Method and apparatus for changing functions of a hardware device using two or more communication channels
First Claim
1. A method for changing functions of a hardware device of a system, the method comprising:
- connecting the hardware device to the system with at least two communication channels, each communication channel including a programmable logic unit each programmable logic unit including a first data set establishing predetermined operating characteristics of the hardware device;
choosing one channel;
disabling the one channel from the system by;
preventing requests for access to the hardware device from passing to the hardware device via the one channel, while maintaining connection between the one channel and the system; and
routing requests for access to the hardware device via at least one other communication channel,copying a second data set to the programmable logic unit of the one channel; and
enabling the one channel by;
establishing predetermined operational characteristics of the hardware device according to the second data set; and
routing requests for access to the aware device to the one channel.
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Abstract
The present invention concerns a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture which provides an efficient way to change the function of a programmable logic unit included in a control device--where the control device manages the operational characteristics of a hardware unit--without having to disable system access to the hardware unit during the updating process. The hardware unit remains fully functional throughout execution of the updating method. To perform the update, the hardware unit must be connected to a host system by at least two communication channels. Each communication channel includes a control device including a programmable logic unit. The programmable logic unit is pre-programmed by a first data set which establishes its predetermined operational characteristics. Upgrading the programmable logic unit is accomplished by logically removing one of the communication channels leading from the host system to the hardware unit. A second data set is copied to the programmable logic unit along the removed channel after its integrity is verified. System access to the hardware unit via the logically removed channel is then reestablished.
63 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for changing functions of a hardware device of a system, the method comprising:
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connecting the hardware device to the system with at least two communication channels, each communication channel including a programmable logic unit each programmable logic unit including a first data set establishing predetermined operating characteristics of the hardware device; choosing one channel; disabling the one channel from the system by; preventing requests for access to the hardware device from passing to the hardware device via the one channel, while maintaining connection between the one channel and the system; and routing requests for access to the hardware device via at least one other communication channel, copying a second data set to the programmable logic unit of the one channel; and enabling the one channel by; establishing predetermined operational characteristics of the hardware device according to the second data set; and routing requests for access to the aware device to the one channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An article of manufacture comprising a data storage medium tangibly embodying a set of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for changing the function of a hardware device of a system, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting the hardware device to the system with at least two communication channels each communication channel including a programmable logic unit, each programmable logic unit including a first data set establishing predetermined operating characteristics of the hardware device; disabling a first communication channel from the system by performing steps comprising; preventing requests for access to the hardware device from passing to the hardware device via the first channel, while maintaining connection between the first channel and the system; and routing requests for access to the device via at least another communication channel; copying a second data set to the programmable logic unit of the first communication channel; and enabling the first communication channel by performing steps comprising; establishing the predetermined operational characteristic of the hardware device according to the second data set; and routing requests for access to the hardware device to the first communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for changing the fiction of the operational characteristics of a hardware device, comprising:
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circuitry including at least two communication channels connecting the hardware device to a host system; each said communication channel including a programmable logic unit, contents of the programmable logic unit including a first data set establishing predetermined operational characteristics of the hardware device; a processor unit accessible to the channels; a storage unit accessible to the channels for changing the operational characteristics of a hardware device by; choosing one of the channels; disabling the one channel from the host system by performing steps comprising; preventing requests for access to the hardware device from passing to the hardware device via the one channel, while maintaining connection between the one channel and the host system; and routing requests for access to the hardware device to the hardware device via at least another channel; copying a second data set to the programmable logic unit of the one channel; and enabling the one channel by performing steps comprising; establishing a predetermined operational characteristic of the hardware device according to the second data set; and routing requests for access to the hardware device to the one channel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification