Patent · US Active

Real-time software upgrade

US10037203B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 28, 2016
Grant dateJul 31, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F8/656
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The various technologies presented herein relate to upgrading industrial control software in real-time. During utilization of a first software to control an industrial process, a determination can be made that the first software needs to be replaced (e.g., partially or entirely) owing to a newer version of software is ready to be deployed, a vulnerability in the first software has been determined, etc. Rather than closing the industrial process down while the first software is replaced, a second software can be deployed such that the first software and the second software are operating in parallel (e.g., receiving the same operational data, process states). When a critical point (upgrade location) in the first software has been reached, control of the industrial process can be switched to the second software, thereby enabling control of the industrial process to occur without having to temporarily cease operation and/or monitoring of the industrial process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.