Method and system for updating read-only software modules
US6637023B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/66
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system are described for updating software modules bundled in a read-only device of a computer. According to the invention, when a software module is to be executed from the read-only device, the operating system identifies any other software modules stored within the read-only device on which the application depends. After identifying all of the dependencies, the operating determines whether a newer version of any of the identified software modules has been installed on the computer. The operating system copies into a read/write device a portion of the software module that references the old software modules. After copying the portion, the operating system modifies all references to point to the new versions of the software module. The invention allows software modules to be primarily executed from the read-only device with only a small updated portion being executed from a read/write device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.