Method and apparatus for facilitating accurate automated processing of data
A number of items of data from a data source ( 12 ) can be processed and deposited in a data destination ( 16-17 ). The data can be image data, text data, numeric data or some other type of data, or a combination of these types of data. The processing of the data is controlled by a project definition ( 14, 71, 101 ), which includes a plurality of modules selected from a variety of available modules (Table 1-4). The modules have input and output ports which interrelated by binding information. During creation of the project definition, a data preview ( 691-692 ) is presented to show how sample data would be affected by the current settings of parameters which affect operation of that module.
1. A computer implemented method, comprising the steps of: providing a set of predetermined function definitions; and
executing a computer program to prepare a project definition, said project definition including:
a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition, one of said function portions also defining a control port which is functionally related to said input and output ports thereof according to the corresponding function definition, said one function portion being configured to process image information according to the corresponding function definition in a manner which varies under control of information at said control port;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which data can be supplied to the data destination;
information which includes a definition of control information for said control port of said one function portion; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
wherein said preparing step includes the step of preparing said one function portion for inclusion in said project definition by permitting interactive user adjustment of working information which will become said control information, while simultaneously displaying a sample image processed according to the function definition corresponding to said one function portion as characterized by the current state of the working information.
2. A computer implemented method according to claim 1 ,
wherein said step of providing said set of said function definitions includes the step of including in said set a selected function definition which can add to an image a specified effect having characteristics determined by control input supplied to said selected function definition; and
wherein said step of preparing said one function portion includes the step of indicating that said one function portion corresponds to said selected function definition, said control information of said one function portion being provided for use as the control input for said selected function definition.
3. A computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of including said selected function definition in said set includes the step of selecting as said selected function definition a bevel function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a bevel effect leaving characteristics determined by the control input to said bevel function definition.
4. A computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of including said selected function definition in said set includes the step of selecting as said selected function definition a blur function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a blurring effect having characteristics determined by the control input to said blur function definition.
5. A computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of including said selected function definition in said set includes the step of selecting as said selected function definition a tint function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a tint effect having characteristics determined by the control input to said tint function definition.
6. A computer implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of including said selected function definition in said set includes the step of selecting as said selected function definition an image adding function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a further image having characteristics determined by the control input to said image adding function definition.
7. A commuter implemented method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of including said selected function definition in said set includes the step of selecting as said selected function definition a text adding function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a text: string haring characteristics determined by the control input to said text adding function definition.
8. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program which recognizes a set of predetermined function definitions; said program being operable when executed to facilitate preparation of a project definition which includes:
a plurality of function portions which each correspond to one of said function definitions in said set, and which each define at least one input port and at least one output port that are functionally related according to the corresponding function definition, one of said function portions also defining a control port which is functionally related to said input and output ports thereof according to the corresponding function definition, said one function portion being configured to process image information according to the corresponding function definition in a manner which varies under control of information at said control port;
a further portion which includes a source portion identifying a data source and defining an output port through which data from the data source can be produced, and which includes a destination portion identifying a data destination and defining an input port through which data can be supplied to the data destination;
information which includes a definition of control information for said control port of said one function portion; and
binding information which includes binding portions that each associate a respective said input port with one of said output ports;
said program being further operable when executed to carry out the preparation of said one function portion in a manner which includes permitting interactive user adjustment of working information which will become said control information, while simultaneously displaying a sample image processed according to the unction definition corresponding to said one function portion as characterized by the current state of the working information.
9. A computer-readable medium according to claim 8 , wherein said program is operable when executed to:
recognize that said set of said function definitions includes a selected function definition which can add to an image a specified effect having characteristics determined by control input supplied to said selected function definition; and
carry out said preparation of said one function portion in a manner which includes indicating that said one function portion corresponds to said selected function definition, said control information of said one function portion being provided for use as the control input for said selected function definition.
10. A computer-readable medium according to claim 9 , wherein said program is operable when executed to recognize as said selected function definition a bevel function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a bevel effect having characteristics determined by the control input to said bevel function definition.
11. A computer-readable medium according to claim 9 , wherein said program is operable when executed to recognize as said selected function definition a blur function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a blurring effect having characteristics determined by the control input to said blur function definition.
12. A computer-readable medium according to claim 9 , wherein said program is operable when executed to recognize as said selected function definition a tint function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a tint effect having characteristics determined by the control input to said tint function definition.
13. A computer-readable medium according to claim 9 , wherein said program is operable when executed to recognize as said selected function definition an image adding function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a further image having characteristics determined by the control input to said image adding function definition.
14. A computer-readable medium according to claim 9 , wherein said program is operable when executed to recognize as said selected function definition a text adding function definition for which said specified effect is the addition to an image of a text sting having characteristics determined by the control input to said text adding function definition.