Back to results
US 6,298,481 B1Granted
System for modifying the functionality of compiled computer code at run-time
AssigneeSegasoft, Inc.
InventorsTakashi Kosaka, Michael Plate
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeSegasoft, Inc.
InventorsTakashi Kosaka, Michael Plate
Estimating the term…
A system whereby a computer program can be transformed so that one or more of the program's symbolic references are made suitable for redirection. Once provided with redirectable symbols, the functionality of the program is easily changed at a later time, such as at start-up time or at run-time. A first phase converts a pre-existing computer program so that symbols can be re-directed. This first phase also generates auxiliary files for use in a later phase. A second phase is where the converted computer program is loaded into, and executed upon, a user's computer. A third phase is where the original computer program functionality is modified. The modification occurs at a high-level and can be performed easily by someone who was not involved in the programming of the original program. Modifications are simplified to the extent that even non-programmers can change the functionality of the computer program. This third phase uses the auxiliary file generated in the first phase. A fourth phase is where the modified functionality is loaded into an end-user's computer and is executed in conjunction with the converted program. Other features of the invention include the use of a table to facilitate symbol redirection and automatic identification of symbols and generation of auxiliary files and intermediary files to accomplish compilation steps necessary for program and add-on module builds.
A method for converting a source computer program into an executable object having symbol references that can be redirected at run-time, the method executing on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, the computer system further including a computer program having symbolic references to original definitions having original names, the method comprising the following steps performed by the processor after completion of the creation of the source computer program:
A method for providing run-time modification of functionality in an executable computer program that has a substitute reference for one or more symbolic references used in a source code version of the executable computer program, the method executing on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, teh method including the steps of:
A computer-readable medium including instructions for converting a source computer program into an executable object having symbol references that can be redirected at run-time, the computer-readable medium including instructions for execution on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, the computer system further including a computer program having symbolic references to original definitions having original names, the computer-readable medium including:
A computer-readable medium including instructions for providing run-time modification of functionality in an executable computer program that has a substitute reference for one or more symbolic references used in a source code version of the executable computer program, the computer-readable medium including instructions for execution on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, the computer-readable medium including
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave including instructions for converting a source computer program into an executable object having symbol references that can be redirected at run-time, the computer data signal including instructions for execution on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, the computer system further including a computer program having symbolic references to original definitions having original names, the computer data signal including:
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave including instructions for providing run-time modification of functionality in an executable computer program that has a substitute reference for one or more symbolic references used in a source code version of the executable computer program, the computer data signal including instructions for execution on a computer system, the computer system including a processor and storage device, the computer data signal including
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.