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US5829013A
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Memory manager to allow non-volatile memory to be used to supplement main memory
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-26
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2015-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory are disclosed. A method of executing a program includes the step of initiating execution of a program stored in a non-volatile memory. An exception is generated if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory. In response to the exception, a portion of the contents of the non-volatile memory including the location is relocated to a main memory with a program status of read/write/execute. The program is restarted at the program command causing the exception. An apparatus for executing a program stored in a non-volatile memory includes a main memory. The non-volatile memory is coupled to a main memory bus of the main memory. The program stored in the non-volatile memory has a read/execute program status. A processor is coupled to the main memory bus. An exception is generated during the processor execution of the program if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory. A portion of the program including the location is relocated to the main memory with a status of read/write/execute in response to the exception. Program execution is subsequently restarted at the program command.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert N. Hasbun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/30; G06F9/38; G06F9/3802; G06F9/3812; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0223; G06F12/0292; G06F12/06; G06F12/0638; G06F2212/00; G06F2212/20; G06F2212/202; G06F2212/2022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of executing a program comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored in a non-volatile memory; b) generating an exception if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory; c) relocating a portion of the contents of the non-volatile memory including the location to a main memory in response to the exception; and d) restarting the program at the program command.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of executing a program comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored in a non-volatile memory; b) generating an exception if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory; c) relocating a portion of the contents of the non-volatile memory including the location to a main memory in response to the exception; and d) restarting the program at the program command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step a) further comprises the steps of: i) assigning memory addresses to the non-volatile memory; ii) writing the program to the non-volatile memory; and iii) identifying the memory addresses associated with the program as read/execute only.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step a)(iii) further comprises the step of updating a descriptor table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: iv) updating page tables when the program is executed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step c) further comprises the steps of: i) reading the portion of the contents of the non-volatile memory; ii) writing the portion of the contents to the main memory; and iii) updating page tables to indicate the relocated portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step c) further comprises the step of: i) swapping an amount of main memory to virtual memory to provide space for the portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory comprises a flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step c) further comprises the step of: i) relocating the portion of the contents of the non-volatile memory including the location to the main memory with a program status of read/write/execute.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of executing a program, comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored in a non-volatile memory; b) generating an exception if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory; c) copying contents of a portion of the non-volatile memory including the location to a main memory in response to the exception; d) updating page tables to indicate that the portion is located in main memory; and e) restarting the program at the program command.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of executing a program, comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored in a non-volatile memory; b) generating an exception if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory; c) copying contents of a portion of the non-volatile memory including the location to a main memory in response to the exception; d) updating page tables to indicate that the portion is located in main memory; and e) restarting the program at the program command.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 wherein step a) further comprises the steps of: i) assigning memory addresses to the non-volatile memory; ii) writing the program to the non-volatile memory; and iii) setting a program status of the program to read/execute only.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein step a)(iii) further comprises the step of updating a descriptor table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of: iv) updating the page tables when the program is executed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein step d) further comprises the step of: i) setting the program status to read/write/execute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein step c) further comprises the step of: i) swapping an amount of main memory to virtual memory to provide space for the portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the non-volatile memory comprises a flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory array.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus comprising: a main memory; a non-volatile memory coupled to a main memory bus of the main memory, the non-volatile memory storing a program having a program status of read/execute; a processor coupled to the main memory bus, wherein an exception is generated during the processor execution of the program if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory, wherein a portion of the program including the location is relocated to the main memory with a status of read/write/execute in response to the exception, wherein the program execution is subsequently restarted at the program command.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus comprising: a main memory; a non-volatile memory coupled to a main memory bus of the main memory, the non-volatile memory storing a program having a program status of read/execute; a processor coupled to the main memory bus, wherein an exception is generated during the processor execution of the program if a program command attempts to write to a location within the non-volatile memory, wherein a portion of the program including the location is relocated to the main memory with a status of read/write/execute in response to the exception, wherein the program execution is subsequently restarted at the program command.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the non-volatile memory comprises flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of executing a program, comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored within a non-volatile memory; b) performing the following steps, if a program command attempts to modify a page of the non-volatile memory; i) halting execution of the program; ii) copying the page of non-volatile memory to a main memory; iii) remapping the page of non-volatile memory to the main memory; and iv) resuming execution of the program at the program command.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of executing a program, comprising the steps of: a) initiating execution of a program stored within a non-volatile memory; b) performing the following steps, if a program command attempts to modify a page of the non-volatile memory; i) halting execution of the program; ii) copying the page of non-volatile memory to a main memory; iii) remapping the page of non-volatile memory to the main memory; and iv) resuming execution of the program at the program command.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 wherein step b)(iii) further comprises the step of modifying a program descriptor table to define the remapped page as read/write/execute.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein step a) further comprises the step of setting a program descriptor table to define the non-volatile memory storing the program as read/execute only.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |