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System for downloading software

  • US 5,444,861 A
  • Filed: 10/04/1994
  • Issued: 08/22/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for downloading software from a remote programmer to an Electronic Engine Control ("E.E.C.") unit comprising:

  • a. a serial channel within the E.E.C. unit that receives, communications from and transmits communications to the remote programmer;

    b. a shared memory within the E.E.C. unit that receives, stores, and transmits communications from the serial channel;

    c. a central processing unit ("C.P.U.") within the E.E.C. unit that receives, stores, executes, and transmits communications from the shared memory, and generates control signals for transmission out of the E.E.C. unit by way of an in/out port in the E.E.C. unit;

    d. a program memory within the E.E.C. unit that receives and stores communications from the C.P.U. and transmits communications to the C.P.U.; and

    e. control circuit means for enabling the remote programmer to select either;

    i. a first E.E.C unit operating means for operating the E.E.C. unit in a first mode of operation, wherein the serial channel receives incoming code as serial data words and stores the code in the shared memory;

    the shared memory is written and/or read by the serial channel; and

    the C.P.U. is idle, so that the remote programmer can download a boot program through the serial channel for storage in the shared memory, orii. a second E.E.C. unit operating means for operating the E.E.C unit in a second mode of operation, wherein the C.P.U. automatically executes code in the shared memory and is enabled to read and/or write to the shared memory and program memory, so that the remote programmer can download software code through the serial channel, shared memory, C.P.U. to the program memory;

    oriii. a third E.E.C. unit operating means for operating the E.E.C. unit in a third mode of operation, wherein the C.P.U. controls the serial channel;

    the C.P.U. and the serial channel can read and/or write to the shared memory; and

    , the C.P.U. reads from, but cannot write to, the program memory, so that the C.P.U. can execute software code stored in the program memory, and the remote programmer cannot access the program memory.

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