Patent ID: 6119182
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for reusing at least a first sequence module of a modular state machine, to be executed at a first location and at least a second location of the modular state machine, the modular state machine having state machine states identifying a present state and a next state, a group of the state machine states forming the first sequence module, said method comprising the steps of:associating a first-sequence-module next state at the first location and at the at least the second location, the first-sequence-module next state identifying an initial state of the first sequence module;associating a first-sequence-module return state with the first location and with the at least the second location;when execution of the state machine reaches one of the first location and the at least the second location, jumping to the initial state of the first sequence module identified by the first-sequence-module next state during said step of associating the first-sequence-module next state;executing the group of states forming the first sequence module; andsubsequent to execution of the group of states forming the first sequence module during said step of executing, jumping to the first-sequence-module return state associated, during said step of associating the first-sequence-module return state, with the one of the first location and the at least the second location.