Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software upgrading or updating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-11
2004-01-06
Zhen, Wei (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software upgrading or updating
C717S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675381
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a software-module loading method for loading a module necessary for executing an application, which operates in a device connected to a network, from a remote terminal connected to the network.
2. Description of the Related Art
In
FIG. 10
, a device and a terminal are connected to a network.
FIG. 10
illustrates a typical system configuration according to the related art for loading a software-module in a device from a terminal, which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application HEI 11-45174.
In
FIG. 10
, a device
111
, a terminal
112
, a network
113
to which the device
111
and the terminal
112
are connected, an application
114
which operates in the device
111
, a platform
120
(OS, i.e., operating system) for executing the application
114
, application classes
115
(files A, B, and C) for realizing a function of the application
114
, a core class
116
(copy filter) for managing and changing the application classes
115
, an application class loader
117
for loading the application classes
115
, sub-core-modules
118
for realizing a function of the core class, and a core class loader
121
for loading the core class
116
and each of the sub-core-modules
118
used in the core class
116
are illustrated.
In case that the application classes
115
are changed to new modules for upgrading the application
114
which operates in the device
111
, the application class
115
is changed by being loaded through the application class loader
117
with a module loading function in the core class
116
.
Explanations are made specifically with reference to FIG.
10
.
The platform
120
loads the core class
116
, the application class loader
117
and each of the sub-core-modules
118
by using the core class loader
121
, and starts the core class
116
for starting the application
114
.
When the core class
116
is started, the core class
116
loads the application class
115
by using the application class loader
117
, and starts the application class
115
for realizing a function of the application
114
.
In case that the application class
115
is to be changed, the core class
116
stops each of the application classes
115
, loads a new application class
115
by using the application class loader
117
again, and starts an operation of the new application class
115
. As started, in this related art, the application class loader (rename unit) is started without using the OS, and the application class is changed. However, in other related arts, since a load-module is (changed) started from the OS, the OS must be stopped once to change the application class.
In the above-stated case, the application class
115
can be changed by the core class
116
using the application class loader
117
. However, in case that a function of the core class
116
is to be upgraded, it is necessary that the platform
120
is restarted and a new module (core class) is loaded by the core class loader
121
again. Otherwise, since the core class
116
and the application class loader
117
and sub-core-module
118
which are used in the core class
116
are loaded by the core class loader
121
in the platform
120
(virtual OS), loading of the module must be supported by the platform
120
while it is active.
Normally, since loading of the module is not supported by the platform
120
, it is necessary to stop a system once and restart the platform for changing the core class
116
and the application class loader
117
. As stated, if a changing range is set not to stop the system, only the application class
115
can be upgraded in the application
114
. Even starting processing for changing the application class
115
is restricted within a function range of the core class
116
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As stated, according to the related arts, a function-module (application class) can be loaded during operation, however a main-core-module (core class) and a function-module loader (sub-core-module) can not be loaded during operation.
It is one of intentions of this invention to solve the above-stated problems. According to this invention, it becomes possible to change the function-module and the core class from a basic side, e.g., the OS, etc. without stopping an application program during operation of the device.
According to one aspect of this invention, a software-module dynamic loader for storing an application class and an application class loader upon a platform comprises a sub-core class loader for loading a new version of the one of the application class and the application class loader based on the load demanding step in which the platform is working, and the one of the application class and the application class loader demands loading the new version to the sub-core class loader.
According to another aspect of this invention, a software-module dynamic loading method for storing an application class and an application class loader upon a platform comprises load demanding of loading one of the application class and the application class loader in the application class to a sub-core class loader, loading a new version of the one of the application class and the application class loader based on the load demanding, in which the platform is working, and starting the application class after loading the new version.
Further features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5974428 (1999-10-01), Gerard et al.
patent: 6175855 (2001-01-01), Reich et al.
patent: 6272674 (2001-08-01), Holiday, Jr.
patent: 6279030 (2001-08-01), Britton et al.
patent: 6470494 (2002-10-01), Chan et al.
patent: 6496871 (2002-12-01), Jagannathan et al.
patent: 6507946 (2003-01-01), Alexander et al.
patent: A9292980 (1997-11-01), None
patent: A1145174 (1999-02-01), None
Franz. Dynamic Linking of Software Components. IEEE. 1997. pp. 74-81.*
Gong. Secure Java Class Loading. IEEE. 1998. pp. 56-61.
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Mitsubishi Denki & Kabushiki Kaisha
Zhen Wei
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