Block-Based App Program Generation for Multi-Instrument Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer program production systems face challenges in easily producing application programs that can operate various instruments in diverse manners, lacking efficient methods for combining service, trigger, and action blocks to create functional applications.
Innovation Solution
A computer program production system and terminal instrument that include a communication unit, input unit, and processing unit to acquire and combine service, trigger, and action block programs, enabling the generation and execution of application programs that can operate target instruments by selecting and integrating these blocks based on production information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional program production systems are used, then program development can be performed, but it becomes difficult to easily produce application programs that operate various instruments in diverse manners
Solution Approach 1:
The application program is divided into three distinct block types: service blocks (defining output information), trigger blocks (defining trigger conditions), and action blocks (defining actions to execute). This segmentation allows users to easily combine different blocks to create diverse applications for various instruments without developing programs from scratch, thereby improving both adaptability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal set of service blocks, trigger blocks, and action blocks that can be combined in multiple ways to operate different types of instruments (electronic watches, smartphones, tablets, PCs) in diverse manners. The same block types serve multiple functions across different instrument platforms, enabling easy production of adaptable applications.
2Reliability
If application programs are created from scratch, then specific functions can be implemented, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides pre-defined service blocks, trigger blocks, and action blocks that have already been designed and tested for specific functions. Users can directly select and combine these pre-prepared blocks rather than creating program components from scratch, significantly reducing production time while maintaining functional correctness through proven block designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Users can select and copy existing block definitions from a library of available blocks. Each block type (service, trigger, action) can be copied and reused multiple times in different applications, ensuring consistent and reliable functionality while eliminating the need to redevelop the same functions repeatedly.
3Ease of manufacture
If blocks are selected and combined to produce application programs, then program production becomes easier, but the complexity of managing multiple block types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary processing unit that manages the selection, validation, and combination of service blocks, trigger blocks, and action blocks. This intermediary automatically handles the complexity of matching compatible blocks together, reducing the burden on users while maintaining ease of program production.
Solution Approach 2:
The block selection and combination process is designed to be self-guiding, where the system automatically filters and presents compatible blocks based on the user's selections. The processing unit autonomously manages the complexity of coordinating multiple block types, allowing users to focus on high-level application design without being overwhelmed by detailed block management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer program production system, a computer program, and a production terminal instrument each cause a computer to execute service block selection processing (step S9) of selecting a service block program from among selection candidate service block programs, trigger block selection processing (step S17) of selecting a trigger block program from among selection candidate trigger block programs, action block selection processing (step S24) of selecting an action block program from among selection candidate action block programs, and production processing (step S26) of producing an application program by combining the selected block programs.