System for downloading programs
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A system comprising:
- (a) a processor;
(b) a memory, and a set of programs stored in said memory that are executed when the system needs to be initialized, said memory being of a type which may be completely updated in its entirety but which is not volatile, said memory being the only program memory in said system; and
(c) alterable storage means for holding a displacement multi-bit memory address that is used to point to the starting address accessed by the processor when initializing.
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Abstract
A modified version of the operating communication program of a stored program controlled apparatus is installed with the aid of a downloadable start address specification means, optionally realized with an EEPROM memory. The start address specification means stores information that is downloaded through a communication port in the apparatus, and that information is used in defining the address from where the communication programs are initiated. In accordance with the method of this invention, downloading of the entire new set of programs is effected by first downloading a segment of the essential portion of the new package of programs. Control is then transferred to the new segment by downloading appropriate information into the start address specification means. Thereafter, utilizing the downloaded essential portion of the new package of programs, the remainder of the new package is downloaded.
62 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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(a) a processor; (b) a memory, and a set of programs stored in said memory that are executed when the system needs to be initialized, said memory being of a type which may be completely updated in its entirety but which is not volatile, said memory being the only program memory in said system; and (c) alterable storage means for holding a displacement multi-bit memory address that is used to point to the starting address accessed by the processor when initializing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system comprising:
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(a) a processor; (b) a memory coupled to said processor, said memory being the only program memory in the system, said memory being completely updatable in its entirety but non-volatile, there being a set of programs stored in said memory that are executed when the system needs to be initialized; and (c) alterable memory means for storing a multi-bit memory address that controls the starting address accessed by the processor when initializing. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A system comprising;
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(a) a processor; (b) a memory and a communications port coupled to said processor, said communications port being adapted to communicate with devices which are external to said system, said memory being completely updatable in its entirety but non-volatile; (c) a program module in said memory that, when activated by said processor, effects communication with said port; and (d) operationally alterable means for setting the starting address of said program, which address is supplied to said system via said communication port. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A system comprising:
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(a) a processor; (b) a communication port coupled to said processor, said communication port being adapted to communicate with devices which are external to said system; (c) a memory coupled to said processor, said memory being non-volatile and capable of being completely updated in its entirety, said memory containing programs, including a set of programs that are executed when the system needs to be initialized and a program for controlling communication through said communication port; and (d) means for activating said program for controlling communication and receiving information through said communication port to modify the programs in said memory, said information including the program for controlling communication through said communication port and a command that is executed by said processor effectively when it is received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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(a) a processor; (b) a memory coupled to said processor, said memory being of a type, which is completely updatable in its entirety but non-volatile; (c) a set of program means stored in said memory that are activated when said system needs to be updated wit a new set of programs, and (d) alterable storage means for holding an offset memory address that is used to point to a starting address accessed by said processor when initializing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification