicit downcasting at compile time in a data flow program. A first data flow function in an object-oriented dataflow program is identified, where the first function includes an input of a parent data type and an output of the parent data type. The first function is analyzed to determine if the output preserves the run-time data type of the input. A second dataflow function in the object-oriented data flow program is identified, where the second function includes a program element that calls the first function, passing an input parameter of a child data type of the parent data type as input. If the analysis determines that an output parameter returned by the output of the first function will always be of the child data type, the program element is automatically configured at compile time to always downcast the output parameter from the parent data type to the child data type at run-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Mercer, Steven W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7730450
    Abstract: System and method for automatic versioning and data mutation for user-defined data types. A program development environment may be operable to: create a first version of a data type definition in response to user input; instantiate and store an object of the first version of the data type, optionally including a version identifier indicating the version of the object; modify the first version of the data type definition in response to user input, thereby creating a second version of the data type definition; load the object from storage; and automatically (without user intervention) modify the object to conform to the second version of the data type definition. Successive modifications of the data type definition may generate successive versions of the data type. Objects instantiated and stored according to a previous version of the data type may be loaded from storage and automatically modified to conform to a specified subsequent version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen R. Mercer