Cisco Technology, Inc.

Other

Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

Scientific-atlanta, Inc.

Mark R Murray

David Decker

Altan John Stalker

Jay P Duncanson

Eric Allen

Paul Porter

Phillip M Hord

George W Coleman

Systems and methods for creating universal microcode images and for reconstructing a microcode image from a universal microcode image are described in the present disclosure. One method, among others, comprises receiving a plurality of microcode images each configured to initialize hardware within an electronic device before the electronic device is booted up. The method also includes separating each microcode image into sections and comparing the sections to determine whether or not two or more sections contain identical code. The method also includes creating a universal microcode image from the sections that are unique.

Universal microcode image

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods are disclosed for operating an override boot sequence. In some embodiments, a system may be disclosed comprising a computing device; client software configured to boot the computing device to a normal state; a first memory associated with the computing device, wherein the client software is stored on the first memory; and a network interface in communication with a server. The server may be configured to transmit a sentry packet to the computing device. A bootloader program may be associated with the computing device, wherein the bootloader device may be configured to open the network interface port associated with the serve and monitor for the presence of the sentry packet. The bootloader program may be further configured to download a software application across the network and execute the software application instead of the client software.

Passive activation of bootloader network features

User terminal resilience to application elements may be provided. Upon initialization, a user terminal may detect elements associated with the user terminal's operation. The user terminal may load each of the elements in turn and determine whether the element causes a fault in the user terminal. Elements that result in a fault may be disabled from being loaded in the future.

Resiliency against field-updated security elements

To prevent poaching of an Internet Protocol (IP) set top box (STB) asset or similar network computing device from one system operator to another, code executing in the IP STB not only authenticates downloaded software images using a public key provided in a serial-number assigned digital certificate, but also confirms that the serial number appears on a signed whitelist, or does not appear on a signed blacklist. The code executing in the STB further preferably enforces a rule that only the authority that signed the already-loaded whitelist/blacklist may replace it with a new list. Such a 'sticky whitelist/blacklist' ensures that if the STB boots or resets in a new network, the existing authentication list will not be replaced by a list that is valid for a new or different network, and, as a result, that new software code images will not be authenticated.

Preventing unauthorized poaching of set top box assets

Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.

System and method for handling memory allocation failures through reserve allocation of event data

A method for detecting high speed data received by a computer and for delaying displaying the receive data, thereby increase the microprocessor time devoted to receiving and storing the input data. Three parameters are utilized for determining when updating the display should be delayed because data input speed is high. First, if the input data is close to filling the computer's receive buffer, the data input speed is high. Second, if the data input port becomes idle, no more data is being input to the computer and the display may be updated. Third, if the display has not been updated recently, as indicated by a preset timer timing out, an update of the display is forced so that the user can verify that data is successfully being input. By varying and limiting the number of display updates, the microprocessor is allocated more time to store and process received data when the data input speed demands. By improving the microprocessor's ability to store and process received data, data communications are not disrupted.

Display update controller

An improved modem is described which can selectably operate in a synchronous communications mode, an asynchronous data mode, and an asynchronous command mode. A processor 47 controls the operation of the modem, adds starting and ending flags and frame check sequences to transmitted data, searches for flags and sync characters in received data, adds and deletes start, stop and parity bits required for communications with the asynchronous communications element 18, and performs zero bit insertion and deletion for HDLC/SDLC communications. Processor 47 also controls and monitors the operating parameters of the modem engine 60.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Mark R Murray