US 8,943,492 B2 · Method and system for generating a reverse binary patch

Abstract

A reverse patch for undoing a forward patch for obtaining a new binary image from an old binary image is generated in two parts. First a reverse index file is generated when the forward patch is created at a host or server. The reverse index file identifies regions of similarity between the old binary image and the new binary image. The reverse index file is transmitted with the forward patch to an electronic device. Second, while applying the forward patch to obtain the new binary image from the old binary image, the electronic device generates the reverse patch based upon the new binary image, the old binary image, and the reverse index file. The forward patch and reverse patch may both be incremental patches. Incremental patches are generated and applied on a sector-by-sector basis.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of handling a patch on an electronic device, the method comprising:

storing, at the electronic device, an old binary image;
receiving, at a communications interface of the electronic device, a forward patch and a reverse index file, the reverse index file identifying regions of similarity between the old binary image and a new binary image;
applying, at a processor of the electronic device, the forward patch to the old binary image to create the new binary image at the electronic device;
generating, at the processor of the electronic device, a reverse patch from the new binary image, the old binary image and the reverse index file;
and
applying, at the processor of the electronic device, the reverse patch to the new binary image to obtain at least a portion of the old binary image.

3 more elements

An electronic device comprising:

a device processor;
a communications subsystem adapted to receive a forward patch and a reverse index file from a server via one or more communications networks, the reverse index file identifying regions of similarity between an old binary image and a new binary image;
device memory adapted to store the old binary image, the forward patch and the reverse index file;
a patch manager adapted to apply the forward patch to the old binary image to create the new binary image at the electronic device;
a patch generation module adapted to generate a reverse patch from the new binary image, the old binary image and the reverse index file;
and
the patch manager adapted to apply the reverse patch to the new binary image to obtain at least a portion of the old binary image.

4 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor in an electronic device at which is stored an old binary image, cause the processor to:

receive a forward patch and a reverse index file, the reverse index file identifying regions of similarity between the old binary image and a new binary image;
apply the forward patch to the old binary image to create the new binary image at the electronic device;
generate a reverse patch from the new binary image, the old binary image and the reverse index file;
and
apply the reverse patch to the new binary image to obtain at least a portion of the old binary image.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for generating a reverse binary patch

Life of this patent

Method and system for generating a reverse binary patch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17