FR3118673A1 - Method for managing an update of a residential gateway, corresponding management device, residential gateway and computer program. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing an update of a residential gateway configured to manage a local communication network to which at least one user equipment is connected. This method is implemented by the residential gateway and comprises, upon receipt of an update notification from an update management platform: - a determination of a time slot for execution of said update update;- a decision to execute said update in the execution time slot based on an interference check between said execution time slot of said update and a use time slot of at least one resource of said residential gateway by said at least one user equipment such that: - if said time slot of execution and said time slot of use of said at least one resource are distinct, said update is executed in said execution time slot, - if said execution time slot interferes with said time slot for use of at least one resource then, depending on a priority level associated with said update, said update day is executed on a deferred date. FIGURE 1

Description

Method for managing an update of a residential gateway, corresponding management device, residential gateway and computer program.

1. Technical field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of a local, domestic or professional communication network, managed by a gateway, to which user equipment is connected. The gateway interconnects two communication networks, such as a private LAN (Local Area Network) and a remote WAN (Wide Area Network) provided by the operator.

Such gateways are generally called "residential gateways" or "domestic gateways", but their use is not restricted to the context of homes and can also be considered in the context of companies, associations, public places, etc. .

However, for the sake of simplification, throughout the rest of this document, such gateways will be designated by the term “residential gateways”, whatever their context of use.

In particular, the invention relates to the management of the updates of such a residential gateway, when these interfere with the use of the resources of this residential gateway by the user equipment of the local communication network.

2. Prior Art

Nowadays, a large majority of homes are equipped with a residential gateway, often called a "box" or "Home Gateway" (HGW). This equipment, installed at the customer's premises, is the hub of all the connections, services and applications provided by the operator. In some cases, the residential gateway can also be the concentrating point for several services offered by a plurality of service providers and not a single provider. Thus, a residential gateway represents a real relay between the network of the access and/or service provider and the customer's home network itself.

Indeed, the gateway is connected, on the one hand, to the operator's network, and has, on the other hand, a set of interfaces, wireless or wired, allowing the connection of a plurality of equipment, such as for example a digital decoder (or STB, “Set-Top Box” in English), a computer, a telephone, a digital television, etc.

It also manages all the services subscribed to by the customer with the operator (e.g. telephony, television, Internet connection) as well as advanced functionalities such as the configuration of NAT rules ("Network Address Translator" English for "translation network address”) or firewall, etc.

Conventionally, updates to the "firmware" of home network equipment (such as an operator's digital decoder), or applications embedded in this equipment, are carried out exclusively at initiative of the operator's network, but this operation makes this equipment unavailable for a certain period of time.

During this time period, the customer cannot use this equipment, or even almost none (excluding ToIP “Telephone over IP” in English, or telephony over IP) when the equipment in question is the residential gateway.

Indeed, in one example, the user has programmed during the day the recording of video content, such as a film, on his digital decoder, to be performed between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. At 11:30 p.m., the recording of the video stream, which passes through the residential gateway, begins on the digital decoder. At 00:00, the network platform, also called the update management platform, prompts the residential gateway to download an update from an operator server. The downloading of the update and its installation begin immediately, which has the effect of interrupting all the services provided by the gateway, in particular television, and the recording of the video stream is then interrupted. Therefore, the video content recording service is not rendered.

This problem can arise for any other service accessible via the residential gateway, in particular those related to home automation or automatic data backup.

There is therefore a need for a technique for managing the updates of the residential gateway which does not have these various disadvantages. In particular, there is a need for such a technique making it possible to guarantee continuity of services so that the user can actually use the services offered by the operator to which he has subscribed, in complete confidence, and thus improve his quality of experience. .

3. Presentation of the invention

The invention meets this need by proposing a method for managing an update of a residential gateway configured to manage a local communication network to which at least one user equipment is connected. This method is implemented by the residential gateway and comprises, upon receipt of an update notification from an update management platform:
- a determination of a time slot for the execution of the update,
- a decision to execute the update in the execution time slot based on an interference check between the update execution time slot and a use time slot of at least a resource of the residential gateway by said at least one user equipment such as:
- if the execution time slot and the use time slot of said at least one resource are distinct, the update is executed in said execution time slot,
- if the execution time slot interferes with the use time slot of at least one resource then, depending on a priority level associated with the update, the update is executed at a deferred date.

Thus, the invention is based on an entirely new and inventive approach to managing an update of a residential gateway connected to other user equipment in a local communication network, after receiving a notification from update coming from an update management platform of this gateway. More particularly, when an update of the residential gateway is required by the operator, but its execution interferes with the use of the hardware, software or service resources of the residential gateway, by one or more devices of the communication network , the invention then proposes to take into account the priority level of the update to be executed in order to limit the interruption of the use of the resources of the gateway by the other equipment of the local communication network. In other words, when one or more devices of the local communication network has or needs to use the resources of the residential gateway, such as for example when a Set-Top Box, or digital decoder, records a video stream on demand of a user, but an update risks making the resources of the gateway unavailable and therefore interrupting their use, the method according to the invention makes it possible to prioritize either the use of the resources of the gateway by the the equipment of the communication network, or the interruption of this use for the execution of the update.

Indeed, it is known that during an update, the resources of the residential gateway are no longer available for the equipment of the local communication network (excluding ToIP). Thus, when one or more devices is or are in use of the resources of the gateway or has or have programmed to use these resources, the update of the gateway interrupts the use of these by the network equipment. Thus, to overcome these drawbacks, the invention proposes to no longer systematically interrupt or prevent the use of the resources of the gateway by one or more devices of the local communication network, but on the contrary, to determine whether, depending on a priority level of the update, the latter must be executed to the detriment of the use of the resources by the device(s) of the LAN network or, on the contrary, be deferred so as not to interrupt the use of the resources by the device(s) LAN network equipment.

In one example, when the residential gateway is informed by notification sent by the update management platform, that an update of its firmware ("firmware") is available, then the gateway checks whether this update risks to encroach on a time slot for the use of its resources reserved by one or more devices of the communication network, given the foreseeable duration of the execution of this update. For this, the residential gateway determines an update execution time slot corresponding to the start of the execution of the update on an execution date until its services are restored. By "update" we mean the actions of downloading new software or firmware from an ad hoc server, installing, restarting and reconnecting the residential gateway. The residential gateway then checks whether its resources are available or not for the execution of this update. In particular, the residential gateway verifies that an update execution time slot, obtained from the update execution time, does not interfere with a time slot reserved for the use of its resources by one or more network devices, such as a digital decoder for recording a video stream.

Thus, in the case where the time slot for performing the update is distinct from the time slot for using the resources of the gateway reserved by the equipment or equipment (for example the digital decoder), for example with a margin varying possibly depending on the resource used, and defined by the equipment requesting the use of the resource or the equipment executing the update, that is to say the residential gateway, then, on receipt of the notification of update, the residential gateway executes the update, ie it downloads the software concerned from the ad hoc server and then installs it. In other words, when it is found that at the time of receipt of the update notification the resources are not used during the time slot for its execution, then the update is executed on receipt of this notification.

On the contrary, if the update execution slot interferes with a time slot for the use of gateway resources reserved by one or more devices, then a priority level is taken into account for the execution of the update. updated at a later date. In other words, depending on the priority level of the update, the execution of this update is postponed or deferred to a later date, i.e. the update is not executed as soon as receipt of the update notification, but on the contrary on a date on which the resources of the gateway are not used by one or more devices of the LAN network.

Thus, for the user, it is a guarantee of being able to actually use the services to which he has subscribed, in complete confidence. For the operator, it is the assurance of keeping its commitments in terms of service offers.

Of course, beyond the sole needs of digital decoders, the mechanisms illustrated here can be applied to all equipment or services providing for the use of hardware, software or service resources of the residential gateway, or managed by an orchestrator of the residential gateway, and wishing to be able to use it without being interrupted, except for another priority request, for example when this priority request is a security update of the residential gateway.

According to one characteristic of the invention, when the update notification includes an execution date of the update, then the execution time slot is determined from the execution date.

Advantageously, when the update management platform sends a notification informing the residential gateway, or several gateways at the same time that one or more updates are available, it indicates in the notification a different execution date, that is i.e. at what time the different updates must or can be executed, and thus avoid activity peaks for example.

According to a characteristic of the invention, when the execution time slot interferes with the use time slot of at least one resource, and:
- If the priority level associated with the update is lower than a priority level of use of said at least one resource, then the update is executed on the deferred date;
- if the priority level associated with the update is higher than a priority level for use of said at least one resource, then the time slot for use of at least one resource of the residential gateway by said at least a user equipment is interrupted and the update is executed on the date of execution.

Thus, when the residential gateway is informed by notification sent by the update management platform that an update of the priority security type of its software is available, the residential gateway then ignores any reservations of resources already made, and proceeds immediately to this update, that is to say upon receipt of the update notification. In other words, when the update has a high priority level, that is to say higher than a priority level of the use of resources by one or more devices of the network, for example when it This is a security update, it takes priority over the use of the resources of the gateway by the equipment or equipment of the communication network such as the digital decoder. The recording of the video stream by the digital decoder is therefore interrupted during the execution of the update, for example.

On the contrary, when the residential gateway is informed by notification sent by the update management platform that a functional type update of its software is available, the residential gateway checks whether one or more devices use(s) its resources, for example if a video stream intended for the digital decoder is at that moment routed by it. In other words, if the software update does not have priority with respect to the use of resources, it is the case when the priority level is low, that is to say lower than a priority level of the use of resources by one or more devices on the network, for example in the case of a functional update, then the execution of the update is deferred, if it risks interrupting a recording of a video stream for example. The execution of the update is therefore deferred to a later time, for example at the end of the use of the resources of the gateway by another equipment, such as for example at the end of the recording by the digital decoder d a video stream.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method further comprises, prior to receipt of said update notification:
- receipt of a reservation request from said at least one piece of equipment of the time slot for use of said at least one resource of said residential gateway by said at least one user piece of equipment,
- a verification of the availability of said at least one resource of the residential gateway, and
- when said at least one resource is available for use by said at least one user equipment, a reservation of the time slot for use of said at least one resource in a schedule of scheduled activities of the residential gateway.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention allows the equipment of the local communication network connected to the residential gateway to reserve a time slot, for example in a calendar of scheduled activities, for the use of the resources of the gateway. In one example, the resources of the residential gateway can be used by one or more network devices at the same time. Thus, the residential gateway can support several user applications running simultaneously on the same device or on several devices, but with a limitation in their number. Thus, one or more devices can reserve one or more overlapping or distinct time slots.

For this, the residential gateway, following receipt of a time slot reservation request for the use of its resources by one or more devices of the communication network, such as for example a digital decoder, checks whether its resources are indeed available during this time slot for the equipment(s) in question. For example, in the case of recording a scheduled video stream or a scheduled live broadcast that the user does not wish to see interrupted, the digital decoder reserves the resources it will need with the residential gateway. The residential gateway then checks that this request does not conflict with another similar request from another device on the local communication network, or from a remote communication network to which the gateway has access.

For example, a user wishes to schedule a recording or view a live video stream, such as a television program or a movie, on his digital decoder. For this, in a conventional way, the user programs the recording of the video stream via a user interface, or visualizes the video stream live. The residential gateway then receives, from the digital decoder, a request for reservation of a time slot for the use of its resources for recording the video stream or live viewing. Provided that its resources are indeed available for the digital decoder and not already reserved for other equipment, the residential gateway therefore reserves its resources for recording the video stream, or live viewing, for the digital decoder during a time slot. from the start to the end of the recording or live viewing. Alternatively, in the event that the user wishes to view live a video stream from an operator's paying package, whether this payment is linked to a package taken out with a broadcaster or paid for on a fee basis, the digital decoder informs in this reservation request that he does not wish to see the viewing interrupted until he releases the resource when the viewing of this video stream is stopped. The residential gateway therefore reserves a time slot for example in its schedule of scheduled activities comprising a start time, an end time, the package, the channel and saves this schedule in non-volatile memory.

In another example, when the gateway can support several user applications running simultaneously on the same device or on several devices, the gateway checks whether the resources can be used by all the devices or services on the same time slots, or on the contrary , prioritizing the use of resources for one or the other of the equipment, or services, according to priority management.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the interference check comprises:
- obtaining the time slot for use of at least one resource reserved in a calendar of scheduled activities of the residential gateway and,
- a comparison of the time slot of use of at least one resource with the time slot of execution of the update.

Thus, it is possible to check whether there is a time slot reservation conflict in the calendar of scheduled activities of the residential gateway. The residential gateway can then arbitrate between executing the update on the execution date or, on the contrary, depending on the priority level of the command, executing the update on a deferred date in the event that this is not not a priority.

According to another particular aspect of the invention, the execution time slot is determined from the execution date and an execution duration of the update.

According to another particular aspect of the invention, the duration of execution of the update is:
- obtained in said update notification or,
- selected from a set of update execution time values stored in a memory, said set comprising at least one execution time of a previous update. The execution time then corresponds to a maximum value of said set, said set of execution time values being updated after execution of the update.

Thus, the execution time can be:
- either included in the update notification, for example when it is a default value defined by the operator,
or selected from a set of execution time values corresponding to the execution times of the previous updates of the residential gateway saved in memory. In this case, the execution time then corresponds to the maximum duration value that the update can take.

According to another particular aspect, following the execution of the update, the method according to the invention comprises storage in memory of an actual execution time of the update.

Advantageously, after each update, the residential gateway saves in memory, for example in a volatile memory, the actual execution time of each update. It is thus possible to update a list of a set of execution time values of successive updates and to determine a maximum value for the execution time of the update and therefore to predict with a margin the duration execution of the update.

Thus, this duration, with a default value set in the factory, is then updated over successive updates of the residential gateway: either by calculation by the residential gateway, or by mention in a message informing it of this update. from the residential gateway update management platform, for example.

According to a particular aspect, the method according to the invention further comprises an update of the calendar of scheduled activities with the time slot for execution of the determined update.

Advantageously, the updating of the calendar of scheduled activities of the residential gateway allows the equipment of the network to know whether an update is carried out or will be carried out when they are going to use the resources of the residential gateway. It is therefore possible to anticipate the interruption of the use of the resources and for example to plan to reserve a time slot for the use of the resources by the equipment of the LAN network by specifying that one does not wish to see the use interrupted when the update is not a priority.

According to another particular aspect, following the decision to execute the update on the deferred date, the method according to the invention comprises a verification of the availability of said at least one resource of the residential gateway.

Advantageously, in the event that the update is deferred, then the residential gateway subsequently checks whether its resources are available again in order to be able to execute the update, for example by scheduling a new check at the end of a time slot. of use reserved by an equipment of the LAN network, the end of the slot being able to be determined either by taking into account an end time of programming of use (for example the end of the recording of a video stream by the digital decoder ), or by triggering a timer to regularly check whether the resources are available or not (for example when the video stream should not be interrupted when it comes to a paid channel). It is thus possible to avoid interrupting the use of the resources of the residential gateway by equipment in the local communication network, while ensuring that the gateway is regularly updated as quickly as possible.

According to a particular aspect, the method according to the invention comprises a transmission to said at least one piece of equipment of an information message on the unavailability of said at least one resource of the residential gateway due to an update.

Thus, it is possible to allow the residential gateway to inform by an application message the equipment of the local communication network, having reserved resources for the foreseeable duration of its update that these will not be available from a certain time (notice) for a certain duration, and indicates the time slot during which this update will be carried out.

The invention also relates to a device for managing an update of a residential gateway configured to manage a local communication network to which at least one user equipment is connected. This device comprising:
- an update management module capable of receiving an update notification from an update management platform (SERV), and determining an update execution time slot
- a resource management module capable of:
- making a decision to execute the update in the execution time slot based on an interference check between a time slot for executing the update and a time slot for using at least at least one resource of the residential gateway by said at least one user equipment such as:
- if the execution time slot and the use time slot of said at least one resource are distinct, the update is executed in the execution time slot,
- if the execution time slot interferes with the use time slot of at least one resource then, depending on a priority level associated with the update, the update is executed at a deferred date.

The invention also relates to a residential gateway of a local communication network (LAN) comprising a device for managing an update as described above.

The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing a method as described previously, when it is executed by a processor.

A program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

The invention also relates to a recording medium readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention as described above.

Such recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or else a magnetic recording medium, for example a mobile medium (memory card) or a hard drive or SSD.

On the other hand, such a recording medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means, so that the program computer it contains is executable remotely. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded onto a network, for example the Internet network.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the aforementioned display control method.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the present technique is implemented by means of software and/or hardware components. From this perspective, the term "module" may correspond in this document to a software component, a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components.

A software component corresponds to one or more computer programs, one or more sub-programs of a program, or more generally to any element of a program or software capable of implementing a function or a set of functions, as described below for the module concerned. Such a software component is executed by a data processor of a physical entity (terminal, server, gateway, set-top-box, router, etc.) and is likely to access the hardware resources of this physical entity (memories, recording media, communication bus, electronic input/output cards, user interfaces, etc.). Hereafter, resources means all sets of hardware and/or software elements supporting a function or service, whether unitary or combined.

In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly (or hardware) able to implement a function or a set of functions, according to what is described below for the module concerned. It can be a hardware component that can be programmed or has an integrated processor for executing software, for example an integrated circuit, a smart card, a memory card, an electronic card for executing firmware ( “firmware” in English), etc.

Each component of the system described above naturally implements its own software modules.

The various embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other for the implementation of the present technique.

The invention also relates to a management device, a residential gateway, and a computer program having in combination all or part of the characteristics described throughout this document.

The aforementioned management device, the residential gateway and the corresponding computer program have at least the same advantages as those conferred by the method for updating a residential gateway according to the present invention.

4. Brief description of figures

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of a simple illustrative example, and not limiting, in relation to the figures, among which:

• [fig. 1] : FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment;
• [fig.2] : FIG. 2 presents, in the form of a flow diagram, the exchanges between the equipment of the local communication network and/or of the remote communication network, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
• [fig. 3] : FIG. 3 describes in the form of a flow diagram the exchanges between a user equipment of the local communication network, the residential gateway and the update management platform, according to a first embodiment of the invention ;
• [fig. 4] : FIG. 4 describes in the form of a flow diagram the exchanges between a user equipment of the local communication network, the residential gateway and the update management platform, according to a second embodiment of the invention ;
• [fig. 5] : FIG. 5 describes in the form of a flow diagram the exchanges between a user equipment of the local communication network, the residential gateway and the update management platform, according to a third embodiment of the invention ;
• [fig. 6] : FIG. 6 describes an example of the hardware structure of an update management device according to an example embodiment of the invention.

5. Detailed description of the invention

The general principle of the invention is based on the management, by a residential gateway connected to one or more devices of a local communication network, of updates following the receipt of an update notification from a an operator's update management platform, accessible via a remote communication network. More particularly, the invention is based on the management of the prioritization of the use of telecommunications resources, of the residential gateway by one or more user equipments of the local communication network. Telecommunications resources of the residential gateway means hardware, software, telecommunications services or any other resource allowing the residential gateway to provide the services to which the user has subscribed. Hereinafter, the term resource denotes the telecommunications resources of the residential gateway as described above.

In other words, the invention proposes to no longer systematically interrupt the use of the resources of the gateway by the equipment of the local network when an update is available on the update management platform of the operator. , but on the contrary, to take into account a priority level of the update to be performed in relation to the use of resources by the devices of the local network in order to: either prioritize the use of resources by the devices and therefore defer the executing the update, or prioritizing the execution of the update and interrupting or preventing the use of the resources of the residential gateway, in particular when the latter affects the securing of the residential platform.

We now present, in relation to the an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment.

The local LAN communication network is managed by a residential gateway GW for access to the remote WAN network provided by the operator to a user who has taken out a subscription with this operator. In the example considered, the gateway is connected to the remote WAN network by an ADSL or fiber link. Of course, it can also connect to the operator's cellular network via a 2G to 5G type link. The residential gateway GW has access, via this remote WAN network, to an operator server, accessible from the update management platform SERV. Generally, the updating of the firmware (or "firmware" in English) or of the service applications embedded in the residential gateway is carried out exclusively at the initiative of the operator's network. Conventionally, when the operator makes an update for the residential gateway GW available on the update management platform SERV, the platform SERV sends an update notification to the gateway GW. This notification informs the GW gateway that a software update is available for download and installation at a given address contained in this notification. Conventionally, unless a telephone communication over IP (ToIP) is in progress, the gateway GW immediately executes the update by downloading from the platform SERV in the remote network WAN the update to the address provided in the message, then install it.

Update notification means:
- either an invitation to run an update available on a server, i.e. to download and install the update, when the update is for example of a functional type and therefore not a priority for example,
or an update command, that is to say the action of executing the update immediately, when the update is imperative, for example of the security type, and therefore has priority for example.

In this example, the LAN network is a home network, to which several pieces of equipment are connected, such as an STB digital decoder, an HDMI C_HDMI key, or even a personal computer PC or a smart phone SP (“Smartphone”). In one example, the digital decoder STB, the HDMI key C_HDMI, the personal computer PC or the telephone SP are connected to the gateway GW by a radio wireless link, for example Wi-Fi. Of course other types of link Wireless can be used as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Z-Wave, Zigbee, DECT-ULE etc. In another example, the digital decoder STB is connected to the gateway GW by a wired connection, such as an Ethernet connection.

The STB digital decoder and the HDMI key C_HDMI are connected to a television set allowing the reproduction of video content, such as a film for example. Conventionally, when a user wishes to view video content, he selects video content via the digital decoder STB, for example using a user interface of the television set TV connected to the digital decoder. The digital decoder STB then sends a request for access to the broadcast network of the operator to the gateway GW. The digital decoder STB then accesses a video content server located in the remote network WAN through the residential gateway GW. The video content is then downloaded progressively, that is to say that the video stream is received as it is reproduced by the digital decoder STB and passes through the residential gateway GW. The STB digital decoder decodes the video stream for playback on the TV set.

Thus, each device of the local communication network LAN can use the resources of the gateway GW to access the remote network WAN to, for example, access video content, or other services offered by the operator.

In a particular example of the invention, all of the users of the same household are sleeping, the equipment of the LAN network is on standby, by virtue of the "It's night" mode, which is similar in certain aspects in “Temporary Absence” mode. During the day, a user programmed the recording of a nocturnal television program on his STB digital decoder.

For its part, the operator has scheduled a software update for the GW residential gateway at a time falling during the broadcast of the television program to be recorded.

When the user programmed the recording of the television program on his STB digital decoder, the latter has:
- saved in non-volatile memory in its recording calendar the characteristics of the program to be recorded: start time, end time, bouquet, channel, etc.
- transmitted to the residential gateway, via its Ethernet link or its Wi-Fi connection, a message describing the periods during which the video stream must not be interrupted and must remain established.

Receiving this message, the GW residential gateway:
- save this simplified calendar in non-volatile memory,
- updates and saves its own schedule of scheduled activities.

When the recording start time is close enough, the STB set-top box alarm clock application:
- takes the STB digital decoder out of the standby state,
- sends on the LAN network a wake-up packet intended for the residential gateway GW.

Receiving this wake-up packet from the STB digital decoder, the residential gateway opens the connection of the digital STB decoder to the operator's television broadcasting network accessible via the remote WAN network.

When the recording is finished, the digital decoder STB goes back to standby and the residential gateway GW does the same shortly afterwards.

At the same time, when the residential gateway GW receives a software update notification from the operator's network, emanating from the update management platform SERV, the residential gateway GW:
- exit from standby, if applicable,
- reads in non-volatile memory the maximum duration of its latest updates, including restarting and reconnection to the LAN network,
- checks if a time slot depending on this maximum duration for the update interferes with a scheduled recording time slot, with a time margin:

• if not, the GW gateway accepts the update, and downloads the software concerned from the ad hoc server then installs it,
• if so, depending on the priority level of the update in question, postpones or not, the execution of this update until the end of the recording of the video stream and indicates, if necessary, the next time slot during which this update will be executed.

We now present in connection with the , a flow diagram of the exchanges between the equipment of the local communication network and/or of the remote communication network, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The general principle of operation is as follows: equipment Bi, such as for example the residential gateway GW, measures the execution time of certain commands CMDi, such as for example an update command, inducing an unavailability of their resources RTi ( such as for example software, hardware resources, or services), from the start of execution of the CMDi command until the restoration of its services, and save the maximum execution time values thereof in non-volatile RAM memory.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device A1 wishes to use a resource RT1 of a device B1 on a time slot starting at time T0 until time T1. For this, in a step 200, the A1 device sends to the B1 device a notification of a request for use CMD0 indicating the request for use of RT1 from T0 to T1. Upon receipt of this use request notification CMD0, the equipment B1 then checks, in a step 201, that RT1 is indeed available from T0 to T1. If RT1 is actually available, then at step 202, the equipment B1 reserves in its calendar the time slot concerned [T0, T1] for the equipment A1 (RSV_[T0, T1].

Subsequently, but before T1, that is to say before the end of the reservation of the time slot for use of the resource RT1 of the equipment B1 by the equipment A1, an equipment C1 sends to the equipment B1 a notification of a CMD1 command to be executed at time T2, inducing, even indirectly, the unavailability of RT1 for equipment A1. This notification of a CMD1 command, includes for example at least the type of command, or action, to be performed, such as an update, or even an address from which the update is available for example. In another example, the notification includes, for example, a T2 update execution time.

In a step 203, the equipment B1 reads in memory the maximum duration DM1 for executing commands of the CMD1 type and determines the time slot [T2, T2+DM1] necessary for the execution of the command CMD1. In a step 204, the equipment B1 checks that for RT1 the time slots: [T0, T1] and [T2, T2+DM1] are disjoint.

If they are disjoint ([T0, T1] different from [T2, T2+DM1]), in step 205, the equipment B1 executes the command CMD1 (ACC_CMD1) of the equipment C1, since there is no will have no impact on the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1.

On the contrary, the time slot [T2, T2+DM1] interferes with the slot [T0, T1] ([T0, T1] / [T2, T2+DM1]), the equipment B1 then implements a priority arbitration between the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1 and the CMD1 command of equipment C1, because there is an impact on the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1. In other words, depending on the priority level of the CMD1 command:
- when the priority level of the CMD1 command is lower than the priority level of the use of RT1 resources by the equipment A1 (CMD1_N_PRIO), the equipment B1 postpones the execution of the command CMD1, DIFF_CMD1 after T1, c ie it implements ACC_CMD0 the use of RT1 resources by the A1 equipment without interruption, then the CMD1 command of the C1 equipment ACC_CMD1. If necessary, the equipment B1 sends an information message intended for the equipment C1 indicating the postponement of the command CMD1 and that the latter will be executable from T1 or at a later date. Equipment C1 sends in return a message acknowledging receipt of the message from equipment B1;
- when the priority level of the CMD1 command is higher than the priority level of the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1 (CMD1_PRIO), equipment B1 interrupts the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1 (INTER_CMD0 ) and executes the CMD1 command of the C1 device ACC_CMD1. If applicable, equipment B1 sends an information message to equipment A1 indicating that the CMD1 command has priority and that the time slot [T2, T2+DM1] is reserved for the execution of this CMD1 command .

Alternatively, if CMD1 has priority over the use of RT1 resources by equipment A1, but the time slot [T2, T2+DM1] of execution of CMD1 does not interfere with a time slot of use of RT1 [T0, T1], then equipment B1 sends equipment A1 an information message (or notice) indicating that the RT1 resource is reserved for a priority CMD1 command and that it cannot therefore use or forecast the use of the resource RT1 during the entire time period [T2, T2+DM1].

In order to illustrate the principle of the invention more precisely, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 present examples of application of the embodiment of the invention according to the , for which the equipment A1 is a digital decoder STB requiring the use of the resources RT1 of an equipment B1 such as a residential gateway GW, for the use of the resources of the gateway GW such as the recording of a video stream. The command CMD1 is for example an update required by a device C1 such as an update management platform of the operator SERV. The execution of the update makes the resources of the residential gateway GW unavailable for the recording of a video stream by the digital decoder STB.

We now present in connection with the , the exchanges between a digital decoder STB, the residential gateway GW and the update management platform of the operator SERV, according to a first embodiment of the invention. In particular, in this example, a recording of video content is scheduled by the user or video content is scheduled to be viewed live without interruption.

For this, in a conventional way, the user selects a video content to be viewed live or to be recorded via the digital decoder STB, that is to say that he sends to the resource manager of the digital decoder STB, Ges_Ress , a programming request REQ_PROG via a user interface INT_UT of the digital decoder STB, such as for example a television connected to the digital decoder STB via an HDMI type connection, for recording video content, such as a television program or a movie. Alternatively, this programming request is a request for the non-interruption of video content viewed live, that is to say that the user wishes to view video content live without it being interrupted.

Upon receipt of the user's request, in a step 300, the digital decoder STB records this request and plans in a simplified calendar the programming of the recording of a video stream corresponding to the content selected by the user, or the non-interruption of a live video stream.

In a step 301, the resource manager Ges_Ress sends, to the resource management module App_Ress of a management device DISP of the residential gateway GW, a reservation request notification CMD0_RSV_[T0,T1] of the resources of the GW residential gateway for recording the scheduled video stream or non-interrupting a live video stream. This reservation request notification CMD0_RSV_[T0, T1] notably comprises a time slot [T0, T1] corresponding for example to the start and end time of the recording of the video stream, or of the uninterruptible live video stream . Upon receipt of this notification CMD0_RSV_[T0, T1], in a step 302, the resource management module App_Ress verifies that the resources of the gateway GW are available for use by the digital decoder STB, and that they are not , for example, already used by another device of the LAN or WAN network, such as for example the update management platform SERV.

In other words, in the case of a programmed recording or a live broadcast which one does not wish to see interrupted, the digital decoder STB reserves with the residential gateway GW the resources which it will need, and checks that this request does not conflict with another similar request emanating from another entity or equipment of the LAN or WAN network. For example, the resource manager Ges_Res checks in the calendar of scheduled activities of the resource management module App_Ress that the resources of the residential gateway GW are not reserved for the execution of a priority update, such as a security update.

If the resources of the gateway GW are indeed available for recording the video stream or viewing an uninterruptible live broadcast, then, in a step 303, the resource management module App_Ress reserves, RSV_[T0, T1], the time slot [T0, T1] of use of the resources of the gateway GW for use by the digital decoder STB. In particular, the resource management module App_Ress therefore reserves in its calendar of scheduled activities the time slot [T0, T1] corresponding to the start and end of the recording or non-interruptible live viewing of a video stream .

In a step 304, an update management platform SERV, of a remote network WAN and accessible to the residential gateway GW via for example a wired ADSL or fiber connection, sends an update notification CMD1_MAJ_T2 to the management module App_MAJ updates of a DISP management device of the residential gateway GW. This CMD1_MAJ_T2 update notification includes in particular:
- the instant T2 at which the update must be executed, such as for example the instant of receipt of the update notification by the update management module App_MAJ, or else a more specific instant, for example a time such as 11:30 p.m. As a variant, if the notification does not include an execution date T2, then the execution time slot begins at T0 corresponding to receipt of the notification. If there is interference between the execution time slot and the use time slot, then the execution time slot is deferred according to the priority level.
- the nature or type of the update, such as functional or security,
- the address of the server on which the update is available for download.

Upon receipt of this update notification CMD1_MAJ_T2, the update management module App_MAJ checks whether the resources of the GW gateway are available to execute the update.

More particularly, in a step 305, the update management module App_MAJ determines the time period or duration of execution DM1 of the update CMD1_MAJ_T2. The duration of execution of the DM1 update corresponds for example to a default value defined in the factory contained in the update notification CMD1_MAJ_T2. This value is itself updated over successive updates of the residential gateway GW, for example by calculation by the residential gateway GW or by mention in the update notification. Alternatively, the update management module App_MAJ saves in a RAM memory the duration of execution of the successive updates, previously carried out, and determines from a set of values of durations of execution of the previous updates, a value maximum runtime DM1. In other words, at each update, the App_MAJ update management module saves in a RAM memory a list comprising a set of values of the execution times of the previous updates. This list is updated with each new update of the GW residential gateway to determine at the next update, a maximum value for the execution time of the update.

In a step 306, the update management module App_MAJ sends an interrogation request REQ_RESS_DISP of the calendar of scheduled activities of the gateway GW to the resource management module App_Ress. This request includes: the time T2 from which the update must be executed, a maximum value for the duration of execution DM1 of the update. On receipt of the request, the App_Ress update management module determines, based on the instant T2 and the maximum execution duration value DM1, a time slot for executing the update [T2, T2+ DM1] and saves it in his calendar of scheduled activities to reserve it. In a step 307, the resource management module App_Ress then verifies that the time slot [T2, T2+DM1] on which the update must be executed, is not already reserved by a network device, in this example , the STB digital decoder. In other words, the resource management module App_Ress checks in its schedule of scheduled activities whether the update time slot [T2, T2+DM1] interferes with the use time slot reserved by the digital decoder STB [ T0, T1].

If the execution time [T2, T2+DM1] does not interfere with the reservation of the time slot [T0, T1] for using the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB, then the updates App_MAJ downloads the update from the SERV management platform and installs it.

On the contrary, if the execution slot [T2, T2+DM1] interferes with the time slot [T0, T1] reserved for the use of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB, then there is a conflict in the calendar of scheduled activities of the GW Gateways, and the App_MAJ update management module arbitrates between recording or viewing live without interruption of the video stream and downloading and installing the update. This arbitration is based on a priority level associated with the update.

Thus, when the residential gateway GW is informed by the update management platform SERV that an update of the functional type of its software is available, the update management module App_MAJ checks whether this update risks to encroach on a time slot [T0, T1] of resource reservation, given the foreseeable duration of the DM1 execution of this update.

If so, the CMD1_MAJ_T2 update notification is an invitation to run the update, i.e. the update does not have priority over the scheduled recording or the uninterrupted live viewing of a video stream. Indeed, when the update is of a functional type (or nature), its priority level is low, that is to say lower than the priority level of the use of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB. In this case, in a step 308, the update is not executed at time T2, but deferred to a later time so as not to encroach on another time slot.

The resource management module Ges_Ress therefore triggers the recording of the video stream in a conventional manner by sending a recording request ENR_PROG to the television application module of the digital decoder STB, App_TV, which sends a request to select the video channel to be viewed TEL_ENR_PROG of the video stream to the operator's broadcast network Res_Dif_TV via the GW gateway. Thus, the video stream of this channel is delivered to the digital decoder STB progressively via the gateway GW, then recorded locally on one of the storage resources of the digital decoder STB (for example on a hard disk).

At the end of the scheduled recording STOP or the uninterrupted live viewing of the video stream, the update management module App_MAJ programs a check of the availability (step 307.2) of the resources, for example at a time or date specific, and again sends a query request REQ_RESS_DISP of the calendar of scheduled activities of the gateway GW to the resource management module App_Ress. If the execution slot [T2, T2+DM1] no longer interferes with the reservation of the time slot [T0, T1] for using the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB, i.e. that the resources are free (Ress_Lib) then, the App_MAJ update management module accepts to perform the update at step 309 and sends a download request TEL_MAJ of the update from the management platform SERV and install it.

In a step 310, the App_MAJ update management module saves in RAM memory the actual DMR execution time of the update and updates the list of all the update execution time values. update to determine, if necessary, a new maximum execution time value for a subsequent update.

We now present in connection with the , the exchanges between a digital decoder STB of the local communication network LAN, the residential gateway GW and the update management platform SERV, according to a second embodiment of the invention. In particular, in this example, the user wishes to view a program on a pay channel or pay-per-view, for example a pay movie. In the case of the viewing of paid video content, whether this payment is linked to a package taken out with a broadcaster or paid for on a fee basis, the STB digital decoder informs the GW gateway that it does not wish to see the interrupted video stream until it frees GW resources due to stop viewing video content.

For this, in a conventional manner, the user, via the user interface of the digital decoder STB INT_UT, sends a request for selection SEL_CHN of a pay channel or a pay movie intended for the television application module of the decoder STB App_TV (step 400). In a step 401, the television application module App_TV then sends a request to select a video channel TEL_CHN to the television broadcasting network of the operator Res_Dif_TV and then downloads the corresponding video stream as it goes.

Alternatively, a service offers time slots for downloading digital content that is inaccessible under the same conditions at other times.

The App_TV module of the digital decoder STB sends in a step 402 a message MSG_CHN_DIR intended for the resource management module Ges_Ress informing it of the live viewing of a pay channel or a pay film and that consequently the stream video must not be interrupted until the digital decoder STB releases the resources of the gateway GW following the cessation of viewing of this video content. Stopping the viewing of the video content corresponds to the sending, by the user, via the user interface INT_UT, of a request to deselect the pay channel or to end the pay movie DESL_CHN (step 404). In a step 405, the App_TV module ends the live broadcast by sending a request for the end of the live broadcast STOP_DIR to the resource manager Ges_Ress of the digital decoder STB. In a step 406, upon receipt of this STOP_DIR request, the resource manager Ges_Ress sends a request to release the resources of the gateway GW LIB_RESS intended for the resource management module App_Ress of the gateway GW.

Steps 301' to 310' presented in connection with the are similar to steps 301 to 310 presented in connection with the , with the difference that the resource manager Ges_Ress sends, to the resource management module App_Ress, a reservation request notification CMD0_RSV_CHN of the resources of the residential gateway GW for viewing video content from a paid channel, which should therefore not be interrupted. This reservation request notification CMD0_RSV_CHN does not include a time slot as in the example related to the , but on the contrary specifies that the resources will only be released when the viewing of the pay channel's video content is stopped, that is to say when the user deselects the pay channel at step 404 to release the resources at step 406.

Thus, at step 307′, the resource management module App_Ress verifies that the execution time slot [T2, T2+DM1] on which the update is executed does not interfere with the use of resources by the STB digital decoder for viewing video content from a pay channel.

If the execution slot [T2, T2+DM1] does not interfere with the reservation of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB for viewing video content from a pay channel, then the management module updates App_MAJ downloads the update from the SERV management platform and installs it.

On the contrary, if the execution slot [T2, T2+DM1] interferes with the reservation of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB for viewing video content from a pay channel, then there is a conflict in the calendar of scheduled activities of the GW gateway, and the App_MAJ update management module then performs an arbitration between viewing video content from a paid channel and downloading and installing the update day.

Thus, when the residential gateway GW is informed by the update management platform SERV that an update of the functional type of its software is available, the update management module App_MAJ of the residential gateway GW checks whether this update risks disrupting the current viewing of a pay channel or a pay movie that the user does not wish to see interrupted, given the foreseeable duration of the DM1 execution of this update.

If so, the update does not take priority over uninterrupted live viewing of a paid channel. Indeed, when the update is of a functional type (or nature), its priority level is low compared to the use of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB, that is to say that its priority level is lower than that of GW gateway resource usage. In this case, the update is not executed at time T2, but deferred to a later time so as not to encroach on another time slot or on a live viewing of a pay channel or pay movie. . If applicable, the update management module App_MAJ sends a message to the update management platform SERV informing it of the rejection of the update at time T2 and of the execution of the updated at a later date, preferably on a time slot for which gateway resources are available.

In particular, when the update management module App_MAJ is informed by the update platform SERV that a functional update of its software is available, the gateway GW checks whether a video stream from a pay-per-view channel example, is at this time conveyed by him. If this is the case, the update is deferred (step 308′) and a verification of the availability of resources is programmed (307′.2) for example when a timer is armed (step 403) so that the update management module App_MAJ subsequently checks whether the update has become possible again, i.e. it again sends a request to query the calendar of scheduled activities of the gateway GW to the management module App_Ress resources at the end of a time programmed on the timer for example.

If this is the case, then the App_MAJ update management module downloads the update from the SERV management platform and installs it.

Thus, the residential gateway GW defers the execution of a software update of the functional type, that is to say of low priority level or lower than the priority level of the use of resources by the digital decoder STB of the LAN network, if it risks interrupting a video recording or live viewing of an event covered by a paying package.

In one example, on a priority scale, it is considered that the functional update priority level is at 1 and the priority level of the use of resources by one or more devices of the network, for example the digital decoder STB is at 2. Then, when the priority levels are compared, the updates of the functional type do not have priority over the use of the resources by one or more devices of the network. In this example, the priority level is increasing. Of course, the invention is not limited to this example and can just as well implement decreasing priority levels.

A functional update concerns, for example, the addition of an option in the home page of a residential gateway administration web server to allow the user to select there upon access, another menu presentation language.

We now present in connection with the , the exchanges between a digital decoder STB of the local communication network LAN, the residential gateway GW and the update management platform SERV, according to a third embodiment of the invention. In particular, in this example, the update is of the safe type, that is to say that the priority level of the update is high, that is to say higher than the priority level of the use of the resources by the digital decoder STB, and consequently has priority over the use of the resources of the gateway GW by the digital decoder STB.

Steps 500 to 507 are similar to steps 300 to 307 of the . However, unlike the example in connection with the , when the gateway GW is informed by the update platform SERV that a priority security update of its software is available, the update management module App_MAJ ignores the reservation of the time slot [T0, T1] resources already operated by the digital decoder STB (step 508), the App_MAJ update management module accepts the update at step 509 and immediately sends a download request TEL_MAJ_PRIO of the update from the SERV management and installs it. In the event that the programmed recording or the viewing of an uninterruptible live video content has already been triggered, i.e. the Ges_Ress manager has sent an ENR_PROG request to the television application module of the digital decoder STB, App_TV, which in return sends a request for progressive downloading TEL_ENR_PROG of the video stream to the broadcast network of the operator Res_Dif_TV via the gateway GW, then the recording or the live broadcast is interrupted.

In an example, on a priority scale, we consider that:
- the functional update priority level is 1,
- the priority level for the use of resources by one or more network devices, for example the STB digital decoder, is 2,
- the security update priority level is 3.

So, when comparing the priority levels, security-type updates take priority over the use of resources by one or more devices on the network.

In another example, two different priority levels are provided for security-type updates depending on the importance and/or urgency of these updates. For example, a security update to be executed immediately is associated with a maximum priority level which gives it priority over the use of current or future resources by one or more network devices. On the contrary, a less urgent security update that can wait a few hours is associated with an intermediate priority level, lower than the maximum level. This intermediate priority level will not give it priority over, for example, viewing direct content that the user does not want to see interrupted. The security update will thus be deferred until the end of the use of the current resources.

To illustrate this example, consider that:

- the functional update priority level is 1,
- the security update priority level that does not need to be installed upon receipt of the update notification is 2
- the priority level for the use of resources by one or more network devices, for example the STB digital decoder, is 3,
- the security update priority level that needs to be installed upon receipt of the update notification is 4.

Thus, updates of the functional and security type which can wait for the release of resources by one or more devices of the network have a level of priority lower than that of the use of the resources of the gateway GW. On the contrary, important security type updates which must be carried out as soon as the update notification is received, have a level of priority higher than that of the use of the resources of the GW gateway.

In a variant implementation of this functionality, the GW gateway registers and reserves in its calendar of scheduled activities that an update execution time slot is reserved for a priority update of the security type. The resource management module App_Ress of the management device DISP of the residential gateway GW informs by an application information message the equipment of the LAN network having reserved resources or wishing to reserve them, that for the foreseeable duration of the priority update GW gateway resources will not be available from a certain time (notice) for a certain time slot. Affected LAN devices can then modify their resource reservation accordingly, either automatically or by requiring user intervention.

There presents an example of hardware structure of an update management device DISP according to an example embodiment of the invention.

The device for managing an update DISP comprises a resource management module App_Ress and an update management module App_MAJ.

The term "module" can correspond both to a software component and to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or sub-programs or in a more general to any element of a program able to implement a function or a set of functions.

More generally, such a management device DISP comprises a random access memory RAM (for example a RAM memory), a CPU processing unit equipped for example with a processor, and controlled by a computer program, representative of the management modules of the resources App_Ress and update management App_MAJ, stored in a ROM (for example a ROM memory or a hard disk). On initialization, the code instructions of the computer program are for example loaded into the random access memory RAM before being executed by the processor of the processing unit CPU. The RAM may also contain a list of update execution time value sets for determining a maximum update execution time value.

There only illustrates one particular way, among several possible, of making the DISP device so that it performs the steps of the method for managing an update as detailed above, in relation to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 in its different embodiments. Indeed, these steps can be carried out either on a reprogrammable calculation machine (a PC computer, a DSP processor or a microcontroller) executing a program comprising a sequence of instructions, or on a dedicated calculation machine (for example a set of logic gates like an FPGA or an ASIC, or any other hardware module).

In the case where the management device DISP is produced with a reprogrammable calculation machine, the corresponding program (that is to say the sequence of instructions) can be stored in a removable storage medium (such as for example a SD card, USB key, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) or not, this storage medium being partially or totally readable by a computer or a processor.

The different embodiments have been described above in relation to a management device DISP integrated into a gateway GW for access to a remote communications network WAN and configured to manage the local communications network LAN, but it can also be independent of the gateway and connected to it by an interface of the local area network LAN.

Claims (14)

Method for managing an update of a residential gateway (GW) configured to manage a local communication network (LAN) to which at least one user equipment (A1, STB) is connected, said method being implemented by said residential gateway (GW), characterized in that said method comprises, upon receipt of an update notification from an update management platform (SERV):
- a determination of a time slot for execution of said update;
- a decision to execute (308, 308', 508) said update in the execution time slot based on an interference check (307) between said execution time slot of said update and a time slot of use of at least one resource of said residential gateway (GW) by said at least one user equipment (A1, STB) such as:
- if said execution time slot and said use time slot of said at least one resource are distinct, said update is executed in said execution time slot,
- if said time slot of execution interferes with said time slot of use of at least one resource then, according to a level of priority associated with said update, said update is executed at a deferred date. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that , when said update notification includes an execution date (T2) of said update, then said execution time slot is determined from said execution date. execution (T2). Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that, when said time slot for execution interferes with said time slot for use of at least one resource, and:
- If said priority level associated with said update is lower than a priority level of use of said at least one resource, then said update is executed on said deferred date;
- if said priority level associated with said update is higher than a priority level for use of said at least one resource, then said time slot for use of at least one resource of said residential gateway by said at least a user equipment is interrupted and said update is executed on said execution date (T2). Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises, prior to said reception of said update notification:
- receipt of a reservation request from said at least one piece of equipment (A1, STB) of said time slot for use of said at least one resource of said residential gateway (GW) by said at least one user piece of equipment (A1, STB ),
- a verification (302, 302', 502) of an availability of said at least one resource of said residential gateway (GW), and
- when said at least one resource is available for use by said at least one user equipment (A1, STB), a reservation of said time slot for use of said at least one resource in a scheduled activity calendar of said residential gateway (GW). Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said interference check (307) comprises:
- obtaining said time slot for use of at least one reserved resource in a calendar of scheduled activities of said residential gateway (GW) and,
- a comparison of said time slot of use of at least one resource with said time slot of execution of said update. Management method according to Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the said execution time slot is determined from the said execution date (T2) and from an execution duration (DM1) of the said update. Management method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said execution time (DM1) of the said update is:
- obtained in said update notification or,
- selected from a set of update execution time values stored in a memory (RAM), said set comprising at least one execution time of a previous update, said execution time (DM1) then corresponding to a maximum value of said set, said set of execution time values being updated after execution of said update. Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , following the execution of the said update, the said method comprises a storage in memory (RAM) of an actual execution time (DMR) of said update. Management method according to claims 4 to 8, characterized in that said method further comprises an update of said schedule of scheduled activities with said time slot for execution of said update. Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that following the decision to execute said update on said deferred date, said method comprises a verification of availability (307.2, 307'.2 ) of said at least one resource of said residential gateway (GW). Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a transmission to said at least one piece of equipment (A1, STB) of an information message on an unavailability of said at least one said residential gateway (GW) for update. Device for managing an update of a residential gateway (GW) configured to manage a local communication network (LAN) to which at least one user equipment (A1, STB) is connected, characterized in that said device comprises:
- an update management module (App_MAJ) capable of receiving an update notification from an update management platform (SERV), and determining a time slot for execution of said update ;
- a resource management module (App_Ress) capable of:
- making a decision to execute (308, 308', 508) said update in the execution time slot based on an interference check (307) between said execution time slot of said update day and a time slot for use of at least one resource of said residential gateway (GW) by said at least one user equipment (A1, STB) such as:
- if said execution time slot and said use time slot of said at least one resource are distinct, said update is executed in the execution time slot,
- if said time slot of execution interferes with said time slot of use of at least one resource then, according to a level of priority associated with said update, said update is executed at a deferred date. Residential gateway of a local communication network (LAN) comprising an update management device according to claim 12. Computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, when executed by a processor.