Activating circuit for modifying or adding a new program to an electronic device

Patent 5371692 Issued on December 6, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 6, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Application

No. 668086 filed on 03/12/1991

US Classes:

702/122, Including specific communication means340/5.65, Electronic coded record340/825.22, Program control379/93.02, Access restricting379/102.01, Remote control713/100, RECONFIGURATION (E.G., CHANGING SYSTEM SETTING)713/191Upgrade/install encryption

Examiners

Primary: Harvey, Jack B.
Assistant: Wachsman, Hal

Foreign Patent References

0217351 EP. 09/13/1986
338290 EP. 03/13/1989
WO85/02310 WO. 05/13/1985

International Class

G05B 019/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1990-05-21 DE

Abstract

An electronic device such as a medical monitor (1) operates under program control; if the program needs to be updated, or if new programs or test procedures are to be added, an activating circuit (7) containing a microprocessor and non-volatile memory is connected to the electronic device. The microprocessor executes a program which consists of two modules: the first module establishes communication with the electronic device and the second module transmits activating code, program code or a test code to the electronic device. It is possible either to download new programs or to activate programs which already exist in the electronic device.