JP2004234511A - Software updating system, portable terminal, software updating method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism of a software update by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A portable terminal prepares a ROM structure which stores a software program in a double-sided way. The user downloads the software, which the user wants to use for a cellular phone, from a server using a browser of the portable terminal. The downloaded software is written to a ROM area of an unoperated side, and a prior start-up side determination flag is updated from an operated side to the unoperated side. A program on a side indicated by the prior start-up side determination flag is activated by priority when rebooting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a software update system for updating software in a mobile terminal, a mobile terminal, a software update method, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the third generation mobile terminal, the communication speed has been increased, and high-speed communication at 384 Kbps defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is possible. It can be said that the download time of the software data in the mobile terminal is reduced, which is within an acceptable range for the user.
[0003]
A UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) packet-switched network is based on GPRS network technology and includes functions called SGSN and GGSN.
[0004]
The SGSN (Serving GPRS Supporting Node) is a type of router that routes and transfers IP packets by a UMTS packet transfer protocol, and has a control function of controlling packet transfer.
[0005]
The GGSN (Gateway GPRS Supporting Node) is a function of controlling a connection between the UMTS and an external IP network according to a connection request from a user. A user IP packet is transmitted to and received from the SGSN using a UMTS-specific packet transfer protocol.
[0006]
PDP (Packet Data Protocol) Context refers to setting information for configuring a logical path when a user's IP packet is transferred in a UMTS network, or a state in which packet transfer is possible using such setting information. .
[0007]
An example in which two writing areas are used and the areas are selectively used at the time of downloading and executing the program will be described below.
Patent Literature 1 proposes a method of downloading program data, in which even if the download is not performed normally, the service using the previous data is continued and the download is enabled even during the execution of the service.
[0008]
Patent Literature 2 provides a method in which a version is upgraded without stopping a monitoring / control function of a transmission device system, and even if the version upgrade fails, a method of returning to a current version is not required.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-200306 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-7382
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Terminal manufacturers frequently collect mobile devices due to software failures. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ship mobile devices without software obstacles due to the trend toward higher functionality of mobile devices, and like PC OSes, free updates with the help of users rather than collection by manufacturers The mechanism of is becoming necessary.
[0011]
The software update method of the present invention uses a communication function of a terminal to download another software from a server for various purposes such as software bug correction, function upgrade, software customization, etc. It provides a method for performing software updates.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, a software update system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a system having a server, a logical line, and a portable terminal, wherein the server has a unit for holding a plurality of software. The logical line includes a unit that relays communication and a unit that communicates with a network, and the portable terminal includes a storage unit that holds a control program and the like, a wireless communication unit that performs communication, and a voice communication unit. It is characterized by having signal processing means for digitizing and compressing and control means for controlling information exchange for establishing communication.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 2 is the software update system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further includes a program storage unit that stores a plurality of programs.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the software update system according to the second aspect, wherein the program storage unit stores a program information, a Hex file of the program, and specifies an area to be operated. Means for storing a value to be processed.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal for storing a control program and the like, a wireless communication unit for performing communication, a signal processing unit for digitizing and compressing audio, and a communication unit for establishing communication. And a control unit for controlling the information exchange, wherein the storage unit includes a unit for storing program information and a unit for storing a Hex file of the program.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 5 is the portable terminal according to claim 4, wherein the storage means further includes a program storage means for storing a plurality of programs.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal according to the fifth aspect, the program storage unit indicates a unit for storing program information, a unit for storing a Hex file of the program, and an area to be operated. Means for storing a value.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the software update method, a step of reading a determination flag of the priority startup plane, a step of checking the validity of the priority startup plane, and a step of confirming the validity of the priority startup plane are performed. For example, the start address of the program is used as the PRG start address of the priority start-up surface, a step of jumping, if there is a problem with the validity, a step of checking the validity of the non-priority start-up surface, If the validity is confirmed, the start address of the program is set as the PRG start address on the non-priority start-up surface, and a step of jumping is provided.
[0019]
The software update method according to claim 8, wherein a step of selecting a download menu from a service menu of the mobile terminal, a step of erasing non-operational data, a step of displaying a Web page, and a program for downloading Selecting, checking the program information, checking whether the program is usable, writing the program information, writing the program, writing the program information and the program. And a step of displaying the failure on the screen of the portable terminal when the failure has occurred.
[0020]
In the software update method according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the download is completed, an end message is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal to confirm whether to switch to the downloaded software, and when the user wishes to switch, A step of changing a flag designating an area to be used, and a step of rebooting the portable terminal.
[0021]
In the software update program according to the tenth aspect, a process of reading a determination flag of a priority startup surface, a process of checking the validity of the priority startup surface, and a process of confirming the validity of the priority startup surface are performed. For example, the start address of the program is set as the PRG start address of the priority start-up surface, and a jump process is performed. If the validity is confirmed, the start address of the program is set as the PRG start address of the non-priority start-up surface, and the computer is caused to execute a jump process.
[0022]
12. The software update program according to claim 11, wherein a process of selecting a download menu from a service menu of the mobile terminal, a process of erasing non-operational data, a process of displaying a Web page, and a program for downloading , Checking the program information, checking whether the program is usable, writing the program information, writing the program, writing the program information and the program If the process fails, the computer is caused to execute a process of displaying the failure on the screen of the mobile terminal.
[0023]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the software update program displays an end message on the screen of the mobile terminal when the download is completed, and confirms whether to switch to the downloaded software. And causing the computer to execute a process of changing a flag designating an area to be used and a process of rebooting the portable terminal.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<Configuration of ROM>
FIG. 1 shows a ROM configuration of the present invention.
The ROM has two program ROM areas, and FLG101, PRG-INF102, and PRG103 are allocated to one surface 104, and PRG-INF102 and PRG103 are allocated to the other surface 105.
The FLG 101 stores a priority startup plane determination flag.
The PRG-INF 102 stores program information. Specifically, at least a checksum, a software version, a size, a date, and the like are written as software information, and are used as program data validity check items.
The PRG 103 stores a Hex file of the program.
[0025]
<Boot processing>
FIG. 2 shows a Boot processing flow of the present invention. First, the priority start-up surface determination flag is read (step 201), and the validity check of the priority start-up surface is performed (step 202). If the software version is out of the permissible range or if the checksum is mismatched (step 203 / NO), give up the program on the priority start-up surface and perform the validity check on the non-priority start-up surface (step 203). 204). If the non-priority start-up plane is valid (step 205 / YES), the program jumps with the program start address as the program start address of the non-priority start-up plane (step 206). On the other hand, if the priority startup plane is valid (step 203 / YES), the program jumps with the program start address as the program start address of the priority startup plane (step 207).
[0026]
<Example of network configuration>
FIG. 3 is an example of a mobile network and a service network to which the present invention is applied. The mobile terminal 301 can access the Web server 305 located in the External Network (Internet-X) using the PDP Context 304 which is a logical line terminated by the GGSN 303 with the SGSN 302 as a relay node.
[0027]
Software provided by the provider to the user is uploaded to the Web server, and the user can access this service page from the browser of the mobile terminal. On the service page, software programs for the purpose of updating to bug-fixed versions, upgrading functions, customizing, etc. are uploaded, so users can select software suitable for the purpose from the Web page. Perform the download. Feature upgrades and software downloads for customization may be charged.
[0028]
<Operation of Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(1) Initial state A user uses a portable terminal with old software. At this time, it is assumed that “1” is set in the FLG 101 and that one surface 104 is the operation surface. In the boot process by the power supply Off → On, the software program stored on one surface is preferentially started.
[0029]
(2) Software download / user selects “SW Update” from the service menu of the terminal.
-The SW Update task of the terminal deletes the PRG-INF 102 and the PRG 103 in the non-operational ROM area when they have not been deleted.
The SW Update task of the terminal activates a browser function unit, which is an application stored in the ROM shown in FIG. 1, and displays a Web page for SW Update.
-The user clicks the software to be downloaded from the software list displayed on the software update service page.
-The browser first downloads the information file of the software to be downloaded, checks its version and size, and if the use on its own HW (hardware) is OK, the software information file is transferred to the non-operational PRG-INF102. At the same time, the program is downloaded and written to the non-operation side PRG 103. On the other hand, if NG, an error message is displayed on the screen of the terminal, and the process ends.
[0030]
(3) When the change / download of the priority startup surface is completed, an end message is displayed on the terminal screen, and a pop-up display is displayed to confirm whether to switch to the downloaded software.
When the user selects “switch”, the FLG 101 is reversed. That is, "1" is erased and "2" is written.
・ The terminal automatically reboots.
[0031]
(4) Activation of New Software Since “2” is set in the FLG 101, the boot process preferentially activates a new software program stored on two surfaces. However, if the ROM check step 202 is NG, the old program on the non-priority side is started.
[0032]
By using the above-described logic, by providing a menu on the terminal that allows the user to select a program stored on one side and two sides, the user can use two types of software separately. .
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the software update of the portable terminal with the help of the user becomes possible, and the following effects are obtained.
First, the collection of terminals frequently occurring due to bugs is exempted, and the cost burden on the manufacturer is reduced.
[0034]
Secondly, the software update according to the present invention can be used not only for software bug correction, but also for the purpose of upgrading software functions and assortment of software according to the purpose of use.
"Product lineup according to the purpose of use" refers to software for users whose purpose is to reproduce audio and video, software for users whose purpose is to start a Java (registered trademark) game, and so on. For example, software for users whose main purpose is to use e-mail is conceivable. If updates to such software can be easily made by the user's hand, manufacturers and providers can achieve a short-term service up, and also have the effect of increasing profits.
[0035]
Third, it is possible to perform software update while minimizing the use interruption time of the mobile terminal, which is a useful mechanism not only for the manufacturer but also for the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an assignment map for a ROM included in a portable terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a Boot process.
FIG. 3 is an example of a mobile network and a service network to which the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
301 Mobile terminal 302 SGSN
303 GGSN
305 Web Server

Claims (12)

A system having a server, a logical line, and a mobile terminal,
The server comprises:
Having means for holding a plurality of software,
The logical line is
Means for relaying communications;
Means for communicating with the network,
The mobile terminal,
Storage means for holding a control program and the like;
Wireless communication means for performing communication,
Signal processing means for digitizing and compressing audio;
A software update system comprising: a control unit that controls information exchange for establishing communication. The storage means,
2. The software update system according to claim 1, further comprising program storage means for storing a plurality of programs. The program storage means includes:
Means for storing program information;
Means for storing a Hex file of the program;
3. The software update system according to claim 2, further comprising means for storing a value indicating an area to be operated. Storage means for holding a control program and the like;
Wireless communication means for performing communication,
Signal processing means for digitizing and compressing audio;
Control means for controlling information exchange for establishing communication,
The storage means,
Means for storing program information;
Means for storing a Hex file of the program. The storage means,
The mobile terminal according to claim 4, further comprising a program storage unit that stores a plurality of programs. The program storage means includes:
Means for storing program information;
Means for storing a Hex file of the program;
6. The portable terminal according to claim 5, further comprising: a unit for storing a value indicating a region to be operated. Reading a determination flag of the priority start-up surface;
A process for confirming the effectiveness of the priority launch surface;
If the validity of the priority startup plane is confirmed, the program start address is set as the PRG start address of the priority startup plane, and a step of jumping is performed.
If there is a problem with the effectiveness, the process of checking the effectiveness of the non-priority launch surface
If the validity of the non-priority start-up surface is confirmed, the start address of the program is used as the PRG start address of the non-priority start-up surface, and the step of jumping is performed. Selecting a download menu from the service menu of the mobile device;
Erasing non-operational data;
Displaying a web page;
The process of selecting the program to download,
Confirming the information of the program;
Checking whether the program is usable; and
Writing information of the program;
Writing the program;
Displaying the information on the program on the screen of the portable terminal when writing of the program information and the program has failed. When the download is completed, an end message is displayed on the screen of the mobile device to confirm whether to switch to the downloaded software,
Changing a flag specifying an area to be used when the user desires to switch;
A step of rebooting the portable terminal. A process of reading the determination flag of the priority start-up surface;
A process for checking the validity of the priority launch surface;
If the validity of the priority start-up plane is confirmed, the start address of the program is set as the PRG start address of the priority start-up plane, and jump processing is performed.
If there is a problem with the effectiveness, the process of checking the effectiveness of the non-priority launch surface,
If the validity of the non-priority start-up surface is confirmed, a software update program for causing a computer to execute a jump process by using the start address of the program as the PRG start address of the non-priority start-up surface. The process of selecting the download menu from the service menu of the mobile terminal,
Erasing non-operational data;
Processing for displaying a web page;
The process of selecting the program to download,
A process of confirming information of the program;
Processing for checking whether the program is usable;
A process of writing information of the program;
Processing for writing the program;
A software update program for causing a computer to execute, when writing of the program information and the program fails, a process of displaying the failure on the screen of the mobile terminal. When the download is completed, an end message is displayed on the screen of the mobile device to confirm whether to switch to the downloaded software,
A process of changing a flag that specifies an area to be used when the user desires to switch,
A software update program for causing a computer to execute the process of rebooting the portable terminal.

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