TWI557643B - System and method for automatically downloading program - Google Patents

Description

Automated program download system and method

The present invention relates to a program downloading system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for connecting an electronic device to a network via a bridge for automated program downloading.

With the rapid development of the Internet and the advancement of software and hardware technology, users are increasingly demanding information services and have promoted the development of cloud systems. Among them, electronic products such as personal computers, tablet computers, and smart phones can be connected in series through the cloud system, so that the user can operate the serially connected electronic devices from the far end. The above-mentioned technology for realizing remote operation using the cloud system has also led to the rise of the smart home appliance industry.

For example, for smart home appliances that have Internet access and can be connected to the cloud system, users can remotely operate smart appliances or their power usage by using electronic devices such as smart phones and using cloud services. monitor. It is conceivable that the above-mentioned cloud service not only provides a rich experience, but also greatly improves the quality of life of the user.

However, traditional home appliances may not be able to support cloud technology, so the services that traditional home appliances can provide are quite limited compared to the functions of smart home appliances mentioned above. Therefore, in order to improve the above problems of the conventional electronic device, it is necessary to provide an automation system capable of combining the traditional electronic device with the cloud service, so that the traditional electronic device can also utilize the cloud technology, thereby providing more services and applications.

In view of this, the present invention provides an automated program download system and method that utilizes a bridge to combine an electronic device with a cloud system, so that the electronic device can apply cloud services, thereby improving the user's operating experience.

The automated program download system of the present invention includes a bridge and a management server. The bridge includes a link unit and a first communication unit. The connection unit connects the electronic device and acquires the device identification code of the electronic device. The first communication unit is coupled to the connection unit and transmits the device identification code through the network. The management server includes a second communication unit and a processing unit. The second communication unit connects the first communication unit through the network and receives the device identification code. The processing unit is coupled to the second communication unit, and identifies the electronic device according to the device identification code, and downloads the program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or the user device for operating the electronic device.

The automated program download method of the present invention is applicable to a bridge and management server connected via a network. This method first detects and connects the electronic device by the bridge. Then, the bridge acquires the device identification code of the electronic device, and transmits the device identification code to the management server through the network. After that, the management server is identified by the device identification code. The electronic device downloads the program corresponding to the electronic device to a bridge or a user device for operating the electronic device.

Based on the above, the automatic program downloading system and method of the embodiment of the present invention uses a bridge to detect the connected electronic device and transmits the device identification code of the electronic device to the management server, so that the management server can accordingly The program of the device is downloaded to the bridge or user device to operate the electronic device. The embodiment of the invention combines the electronic device with the cloud system by the bridge, not only automates the program of the download program, but also provides remote control of the electronic device, so that the electronic device can apply the cloud service, thereby improving the user's Operating experience.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

10, 20, 40‧‧‧Automatic program download system

11, 21, 41‧‧ ‧ bridge

12, 22, 42‧‧‧Management Server

13, 23, 43‧‧‧ electronic devices

14‧‧‧ Firmware online platform

15‧‧‧Application online platform

16, 24, 46‧‧‧ User devices

212, 412‧‧‧ link unit

214, 414‧‧‧ first communication unit

222, 422‧‧‧second communication unit

224, 424‧‧ ‧ processing unit

44‧‧‧ Firmware Server

45‧‧‧Application Server

462‧‧‧3rd communication unit

464‧‧‧fourth communication unit

S302~S310‧‧‧Steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automated program downloading system according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 is a block diagram of an automated program download system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for downloading an automated program according to an embodiment of the invention.

4 is a block diagram of an automated program download system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an automated program download system according to an embodiment of the invention.

In order to enable the electronic device that does not have the networking function or does not support the cloud technology to apply the cloud technology to implement the smart function, the embodiment of the present invention uses a separate bridge as a bridge to establish a connection between the electronic device and the cloud server, and The identifier of the electronic device is obtained by the bridge and provided to the cloud server, and the cloud server can download the program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or the user device for controlling the electronic function. In this way, the program downloading can be automated, and the functions of the plug-and-play and remote control of the electronic device can be realized, thereby providing a user-friendly operation experience.

First, the schematic concept of the automatic program downloading system proposed by the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. The automatic program downloading system 10 includes a bridge 11 and a management server 12, wherein the bridge 11 and the management server 12 are connected to each other through a network, and the bridge 11 has a universal serial bus (USB) to Other electronic devices are linked. For example, when the user wants to enable the electronic device 13 such as a projector (Projector), a smart bulb, a disk, a printer, or a webcam to use the cloud. The electronic device 13 can be connected to the bridge 11 during service. At this time, the bridge 11 automatically acquires the device identification code of the electronic device 13 and transmits it to the management server 12. The management server 12 can send a request to the firmware line according to the device identification code. The upper platform (eg, the online firmware download website) 14 is to push the firmware of the electronic device 13 to the bridge 11 automatically. In other words, the user only needs to connect the electronic device 13 to the bridge 11 , and the automatic program download system 10 automatically downloads the firmware of the electronic device 13 to the bridge 11 and updates to the electronic device 13 through the bridge 11 . Thereby, the electronic device 13 can not only update the firmware through the bridge 11, but can further use or support the cloud service provided by the management server 12 through the bridge 11.

On the other hand, through the connection of the bridge 11, the embodiment of the present invention can further download and download the application for operating the electronic device 13 to the user device 16 such as a smart phone or a tablet computer of the user through the cloud service. For the user to control the electronic device 13. At this time, the management server 12 transmits a request to the application online platform (for example, google play of android system or app store of iOS system) 15 according to the device identification code of the electronic device 13 accepted from the bridge 11. The download to the user device 16 is automatically pushed by the application operating the electronic device 13. In this way, the user only needs to connect the electronic device 13 to the bridge 11 , and the user device 16 held by the user automatically downloads the application of the electronic device 13 to provide the user with the operation of the electronic device 13 .

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention utilizes a bridge to establish a connection between the electronic device and the management server, thereby automating the program downloading process, not only simplifying the firmware update procedure of the electronic device, but also providing the application of the electronic device through the cloud. Automatic download function provides users with a more convenient operation experience.

Based on the above concept, the following embodiments will automatically apply to the present invention. The specific implementation of the download system and method is further described.

2 is a block diagram of an automated program download system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the automated program download system 20 of the present embodiment includes a bridge 21 and a management server 22. The bridge 21 is, for example, a set-top box, a router, or other electronic device in which the foregoing devices are built to perform similar functions. The management server 22 is, for example, an electronic device such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer, which has basic network connection and computing capabilities, and can be connected to the bridge 21 through a network to implement the embodiment of the present invention. The automated program download function described.

The bridge 21 includes a connection unit 212 and a first communication unit 214. The connection unit 212 is, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Firewire, a DisplayPort, or a Thunderbolt interface for connecting the electronic device 23 and acquiring the electronic device 23 . Device identification code. The device identification code here is, for example, a unique identification (UID) of the electronic device 23, a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), or the like. Identification data or a combination thereof for identifying device information of the electronic device 23. The electronic device 23 is, for example, an electronic device such as a projector, a printer, or a network camera.

The first communication unit 214 is coupled to the connection unit 212, such as a wired network interface card or a wireless network interface card supporting a protocol such as 802.11b/g/n of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). , which can connect to the network to provide the bridge 21 to transmit the electronic device through the network 23 Device identification code.

The management server 22 includes a second communication unit 222 and a processing unit 224. The second communication unit 222 is, for example, a wireless network interface card supporting a communication protocol such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.11b/g/n, which can be connected to the network to provide a device for the management server 22 to receive the electronic device 23 via the network. Identifier. The processing unit 224 is, for example, a central processing unit, or other programmable general purpose or special purpose microprocessor (Microprocessor), digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, special application product. Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), or other similar devices or combinations of these devices. The processing unit 224 is coupled to the second communication unit 222, which can identify the electronic device 23 according to the device identification code, and download the program corresponding to the electronic device 23 to the bridge 21 or the user for operating the electronic device 23. Device 24. The user device 24 is, for example, an electronic device such as a desktop computer or a notebook computer, or may be a mobile device such as a tablet computer or a smart phone. The present invention is not limited thereto.

Based on the system architecture described above, the following embodiments are presented to illustrate the detailed steps of the automated program download system 20 to perform an automated download method.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for downloading an automated program according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the method of the present embodiment is applied to the automated program downloading system 20 of FIG. 2. The following is a detailed description of the detailed steps of the automated program downloading method of the present invention with various components in the automated program downloading system 20.

First, the bridge 21 detects and connects the electronic device 23 (step S302). Next, the bridge 21 acquires the device identification code of the electronic device 23 (step S304), and transmits the device identification code to the management server 22 via the network (step S306). The device identification code can be used to distinguish the electronic device 23 from other electronic devices, and the management server 22 can search for the firmware for driving the electronic device 23 or the application corresponding to the electronic device 23. The bridge 21 obtains, for example, a manufacturer identification code (Vendor ID, VID) and a product identification number (Product ID, PID) of the electronic device 23 from a data packet transmitted between the connection unit 212 and the electronic device 23, thereby being combined into an electronic device. The device identification code of device 23. In other embodiments, the connection unit 212 may also be a display device or other type of transmission interface and has a corresponding device identification code format, which is not limited herein. In addition, the bridge 21 converts the obtained device identification code into a network packet format for transmission to the management server 22 via the network.

It should be noted that before the bridge 21 sends the device identification code to the management server 22 through the network, the bridge 21 first performs an authentication procedure with the management server 22, for example, the bridge 21 utilizes the first communication unit. 214 transmits the authentication information to the management server 22 via the network to perform an authentication process with the management server 22 to let the management server 22 know which user the bridge 21 is purchased or which user corresponds to. account number. The authentication information is, for example, the device identification code of the bridge 21, or the user's account number, password, email address, and the like, and is not limited herein.

Please continue with the process of Figure 3. Thereafter, the management server 22 can identify the electronic device 23 according to the device identification code (step S308), and will correspond to the process of the electronic device 23. The push is downloaded to the bridge 21 or the user device 24 for operating the electronic device 23 (step S310). The program is, for example, the firmware of the electronic device 23, and the management server 22 automatically downloads the firmware of the electronic device 23 to the bridge after the device identification code of the electronic device 23 is used to identify the electronic device 23. The firmware 21 may be from the management server 22 itself or from a firmware on-line platform coupled to the management server 22. Thereby, the embodiment can automate the firmware downloading process of the electronic device 23, and the user can directly operate the electronic device 23 by using the bridge 21.

In addition, the above program may also be an application for controlling the electronic device 23, and the application may be different according to the operating system of the user device 24 (for example, the user device is a mobile operating system such as Android, iOS, or a Windows 8 operating system. Etc), and there are corresponding applicable specifications. After the management server 22 recognizes the electronic device 23 by using the device identification code of the electronic device 23, the application corresponding to the electronic device 23 can be automatically downloaded and downloaded to the user device 24, wherein the application can be from management. The server 22 itself or from an application online platform connected to the management server 22. Therefore, the embodiment can also automatically download the application of the electronic device 23 to the user device 24 held by the user, so that the user can operate the electronic device 23.

Based on the above, the automated program downloading system of the present embodiment can detect the connected electronic device by using a bridge, thereby establishing a connection between the electronic device and the management server, thereby automating the program downloading process of the electronic device, and simplifying the electronic device toughness. Or application installation process for plug-and-play and remote control of electronic devices Features. The manner in which the user operates the electronic device through the application installed on the user device can be divided into directly operating the electronic device or indirectly operating the electronic device through the bridge. The details are explained.

4 and 5 are block diagrams of an automatic program download system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring first to FIG. 4, the automatic program download system 40 includes a bridge 41 and a management server 42. The bridge 41 includes a connection unit 412 and a first communication unit 414, and the management server 42 includes a second communication unit 422 and a processing unit 424. The bridge 41, the connection unit 412, the first communication unit 414, the management server 42, the second communication unit 422, and the processing unit 444 are respectively connected to the bridge 21, the connection unit 212, and the first communication unit 224 in the foregoing embodiment. The management server 22, the second communication unit 222, and the processing unit 224 are similar, so refer to the foregoing for details.

The difference from the foregoing embodiment is that the automatic program downloading system 40 can also connect to the firmware server 44 and the application server 45 through a network, such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer or a server, which can have Basic network connection and computing capability, wherein a firmware database and an application database are built in, respectively, so that the firmware corresponding to the electronic device 43 is downloaded and downloaded to the bridge according to the download request sent by the management server 42. The device 41 or the application for operating the electronic device 43 is downloaded and downloaded to the user device 46.

In detail, in an embodiment, the management server 42 can be connected to the firmware server 44 via the network, and send a download request to the firmware server according to the device identification code. The server 44 causes the firmware server 44 to download the firmware corresponding to the electronic device 43 to the bridge 41, and the firmware of the electronic device 43 is updated by the bridge 41.

In another embodiment, the management server 42 can connect to the application server 45 via the network and send a download request to the application server 45 according to the device identification code, so that the application server 45 will be used. The application of the operating electronic device 43 is downloaded and downloaded to the user device 46.

It should be noted that before the application server 45 pushes the download application to the user device 46, the user must first authenticate the application server 45 by using the user device 46, so that the application server 45 receives the application. When you get to the device ID, you know which user device you need to download the app to. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, the authentication information herein is, for example, information such as an account number, a password, or an email address registered with the management server 42, and is not limited herein. When the bridge 41 and the user device 46 respectively log in to the management server 42 and the application server 45 with the same authentication information, the management server 42 can know the correspondence between the bridge 41 and the user device 46, thereby The application corresponding to the electronic device 43 is downloaded to the corresponding user device 46 via the application server 45.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, after the user device 46 downloads and installs the application of the electronic device 43, for example, the third communication unit 462 establishes a connection with the electronic device 43 to utilize the connection. The application operates on the electronic device 43. The third communication unit 462 is, for example, a WiFi transmission module, a Bluetooth transmission module, or a wireless network interface card supporting a communication protocol such as 802.11b/g/n of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, after the user device 46 downloads and installs the application of the electronic device 43, for example, a connection is established with the bridge 41 through the fourth communication unit 464 to utilize the application to the electronic device through the bridge 41. Device 43 operates. The fourth communication unit 464 is, for example, a WiFi transmission module, a Bluetooth transmission module, or a wireless network interface card supporting a communication protocol such as 802.11b/g/n of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

In an embodiment, if the user device 46 and the electronic device 43 or the bridge 41 are located in the same network environment (for example, WiFi), the connection between the user device 46 and the electronic device 43 can be automatically established through the network, and the user is manually set. Linked program.

Therefore, the user only needs to connect the bridge 41 to the electronic device 43 , and the user device 46 held by the user automatically downloads and installs the corresponding application program, thereby providing the user to directly use the user device 46 to directly access the electronic device. The operation of the electronic device 43 or the indirect operation of the electronic device 43 through the bridge 41 simplifies the flow of the user operating the electronic device 43 and gives the electronic device 43 the ability to receive remote control.

In summary, the automatic program downloading system and method of the embodiment of the present invention enables the management server to connect the electronic device by connecting the bridge to the electronic device and transmitting the device identification code of the electronic device to the management server. The firmware of the device is downloaded to the bridge, or the related application of the electronic device is downloaded to the user device to operate the electronic device. Thereby, the embodiment of the invention can not only automate the downloading process of the program, but also provide remote control of the electronic device, thereby improving the user's operating experience.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

20‧‧‧Automatic program download system

21‧‧‧ Bridge

212‧‧‧Link unit

214‧‧‧First communication unit

22‧‧‧Management Server

222‧‧‧Second communication unit

224‧‧‧Processing unit

23‧‧‧Electronic devices

24‧‧‧User device

Claims (16)

An automatic program downloading system includes: a bridge, comprising: a link unit, connecting an electronic device, and obtaining a device identification code of the electronic device; and a first communication unit coupled to the link unit through a network Transmitting the device identification code; and a management server, comprising: a second communication unit, connecting the first communication unit through the network to receive the device identification code; and a processing unit coupled to the second communication unit Identifying the electronic device according to the device identification code, and pushing a program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or a user device for operating the electronic device. The automatic program downloading system of claim 1, wherein the bridge uses the first communication unit to transmit an authentication information to the management server through the network to perform an authentication procedure with the management server. And after the authentication process is completed, maintain the connection state with the management server. The automatic program downloading system of claim 1, wherein the second communication unit of the management server further connects a firmware server through the network, and the processing unit includes sending according to the device identification code. A download request is sent to the firmware server, so that the firmware server pushes and downloads a firmware corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge, and the firmware of the electronic device is updated by the bridge. The automatic program downloading system of claim 1, wherein the second communication unit of the management server further connects an application server through the network, and the processing unit includes sending according to the device identification code. A download request to the application server causes the application server to push and download an application for operating the electronic device to the user device. The automated program downloading system of claim 4, wherein the user device comprises using the authentication information to link the application server to download the application pushed by the application server. The automated program downloading system of claim 4, wherein the user device comprises establishing a connection with the electronic device via a third communication unit to operate the electronic device using the application through the connection. The automated program downloading system of claim 4, wherein the user device further comprises establishing a connection with the bridge through a fourth communication unit to utilize the application through the bridge to the electronic device. The program operates the electronic device. The automated program downloading system of claim 1, wherein the linking unit comprises a universal serial bus, a live line, a display port, and a lightning interface. An automatic program downloading method is applicable to a bridge connected through a network and a management server, the method comprising the steps of: detecting, connecting, and connecting an electronic device; the bridge obtaining a device identification of the electronic device a code, and transmitting the device identification code to the management server through the network; The management server identifies the electronic device according to the device identification code and pushes and downloads a program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or a user device for operating the electronic device. The automatic program downloading method of claim 9, wherein before the step of transmitting the device identification code to the management server through the network, the method further comprises: the bridge transmitting the network through the network The authentication information is sent to the management server to perform an authentication process with the management server; and after the authentication process is completed, the bridge maintains a connection state with the management server. The method for downloading an automated program according to claim 9, wherein the management server further connects a firmware server through the network, and the management server identifies the electronic device according to the device identification code, and pushes the broadcast The step of downloading the program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or the user device for operating the electronic device includes: the management server sending a download request to the firmware server according to the device identification code; The firmware server pushes and downloads a firmware corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge; and the bridge updates the firmware of the electronic device. The method for downloading an automated program according to claim 9, wherein the management server further connects an application server through the network, and the management The server identifies the electronic device according to the device identification code, and pushes the program corresponding to the electronic device to the bridge or the user device for operating the electronic device: the management server is configured according to the The device identification code sends a download request to the application server; and the application server pushes and downloads an application for operating the electronic device to the user device. The automatic program downloading method of claim 12, wherein the step of the application server to download and download the application for operating the electronic device to the user device comprises: the user device using the authentication The information link to the application server to download the application that the application server pushes. The automatic program downloading method of claim 12, wherein after the step of downloading the application for operating the electronic device to the user device by the application server, the method further comprises: the user The device establishes a connection with the electronic device to operate the electronic device using the application through the connection. The automatic program downloading method of claim 12, wherein after the step of downloading the application for operating the electronic device to the user device by the application server, the method further comprises: the user The device establishes a connection with the bridge to operate the electronic device with the application through the connection of the bridge to the electronic device. The automatic program downloading method according to claim 9, wherein the bridge comprises a universal serial bus, a live line, a display port, and a lightning interface.