Service tool with separately updateable data file

• US 20070016900A1
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Brandt, Wayne, Earleson, Walter, Herget, Dale
• Application Number:
  US11/178,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20070016900A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A service tool may include an input configured to receive an update including an application file and a data file update. The service tool may also include a memory configured to store a functional program and a data file, the data file being stored separate from the functional program. The service tool may also include an output configured to connect to a control device. In addition, the service tool may include a controller configured to transfer the application file to a memory associated with the control device. The controller may also be configured to update the data file with the data file update.

Claims

1. A service tool comprising:

an input configured to receive an update including an application file and a data file update;

a memory configured to store a functional program and a data file, the data file being stored separate from the functional program;

an output configured to connect to a control device;

a controller configured to;

transfer the application file to a memory associated with the control device; and

update the data file with the data file update.

2. The service tool of claim 1, wherein the input is further configured to receive at least one of a version file and a help file along with the application file and data file update.

3. The service tool of claim 1, wherein the functional program is configured to read data from the data file.

4. The service tool of claim 1, wherein the data file is used by the functional program on the service tool to service the control device using the application file.

5. The service tool of claim 1, wherein the application file is configured to control at least one operation of the control device.

6. A system for building a data file update for a service tool comprising:

a system design tool configured to receive an input including a characteristic desired by a user;

a controller configured to;

generate an application file based on the characteristic included in the input, the application file being operational to be used by a control device serviced by the service tool;

generate a data file update relating to the application file, the data file update being configured for transfer to the service tool where it is accessed by a functional program of the service tool; and

prepare an output including the application file and data file update for transfer to the service tool.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the data file update is configured to update a data file on the service tool.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the application file is configured to control at least one operation of the control device.

9. The system of claim 6, further including a database including a plurality of application objects and data objects.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to generate the application file using at least one of the plurality of application objects.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to generate the data file update using at least one of the plurality of data objects.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the data file is operably separate from the functional program on the service tool.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the data file is used by the functional program on the service tool to service the control device using the application file.

14. The system of claim 6, wherein the output further includes at least one of a version file and a help file along with the data file update and the application file.

15. A method for updating a service tool comprising:

receiving an update on the service tool including an application file and a data file update;

storing a functional program and a data file on the service tool, the data file being stored separate from the functional program;

connecting the service tool to a control device;

transferring the application file to a memory associated with the control device; and

updating the data file, separate from a functional program that resides on the service tool and accesses the data file, with the data file update.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the update further includes at least one of a version file and a help file.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the functional program is configured to read data from the data file.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the data file is used by the functional program on the service tool to service the control device.

19. The method of claim 15, further including updating the functional program separate from the data file.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the data file update includes information associated with operation of the application file by the control device.

21. A system for building a data file update for a service tool comprising:

a system design tool configured to receive an input including a characteristic desired by a user;

a controller configured to;

generate a data file update, the data file update relating to a specific application file operational to be used by a control device serviced by the service tool, for transfer to the service tool, where it is accessed by a functional program of the service tool; and

prepare an output including the data file update for transfer to the service tool.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the output further includes at least one of a version file and a help file.