Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-22
2001-08-14
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2184)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C711S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275931
ABSTRACT:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the upgrading of either or both of the firmware boot and main codes in a programmable memory.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Programmable memory and microprocessors are used in many devices. One such device is a remote handheld terminal that is used by technicians in the process industries for process control system configuration, monitoring, tuning and diagnostics. The handheld terminal has firmware therein stored in the programmable memory. The firmware includes the boot code and the main code. The main code is used for the regular operation of the handheld terminal.
Sometimes it is necessary to upgrade the firmware in the remote handheld terminal. A need for upgrading the boot code might arise when the functionality of that code is enhanced. The main firmware will be upgraded whenever the normal functionality of the handheld terminal has to be enhanced or modified. Therefore, the upgrade of firmware in the remote handheld terminal may include an enhancement of the functionality of the terminal. In that instance, the firmware upgrading technique must allow for a flexible size and location remapping of the boot and main firmware codes without any need for hardware changes.
One technique that is now used to upgrade the firmware of a remote handheld terminal is to open the terminal and insert programmable memory with the new firmware therein in place of the programmable memory in the terminal. As can be appreciated, this technique involves both cost and delay in upgrading the terminal to the new firmware as programmable memory must first be programmed with the new firmware and then delivered to the sites where the terminals are used. As can further be appreciated, this technique usually requires an instrument technician or other person with knowledge of electronic circuitry to open and replace the programmable memory, and may result in damage to the handheld terminal during the replacement process.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,432,927 and 5,568,641 describe other techniques that may be used to upgrade the boot firmware in a remote handheld terminal. Both of these techniques rely on hardware assisted mapping of the boot code addresses. Therefore, neither of these techniques would allow the size and location of the boot codes in the processor address map of the handheld terminal to be changed without a hardware change. As is described above, such a change is not desirable as it requires that the terminal be opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for providing new boot code for a processor.
The system has a writable non-volatile memory. The memory has one region that has active non-write protected boot code therein which has the functionality to allow an instrument containing the memory to communicate with a process control; and another region that has inactive boot non-write protected code therein which is a functional equivalent of the active boot code. The system also has a source of the new boot code; and a processor and associated electronics that is under the control of the active boot code for replacing the inactive boot code with the new boot code from the source.
A system for providing new boot code for a processor. The system has a writable non-volatile memory. The memory has one region that has active non-write protected boot code therein which has the functionality to allow an instrument containing the memory to communicate with a process control; and another region that has inactive non-write protected boot code therein. The system also has a source of the new boot code connected to the processor. The processor operating under control of the active boot code replaces the inactive boot code with the new boot code from the source.
A method of providing new boot code for a processor. The method has a step of providing a writable non-volatile memory having one region having active non-write protected boot code for the processor therein which has the functionality to allow an instrument containing the memory to communicate with a process control and another region having inactive non-write protected boot code for the processor therein which is a functional equivalent of the active boot code. The method also has the steps of connecting a source of new boot code to the processor; transmitting the new boot code from the source to the processor; and writing under control of the active boot code the new boot code to the another region to thereby replace the inactive boot code.
In a device that has a processor a method of providing new boot code for the processor. The method has the step of providing in the device a writable non-volatile memory having one region having active non-write protected boot code for the processor therein which has the functionality to allow an instrument containing the memory to communicate with a process control and another region having inactive non-write protected boot code for the processor therein which is a functional equivalent of the active boot code. The method also has the steps of connecting a source of new boot code to the processor; transmitting the new boot code from the source to the processor; and writing under control of the active boot code the new boot code to the another region to thereby replace the inactive boot code.
A system for providing new boot code for a processor in a device. The system has a writable non-volatile memory in the device. The memory has one region that has active non-write protected boot code therein which has the functionality to allow an instrument containing the memory to communicate with a process control; and another region that has inactive non-write protected boot code therein which is a functional equivalent of the active boot code. The system also has a means for connecting a source of the new boot code to the device; and a means including the processor and under control of the active boot code for replacing the inactive boot code with the new boot code from the source.
A method for upgrading the boot code in an instrument that has a non-volatile memory. The memory has a first boot code block having a vector table and a boot code area and a second boot code block having a vector table and a boot code area. Each of the first and the second boot code areas having boot code in them. The method has the step of determining from a processor vector table stored in the non-volatile memory which of the first and second boot code blocks is then currently active. The method also has the step of writing the upgraded boot code and an associated vector table into the boot code area and vector table area, respectively, of that one of the first and the second boot code blocks which is not then currently active. The method has the further step of determining the successful transfer of the upgraded boot code and the associated vector table to that one of the first and the second boot code blocks which is not then currently active. The method also has the further steps of causing the then currently active boot code to overwrite the processor vector table with the vector table associated with the upgraded boot code; and resetting the instrument upon verification that the overwriting of the processor vector table has occurred so that the upgraded boot code becomes the currently active boot code for the instrument after resetting has occurred.
A method for upgrading the boot code in an instrument having a non-volatile memory. The memory has a first boot code block having a vector table and a boot code area with currently active boot code and a second boot code block having a vector table and a boot code area with currently inactive boot code. The method has the step of writing the upgraded boot code and an associated vector table into the boot code area and vector table area, respectively, of the second boot code block. The method also has the step of determining the successful transfer of the upgraded boot code and the associated vector table to the second boot code block. The method has the further step of causing the then active boot code to overwrite the processor vector tab
Molnar Richard J.
Narayanaswamy Shanthala
Wozniak Michael J.
Beausoleil Robert
Elsag International N.V.
Rickin Michael M.
Ziemer Rita A
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