Method and apparatus for controlling a system using hierarchical state machines
December 22, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesFunctionally redundant logic network architectures with logic selection means Electronic controller based on the use of state charts as an abstract model Work station controller module Multiprocessor system with cascaded modules combining processors through a programmable logic cell array Event driven power reducing software state machine Method and apparatus for controlling program sources in an interactive television system using hierarchies of finite state machines Monitoring and control system using graphical representations with prelinked parameters for devices within a network Flexible data structure layout for data structure including bit-field data members Mechanism and architecture for manufacturing control and optimization Optimizing functional operation in manufacturing control Patent #: 5710700 InventorsApplicationNo. 219584 filed on 12/22/1998US Classes:700/12, State of condition or parameter (e.g., on/off)700/8, Cascade control700/121Integrated circuit production or semiconductor fabricationExaminersPrimary: Grant, WilliamAssistant: Rodriguez, Saul Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesG05B 011/01G06F 019/00 AbstractA method and apparatus for controlling complex systems includes hierarchically coupled subsystems representing operative functions of the system. The hierarchically coupled subsystems are coupled to collect command data from a user and signal data from the system. Each subsystem may include one or more state machines and one or more digital signal processing and conditioning unit (DSPCU) objects. The DSCPU objects accept process commands and convert control system signals into states for further processing by the state machines. Associated with the DSPCUs of each subsystem is a data flow diagram for dictating an order of flow of commands and signals at the DSPCUs. A method of controlling the system represented by the hierarchically coupled subsystems schedules the execution of the subsystems according to an execution protocol. According to the execution protocol, for each cycle of execution of the system, the hierarchically coupled subsystems are first analyzed in ascending order of the hierarchy, with DSPCU objects being analyzed in data flow order before state machine objects, and then in descending order of the hierarchy, with state machine objects being analyzed before DSPCU objects. During the ascending execution of the hierarchy, signal data received from only those objects that are relatively lower in the hierarchy are used to update the state of any given object. During the descending execution of the hierarchy, command data received from only those objects that are relatively higher in the hierarchy are considered when updating the state of any given object.Other References
Field of SearchCascade controlSupervisory control State of condition or parameter (e.g., on/off) Plural controlled systems, mechanisms, or elements Plural controllers Integrated system (Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Integrated circuit production or semiconductor fabrication Time responsive (duration) | |
