Thomas W Harkaway

6865729, Mar 8, 2005

Sep 29, 2000

09/676681

Andrew H. McMillan - Dearborn MI, US
Joseph Gasiorek - Ann Arbor MI, US
Thomas Harkaway - Saline MI, US

Entivity, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

G06F009/44

717109, 717113, 717132

A flowchart-based programming and control system includes a computer with a processor, memory, and display. A device is connected to the computer and is associated with a process. A flowcharting module generates and edits flowchart source code that includes flowchart blocks and that contains logic for operating the device. First and second flowchart blocks assign an operational state of the process. A reason code module associated with the flowcharting module assigns first and second reason codes to the first and second flowchart blocks. The flowchart module compiles the flowchart source code into flowchart object code. A flowchart run-time engine module executes the flowchart object code to control the process. The flowchart object code generates the first and second reason codes during execution of the first and second flowchart blocks. A performance analysis module and a charting module record and graphically represent the operational state of the process over time.

6754540, Jun 22, 2004

Jul 24, 2000

09/624449

Michael McFarland - Somerset Center MI
James Steenstra - Ann Arbor MI
Lee Reid - Ann Arbor MI
James Behm - Ann Arbor MI
Joseph Gasiorek - Ann Arbor MI
Kurudi Muralidhar - Novi MI
Thomas Harkaway - Saline MI

Entivity, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

G05B 1101

700 18, 717140, 717157, 717106, 700 83, 700 86

A flowchart-based programming and control system includes a computer with a processor, memory, and a display. A device is associated with a process. A flowcharting module executed by the computer generates and edits flowchart source code that contains action and decision blocks which define logic for operating the device to further the process. An external function can be called from one of the action and decision blocks during run time. The external function is executed by an external function module which receives input parameters and generates return values. The external function is preferably a dynamic link library (DLL). Since the external functions are loaded during run time only when they are needed, they do not consume system memory until they are used. The external functions provide an open architecture for the flowchart-based programming and control system and allows third parties to incorporate proprietary algorithms, complex math functions, and other application-specific functions to the flowcharting module.