Visual Or Iconic Programming Patents (Class 715/967)
  • Patent number: 11954461
    Abstract: A system for autonomously delivering software features is disclosed. The system parses data obtained from a variety of sources, and extracts source concepts from the parsed data to generate models for inclusion in a set of agglomerated models. Over time, additional data from the variety of sources may be utilized to update the set of agglomerated models. The updated agglomerated models may be analyzed by the system to determine whether new features and/or functionality may be added to an application under evaluation by the system. In the event that new features and/or functionality may be added to the application under evaluation, the system may automatically generate code corresponding to the new features and/or functionality and incorporate that features and/or functionality into the application under evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: UKG Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Briggs, Brian R. Muras, Andrew Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11841700
    Abstract: A system is configured to receive a first selection of a first object corresponding to a first portion of computer code that defines a first operation of a first industrial automation device from a library, receive a second selection of a second object corresponding to a second portion of computer code that defines a second operation of a second industrial automation device from the library, and generate an industrial automation project code file. Generating the industrial automation project code file includes modifying the first portion of computer code to enable the first industrial automation device to operate in conjunction with the second industrial automation device, modifying the second portion of computer code to enable the second industrial automation device to operate in conjunction with the first industrial automation device, and combining the modified first portion of computer code and the modified second portion of computer code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Stump, Anthony Carrara, Christopher W. Como, Sharon Billi-Duran, Matthew R. Ericsson, Srdjan Josipovic, Eashwer Srinivasan, Michael D. Kalan
  • Patent number: 11778150
    Abstract: A personal computer includes an output interface configured to output an image signal to a projector, an image processing section configured to generate a second image obtained by reducing visibility of the first image, and a second control section configured to, when a first condition is satisfied, cause the output interface to output a second image signal based on the second image and, when a second condition is satisfied, cause the output interface to output a first image signal based on the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu Ota
  • Patent number: 11669551
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rule-based data stream processing by data collection, indexing, and visualization systems. An example method includes: receiving, by the computer system, an input data stream comprising raw machine data; processing the raw machine data by a data processing pipeline that produces transformed machine data, wherein the data processing pipeline comprises an ordered plurality of pipeline stages, wherein a pipeline stage of the ordered plurality of pipeline stages applies a rule of a set of rules to an input of the pipeline stage, wherein the rule specifies an action to be performed on the input of the pipeline stage responsive to evaluating a conditional expression applied to the input of the pipeline stage, wherein the action generates an output of the pipeline stage, and wherein the rule is selected based on a source type associated with the input data stream; and supplying the transformed machine data to a data collection, indexing, and visualization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Splunk Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Douglas James, Shyam Mundhra, Manikandan Vellore Muneeswaran, Arun Ramani, Thor Taylor, Steve Zhang
  • Patent number: 10795646
    Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems that that generate proxy-object interfaces to external executable code for use in workflows executed by a workflow-execution system. The workflow-execution-engine component of a cloud-management system provides one example of a workflow-execution system in which proxy-object interfaces to external executable code are used. In one implementation, an existing automated-code-generation subsystem generates plug-in class declarations that represent one or more external executables. An additional class-wrapping subsystem then generates a proxy class for each code-generated plug-in class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Dimitrov, Julian Vassev
  • Patent number: 10288419
    Abstract: A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: Rony Abovitz, Brian T. Schowengerdt, Mathew D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10002125
    Abstract: Specialized language processing engines can use author-specific or reader-specific language models to improve language processing results by selecting phrases most likely to be used by an author or by tailoring output to language with which the reader is familiar. Language models that are author-specific can be generated by identifying characteristics of an author or author type such as age, gender, and location. An author-specific language model can be built using, as training data, language items written by users with the identified characteristics. Language models that are reader-specific can be generated using, as training data, language items written by or viewed by that reader. When implementing a specialized machine translation engine, multiple possible translations can be generated. An author-specific language model or a reader-specific language model can provide scores for possible translations, which can be used to select the best translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Pino, Ying Zhang, Matthias Gerhard Eck
  • Patent number: 9971572
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for modifying source code by managing symbols indicating executable instructions. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to receive one or more symbols indicating executable instructions to be implemented via source code and generate a visual display comprising a dialog box supporting modification of source code that implements the executable instructions indicated by the one or more symbols. Responsive to receiving a user interaction with the dialog box resulting in modified source code, embodiments of the present invention can be used to generate modified source code or a representation of the modified source code that is shorter than the modified source code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan C. Childs, Peter J. Relson, Peter G. Spera
  • Patent number: 8954870
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extending a visualization platform are disclosed. A user may create a visualization project created. One or more properties for a non-native widget established by a developer of the non-native widget may be received from the project. Such properties may designate a name or a type of data that the non-native widget is capable of processing. Responsive to an instruction received from the user of the visualization authoring environment, a source of data to be processed by the non-native widget or a destination of data produced by the non-native widget to be processed by other widgets may be established. The appearance or behavior of the non-native widget may be rendered based at least in part on a value available from the source of the data or the appearance or behavior of one or more other widgets may be rendered based at least in part on data produced by the non-native widget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: iRise
    Inventors: Maurice Martin, Steven Yamanaka, Daniel Akiva, Norman Basham, Bryan Lipson
  • Patent number: 8947452
    Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for displaying graphical objects. In one approach, first and second graphical objects are displayed in a first state. In the first state a portion of the second graphical object that is overlapped by a portion of the first graphical object is completely obstructed from view by the portion of the first graphical object. When in a second state, the first and second graphical objects are displayed in a manner different from the first state. In the second state the portion of the second graphical object that is overlapped by the portion of the first graphical object is represented as being visible along with the portion of the first object and with muted visibility relative to a portion of the second graphical object that is not overlapped by a portion of the first graphical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Ballagh, Thomas E. Fischaber, Roger B. Milne, Krista M. Marks
  • Patent number: 8910063
    Abstract: A method for an assisted display for command line interfaces is described. In an embodiment, an input region and an output region of a command line interface are displayed. Commands are displayed within the input region as they are received. A history is maintained that stores the output of previous executions. At least a portion of the output maintained by the history is displayed within the output region. The output region is scrolled by adding one or more outputs from the history to the display of the output region and/or removing one or more outputs from the display of the output region. Wherein, scrolling the output region does not cause the display of the input region to become obscured. In another embodiment, an input assistance region is displayed that walks a user through selecting commands supported by the command line interface as well as options and arguments for those commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Sarbin
  • Patent number: 8850335
    Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Eldridge, James William Hemenway, John Patrick King, Franciscus Marie Middeldorp
  • Patent number: 8839139
    Abstract: An electronic “To-Do” bar is provided in which displayed upcoming tasks, meetings, appointments and the like. The electronic To-Do bar is displayed in a lightweight menu of tasks, meetings and appointments and is displayed persistently in addition to other software functionality or user interfaces displayed on a user's computer display screen according to other software applications or other software functionality in use. A user is presented with an always-visible list of upcoming tasks, meetings and appointments without the need to launch a separate tasks application or calendar application to view upcoming tasks, meetings or appointments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Leukart, Glenn L. Frankel, Stephen D. Jensen, Hernan Savastano, Cheryl L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8788954
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for use at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display includes displaying a web page or portion thereof on the touch screen display. An activation of an options icon is detected. In response, a plurality of icons including a web-clip widget creation icon is displayed. An activation of the web-clip widget creation icon is detected; in response, a web-clip widget is created corresponding to the displayed web page or portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen O. Lemay, Richard Williamson, Scott Forstall, Chris Blumenberg, Timothy P. Omernick
  • Patent number: 8732595
    Abstract: A system for monitoring processes of a distributed business application an integration builder tool. The integration builder tool includes a condition editor having a user interface providing an editing area on a display in which to receive a text-based expression of one or more conditions of a business application process. The editing area further includes an operator palette providing a plurality of operators for use in the text based expression of each of the one or more conditions, and a toolbar providing one or more editing tools for editing the text-based expressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Patrick Schmidt, Karsten Ploesser, Prashant Gautam
  • Patent number: 8732596
    Abstract: There is provided a method of creating computer instructions for transforming inbound instances, being instances of a hierarchical inbound data format, into outbound instances, being instances of at least one hierarchical outbound data format, wherein each inbound instance is transformed into zero, one or more outbound instances, the inbound and outbound data formats each having a number of segments arranged in a hierarchical manner, the method using a computing device having at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, and the method including: retrieving from the memory and providing on the display device a number of operation icons each representing at least one operation to be performed on data; and enabling a user of the computing device to select and arrange at least some of the operation icons on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Microgen Aptitude Limited
    Inventors: Neil Thomson, Grzegorz Roman Pusz
  • Patent number: 8688260
    Abstract: A method enables a user to create, edit, monitor and/or optimize the overall machine process of a programmable machine or system assisted by a graphics editor. The programmable machine or system is initially put together as a system of individual machine units which are involved in the overall machine process during certain times by running a number of partial machine processes that are firstly synchronized with one another once they have been set up and then parameters are set for them. These method steps take place in a two-dimensional process diagram created by the graphics editor that plots all the partial machine processes involved in the overall machine process via assigned process symbols that are positioned or repositioned by the graphics editor so that they are arranged in a machine component dimension and in a time dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Keba AG
    Inventor: Heinz Stummer
  • Patent number: 8683358
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an application design method includes identifying one or more application objects selected by a user when designing an application and identifying dependencies associated with the selected objects. The method further includes duplicating the selected objects and the associated dependencies. In another embodiment, the one or more objects comprise at least one of a valuator, an input and an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Anderson, Kenneth Y. Ogami, Marat Zhaksilikov
  • Patent number: 8683359
    Abstract: Systems and methods for in-place user interface (UI) and dataflow modeling, including a number of UI elements of a graphical user interface (GUI) grouped in several GUI fragments. A first fragment of the several GUI fragments is switched from UI design mode to dataflow design mode, where the UI elements are replaced by data elements. The data elements in the first fragment may be related to define one part of a dataflow. A second fragment of the several GUI fragments is separately switched from UI design mode to dataflow design mode, where the UI elements are replaced by data elements. The data elements of the second fragment may be related to define another part of the dataflow. A relationship is created between the data elements of the first fragment and the data element of the second fragment based on the dataflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Uwe Jugel
  • Patent number: 8650490
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for displaying a physical view of a monitored device. The apparatus for displaying a physical view of a device is provided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the steps of displaying a physical representation of a device, generating a plurality of grid lines in association with a predetermined portion of the physical representation of the device, and displaying an icon configured to convey information regarding a status of the device, wherein the icon is displayed within an area defined by the plurality of grid lines. These modules in the described embodiments include a rendering module, a grid module, and a status module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Gary Hourselt, Kelly Louise Hicks, Teresa Shen Swingler, Nedzad Taljanovic
  • Patent number: 8640027
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring a hardware device to execute a prototype is presented. The hardware device may include a programmable hardware element and/or a processor and memory. The prototype may comprise a software entity operable to perform a plurality of executable operations, wherein the prototype is created by a user without requiring user programming. For example, a prototyping environment may provide a library of operations that are specific to a particular problem domain and may enable the user to select various operations from the library for inclusion in the prototype. The prototyping environment may include a graphical user interface that is streamlined for interactively experimenting with various parameters or properties associated with the selected operations and seeing the effects of adjusting the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Nicolas Vazquez, Kevin L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8615715
    Abstract: A mechanism for processing graphical block diagram parameter expressions is presented. The mechanism achieves optimal implementation of block equations in the execution (run-time) environment by defining a mapping between user-defined block parameters and a run-time version of the parameters. The parameter processing mechanism also pools like, non-interfaced parameter expressions, allowing reuse of both uniform and non-uniform data across constant block parameters in the generated code and during model execution. The parameter processing mechanism further maintains an execution structure that maps the run-time parameter expressions containing interfaced variables to generated code for the block diagram so that the interfaced variables appear in the generated code. This mapping thus allows for interfacing to the interfaced variables in the generated code from any execution framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ciolfi
  • Patent number: 8555298
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to enable free customization of a component class executed by an application program. To achieve this object, an information processing apparatus executably stores an application program main body and a class library having a plurality of classes. The apparatus includes a unit which acquires the name of an interface described in the application program main body and the name of a customization point, a unit which acquires the name of an interface stored in the class library and the name of a class belonging to the interface, a unit which generates an instance for each customization point by executing a selected one of the classes belonging to the interface corresponding to the customization point, a unit which embeds the instance at the corresponding customization point, and a unit which executes the application program main body with the instance being embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuma Matsui
  • Patent number: 8539378
    Abstract: A method of navigating in a flow diagram is disclosed. The flow diagram is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) and the flow diagram comprises a set of task elements and a set of connectors. A set of navigation commands is provided. The set of navigation commands comprises a first navigation command and a second navigation command. A selector is moved from a first task element of the set of task elements to a first connector of the set of connectors in response to the reception of the first navigation command, wherein the first connector immediately succeeds the first task element in the flow diagram. Furthermore, the selector is moved from the first connector to the first task element in response to the reception of the second navigation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed El-Nakhily, Ehab Elkersh
  • Patent number: 8516385
    Abstract: A method comprising associating a user interface object and a user interface state of a user interface, the user interface state being at least partially defined by respective configurations of a collection of user interface objects included within the user interface in the state. The method further includes receiving a link instruction identifying an association between the user interface object and a further user interface state. Additionally, the method includes processing the link instruction to associate the user interface object with the further user interface state. The method also includes displaying, a visual representation of the association between the user interface object and the further user interface state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Ethan A. Eismann, Robin James Adams
  • Patent number: 8490005
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to a graphical display that provides a visual enhancement in conveying a vehicle reading. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that causes the graphical display to render a border of an instrument with a distinguishing visual attribute. More specifically, the method includes assigning a priority level to an instrument used to convey a vehicle reading. When an abnormal condition is identified, the instrument is assigned an enhanced priority level that corresponds to the abnormal condition. Then, the method causes the graphical display to render the instrument, wherein that border of the instrument is depicted with an enhanced visual attribute indicative of the abnormal condition. In this regard, the enhanced visual attribute distinguishes the instrument from one or more other instruments depicted on the graphical display that are not assigned an enhanced priority level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Christopher Tarte
  • Patent number: 8446429
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a layer structure providing method for converting and displaying a background screen based on data storage information and a background screen converting method therefor, and a mobile terminal for the same. The providing method includes providing and configuring a background layer to match to one region on an application-by-application basis within the mobile terminal, and displaying and providing the data storage information on the application-by-application basis, as background, to the region; and providing and matching a visual item layer to each region provided from the background layer, and displaying and providing a value based on the data storage information of the region matching to each application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jee-Yeun Wang, Jae-Hwan Kim, Nho-Kyung Hong, Su-Jung Youn
  • Patent number: 8429548
    Abstract: System and method for editing a graphical program. One or more nodes are included in a graphical program in response to user input selecting the one or more nodes, where each node has a respective one or more terminals for receiving input to or providing output from the node. User input is received indicating a terminal on a first node of the one or more nodes to which a node is to be connected. One or more suggested graphical program elements to include in the graphical program are automatically presented based on the indicated terminal, where the one or more suggested graphical program elements are selectable by the user for inclusion in the graphical program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Mendez, Brett F. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8352053
    Abstract: An audio signal-processing system has signal-processing units connectable to a transmission line. Each signal-processing unit has channels for applying a signal process to input audio signals. A control unit is connectable to the transmission line for operating a target channel belonging to one of the signal-processing units. The control unit has color pallets different from each other and previously selected in correspondence to the signal-processing units. When the control unit detects an instruction to display an operation screen of the target channel, the control unit renders the operation screen of the target channel using the color pallet corresponding to the signal-processing unit to which the target channel belongs, so that a background color of the operation screen of the target channel displayed on a display part of the control unit is different from a background color of an operation screen of another channel belonging to another signal-processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Kotaro Terada
  • Patent number: 8327280
    Abstract: A system and method for visually indicating one or more problems in a graphical program. The graphical program may be programmatically analyzed to discover a problem (or potential problem) in the graphical program. The problem found during the programmatic analysis of the graphical program may then be visually indicated on a display device. Visually indicating the problem may comprise visually indicating one or more objects in the graphical program to which the problem corresponds. Visually indicating the graphical program object(s) may comprise displaying information or altering the appearance of the object(s) in order to call the user's attention to the object(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Nattinger
  • Patent number: 8316311
    Abstract: A system and method for visually indicating one or more problems in a graphical program. The graphical program may be programmatically analyzed to discover a problem (or potential problem) in the graphical program. The problem found during the programmatic analysis of the graphical program may then be visually indicated on a display device. Visually indicating the problem may comprise visually indicating one or more objects in the graphical program to which the problem corresponds. Visually indicating the graphical program object(s) may comprise displaying information or altering the appearance of the object(s) in order to call the user's attention to the object(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Nattinger
  • Patent number: 8307132
    Abstract: A control device controls an external storage device with a plurality of storage units which can be driven and stopped independently. The control device comprises: a display control unit; a setting unit; and a control signal output unit. The display control unit displays on a display a selection screen that allows a user to select which storage unit from among the plurality of storage units to operate. The setting unit sets a storage unit selected by the user as an operating storage unit to be operated. The control signal output unit outputs to the external storage device a control signal for having the operating storage unit be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi Ejiri, Masahiko Horibe, Tsukasa Ito
  • Patent number: 8302019
    Abstract: A method and system for visualizing process flows for business and manufacturing processes are described that includes a first view of the process as a tree showing the process elements and their interconnections, and a second view of the process in the form of a zoomable interface that displays selected nodes at magnifications that are continuously variable at the user's option. A selected node in the tree view opens the same node in the zoomable node view. When a second node is selected in the tree view, the zoomable node view zooms from the first selected node to the second selected node through each node intermediate between the first and second selected nodes. This enables a process analyst to view the content of selected process nodes in the context of nodes with which the selected nodes are associated and thus to have a thorough understanding of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marin Litoiu, Margaret Storey, Derek Rayside
  • Patent number: 8286087
    Abstract: Various embodiments include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures for active route validation in workflow process authoring in workflow processing applications. Some embodiments include evaluating a route as a user attempts to add or modify the route in a modeled workflow process. The evaluation is performed in some such embodiments through evaluation of a route restriction rule based on a first workflow element the route is from and a second workflow element the route is to. When the route restriction is violated, the user is prevented from adding or modifying the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Jingqi Xian, Betty Y. Koon
  • Patent number: 8255813
    Abstract: A method for building wizard-style user interfaces (UIs) for a business task is disclosed. The method includes receiving metadata at a computer system, where the metadata comprises information regarding the business task, generating an analysis by analyzing the metadata, generating user guidance information, and executing flow and business logic of the business task. The user guidance information is with regard to the business task, and the user guidance information is based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Rahim Mohamed Yaseen, Jon Rexford Degenhardt, Sean Kevin Frogner, Sudhakar Kaki, Maria Elisabeth Kaval, Yee Wah Lee, Min Lu, Christopher Scott Nash, Kaushik Roy, Kanchan Shringi, Vipul Shroff, Yu Sui, Alvin H. To, Sanjin Tulac, Dejia Wang
  • Patent number: 8239778
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention include a database interaction system and method comprising: a display, a set of user input devices, and a database comprising a data set including a plurality of fields and associated field values; a graph model configured to define a plurality of nodes and states, each node representing a field from the plurality of fields; a graph-to-data mapper configured to map the field values to states contained in the nodes of the graph model; and a graphical interface module configured to generate for display one or more nodes from the plurality of nodes, wherein a display of a node includes a graphical representation of field values associated with a specific field represented by the displayed node and states contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: KGMP Trust
    Inventors: Pieter Sheth-Voss, Geoffrey Cooney
  • Patent number: 8205162
    Abstract: System and method for creating a graphical program (GP) having portions that execute on different targets. A GP including a plurality of interconnected nodes visually indicating functionality of the program is created in response to user input, including a first graphical code portion with a first execution context specifying execution of the first graphical code portion on a first target. A second execution context indicating a second target for execution of a second graphical code portion of the GP is established in response to user input, e.g., by displaying a context structure indicating the second execution context and associating the second graphical code portion with the context structure in response to user input. During execution of the GP, the first graphical code portion executes on the first target using the first execution context, and the second graphical code portion executes on the second target using the second execution context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Darshan K. Shah, Aljosa Vrancic
  • Patent number: 8185833
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Darshan Shah, Steven W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8185835
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program that performs a numerical function on at least a subset of a set of data values received over a period of time. The method may utilize a “collector node”, which simplifies these types of common programming tasks. The collector node may be operable to maintain state information regarding received data values and may use the state information to determine a data collection on which to perform a numerical function. The data collection comprises at least a subset of data values that have been received by the collector node. The user may be able to configure the collector mode to determine the data collection in various ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Washington, Mike Santori, Bob Young
  • Patent number: 8185832
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Darshan Shah, Steven W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8176431
    Abstract: A web-browser add-on is described herein that is configured to enable a web browser to present a menu of options with a web page in a web-browser window. The options are determined by various web-surfing characteristics, device information, network-authentication information, or other user-centric information. Users can initiate the menu by selecting an option or hovering a mouse pointer over a portion of the web page. The options are then determined and presented along with the web page to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Patrick S. Scannell, Darren M. Culbreath
  • Patent number: 8176479
    Abstract: System and method for generating a data flow diagram. A first case structure may be specified. Each case of the first case structure that includes a respective plurality of input bound data flow nodes may be partitioned into one or more data flow diagram portions. The first case structure may be replaced with a first conditional structure and one or more second conditional structures. The first conditional structure may be operable to select one or more of the plurality of input bound data flow diagram portions in accordance with the conditions of the first case structure. The one or more second conditional structures may be operable to select at least one output from the plurality of input bound data flow diagram portions in accordance with the conditions of the first case structure. The partitioning and replacing may be performed automatically in response to specification of the first case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory O. Morrow, Kevin M. Hogan
  • Patent number: 8151202
    Abstract: A user request is received for a workflow guide that pertains to a workflow involving tasks of multiple applications that cooperate with database management software. In response to receiving the indication, the workflow guide is presented for display, where the workflow guide provides information regarding tasks associated with the multiple applications involved in the workflow. Interactive selections made by a user in the displayed workflow guide are received to cause further information to be retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Teradata US, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Cronin, Douglas S. LeMoine, Nathan J. Fortin
  • Patent number: 8146017
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media are provided herein for declarative data binding and data type propagation in a remote workflow schedule authoring system. According to one method, a user interface is provided for binding a parameter in a workflow action rule to a data value provided by a data source. The user interface may include a control for specifying a data source and a data field to which the parameter should be bound. The parameter is bound to the data source and data field selected using the user interface. If the data type of the selected data source is identical to the data type of the parameter, an internal lookup may be performed to retrieve the data value. Otherwise, the data type of the parameter may be propagated to the data source during lookup of the data value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Malek, Phillip David Allen, Stuart B. Kolodner
  • Patent number: 8140894
    Abstract: A method including: displaying operation icons representing operations to be performed, a user selecting and arranging the operation icons to define a flow of data between operations and to form a graphical representation of a process, the user specifying an operation icon as a transaction boundary node at the end of a transaction region, and compiling instructions to execute the arranged operations wherein the beginning of a transaction region acts as a roll back point in the event of an error occurring in the transaction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microgen Aptitude Limited
    Inventors: Neil Thomson, Grzegorz Roman Pusz
  • Patent number: 8127238
    Abstract: This patent discloses tools, methods and systems for dynamically visualizing, controlling and modifying the timing of actions that are implemented as part of an interactive multimedia experience. The tools, methods and systems include a timing region that dynamically reflects the timing of at least some of the cells along a selected single path in the multimedia experience and allows a designer to play through the cells and to change the timing of actions associated with the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Jellyvision Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry N. Gottlieb, Gabriel Val, Robert Chojnacki
  • Patent number: 8108784
    Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hayles, Jacob Kornerup
  • Patent number: 8049762
    Abstract: Architectural structure design methods, architectural structure design apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described according to some aspects of the disclosure. In one aspect, an architectural structure design method includes responsive to user input, modifying a visual representation of an architectural structure, wherein the visual representation comprises an object of the architectural structure, first displaying the visual representation comprising the object at a first moment in time, wherein the object is positioned at a first location of a display screen, responsive to user input, selecting an attribute for the object from a second location of the display screen which is different than the first location of the display screen, responsive to user input, associating the attribute with the object after the selecting, and displaying the visual representation comprising the object having the attribute at a second moment in time after the associating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Chief Architect, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Wells, Jason Troye, Dermot Dempsey
  • Patent number: 8040358
    Abstract: A method of propagating changes in a design model identifies a change to a changed element, creates steps to carry out the change, creates additional steps based on the change and on relationships between the changed element and other elements in the design model, and executes the steps to alter the model in a manner that reflects the change. The steps may be created in a manner that depends on other steps that have been created. A system for regenerating a design model comprises a model element, a step propagator, and a step executor. The step propagator receives a first step that represents changes in the model element, and produces a second step that represents other changes in the model element that are dependent on the first step, and the step executor executes the first and second steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Irwin Jungreis, Michael R. Lauer
  • Patent number: 8028242
    Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Jeffrey N. Correll, David W Fuller, III, Timothy J. Hayles, John R. Breyer, Jacob Kornerup