Initialization and update of software and/or firmware in electronic devices

• US 20050102660A1
• Filed: 04/11/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Jacobi, Sidney Andrew, Chen, Shao-Chun, O'Neill, Patrick, Lim, Jeong M., Sotos, Peter L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A system and method to effectively and efficiently update a version of firmware resident in a device memory is provided. A method of identifying one or more versions of firmware is provided by way of initializing a device memory with a known pattern. In addition, the amount of free unused memory space may be identified and calculated in a device memory. The system and method generates software update packages that are minimal in size providing cost benefit to a manufacturer and convenience to a user.

Claims

1. A system for initializing a memory and updating software in an electronic device comprising:

a generator for generating a software package for incorporation into a device memory of said electronic device;

a binary image creator for generating a binary pattern for writing into said device memory of said electronic device;

a layout preprocessor for implementing a memory layout specification into software code, mapping configuration parameters associated with said layout specification, and incorporating reserved buffer spacing for use by said generator;

a software repository for storing said software package or said binary pattern; and

a user interface for inputting said layout specification directly into said layout preprocessor.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an external computer system for providing a layout specification to said layout preprocessor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the software repository comprises one or more computer storage devices.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said layout processor is configured to insert a buffer space between consecutive said software modules for subsequent processing by said generator.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said layout processor is configured to assign one or more software modules to one or more predefined slots of memory for subsequent processing by said generator.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said software modules comprise software objects.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said corresponding buffer spaces are of equal size.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein said corresponding buffer space comprises a size proportional to its associated software module.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein said layout processor assigns one or more software modules to one or more predefined slots of memory based on a probability of change of said one or more software modules.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said probability of change is specified by a numeric value.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein sizes of said predefined slots is based on a probability of change of said one or more software modules.

12. The system of claim 5 wherein sizes of said predefined slots is based on a weighting factor correlated to probability of change and an average reserved buffer size.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein the first two slots of said one or more predefined slots of memory provide no buffer space and the remaining slots provide buffer spaces of equivalent sizes.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said generator identifies versions of software modules residing in said device memory and generates a suitable software update package for processing by said update agent into said device memory in said electronic device.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said mapping of software modules by said preprocessor minimizes the size of said software packages.

16. A method of updating software in a device memory of an electronic device comprising:

obtaining a memory layout specification;

processing said layout specification;

generating a software update package for loading into said electronic device; and

processing said update package within said electronic device to form a new image into said device memory.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said generating a software update package comprises:

assessing an image provided by a device memory of an electronic device;

comparing said image to one or more images stored in a software repository;

subtracting said two images to produce a difference image; and

generating an image for said software update package based on said difference image.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said obtaining layout specification is performed by accessing said layout specification data from an external computer system.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said obtaining layout specification is performed by accessing said layout specification data from one or more electronic devices.

18. The method of claim 116 wherein said obtaining layout specification is performed by way of input of data from a user through a user interface.

21. A method of identifying free space within a device memory of an electronic device comprising:

obtaining a memory layout specification;

generating one or more predetermined binary pattern(s) based on said memory layout specification; and

initializing said device memory with said binary pattern(s).

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said initializing is performed by an update agent located within said electronic device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said obtaining memory layout specification is performed by way of input of data from a user through a user interface.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said obtaining memory layout specification is performed by accessing said layout specification data from an external computer system.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein said obtaining memory layout specification is performed by accessing said layout specification data from one or more electronic devices.

26. A method of differentiating versions of one or more software modules stored in a device memory of an electronic device comprising:

initializing a device memory with one or more predetermined binary patterns;

loading one or more predetermined software modules onto said device memory;

providing free space for one or more software modules in said device memory; and

storing a memory image of result of said initializing, loading, and providing, into a software repository.

27. A method of minimizing shifting or relocation of software addresses and references within a device memory of an electronic device comprising providing free space between successive software modules to accommodate for future expansion.

28. A method of minimizing shifting of software addresses and references within a device memory of an electronic device comprising:

determining an amount of memory space required by one or more software modules resident in said electronic device;

determining total size of memory space available in device memory from a memory layout specification;

calculating an available free space;

grouping of said one or more software modules into one or more slots based on one or more factors; and

assigning a fraction of said available free space to one or more slots based on one or more parameters.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said one or more factors is based on similar functionality of said one or more software modules.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said one or more parameters is based on probability of change of said one or more software modules.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein said grouping of said software modules into one or more slots is based on probability of change of said one or more software modules.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein said grouping and assigning is performed by implementing a software code incorporating said memory layout specification.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said software code comprises a scatter load file.

34. A system for creating a memory image for an electronic device comprising a layout preprocessor for introducing free buffer spaces between a plurality of software modules in said memory image.

35. The system of claim 34 further comprising a binary image creator.