US4914659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for software branch analysis
Assignee: Agilent Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1988-02-10
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Granted: 1990-04-03
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Expires: 2008-02-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a software development tool for testing software on embedded microprocessor-based systems. A microprocessor emulator is used to provide the embedded system with access to external mass storage and other systems. The software development tool includes a software branch analyzer which is used to report whether branches in software under test were executed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/362; G06F11/3648; G06F11/3652; G06F11/3624; G06F11/22; G06F11/26; G06F11/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A tool for developing software, said software to be used to test a predetermined system which is designed so as to be controlled by a predetermined microprocessor, said microprocessor to be embedded in said system, said tool comprising: emulation means for replacing and emulating said microprocessor of said system; computer means, connected to said emulation means, for controlling said replacing and emulating and for compilation of said software; preprocessing means, connected at least to said computer means, for inserting executable branch analysis statements in said software prior to compilation and execution of said software; processing means, connected at least to said preprocessing means, for determining whether said branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said software; report means, connected at least to said processing means, for reporting to a user of said tool whether said branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said software.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A tool for developing software, said software to be used to test a predetermined system which is designed so as to be controlled by a predetermined microprocessor, said microprocessor to be embedded in said system, said tool comprising: emulation means for replacing and emulating said microprocessor of said system; computer means, connected to said emulation means, for controlling said replacing and emulating and for compilation of said software; preprocessing means, connected at least to said computer means, for inserting executable branch analysis statements in said software prior to compilation and execution of said software; processing means, connected at least to said preprocessing means, for determining whether said branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said software; report means, connected at least to said processing means, for reporting to a user of said tool whether said branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said software.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for analyzing branch statements in software, said software to be used to test a predetermined system which is designed so as to be controlled by a predetermined microprocessor, said microprocessor to be embedded in said system, comprising the steps of: emulating said microprocessor with a microprocessor-emulator; preprocessing said software such that executable branch analysis statements are inserted at user-determined locations within the branch statements within said software; generating a mapfile of said preprocessed software such that said locations of said inserted branch analysis statements within said software can be determined; compiling and linking said preprocessed software; generating symbol tables for said preprocessed software; generating executable binary code corresponding to said preprocessed software; execution of said binary code on said system such that execution-data-results are produced; processing said execution-data-results such that it can be determined whether said inserted branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said binary code; reporting to a user whether said inserted branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said binary code.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for analyzing branch statements in software, said software to be used to test a predetermined system which is designed so as to be controlled by a predetermined microprocessor, said microprocessor to be embedded in said system, comprising the steps of: emulating said microprocessor with a microprocessor-emulator; preprocessing said software such that executable branch analysis statements are inserted at user-determined locations within the branch statements within said software; generating a mapfile of said preprocessed software such that said locations of said inserted branch analysis statements within said software can be determined; compiling and linking said preprocessed software; generating symbol tables for said preprocessed software; generating executable binary code corresponding to said preprocessed software; execution of said binary code on said system such that execution-data-results are produced; processing said execution-data-results such that it can be determined whether said inserted branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said binary code; reporting to a user whether said inserted branch analysis statements were executed during execution of said binary code.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-02 | 1993-10-02 | 1994-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-10-02 | 1998-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-02 | 2001-10-02 | 2002-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |