Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Editing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-19
2004-08-31
Chavis, John (Department: 2124)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Editing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06785881
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present claimed invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for programming an electronic device. More particularly, the present claimed invention relates to a system and a method of using a graphics applications programming interface in programming the design of a microcontroller.
BACKGROUND ART
Microcontroller devices which utilize nonvolatile memories, such as Electrically Programmable Read Only Memories (EPROMs) are well known in the art. The EPROM or flash memory generally contains the applications software for the microcontroller and must be programmed with data depending upon the particular intended application for the microcontroller. The application software is generally developed using a personal computer. Configuration registers can be programmed from the data loaded into the microcontroller's programmable memory to in turn program hardware resources of the microcontroller.
The data representing this application software, commonly known as a load module, are then transferred to special purpose programming equipment, such as a Data I/O machine. The memory of the microcontroller is then programmed by the special purpose programming equipment usually without employing the processing capabilities of the microcontroller. When such special purpose programming equipment is used, the microcontroller is typically physically placed in the circuit of the programming equipment to accomplish the programming process.
Occasionally, it is necessary to modify the existing contents of the microcontroller's memory, such as during testing, development, or adjustment of the process executed by the microcontroller. To perform this alteration with conventional microcontroller devices, it is usually necessary to remove the microcontroller from the system in which it is installed and place it in the circuit of the programming equipment.
Another technique that is currently used by microcontroller devices can be referred to as automatic self programming (ASP). ASP requires that the microcontroller containing programmable memory be placed in circuit with a source memory containing data that will be transferred to the microcontroller's memory. When appropriate control signals and programming voltages are applied, the microcontroller transfers data from the source memory to its own memory. Clearly, this technique requires the source memory to be preprogrammed by special purpose programming equipment.
Some microcontroller devices include provisions for programming the microcontroller memory while the unit remains installed in the system. These devices manifest a feature commonly known as run time programming. Run time programming schemes generally provide special circuits that allow user application software to modify the memory contents. This modification or programming, is usually done by invoking a particular subroutine during the normal course of software execution. One disadvantage of run time programming is that it usually requires the user to devote a portion of the microcontroller's available memory space to support the programming function. This memory space is generally used for a software subroutine that serves as an interface between the user's application software and the microcontroller's programming mechanism.
A second disadvantage of the run time programming is that they are not well suited to programming a completely new (un-programmed) microcontroller. Since most run time programming mechanisms are dependent on the above mentioned interface subroutine, they must have the interface subroutine installed by means of special purpose programming equipment before it can be used to program any of the remaining user memory space.
In addition to the drawback described above, the user interface portions of many conventional software applications for programming microcontrollers are very difficult to use. Many of the user interface windows used in the software tend to pop-up as the user is attempting to program the microcontroller. Windows in the design software are popped based on a “flat-organized” drop down menu system with little or no cues as to the overall design process. Each window tends to correspond to a discrete function of the microcontroller and many functions may be required to do simple programming tasks. Importantly, the windows give no information as to which ones should be used first and the subsequent order that they should be used in. Also, it was difficult transitioning from one window to another for sharing resources because the programmer could not remember which window contained the source of data required data and which window needed the data. Having many windows open on a computer screen can often confuse the programmer as the programmer is unable to keep track of which window represents which function of the microcontroller.
Another drawback of the conventional microcontroller programming method described above is the inability to track hardware resources, such as memory, power, programmable logic, etc., used as the programmer adds or deletes components to a system that is to be implemented on a target device.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, to take advantage of applications and the numerous microcontrollers being developed, a microcontroller programming application with extensibility capabilities to allow programmers to dynamically program a microcontroller with datasheets incorporated in the programming software is needed. A need also exists for “out-of-the-box” microcontroller programming system solutions to allow programmers to efficiently organize design components necessary for the complete programming of a microcontroller without unduly tasking the programmer while tracking system resource usage by the target microcontroller. Specially, embodiments of the present invention provide an organized way of displaying configuration and design workspace information in an efficient manner including information regarding hardware resource usage.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and a method for using a graphical user interface system for programming microcontrollers in a microcontroller design environment. In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a graphics interface based modularized method of programming for designing features of a programmable microcontroller having programmable hardware resources while tracking available hardware resource blocks. In other words, the invention provides the programmer the ability to organize various functional components of the microcontroller with integrated datasheet information readily on the same computer screen by implementing click and drop features of the design software. The present invention also provides the programmer with resource monitoring capabilities for the programmer to perform monitoring of available programmable resources of the target microcontroller.
Embodiments of the invention include a microcontroller programming software application and system that include a configuration and design system that allows the programmer to compartmentalize the design of a microcontroller by modularizing the various components that create the desired functionality of the microcontroller using a graphics user interface. The contents of the configuration and design system are presented to the programmer in the form of sub-workspaces which are displayed on the programmer's computer screen. The programmer is then able to navigate through various selection windows and icons to retrieve information on selected predefined and pre-configured user modules of the desired microcontroller components. The workspaces can be presented according to a predetermined sequence to aid the programmer's development tasks.
Embodiments of the present invention include user modules that contain pre-configured functions or designs of a target microcontroller device and present the available resources in the design datasheets. The information provided by the user module is typically presented in the form of a window with icons of
Bartz Manfred
Ogami Kenneth Y.
Zhaksilikov Marat
Chavis John
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
Wagner , Murabito & Hao LLP
LandOfFree
Data driven method and system for monitoring hardware... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Data driven method and system for monitoring hardware..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Data driven method and system for monitoring hardware... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3338598