Patent US6131184A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6131184A
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Enhanced graphical development environment for controlling program flow
Assignee: Intervoice LP
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Filing: 1999-05-12
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Granted: 2000-10-10
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Expires: 2019-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A graphical development environment for developing the program flow of an application. The environment represents the program flow as an arrow between starting and end points. A developer can modify the program flow by adding an icon representing a subroutine to any point on the arrow. Loops and possible returns of a subroutine are graphically represented by the environment. If the developer modifies the API of a subroutine, the environment graphically represents the calling routines that are affected by the API change. The environment also allows functional components of subroutines to be overwritten by the caller. In such a case, the overwritten components are executing within the caller's environment space. Different overwritten instances of an overwritable subroutine may exist in the same program flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Weeren
- 👤 Myra Hambleton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A computer system having a display means, said computer system providing a graphical development environment for users, comprising: means for graphically representing a program flow on the display means; means for graphically representing a call to a subroutine; means for graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; means for changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and means for graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A computer system having a display means, said computer system providing a graphical development environment for users, comprising: means for graphically representing a program flow on the display means; means for graphically representing a call to a subroutine; means for graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; means for changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and means for graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for graphically representing existing references changes a color of an icon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for graphically representing existing references changes a shape of an icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein changing the API causes icons to enter a defunct state, further comprising: means for clearing the defunct state; and means for automatically graphically representing a changed functionality of the API.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein said program flow is represented as a plurality of icons connected by at least one arrow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein each of said branches is represented as a separate arrow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein said API comprises parameters and returns for said subroutine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for graphically developing an application on a display means, the computer program product comprising: means for graphically representing a program flow on the display means; means for graphically representing a call to a subroutine; means for graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; means for changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and means for graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for graphically developing an application on a display means, the computer program product comprising: means for graphically representing a program flow on the display means; means for graphically representing a call to a subroutine; means for graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; means for changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and means for graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the means for graphically representing existing references changes a color of an icon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the means for graphically representing existing references changes a shape of an icon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein changing the API causes icons to enter a defunct state, further comprising: means for clearing the defunct state; and means for automatically graphically representing a changed functionality of the API.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein said program flow is represented as a plurality of icons connected by at least one arrow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein each of said branches is represented as a separate arrow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 8, wherein said API comprises parameters and returns for said subroutine.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of developing an application on a computer system having display means, comprising the steps of: graphically representing a program flow on the display means; graphically representing a call to a subroutine; graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of developing an application on a computer system having display means, comprising the steps of: graphically representing a program flow on the display means; graphically representing a call to a subroutine; graphically representing possible subroutine return codes as branches in the program flow; changing an application program interface (API) of the subroutine; and graphically representing existing references to the changed API.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of graphically representing existing references changes a color of an icon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of graphically representing existing references changes a shape of an icon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 15, wherein changing the API causes icons to enter a defunct state, further comprising the steps of: clearing the defunct state; and automatically graphically representing a changed functionality of the API.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said program flow is represented as a plurality of icons connected by at least one arrow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15, wherein each of said branches is represented as a separate arrow.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said API comprises parameters and returns for said subroutine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |