Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-22
2001-09-25
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C717S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to mobile electronic devices and, more particularly, to a hardware and software platform for mobile electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Handheld portable devices are gaining popularity as the power and, hence, functionality of the devices increases. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are currently in widespread use and Smartphones, which combine the some of the capabilities of a cellular phone and a PDA, are expected to have a significant impact on communications in the near future.
Some devices currently incorporate one or more DSPs (digital signal processor) or other coprocessors for providing certain discrete features, such as voice recognition, and a general purpose processor for the other data processing functions. The code for the DSP and the code for the general purpose processor is generally stored in ROMs or other non-volatile memories, which are not easily modified. Thus, as improvements and new features become available, it is often not possible to upgrade the capabilities of the device. In particular, it is not possible to maximize the use of the DSPs or other coprocessor which may be present in the device.
Therefore, a need exists for a data processing architecture which can be upgraded and optimizes use of multiple processors and coprocessors.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, a file of native code is stored within an source code wrapper, such as a JAVA Bean, external to an electronic device. The source code wrapper is downloaded to the electronic device and the native code is retrieved from the source code wrapper. The retrieved native code is installed on a target processor where it is executed.
The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. First, it allows a simple, standard method for loading code onto one of a plurality of processors. The source code wrapper can be implemented as a JAVA Bean and the process of loading code into a target processor is reduced to three steps: creating the bean, loading the code into the Bean and linking the code to the appropriate processor. Second, it allows multiple pieces of native code to be combined by a single software application, providing for complex applications to be generated from multiple discrete routines using a single software application to combine the routines as desired.
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Das Chameli C.
Neerings Ronald O.
Powell Mark R.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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