Bidirectional Calling Between Graphical and Non-Graphical Entities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical modeling environments, such as Simulink, lack the ability to call graphical entities from non-graphical entities and vice versa, limiting functionality and flexibility in model execution and code generation.
Innovation Solution
Allowing non-graphical entities to call graphical or non-graphical entities directly, enabling variable input and output ports, and implementing function overloading, while using hyperlinks for navigation between caller and callee entities, thereby facilitating seamless interaction between graphical and textual components within the modeling environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If graphical modeling environments support only traditional graphical entity calling, then system structure remains simple, but functionality and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal calling mechanism that allows both graphical entities and non-graphical entities to call each other bidirectionally. This multi-functional approach enables text-based functions to be invoked from graphical blocks and vice versa, creating a unified entity calling system that transcends traditional graphical-only limitations and significantly enhances functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary entity resolution mechanism that mediates between graphical and non-graphical entities during the calling process. This mediator resolves entity references, manages entity registries, and coordinates the bidirectional calling behavior, enabling seamless integration without directly coupling the graphical and non-graphical subsystems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If graphical entities can call non-graphical entities directly, then interaction flexibility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing graphical entities to call non-graphical entities only when explicitly configured to do so, rather than forcing universal bidirectional calling in all cases. This selective approach enables interaction flexibility where needed while maintaining simpler behavior in traditional graphical-only scenarios, thus managing system complexity through controlled enablement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If function overloading is implemented similar to C and C++, then programming capability is enhanced, but parsing and resolution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements function overloading by allowing entities to be defined with multiple parameters including name, input ports, output ports, and signatures. The resolution mechanism parses entity calls by matching these parameters, particularly using signatures to disambiguate between overloaded functions. This parameter-based approach enhances programming capability while managing parsing complexity through structured parameter matching.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a graphical model in a computing environment that enables a non-graphical entity to be a caller entity that executes a sequence of commands to call to a graphical or non-graphical entity that is a callee. The present invention also enables a graphical entity to be a caller to call a non-graphical entity as a callee. The present invention further allows graphical entities to have a variable number of input ports and output ports and provides the ability to use function overloading that is similar to function overloading provided in textual programming languages, such as C and C++. Further, the present invention allows the use of hyperlink between navigate between the caller and callee entities.