Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output addressing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-04
2001-01-30
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output addressing
C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182160
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a computer system for visual programming, and more specifically, to a method and system for interconnecting visual components and passing messages between connected components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Visual programming is a computer programming technique that allows for rapid development of visually oriented programs (visual programs).
FIG. 1
is a diagram illustrating a sample operation of a visual program. The visual program is a temperature converter, which converts Fahrenheit to Centigrade, and vice versa. The Fahrenheit scroll bar
101
is used to set the Fahrenheit value to between 0 and 100 degrees as indicated by the position of the Fahrenheit slider
103
. The Fahrenheit display
102
displays the numeric Fahrenheit value represented by the position of the Fahrenheit slider. The Centigrade scroll bar
111
is used to set the Centigrade value between 0 and 100 degrees as indicated by the Centigrade slider
113
. The Centigrade display
112
displays the numeric Centigrade value represented by the position of the Centigrade slider. In operation, when the Fahrenheit slider is moved by a user, the Centigrade slider is automatically moved to the corresponding Centigrade position and the Fahrenheit and Centigrade displays are updated. Conversely, when the Centigrade slider is moved by a user, the Fahrenheit slider is automatically moved to the corresponding Fahrenheit position and the Centigrade and Fahrenheit displays are updated.
Visual programming allows various components (e.g., a scroll bar) to be interconnected visually to effect the program behavior. A visual programming environment typically includes a list of predefined components that can be interconnected to create a visual program. Each component may include input and output ports and a visual interface. When creating a visual program, a programmer specifies the visual components and their location on the display. The programmer also specifies the interconnection between various ports. The components pass values through these connections.
FIG. 2
is a block diagram illustrating a scroll bar component. The scroll bar component
201
receives messages from the operating system (e.g., mouse down) and controls the display of a scroll bar. The scroll bar also provides an input port
203
and an output port
202
. The input port is used to receive a value indicating a new position of the slider and the output port is used to send a value indicating a new slider position. The scroll bar can be connected to other components through its ports.
FIG. 3
is a diagram illustrating a scroll bar connected to a display component. A display component
301
has one input port
303
for receiving a value. The display component controls the displaying of the value that it receives. The output port
202
of the scroll bar component
201
is connected to the input port
303
of the display component. In operation, whenever the scroll bar slider is moved, a value indicating the new position of the slider is sent from the scroll bar component to the display component. The display component receives this value and updates its display accordingly.
Although prior references have described general visual programming environments, visual programming is not widespread because of the inefficiencies of visual programs. For example, visual programs often execute in an interpretive mode that results in unacceptably slow performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system that allows for creation of efficient visual programs.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system that shields component developer from the details of the connecting of components and the passing of values between components.
These and other objects, which will become apparent as the invention is more fully described below, are obtained by an improved method and system for sending messages between components. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention instantiates an event object. The event object includes message information describing the message and a dispatching member function for invoking a member function of a target object passing the message information. A message is passed by invoking the dispatching member function of the event object passing an identifier to a target object and an identifier of a member function of the target object. The dispatching member function invokes the identified member function of the identified target object passing the event information as an actual parameter. The event object is preferably of a derived class that inherits a base class. The base class provides common event behavior, while the derived class provides behavior specific to a type of message.
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Lee Thomas C.
Microsoft Corporation
Perveen Rehana
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
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