Microcontroller, computer program product, and method for adding an additional function to a computer program

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when the instructions are executed by a microcontroller, cause the microcontroller to:

• generate a table in a first memory, the table configured to indicate whether one or more additional functions for a computer program installed on the microcontroller are stored in a second memory, the table comprising:
• a first field for storing identifiers, each identifier associated with a respective additional function, and
• a second field for storing pointers, each pointer associated with a starting memory address of the second memory in which a respective additional function is stored, the second field including a null pointer for each additional function not stored in the second memory;
• obtain a compiled code of an additional function and an identifier of the additional function, wherein the compiled code and the identifier are received via a packet via an internet network from a remote server to a device hosting the computer program product, wherein obtaining the compiled code of the additional function causes the microcontroller to add functionality to the computer program installed on the microcontroller without modifying compiled code or without obtaining a new version of the computer program installed on the microcontroller;
• store the compiled code of the additional function in the second memory;
• and
• store a pointer in the second field of the table, the pointer pointing to a memory address of the second memory in which the additional function is stored.

A microcontroller configured to add an additional function to a computer program, the microcontroller comprising:

• a first memory configured to store a table to indicate whether one or more additional functions for a computer program installed on the microcontroller are stored in a second memory, the table comprising:
• a first field for storing identifiers, each identifier associated with a respective additional function, and
• a second field for storing pointers, each pointer associated with a starting memory address of the second memory in which a respective additional function is stored, the second field including a null pointer for each additional function not stored in the second memory;
• the second memory configured to store the computer program and the one or more additional functions for the computer program;
• and
• a processor coupled to the first and second memories, the processor configured to:
• obtain a compiled code of an additional function and an identifier of the additional function, wherein obtaining the compiled code of the additional function causes the microcontroller to add functionality to the computer program installed on the microcontroller without modifying compiled code or without obtaining a new version of the computer program installed on the microcontroller;
• store the compiled code of the additional function in the second memory;
• and
• store, in the first memory, a pointer in the second field of the table, the pointer pointing to the memory address of the second memory in which the compiled code of the additional function is stored.