Scan Configuration of Field Programmable Gate Arrays

• US 20080256344A1
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gordon, Gerald S., LaRocque, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 712/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Embodiments herein include a method, service, apparatus, etc., that sets at least one integrated circuit board (that has programmable elements) to a programming state. When such programmable elements are set to the programming state, they are capable of being changed. Once the programmable elements are set to be changed, at least one printed sheet is scanned. The scanning can be preformed using any scanner that is operatively connected to the integrated circuit board through, for example, a processor. Again, the printed data (e.g., the barcodes or glyphs or other computer-only readable markings) on the printed sheet comprises the reprogramming data. The processor reads the barcodes or glyphs from the bitmap generated by the scanner, and executes the reprogramming data to change the logical instructions and data maintained within the programmable elements.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

setting at least one integrated circuit board having programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain at least one of logical instructions and data;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data; and

changing said logical instructions and data maintained within said programmable elements using said reprogramming data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said changing of said logical instructions and data comprises altering said programmable elements to remove previously stored logical instructions and data from at least one programmable element of said programmable elements and to install different logical instructions and data in said at least one programmable element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising setting said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state after performing said changing of said logical instructions and data.

6. A method comprising:

setting at least one integrated circuit board having programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain at least one of logical instructions and data;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board through a processor, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data;

reading said reprogramming data using said processor; and

executing said reprogramming data using said processor to change said logical instructions and data maintained within said programmable elements.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said executing of said reprogramming data comprises altering said programmable elements to remove previously stored logical instructions and data from at least one programmable element of said programmable elements and to install different logical instructions and data in said at least one programmable element.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising deactivating said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state after performing said changing of said logical instructions and data.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one integrated circuit comprising programmable elements, wherein said programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain at least one of logical instructions and data;

a processor operatively connected to said programmable elements;

at least one switch operatively connected to said processor, wherein said switch is adapted to set said programmable elements to a programming state; and

a scanner operatively connected to said processor;

wherein said scanner is adapted to scan at least one printed sheet,

wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data,

wherein, in response to activation of said switch, said processor is adapted to read said reprogramming data and change said logical instructions and data maintained within said programmable elements based on said reprogramming data.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when changing said logical instructions and data, said processor is adapted to alter said programmable elements to remove previously stored logical instructions and data from at least one programmable element of said programmable elements and to install different logical instructions and data in said at least one programmable element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said switch is further adapted to set said integrated circuit board to a non-programming state.

16. An apparatus comprising:

at least one integrated circuit board comprising programmable read only memory elements, wherein said programmable read only memory elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain at least one of logical instructions and data;

a processor on said integrated circuit board, wherein said processor is operatively connected to said programmable read only memory elements;

at least one switch operatively connected to said processor, wherein said switch is adapted to set said programmable read only memory elements to a programming state; and

a scanner operatively connected to said processor;

wherein said scanner is adapted to scan at least one printed sheet,

wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data,

wherein, in response to activation of said switch, said processor is adapted to read said reprogramming data and change said logical instructions and data maintained within said programmable read only memory elements based on said reprogramming data.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when changing said logical instructions and data, said processor is adapted to alter said programmable read only memory elements to remove previously stored logical instructions and data from at least one programmable element of said programmable elements and to install different logical instructions and data in said at least one programmable element.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said printed data comprises computer-readable markings.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said printed data comprises one of bar codes, glyphs, and graphical items.

20. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising;

setting at least one integrated circuit board having programmable elements to a programming state, wherein said programmable elements comprise hardware adapted to maintain at least one of logical instructions and data;

scanning at least one printed sheet using a scanner operatively connected to said integrated circuit board, wherein printed data on said printed sheet comprises reprogramming data; and

changing said logical instructions and data maintained within said programmable elements using said reprogramming data.