System for changing software during computer operation

Patent 5410703 Issued on April 25, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 1, 2012. 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

Assignee

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Application

No. 907294 filed on 07/01/1992

US Classes:

717/168, SOFTWARE UPGRADING OR UPDATING714/38, Of computer software718/101Batch or transaction processing

Examiners

Primary: Heckler, Thomas M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Johnson & Wortley

Foreign Patent References

2242293 GB. 09/13/1991
WO91/08534 WO. 06/13/1991

International Class

G06F 009/445

Abstract

In telecommunications switching system, software is frequently modified, enhanced or replaced altogether by new versions. The implementation or integration of the new or revised software into the operational system must be accomplished in accordance with strict requirements for not disturbing the ongoing activities of the system. Therefore, it is desirable that the system not be halted while the change to the new software is made. Rather, the preferred approach is to be able to replace software modules with new versions on the fly, during system operation. The smooth modification made possible in the disclosed system allows such changes with minimal disturbance to ongoing activities. The disclosed system provides the ability to change software during operation by treating the dynamic operations of a telecommunications system as a set of parallel, independent transactions, with each transaction consisting of a series of connected activities. Such a transaction is generally a functional element associated with a particular user of the system, e.g., a subscriber or an operator, such as a call to be processed or a command to be executed by the system.

Other References

National electronics conference Proceedings of the National . . . , vol. 38, 1984, Kenneth Y. Nieng, "Updating Software in a Real-Time Distributed System" pp. 57-p. 60
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