System for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software

• US 6,240,550 B1
• Filed: 09/01/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy, Dion, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Booker, Kelvin
• Application Number:
  US09/144,440
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 717/11, 717/1, 717/2, 717/3, 717/10
• US Class Current: 717/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57

Abstract

A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software includes operating system architecture that calls for different tasks to be broken down into software modules that are connected to one another by dynamic links or are composed of executable subroutines that have main dependence links to other parts of the operating system. Each of the modules is composed of object files or libraries that are represented by dynamic link libraries among themselves according to a number of dependence levels that are described in their respective attributes.

Claims

1. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software, comprising operating system architecture that includes a breakdown of various tasks into software modules that are interconnected by dynamic links or are made up of executable subroutines that have primary dependence links to other parts of the operating system, wherein each of the software modules is composed of object files or library files that are represented by dynamic link libraries that are organized between them according to a number of levels of dependence that are described in their respective attributes;

wherein the various tasks include a main task that includes a module (JUKECORE) that is intended to load the dynamic link libraries (DLL), to initialize a kernel of the program, to initialize a graphics management module (GFX), to initialize a library loading module (WDLL), to load a Telecom module of telecommunications tasks (TELECOM.DLL), and to launch a screen interpreter program as a main task.

2. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 1, wherein the program is subdivided into a certain number of modules, each of which defines a task that is specific to a terminal that is equipped with at least a telecommunications modem and a central unit.

3. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 2, wherein said specific task is the task that corresponds to a jukebox and includes a specific main task, along with a certain number of modules that define window functions of the display, which are as follows:

a module for exploiting mouse or touch screen signals;

a module for exploiting messages that are exchanged among the objects;

a FIL.DJL module for managing files on disk;

a FILIO-DJL read-write module for files on disk; and

a JSTRUCT.DJL module for monitoring events generated by hardware, such as the touch screen, a sound card, and a processing interface for coin equipment.

4. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 3, wherein the specific main task of the jukebox application includes a module (SILOAD.DLL) that contains the library of the loader program that is designed to verify the required dynamic link library versions, to load them, and to call the Telecom task module in order to effect file transfer.

5. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 4, wherein said SILOAD module includes in a file (DLL.DEFAULT) a list of the minimum versions that are required for operation, as well as a list of all functions that are represented either by libraries (DATA JUKEBOX LIBRARY) or by object files (DJO.DATA JUKEBOX OBJECT).

6. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 5, wherein each object or library contains the list of all the functions that the library or the object needs, as well as the version numbers and the dependencies.

7. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 1, wherein the WDLL module includes means for managing new modules and verifying that remotely loaded modules have no missing dependencies and that they have been loaded with the necessary versions.

8. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 4, wherein the SILOAD module includes means for managing loading and modules that are specific to the task of the terminal, including all DJL modules and jukebox library modules constituted by WOBJECT that manages objects, a mixer, and purchases;

a WCURSOR module that manages movements of the cursor;

a DBMAPI module that manages the database;

a WFONTS module that manages the font types; and

a PARSER module that analyzes and generates the screens based on the script and verifies grammar with the aid of a GRAMMAR.DJL module and a LEXY.DJL lexical module.

9. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 8, wherein the SILOAD library loading module includes a WINDEF module that contains a list of the files that have to be included in order to manage the windows of a display that is shown on a monitor of the jukebox type terminal.

10. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 9, wherein said object list is composed of:

an OBJET WPSCREEN.DJO object module, which makes it possible to define a main page on the monitor;

a WSCREEN.DJO module, which makes it possible to define, in said main page, the number of available screens and also to make it possible to display multiple windows or screens;

a WIMAGE.DJO module, which makes it possible to determine and define in the screen the image that it will use;

a WANIM.DJO module, which makes it possible to define animation when the image is animated;

a WBUTTON.DJO module, which makes it possible to define and manage buttons that are used on the screen of the main page;

a WLABEL.DJO module, which makes it possible to create labels that make it possible to write on an object; and

a WSCROLLER.DJO module, which makes it possible to define display zones that are to be scrolled between two points.

11. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 10, wherein the set of the object models that are managed by the main task uses a JHANDLER library, which makes it possible to define fixed uses in the screens and thus to determine which are the interfaces that ensure the links to the different objects defined by the software modules.

12. A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software according to claim 4, wherein the SILOAD task includes means for launching or loading an XCP module, which makes it possible to manage payment tasks and also makes it possible to protect basic information in an IBUTTON.