Patents by Inventor Russ Wetmore

Russ Wetmore has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for patching code residing on a read only memory device
    Patent number: 5790860
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating patching resources in an information processing system having operating instructions on a Read Only Memory Device. The present invention simplifies the patch generation and installation processes. A patch resource is generated and used by a patch installation process. Patch resources are generated for each ROM version by comparing previous ROM versions to the new ROM version. A patch resource is comprised of a plurality of entries, each of which defines a vector table address, an offset into the vector table and the routine to be inserted. By comparing routines between the ROM versions, routines which are different or new are identified. These routines will become patch resource entries. For patch installation, the ROM version number for the installed ROM is determined; the proper patching resource is retrieved, and the patch resource entries cause the patches to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Russ Wetmore, Philip Nguyen, Ricardo Batista
  • Method and apparatus for vectorizing the contents of a read only memory device without modifying underlying source code
    Patent number: 5546586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an object file that facilitates patching and the introduction of new function. The present invention accomplishes this without disturbing the original source file. The present invention is particularly useful in the generation of programs that will exist on a static device such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) device. The present invention requires that access to routines in the object file be referenced through a vector table located in Random Access Memory (RAM). If a routine in ROM must be patched (i.e. replaced) or if new function is added, the vector table is modified. Modification may be either changing the contents of an existing entry (replacement) or adding a new entry (new function).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Russ Wetmore, Philip Nguyen
  • Method and apparatus for patching code residing on a read only memory device
    Patent number: 5481713
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating patching resources in an information processing system having operating instructions on a Read Only Memory Device. The present invention simplifies the patch generation and installation processes. A patch resource is generated and used by a patch installation process. Patch resources are generated for each ROM version by comparing previous ROM versions to the new ROM version. A patch resource is comprised of a plurality of entries, each of which defines a vector table address, an offset into the vector table and the routine to be inserted. By comparing routines between the ROM versions, routines which are different or new are identified. These routines will become patch resource entries. For patch installation, the ROM version number for the installed ROM is determined; the proper patching resource is retrieved, and the patch resource entries cause the patches to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Russ Wetmore, Philip Nguyen, Ricardo Batista