Patent ID: 6289510
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system for updating contents of a program module by downloading to a computer a revised program module on line, the computer system comprising:program storage unit for storing an existing program module to be updated;management information storage unit for storing management information including an operative status flag indicative of an operative status of said existing program module;program execution unit for executing said existing program module as required and setting said operative status flag to a state indicative of an active status of said existing program module during execution of said existing program module;operative status determination unit for repeatedly determining whether or not said operative status flag is set to said status indicative of said active status of said existing program module in response to a download request and permitting execution of a download process only when said operative status flag is not set to said operative status indicative of said active status of said existing program module to be updated; andprogram transfer unit for downloading a revised program module during a time period over which said download process is permitted by said operative status determination unit, to thereby replace said existing program module stored in said program storage unit with said revised program module.