Canon Information Systems, Inc.

Natsuko Takahashi

William C Russell

George A Kalwitz

H Brad Emerson

Lorraine F Barrett

Willis J Luther

A reprogrammable network communication device which communicates on a network has a reprogrammable read only memory which stores a current program image, a current network information file block containing configuration information for the network communication device, and a software module for reprogramming the reprogrammable read only memory. A random access memory stores a new program image for the reprogrammable read only memory. A processor sends and receives network communications, confirms that the new program image is compatible with the configuration information in the current network information file block, and executes the software reprogramming module so as to reprogram the reprogrammable read only memory with the new program image in a case where compatibility is confirmed.

Smart flash

Method and apparatus for altering an executable file stored in a random access memory on a designated interactive network having a local area network interface comprises activating a LAN communication program. The communication program operates to broadcast an inquiry through the local area network for the designated interactive network board, to receive location information of the designated interactive network board in response to the broadcast inquiry, and to establish communication with the designated interactive network board. The executable file is downloaded into RAM on the designated interactive network board through the local area network interface. A verifying step verifies a checksum value of the executable file against a checksum value in a checksum packet attached to the executable file. In the case that the verifying step is successfully completed, execution of the executable file may be commanded remotely, e.g., across the LAN interface.

In an interactive network board, a method and apparatus for remotely

Method and apparatus for testing an interactive network board having a local area network interface, a Small Computer System Interface, and a test interface comprises supplying power to the interactive board, and performing a power-on self-test program within the interactive board. At the completion of the power-on self-test, a test program is loaded into a RAM on the interactive network board through the test interface, and the test program resident in the RAM is activated. The test program is executed and checkpoint test results are outputted after completion of the test program. A test computer is provided to receive the checkpoint test result and may script additional tests in accordance with checkpoint test results. Preferably, at the completion of the test program, ROM-resident firmware is downloaded into the RAM on the interactive board, and the firmware is loaded from the RAM into a ROM on the interactive network board.

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Long Beach, CA, United States of America

Natsuko Takahashi