System for extending functionality of a digital ROM using RAM/ROM jump tables and patch manager for updating the tables
US5938766A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/65
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for extending the functionality of a digital system is disclosed. The system includes a read-only memory (ROM) for storing an extendible control application, a processing unit for executing the code stored in ROM, an imaging device for capturing optical images and converting them to digital code, random-access memory (RAM) for providing working memory for the processing unit and storage for files and images, an input-output (I/O) device for receiving user input and communicating with a host computer to transfer images and files, and an optional removable memory for providing storage for images and a means for introducing extensions into the system. The ROM image includes a patch manager and function pointers which, together, permit the redirection of the program execution sequence. New pieces of code (extensions) can, through such redirection, be incorporated into the original, non-modifiable control application, to supplement or replace routines of the original control application.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.