Patent · US Expired

Data communication apparatus with a program renewal function

US5838981A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1996
Grant dateNov 17, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99954
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A data communication apparatus which has a program renewal operation to renew an original program with a renewal program. The original program is stored in a first non-volatile memory, which also stores the renewal program after the program renewal operation has been completed. A second memory, which is distinct from this first memory, stores at least a predetermined portion of the original program during the program renewal operation. A controller renews the original program in the first memory with the renewal program by accessing the at least predetermined portion of the original program in the second memory during the program renewal operation. In one embodiment the original and renewal programs are system programs. Addresses of the memories can also be exchanged during the program renewal operation and a verification step of ensuring that the renewal program has been accurately provided may also be executed.

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