Apparatus and method for preprocessing computer programs prior to transmission across a network
US5734822A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/54
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for preprocessing computer programs before downloading them into terminals includes a packager which processes certain information contained in compiled but unlinked programs. The packager partially resolves undefined symbols and relocations based on knowledge of a dispatch table in the destination terminal and other information known prior to the downloading process. Additionally, the packager determines the sizes of separate code, data, dispatch table and temporary symbol areas, incorporates this size information into a header, and transmits a data stream including the header and the aforementioned areas, including partially resolved symbols, to one or more terminals such as home communication terminals (HCTs) in a cable television network. Each receiving terminal extracts the size information and allocates only as much memory as is needed to store each of the separate areas, thus avoiding the need for a temporary holding buffer. The receiving terminal thereafter relocates remaining executable instructions to prepare the computer program for execution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.