BG64637B1 - Method and system for transmitting a chain of messages for database - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a system for transmitting a chain of messages for updating a database between a management centre and a plurality of geographically distributed subscriber databases. Each message comprises a chain identifier (FM) and a chain index (FI) for identifying the message in the chain. If a message is not received following a disturbance in the connection, the processing of the next messages can block the databases. In order to remedy that inconvenience, the solution consists in assigning to each message a block status (CD) which determines whether said message is to be processed without referring to the members of the chain and what are the conditions concerning the prior processing of the members of the chain.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a method and system for refreshing a database, in particular by transmitting a sequence of messages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A system comprising a control center and a plurality of subscribers (users) over a vast territory is known for sending, via telephone or frequency, refreshing database information to these subscribers (users). These messages are addressed either to all subscribers (users) or to one (subscriber) user, the message containing the address of the subscriber's device (user).

These messages are for the administration of the system and are themselves overlaid with useful information such as video, audio or data. It is understood that the space used for these messages is limited. Another limitation applies to the length of the message, which is limited by the fact that useful information cannot be interrupted, albeit for a brief moment. It is understood, by the example of audio / video transmission, that the broadcast channel cannot be interrupted, even for a brief moment, because an invisible impact will be perceived.

This is because in order to transmit large amounts of data they would have to be separated into a large number of messages.

These messages are sent in sequences over the network, in a logical order, that is, one after the other, separated by short intervals, such as one second.

While known systems of this kind do not use feedback from the control center, such as a modem, it is difficult for the control center to know whether the information sent has arrived correctly. In this case, it is obligatory to repeat these messages periodically, so that it is statistically certain that each message has arrived on purpose.

The subscriber's device (user) schematically includes a digital, audio, video or information receiver, and in order to orient itself in a combination of these three types, the decoder must separate the control messages, those which are later sent directly to the security module. containing the subscriber's database. This security module can be directly installed in the subscriber's (user's) device or for security purposes and, with judged arguments, it can be as a mobile module, such as a smart card or microchip card.

Messages arriving at the security module are processed by a control information reader. The messages may not arrive in the broadcast sequence because of interference (conflicts) during transmission or simply because the subscriber's device (user) was not turned on at the time of sending the first messages. It should be noted that before each processing, each message is first decrypted and checked for its authenticity. A message that does not satisfy the control criterion is removed. In these circumstances, the security module will receive, for example, the flagged message 3 before the flagged messages 1 and 2. The processing of the tagged message 3, without the prior mandatory processing of the two previous messages, may result in database blockage or some interruption.

The first solution is to memorize all the messages included in the sequence, and when it is ready (sorted), proceed with its processing. This solution has the disadvantage of determining the length of the maximum sequence according to the available memory.

The memory capacity of mobile smart cards is limited, which requires the card to process every message on each arrival.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem that the present invention solves is to stop in the subscriber (user) database the catastrophic (destructive) effects due to the message processing in a different order than previously stated.

This objective is fully achieved by a method of transmitting a sequence of management messages to a subscriber database (user). The method is to deploy a block of conditions that determines whether the message will be processed without reference (referring) to all or part of the other elements in the sequence or conditions related to the pre-processing of all or part of the other elements in the sequence.

In fact, the obligation of this new block of conditions included in each message element of the sequence of elements is to determine, if possible, whether this message can be processed individually or whether it must satisfy the processing conditions of the messages taken into account to be received. first. It is quite evident that this test is also ongoing to determine whether the message at the time of the assessment has already been processed.

To achieve this, the security module has a memory organized in the form of a table of indicators for each sequence, which is part of the messages in that sequence, already processed. After processing all the elements of the sequence, the table of that sequence is saved to avoid a return (service) message from the same sequence to restart its execution. It can be separated at the request of the control center or after a predefined time.

The condition block contained in the message not only contains a simple indication linking the processing of the message bound to the condition that the previous message is displayed, but also covers most complex functions, such as the conditions for each element of the message sequence. For example, it is possible to relate (treat) the processing of element 4 of the sequence to the condition that both elements 1 or 2 have fulfilled and which element 3 has categorically fulfilled. So we have the function: F (4) = (1 or 2) and 3.

We took the example of arriving at the security module of a message element from family 5, this message is element 4 from that family. The first operation will be to determine whether its processing relates to other conditions. If this is not the case, it can be processed immediately. It should be noted that it is not intended that the message sequence processing will be carried out in the sequence index. One can assume (predict) the case when important software is loaded, and for that purpose, it is split up to be transmitted in a message sequence. Each of these messages contains an associated (mandatory) address and related information. This is because an element in the sequence can be processed in a non-fixed (optional) order. On the other hand, the last element of the sequence that launches this new software will contain a condition expressing that all elements in the sequence should be delivered (transferred) in order so that each can be delivered for its part. When this condition is satisfied, the table corresponding to this surname indicates that all messages have been carried (delivered).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the condition block is divided into two parts: one called "operating" must describe the type of logical operation and the other called "intended element" describe what other elements of the operation should be applied. The size of the "predicted element" portion corresponds to the size used in the table stored in the database that determines the state of processing of the elements in the sequence. Thus, logical comparison is greatly facilitated.

In other embodiments, the condition block does not refer to all other elements of the sequence but only to some. It would be possible to refer to the three preceding elements and not to all the elements. This allows to reduce the length of the block of conditions and takes into account the fact that the interference often exceeds the time of the three messages. According to another example, one could define a sequential structure where only the last element contains a block of conditions.

This structure allows, unlike prior art solutions, to eliminate (reject) only a minimum of the message. In fact, when a message is unsuccessful (missing) in a sequence, all subsequent messages are rejected until the new message fails. Sequence processing in this case was contingent on the continued receipt of sequence elements, each unsuccessful element having the effect of rejecting (excluding) all indexed messages higher than the unsuccessful message.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the device of the subscriber (user), in addition to sending messages to the security module, includes a memory for remembering them as they reach them.

In addition, an unsuccessful message containing a condition from a previous message may continue to reject all subsequent messages. When this established message arrives, it is, of course, processed, allowing the processing of other messages. On the other hand, it may take a long time before they appear in the broadcast, with the risk that some will be rejected, for example, due to the poor quality of the connection between the control center and the subscriber's device.

In order to minimize the number of repeated messages, the sequence required is finally retrieved in its entirety, the security module may allow the memory to be stored in the subscriber's device because it contains all messages in their arrival sequence. Thus, since the arrival of an unsuccessful message and its processing have been completed, the security module requires the memory to be prepared to play all messages that have been rejected due to the condition of the unsuccessful message.

An important aspect of the invention relates to the presentation of each message to the security module together with the memory stored in the subscriber's device (user). This principle may include exceptions where some messages are not intended for the security module but only for the subscriber's device. Thus, even if some messages are rejected by the security module when conditions are not met, this system knows that this message is contained in the memory of the subscriber's device (user) and may, when the condition is fulfilled, allow the memory to retrieved these messages instead of waiting for the next passage of subsequent messages.

In an embodiment, the memory of the subscriber device (user) is organized as a stack (stack memory) with inputs one after the other, each new input causes the previous input to be offset.

Reading from the security module can be done in different ways. It may require transmission of the correct address from memory. However, an important aspect of protection in this type of application is related to the confidential nature of the data organization. For this purpose, instead of requiring the transmission to a special address, the security module requires the subscriber's device (user) to provide all or part of the messages contained in its memory. When loading, the security module continues to choose between messages already retrieved and retrieval messages.

Explanation of the annexed figures

The invention will be better understood on the basis of the following detailed description, which relates to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example.

Figure 1 presents a message such as that sent to prior art systems;

Figure 2 presents a message such as that disclosed according to the invention;

Figure 3 presents an example of refreshing the temporary memory of the subscriber's device (user).

Examples of carrying out the invention

In Figure 1, the different message blocks involved in the operation of the sequence are shown schematically. We find the first major HD descriptor to describe the type of message and hold the information that the message represents as part of the sequence. To form the sequence, a second block of the FM family indicates to which family this message belongs. In fact, different sequences may be transmitted simultaneously, in which case the identification of the family is necessary. When a family is defined, the next FI block is used to identify each element of the family and its place in the sequence. And so with these two data, each element of the family can be repositioned immediately (end to end) with the other elements of any family, if necessary. It is known to indicate in one or the other of the FI or FM control units the maximum number of family members. This action can be equally extended to individually tag (index) the next element of the family.

In the example of Figure 2, the message of Figure 1, which starts the two FM and FI blocks, appears to be bordered by an additional CD block that defines the condition for retrieving this message. According to a first embodiment of the invention, this block is constructed of bits indicating whether the previous message was or could not be executed. If this condition is fulfilled, the contractor responsible for database operations will check that the previous message was fulfilled and will implement this new message.

In another embodiment, this block of conditions CD is represented by an area realized with groups, a group for each element of the sequence. Each group contains a condition for a sequence element and can have several meanings, such as the condition "must have been met", "may be met" or "must not be met". The latter condition usually corresponds to (the first one).

We take an example of a sequence of 6 elements, element 3 could be quickly retrieved before element 5. In this case, it can be accurately stated in message 3 that it could not be extracted if message 5 was executed. This condition may result in termination if the inverted condition in message 5 is not correctly established. In this case, message 5 will contain the "must be fulfilled" condition on message 3 in the queue, so if message 5 arrives before 3 , it will not be processed.

Figure 3 shows the execution of the memory M by the subscriber's device (user) and the connection to the security module. The input stream is first filtered by the SEL module, which is tasked with separating the control messages from the other information. These messages are then (then) transmitted to the select module SW, which is tasked to send them to different modules, which is to the SM security module, to the CTR processing center of the STB subscriber device (user) and to the memory M of the the subscriber's device (the user). Placing them in the memory of these messages causes an increase in the number of incoming messages so that in order not to miss a message, the oldest message is then removed (cleared) from memory. Similarly, these messages are transmitted to the security module presented here as an SM smart card. This SM card contains the first GM memory module and an INT interpreter to control and control the BD database. This GM memory control module can have a dialogue with the CTR processing center through the I / O connection and, through this means, enter the connections into the SW select module. The dashed line in Figure 3 represents the STB subscriber's device. All control messages addressed to the SM security module are directed from the SW select module to the security module, in particular to the GM memory management, and then transmitted to the control interpreter if the retrieved conditions are met. GM's memory management refreshes the message table retrieved to make the necessary comparisons at the time a new message arrives. The connection to the smart card SM of the type I / O and thus the information and checks can be sent as intended to the device of the subscriber (user), the connection is represented via the I / O line. As explained previously, memory M is physically in the STB subscriber's device. This is because the SM card may, through the I / O line, require the presence of a memory section so that the messages in the sequence can be memorized. In our example, the maximum number of elements in the sequence does not exceed 16. Also, with the arrival of the first element of the sequence, the SM card, via the I / O line, requires a reservation of at least 16 memory locations. If, during the transmission of this first sequence, another sequence is requested, the card will request a reservation of 16 new seats in order to secure (ensure) the maximum number (sequence) of the sequence will be stored in accordance with the resulting conditions.

In order to read the information contained in the memory M, for example, position M3, the SM card may order, through the SW selector, the AMUX address multiplexer, to reverse the contents of that memorized position. To forward this data further to the map, the DMUX information multiplexer has the function (task) to read the stored position and to forward it to the map. These various references are directed by the SW selector.

When the retrieval of the sequence has been interrupted due to the lack of interference / interference / on the message, for example, the other messages are still stored in the memory of the subscriber's device / user /. When a lost message is retransmitted from the control center, it is executed correctly and GM memory management cancels all other messages in the sequence, giving way to the memory of the subscriber's device / user /. In this case, the input of the SM smart card is no longer provided (as much) for the arrival of the messages but (as) for the contents of the memory M. This access to the memory M can be accomplished by direct access, establishing an address in the memory or by successive. access, reading the contents in their order (their order) on arrival.

In one embodiment, memory M is organized as a fixed-length memory buffer according to the available free memory in the subscriber's device. This memory includes an input number increasing for each message and an output number increasing for each reading through GM memory management.

The dialog capability between the SM card and the STB subscriber device, in particular the CTR center, allows for more complex functions. One of the problems common at the time of changing one or the other of the elements of the system is that both: the card or the subscriber's device are intended to ensure the compatibility (consistency) of the features with the material of the previous actions. Therefore, it is important to allow dialogue between the various elements in the row in order to make the functions available for each of them. This is the purpose of the I / O line, which allows sending instructions from the card to the subscriber's device. These instructions may, for example, cause the subscriber's device (user) to communicate with its audio, video or information functions, device activation or software version. To meet this requirement, the STB module has a means of generating a control message and transmitting it to the memory M for further reading from the card, or directly for a card such as the one shown in Figure 3.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the STB module has a modem connection to the control center. In this case, the announcement of the resources can be made from the STB module to the control center via modem, at the request (recommendation) of the SM security module.

As shown in Figure 3, the STB receives in the same way the control messages coming from the control center. Messages arriving to / to / at the CTR Processing Center may have the desired instruction configured. The answer can be made via the modem or sent to the SM card. Some of these messages are for the STB module only, and the CTR processing center responsible for controlling the STB will not transmit them to the SM security module or the M memory.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. A method for transmitting a sequence of control messages to a database between a control center and a plurality of subscriber databases (users), each control message containing the sequence master (HD), the sequence identifier (FM) allowing simultaneous transmission of several sequences, and a sequence index (FI) allowing the message to be identified in the sequence, characterized in that it further includes to each message a block of conditions (CD) that establishes but when this message will be processed regardless of all or part of the elements of the sequence, or will be processed under the terms belonging to the previous processing of all or part of the elements of the sequence. Transmission method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when determining in accordance with the block condition (CD), when all or part of the sequence elements may or may or may not be processed first. Transmission method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises in managing a table to the contents of the subscriber's database (user) containing a portion for information representation of the processing status of each element in the sequence and refreshes said table each time a sequence element is processed and restarts the specified table either at the request of the control center or after a predefined time. Transmission method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the subscriber's database (user) is connected to the subscriber's device (user) and that it includes storing control messages in the memory of the subscriber's device ( user) to submit them on request to the database. 5. The transmission method according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises storing in the sequence of incoming messages, each incoming message, generating an increase of the stack directory of incoming messages, and directly accessing the messages requested by (requested (c) the database. Transmission method according to claim 4, characterized in that it utilizes the memory of the subscriber's device (user) operating as a sequential fixed-length memory buffer. Transmission method according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that it comprises receiving in the database a message element of the sequence and establishes in the device of the subscriber (user) the memorable need to receive all elements of the sequence. Transmission method according to claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it allows, upon request, the preparation (compilation) of a control message describing its software and hardware resources from the subscriber device (user) and sending said message or to the database (SM), or to the control center. Transmission method according to claim 8, characterized in that this request is transmitted by the control center in the form of a control message as well as by the database (SM) in the form of an instruction on the I / O line. 10. Transmission control system of a database management message containing a control center and a plurality of subscriber (user) devices, each device containing a database, any message containing a master descriptor (HD), an identifier (FM) of the sequence allowing simultaneously transmission of multiple sequences, and a sequence index (FI) allowing the message to be identified in the sequence, characterized in that it includes a block of conditions (CD) that determines when the message must be processed independently of the others or part of the sequence elements, or be processed in accordance with the conditions associated with the pre-treatment of all or part of the sequence elements. 11. The message sequence transmission system of claim 10, wherein the condition block (CD) contains a condition determining when all or part of the elements in the sequence may or may or may not be processed first. Message message transmission system according to claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the security module (SM) includes a message control (GM), which can store in memory the processing status of each message from the sequence, and includes a comparator of this condition with the conditions mentioned in the catch block (CD) of the message under processing. 13. Message transmission system according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the subscriber device (user) includes 15 message memory (M), each incoming message causing (previous) movement of the previous message in memory (M), and the security module (SM) includes a means of reading and processing these messages. 20 14. Message transmission system according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the subscriber (STB) device includes a connection line (I / O) to the security module (SM) and means for determining memory size (M) according to the instructions received from the security module (SM) and to respond to the composition and sending a control message to the security module (SM). 15. Message transmission system according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the subscriber (STB) device includes a selector module (SW) allowing to connect the control message distributor (SEL) to the processing center. (CTR) of the subscriber (user) device, security module (SM), and memory (M), and the control message recognition provided for the processing center only (CTR) and transfer from the selector module (SM) of these messages intended for processing only th center (CTR).