Binding using absolute memory references

• US 6,813,765 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2000
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Access Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Flores, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roche, Trenton J
• Application Number:
  US09/573,072
• Time in Patent Office: 1,631 Days
• Field of Search: 717/136, 717/156, 717/151, 717/174, 717/159, 717/168, 711/103, 711/115, 707/10, 455/556.2, 463/29, 705/14, 719/331
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

A method and system for implementing an application on a computer system, in particular a portable computer system, by binding an interface (e.g., a function call and required address translations) in the application to a specific memory address. The application is installed on the computer system with a reference to a section of computer code. The reference is for transferring execution of the application to that section of computer code. After a specified criterion is satisfied, the reference is replaced with a specific memory address of the computer system'"'"'s memory map, such as a line number, thus binding the application to that memory address for that function call. Accordingly, when the application makes a call to that function, the execution of the application can proceed directly to the line number where that function is located.

Claims

1. A method of implementing an application in a computer system, said method comprising:

a) said computer system receiving said application from an external source and storing said application in computer-readable memory resident in said computer system, said application having multiple references each to a respective section of computer code stored in an associated memory location in computer-readable memory resident in said computer system, said multiple references each for transferring execution of said application to said respective section of computer code;

b) upon satisfying a specified criterion, said computer system determining a memory address in computer-readable memory resident in said computer system, said memory address identifying said associated memory location for said respective section of computer code and repeating step b) for each of said multiple references, wherein said specified criterion is based on time elapsed since said application was installed in said computer system;

c) replacing each reference of said multiple references with its associated memory address; and

d) preventing each said respective section of computer code from being subsequently moved from its associated memory location and its associated memory address.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer system is a first portable computer system.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said external source is a second portable computer system, wherein said application is received using a wireless signal between said first portable computer system and said second portable computer system.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said memory address is a physical memory location.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said multiple references each comprise an identification of a particular software component object and an identification of a particular function executed by said software component object.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said application is based on the COM (Component Object Model) software architecture.

7. A method of implementing an application in a client device, said method comprising:

a) receiving said application at a host device;

b) storing said application in computer-readable memory in said client device, said application having multiple references each to a respective section of computer code stored in an associated memory location in said client device, said multiple references each for transferring execution of said application to said respective section of computer code; and

c) upon satisfying a specified criterion, said client device determining a memory address in said client device identifying said associated memory location for a respective section of computer code and repeating step c) for each of said multiple references, wherein said specified criterion is based on time elapsed since said application was transferred from said client device to another device;

d) said client device replacing each reference of said multiple references with its associated memory address; and

e) preventing each said respective section of computer code from being subsequently moved from its associated memory location and its associated memory address.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said client device is a portable computer system and said host device is a server computer system network.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said client device is a portable computer system and said host device is a desktop computer system.

10. The method a recited in claim 7 wherein said memory address is a physical memory location.

11. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said multiple references each comprise an identification of a particular particular software component object and an identification of a particular function executed by said software component object.

12. A computer system comprising:

a bus; and

a processor coupled to said bus;

said processor for performing a computer-implemented method for implementing an application in said computer system, said method comprising;

a) receiving said application from an external source and storing said application in computer-readable memory of said computer system, said application having multiple references each to a respective section of computer code stored in an associated memory location in said computer system, said multiple references each for transferring execution of said application to said respective section of computer code;

b) after a specified criterion is satisfied, determining a memory address in said computer system identifying said associated memory location for a respective section of computer code and repeating step b) for each of said multiple references, wherein said specified criterion is based on a number of tames said application is transferred from said computer system to other devices;

c) said computer system replacing each reference of said multiple references with its associated memory address;

d) installing said application in said computer system; and

e) preventing each said respective section of computer code from being subsequently moved from its associated memory location and its associated memory address.

13. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said computer system is a portable computer system.

14. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said memory address is is a physical memory location.

15. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said multiple references each comprise an identification of a particular software component object and an identification of a particular function executed by said software component object.

16. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said replacing comprises:

c1) inserting said computer system into a receiving slot of a cradle coupled to said external source; and

c2) said computer system replacing each reference of said multiple references with its associated memory address in response to said inserting.