Patent
1996-09-26
1998-06-23
Kriess, Kevin A.
395685, G06F 944
Patent
active
057713863
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a telecommunication device having software that is used for controlling function routines, which software is comprised of several separately compilable program units.
2. Background of the Related Art
Digital telecommunication devices, more specifically digital service switching points are often software-controlled, which software may comprise a considerable volume of, for example, several megabytes. Such software is comprised of several program units which are individually compiled and linked. For different applications of such telecommunication devices, different software configurations are used which have different sub-sets from the number of available program units. Different software configurations can thus be established with little programming expenditure. The available program units are stored in a library of the software development system used. They have a high degree of reuse.
During the manufacture of the telecommunication device, necessary program units are selected from the library. After being linked by a linker, the software is copied to a non-volatile storage medium of the telecommunication device, for example, to floppy disks or to a magnetic disk memory. Compiling and linking takes up a considerable amount of time for software that comprises numerous program units. For example, the compilation and linkage of the program units requires several hours' processing time. Furthermore, when program units are exchanged, for example, to be repaired, or when new program units are added, the implementation of the changed software in the telecommunication device requires long process times.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to improve the telecommunication device as defined in the opening paragraph in such a way that the time necessary for manufacturing the telecommunication device and the time necessary for implementing software changes is shortened.
This object is achieved in that the program units each have a header which contains addresses used for addressing procedures and/or data combined in the program units and in that a catalogue is available to all the loaded program units, which catalogue contains references for addressing the headers of the program units.
With software structured in this manner it is sufficient, within the framework of the manufacture of the telecommunication device, to copy the necessary compiled, individually linked program units direct from the library of the software development system to the provided non-volatile storage medium of the telecommunication device and to update the catalogue. A preceding time-intensive compilation and linkage of the cooperating program units is not necessary, because the program units are available in compiled form in the library and the coherence between the program units is established by the catalogue together with the headers of the program units. In the program units, one or several procedures which are linked in the individual program units, and/or data are combined.
Jump addresses combined to a jump table may also be regarded as data. For example, a procedure of a first program unit is called by a procedure of a second program unit in that, via a reference in the catalogue that catalogues the program units, first the position of the header of the first program unit together with the procedure to be called is determined in the working memory. The calling procedure or the associated second program unit respectively, knows at which position in the header of the first program unit the address for addressing the procedure to be called is stored, so that the procedure to be called can be addressed via this address. A further advantage is the easy exchangeability of program units without additional compiling and linking procedures. Faulty procedures or procedures to be supplemented or data of a program unit may be corrected or supplemented, while the program unit can, as a result of its changed version, be exchanged without the need
REFERENCES:
patent: 5247681 (1993-09-01), Janis et al.
patent: 5291601 (1994-03-01), Sands
patent: 5297285 (1994-03-01), Abrahamsson et al.
patent: 5339430 (1994-08-01), Lundin et al.
patent: 5339431 (1994-08-01), Rupp et al.
patent: 5375241 (1994-12-01), Walsh
patent: 5408665 (1995-04-01), Fitzgerald
patent: 5410698 (1995-04-01), Danneels et al.
patent: 5414854 (1995-05-01), Heninger et al.
patent: 5488735 (1996-01-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5555418 (1996-09-01), Nilsson et al.
patent: 5561800 (1996-10-01), Sabetella
Kriess Kevin A.
Stephens Debra K.
U.S. Philips Corporation
LandOfFree
Software configuration in a telecommunication device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Software configuration in a telecommunication device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Software configuration in a telecommunication device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1400969