Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Jeffrey D Glaum

Scott Randall Shell

Michael E Markley

Andrew Michael Rogers

Brian David Cross

Mark Scott Tonkelowitz

Lorna Rebecca McNeill

Described is a system and method used in manufacturing computer devices, in which a single manufacturing image file contains an internal partition and file system layout into which individual operating system component packages are written. The image file is independent of any particular storage technology. To generate the file, a disk image utility tool inputs a memory configuration file and a package-to-partition mapping file to create the partitions/file systems within the image file. The operating system components (package) are written into the partitions. To store (e.g., flash) the image file's data on a particular storage device, the image file is post-processed to customize the data for a particular storage device.

Creating file systems within a file in a storage technology-abstracted manner

Described is a system and method by which a collection of software packages for installing (e.g., on an embedded computing device) are reviewed for their dependent relations, whereby it is possible to choose a maximal set of install possibilities to allow for maximal version updates for any given package in the fewest update steps possible, while honoring package dependency constraints. An update validation process organizes and validates update packages that have been downloaded to a device, and builds a graph for each group. The graph data including paths between updates are processed to validate the updates and to determine a minimal and optimal set of packages that can be applied to the existing image on the device to produce the desired update, with the least amount of weight (cost) when more than one path can be used to get to the same version.

Determining a maximal set of dependent software updates valid for installation

Described is a system and method in which software images including updates are provided as packages. The package is self-describing, thereby facilitating the replacement of only component parts of an image. A software build process maps operating system features (comprising files, metadata, configuration information and so forth) into the packages, and executable code is processed for relocation purposes. The final package includes a device manifest file that describes the package and conveys dependency information and information about the priority of settings (shadow data).

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Jeffrey D Glaum