Executing computations expressed as graphs
US5966072A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/54
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus by which a graph can be used to invoke computations directly. Methods get information into and out of individual processes represented on a graph, move information between the processes, and define a running order for the processes. An application writer informs a system incorporating the invention how processes should access necessary data. The invention adds "adaptor processes", if necessary, to assist in getting information into and out of processes. In general, in one aspect, a method executes on a computer system a computation expressed as a graph comprising a plurality of vertices representing computational processes, each vertex having an associated access method, and a plurality of links, each connecting at least two vertices to each other and representing a flow of data between the connected vertices, comprising the steps of: (1) accepting the graph into the computer system as user input; (2) preparing the graph for execution by performing, on the computer system, graph transformation steps until each vertex is in a runnable state, and each link is associated with at least one communication method compatible with the access methods of the vertices co…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.