Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for dynamically modifying a read-only-memory "ROM"-based embedded software system comprising the steps of, invoking, if in existence, at least one dynamic extension to the ROM-based embedded software system including the steps of, (1) transferring control to an extensible interpreter upon executing a request for a Customizable Call-Out (CCO) in the ROM-based software system passing the identity of the CCO, (2) determining via the extensible interpreter if the identified CCO is defined, (3) proceeding to step (4) if the identified CCO is defined, otherwise, return to the ROM-based software system, (4) transferring control to the identified CCO.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said step (1) of transferring includes a step of requesting a CCO and wherein said method further indudes a step of executing the defined identified CCO.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said extensible interpreter is further employed to directly implement, i.e., define, a CCO without the need for an additional external computer platform and/or compiler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said extensible interpreter is further employed to implement software breakpoints in the ROM-based software system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said extensible interpreter is implemented in Forth program language.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an equipment arrangement including a read-only-memory (ROM) a random-access-memory (RAM), a microprocessor and a terminal wherein requests for Customizable Call-Outs (CCOs) are inserted in a ROM-based embedded software system, a method for dynamically modifying the ROM-based software system comprising the steps of, (1) upon executing a request for CCO in the ROM-based software system, transferring control to an extensible interpreter passing to it the identity of the CCO, (2) determining via the extensible interpreter if the identified CCO is implemented, i.e., defined, (3) proceeding to step (4) if the identified CCO is implemented, otherwise return to the ROM-based software system, and (4) transferring control to the identified CCO.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said extensible interpreter resides in the ROM and in the RAM, said step (1) of transferring includes a step of requesting a CCO and further including a step of executing the defined CCO.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein there is a CCO in the ROM for enabling interaction with the extensible interpreter via the microprocessor and terminal in order to implement, i.e., define, directly one or more new CCOs to extend the extensible interpreter in the RAM, i.e., the one or more new CCOs are implemented in the RAM, without the need of an additional external computer platform and/or compiler.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said extensible interpreter can invoke said one or more new CCOs upon corresponding requests for CCOs being executed in the ROM-based software system and the identifies of those one or more new CCOs being transferred to the extensible interpreter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said extensible interpreter is further employed to implement software breakpoints in the ROM-based software system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said extensible interpreter is implemented in Forth program language.