Action languages for unified modeling language model

Abstract

Methods, mediums and systems are provided to enable a user to program the behaviors of a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model in a graphical programming or modeling environment, such as block diagram programming environment. The UML model is exported into a text-based format, which is subsequently imported into the graphical programming or modeling environment. The graphical programming or modeling environment represents the UML model using functional blocks so that the user can program the behaviors of the UML model. The graphical programming or modeling environment also enables the user to simulate or execute the UML model to determine the behaviors of the UML model

1 . A computer-implemented method for providing an action language for a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, the method comprising:
 importing a UML model into a block diagram environment; and   processing the UML model in the block diagram environment to add an action language for the UML model.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the block diagram environment comprises at least one of: a time-based block diagram environment, a state-based and flow diagram environment. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 exporting the UML model into a text-based data format in a UML modeling environment; and   importing the text-based data format into the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the text-based data format comprises an XMI (XML Metadata Interchange) format. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the block diagram environment enables a user to program state-based, numerical and real-time behaviors of the operations that are declared in the UML model. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the numerical behaviors of the UML model are determined using matrices, complex numbers or linear algebras and supporting combinatory or sequential functions of single or multi-rate systems. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 simulating, in the block diagram environment, one or more UML components with the action language for the UML model.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 logging at least one of: interaction between instances of UML components, an internal signal, and an external signal.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of:
 constructing a UML interaction diagram from the logged actions, wherein the UML interaction diagram includes a timeline and a sequence of messages for one or more components or instances of the components.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 merging the UML interaction diagram into the UML model.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 generating code for the UML model with the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       12 . A computer-implemented method for executing a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, the method comprising:
 importing the UML model into a block diagram environment;   processing the UML model to add an action language for the UML model; and   executing a UML deployment diagram using the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       13 . A medium for holding instructions capable of being executed in a computer to provide an action language for a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, wherein the instructions are for the steps of:
 importing the UML model into a block diagram environment;   processing the UML model to add an action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       14 . The medium of  claim 13  wherein the block diagram environment comprises at least one of a time-based block diagram environment and a state-based and flow diagram environment. 
   
   
       15 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions are for the further steps of:
 exporting the UML model into a text-based data format in a UML modeling environment, and   importing the text-based data format into the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       16 . The medium of  claim 15 , wherein the text-based data format comprises an XMI (XML Metadata Interchange) format. 
   
   
       17 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein the block diagram environment enables a user to program state-based, numerical and real-time behaviors of the UML model. 
   
   
       18 . The medium of  claim 17 , wherein the numerical behaviors of the UML model are determined using matrices, complex numbers or linear algebras. 
   
   
       19 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein instructions are for the further step of:
 simulating a UML component diagram with the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       20 . The medium of  claim 19 , wherein instructions are for the further step of:
 logging call and reply actions between the UML components.   
   
   
       21 . The medium of  claim 20 , wherein instructions are for the further step of:
 constructing a UML interaction diagram using the logged actions, wherein the UML interaction diagram includes timelines for each component and a sequence of messages between the timelines.   
   
   
       22 . The medium of  claim 21 , wherein instructions are for the further step of:
 merging the UML interaction diagram into the UML model.   
   
   
       23 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein instructions are for the further step of:
 generating code for the UML model with the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       24 . A medium for holding instructions capable of being executed in a computer, the instructions are for the steps of:
 importing the UML model into a block diagram environment;   processing the UML model to add an action language for the UML model; and   executing a UML deployment diagram using the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       25 . A system for providing an action language for a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, the system comprising:
 a UML model; and   a block diagram environment for importing the UML model and processing the UML model to add an action language for the UML model.   
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the block diagram environment comprises at least one of a time-based block diagram environment and a state-based and flow diagram environment. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein UML modeling environment exports the UML model into a text-based data format, and the block diagram environment imports the text-based data format. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the text-based data format comprises an XMI (XML Metadata Interchange) format. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the block diagram environment enables a user to program state-based, numerical and real-time behaviors of the UML model. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the numerical behaviors of the UML model are determined using matrices, complex numbers or linear algebras. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the block diagram environment simulates a UML component diagram with the action language for the UML model. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the block diagram environment logs call and reply actions between the UML components. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the block diagram environment constructs a UML interaction diagram using the logged actions, wherein the UML interaction diagram includes timelines for each component and a sequence of messages between the timelines. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the UML interaction diagram is merged into the UML model. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the block diagram environment generates code for the UML model using the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment. 
   
   
       36 . A system for executing a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, the system comprising:
 a UML model; and   a block diagram environment for importing the UML model and processing the UML model to add an action language for the UML model,   wherein the block diagram environment simulates a UML deployment diagram with the action language for the UML model in the block diagram environment.   
   
   
       37 . A medium for holding data structures and instructions executed in a computer, the data structures and instructions comprising:
 a component block of a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model; and   hierarchical functional blocks provided in a block diagram environment,   wherein the hierarchical functional blocks add an action language for the component block of the UML model in the block diagram environment.