Visual Flow Image Registration for Code Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual programming tools like Node-RED face challenges in reusing software due to the lack of visibility information about node locations, making it inconvenient to reuse generated software efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A code management system that includes a flow generation unit, code acquisition unit, code conversion unit, flow image generation unit, and flow image registration unit, which converts and registers code into a process flow diagram and flow images, allowing for easier reuse by linking flow images with code in the management tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If code is managed in JSON format without visual representation, then code storage and management is simplified, but code visibility and ease of identification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual flow images as copies of the JSON code representation. These flow images are generated by converting the node and wire connections defined in JSON format into visual diagrams that can be displayed and easily identified, while the original JSON code remains for storage and management purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the code management system by generating flow images from JSON code. This transforms the one-dimensional text-based JSON representation into a two-dimensional visual representation, enabling easier identification and understanding of code structure without complicating the underlying storage mechanism.
2Reliability
If developers must read and understand JSON code to reuse existing code, then code reuse accuracy improves, but development time and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of JSON code into visual flow images before the code reuse process. This allows developers to quickly identify and select reusable code through visual inspection of flow diagrams, reducing the time required to search and understand code, while the actual code reuse maintains accuracy through the original JSON representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow images as an intermediary between the JSON code storage system and the developer. These visual representations serve as a mediator that enables quick code identification and selection without requiring developers to directly read and understand JSON syntax, thus reducing time overhead while maintaining reuse accuracy.
3Quantity of substance
If only JSON code is stored without visual flow representation, then storage efficiency is maintained, but node location and flow structure visibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual flow images as copies that capture the structural information of JSON code. These images preserve node location and flow structure visibility while the original JSON code remains compact for efficient storage. The copy provides visual information without requiring additional storage of redundant data.
Data Source
AI summary
The convenience of reusing software generated by a visual programming tool is further improved. A code management system includes a flow generation unit that creates a process flow based on user manipulation and generates code based on the created process flow, a flow management unit that saves the code generated by the flow generation unit, a code acquisition unit that acquires code in response to the code being saved in the flow management unit, a code conversion unit that converts the code acquired by the code acquisition unit to a process flow diagram, a flow image generation unit that generates a flow image of the process flow diagram converted by the code conversion unit, and a flow image registration unit that registers the flow image generated by the flow image generation unit in the flow management unit in association with the code prior to conversion to the process flow diagram by the code conversion unit.