Field configurable embedded computer system

• US 6,473,899 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Extended Systems Inc. (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Extended Systems Inc. (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Nelson, Eric L., Evans, Michael L., Shelton, Lance N., Roundy, Jared C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morse, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chavis, John Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/327,410
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 717/11, 717/173, 717/178, 709/222, 709/321, 709/221, 709/327, 713/1, 713/100
• US Class Current: 717/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for downloading firmware upgrades to a targeted remote field configurable embedded computer system over a computer network. The targeted device need not be disconnected from the network and requires no human intervention at the remote side. The entire firmware, including the downloading mechanism, can be updated in an efficient manner.

Claims

1. A persistent memory area for use in a computer system, comprising feature functions, a download program, and combined network drivers operable to provide a common interface for the feature functions and the download program to connect to a computer network.

2. The persistent memory area according to claim 1, wherein the feature functions include a download program section that contains the download program.

3. The persistent memory area according to claim 1, further comprising:

a feature code section that includes the feature functions;

a download program section that contains the download program; and

a combined network driver section that includes the combined network drivers.

4. The persistent memory area according to claim 3, further comprising a persistent variable storage section configured to store persistent configuration information and a persistent program code storage section configured to store factory permanent product programs.

5. A persistent memory area for use in a computer system, comprising:

a persistent variable storage section;

a persistent program code storage section; and

a feature code section that includes feature functions, a download program, and combined network drivers operable to provide a common interface for the feature functions and the download program to connect to a computer network.

6. The persistent memory area according to claim 5, wherein the feature functions include a download program section that contains the download program.

7. The persistent memory area according to claim 5, further comprising a combined network driver section that includes the combined network drivers.

8. A computer system, comprising a central processing unit, a volatile memory area, network communication hardware and a persistent memory area electronically interconnected with one another, the persistent memory area comprising feature functions, a download program, and combined network drivers operable to provide a common interface for the feature functions and the download program to connect to a computer network.

9. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein the persistent memory area is implemented with flash memory and the volatile memory area is implemented with random access memory.

10. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein the feature functions include a download program section that contains the download program.

11. The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a feature code section that includes the feature functions;

a download program section that contains the download program; and

a combined network driver section that includes the combined network drivers.

12. The persistent memory area according to claim 11, further comprising a persistent variable storage section configured to store persistent configuration information and a persistent program code storage section configured to store factory permanent product programs.