Patent ID: 8230400
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method executed by a processor for operating a machine comprising a controller that executes via the processor at least one user program having a plurality of functions stored therein, each of the functions for executing code comprising a series of instructions that control the machine, and a debug function for testing the user program by controlling a plurality of stopping points marking particular locations in the user program at which processing is to be stopped, comprising: combining selected functions into different groups for joint debugging of the functions of a group such that all of the stopping points within a selected group are selectively activated or deactivated together; debugging the user program via the debug function for a selected group by receiving a selection of the selected group to be debugged, activating all of the stopping points within the selected group, and for the plurality of functions in the selected group: stopping on the processor, as stopping points are reached during execution on the processor, all of the functions for the selected group to allow stopping of only part of the user program comprising the selected group, while functions outside the selected group continue to run on the processor unless and until data from the functions within the stopped group is needed by functions outside the stopped group, thereby allowing joint debugging of the functions for the selected group without interrupting functions outside the selected group being executed on the processor.