Hierarchical Black Box for Graphical Modeling Execution Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical modeling environments face increased execution times and inflexibility due to deep hierarchies of blocks, which limits their scalability and fluid workflow, despite efforts like S-functions and model referencing, which compromise flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The creation of hierarchical black boxes in a graphical development environment, automatically generated via callback functions, reduces hierarchical levels by encapsulating subsystem blocks, including interface descriptions, model content references, and source code, allowing for dynamic linking and reduced compilation needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If graphical modeling environments use deep hierarchies of blocks to allow modularization and scaling, then the model can be organized into manageable subsystems, but the execution time and initialization time increase proportionally to the number of blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the deep block hierarchy into hierarchical levels and selectively collapsing subsystems into black boxes at different levels. This segmentation allows the model to maintain organizational structure while reducing the number of active blocks that need to be processed during execution, thereby reducing execution time proportionally to the number of collapsed subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by creating hierarchical black boxes that contain nested subsystems within them. Each black box can contain further nested black boxes or subsystems, creating a nested structure that preserves the hierarchical organization while reducing the visible complexity at each level. This nested approach allows selective expansion of only the necessary subsystems during execution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If graphical modeling environments provide parameterizable blocks with callbacks for each modeling action, then flexibility and adaptability are greatly enhanced, but the runtime for initializing blocks and performing modeling operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining callback functions at the black box level that automatically handle the initialization and parameter setting of nested subsystems. When a black box is instantiated, the pre-configured callbacks automatically initialize all nested subsystems with appropriate parameters, eliminating the need for manual initialization of each individual block and significantly reducing initialization time while maintaining full flexibility.
3Loss of time
If model referencing is used to improve execution periods, then the runtime performance is enhanced, but the flexibility of the graphical modeling environment is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the black box hierarchy dynamic and configurable. Unlike static model referencing, the hierarchical black box structure allows runtime configuration where subsystems can be selectively expanded or collapsed, parameters can be modified, and the hierarchy can be reorganized without recompilation. This dynamic approach maintains execution efficiency while preserving full modeling flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for creating a hierarchical block diagram in a graphical development environment includes: automatically creating a hierarchical black box for a respective further subsystem block. The hierarchical black box is configured to resolve a corresponding hierarchical level when selected by a user. The automatic creation is carried out via a callback function. The hierarchical black box has the following features: at least one interface description and/or graphical representation of the inputs/outputs of the respective further subsystem block in its hierarchical level, which the respective further subsystem block previously also occupied; at least one reference to model content for the respective further subsystem block, comprising further black boxes for the further subsystem blocks in the subordinate hierarchical levels; parameters that the respective further subsystem block previously also had; and generated source code of the respective further subsystem block.