Embodiment
The invention provides a kind of firmware update disposal route,, do not need to utilize resident program initiatively to upgrade simultaneously in order to solve the inconvenience of the artificial firmware update of tradition, and the waste computer resource.
Fig. 1 shows the network system figure of preferred embodiment of the present invention.This network system comprises client 10, server 20 and internet 30.In the present embodiment, client 10 is computers.Client 10 is connected in server 20 via internet 30.Right its is not that client 10 can be connected in server 20 via LAN, WLAN or alternate manner in order to qualification the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows the client synoptic diagram of preferred embodiment of the present invention.Client 10 is provided with a display 5, at least one drive assembly that is connected with user computer (for example first CD drive 8 and second CD drive 9), and this drive assembly has an identification code.In the present embodiment, client 10 has an operating system (not icon) and a plurality of application program (not icon).Client 10 is by the aforesaid operations system drive, and can carry out above-mentioned a plurality of application program.
In the present embodiment, server 20 stores an index file and at least one firmware program.Yet index file and these firmware programs can be stored in respectively on the different servers.Above-mentioned a plurality of firmware program comprises the firmware program that is applicable to first CD drive 8 and second CD drive 9.Fig. 3 shows the index file content instance of preferred embodiment of the present invention.Above-mentioned index file is the inventory that is stored in a plurality of firmware programs of above-mentioned server 20, writing down the filename and the file location information (as the L9 row) of each firmware program, the device model that each firmware program is suitable for (as the L3 row), and the version (version code of each firmware program, as the L7 row) and the modification date (date code is as the L8 row).
Above-mentioned index file also can write down out of Memory.In preferred embodiment of the present invention, above-mentioned index file is also writing down the device manufacturer (as the L5 row) that firmware program is suitable for, the comparison key (as the L6 row) that firmware program is new and old, filename after firmware program decompresses (as the L10 row), the file size of firmware program (as the L11 row), the relevant information of firmware program is described (being listed as L12 to L16).Above-mentioned information is not in order to limit the present invention.
Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B show the firmware update process flow figure of preferred embodiment of the present invention.At first, store the index file address information in above-mentioned client 10 (step S2).Above-mentioned index file address information comprises the network address of server 20 and the routing information of above-mentioned index file.
Via user's operation of client 10, above-mentioned client 10 begins to carry out an application program, for example CD baking program or dvd playback program.Above-mentioned application program comprises one first menu picture (as shown in Figure 5) and one second menu picture (not shown) at least.When above-mentioned application program is performed, this application program can judge whether client 10 has the interfacing equipment (step S3) that belongs to particular manufacturer (for example A manufacturer), and for example whether client 10 has the CD drive of particular manufacturer manufacturing according to identification code.
In the present embodiment, judge as identification code whether client 10 has the CD drive that belongs to A manufacturer and switch the first menu picture or the second menu picture according to the CD drive model of client 10.In the present embodiment, the identification code of CD drive comprises manufacturer's information (vender ID), and then shows the first menu picture (step S4) when above-mentioned application program judgement client 10 has the CD drive that belongs to A manufacturer.
The above-mentioned first menu picture has the interface (a for example shortcut) that automatically performs program (auto-execution program) in order to startup, wherein above-mentionedly automatically performs the firmware program that program is used for upgrading the CD drive belong to certain particular manufacturer (for example A manufacturer).If when client 10 there is no the CD drive that belongs to the manufacturing of A manufacturer, then show the second menu picture (step S5), the second menu picture (not shown) does not then have above-mentioned shortcut.Also promptly, if not the CD drive that this A manufacturer is produced can't be upgraded firmware through automatically performing program thus.Hence one can see that, and the manufacturer's information in the identification code of CD drive is with the foundation that decides menu to switch.
Above-mentioned application program can check that client 10 has the CD drive that belongs to particular manufacturer (for example A manufacturer), is perhaps informed by operating system passively via active detecting.If the situation of active detecting, this step is called and detects step for the first time.
Then, as shown in Figure 5, show to comprise the first menu picture 40 of button 41 in aforementioned display device 5 (step S4).The above-mentioned first menu picture 40 comprises button 41 as graphical user's interface (hereinafter to be referred as input interface).This button 41 is in order to start the above-mentioned shortcut that automatically performs program.
Please consult Fig. 4 A, Fig. 4 B and Fig. 5 simultaneously, when above-mentioned button 41 is pressed in user operation, start the program (the step S6 of Fig. 4 A) that automatically performs.According to automatically performing program, client 10 automatically performs ensuing firmware program updating program.At first, check whether client 10 has connected network (the step S7 of Fig. 4 A).If client 10 does not connect network, then show in order to inform that this client of user does not connect the information of network (the step S8 of Fig. 4 A) and finishes the firmware program updating program.
If client 10 has connected network, then obtain above-mentioned index file (step S10) according to index file address information Connection Service device 20 (the step S9) and the download that are stored in client 10.In the present embodiment, the identification code of CD drive (for example model or product serial number) can comprise the information (vender ID) that can supply to discern manufacturer.In the present embodiment, download index file the time can search the device that is configured on the client 10 and whether the CD drive (step S11) that belongs to A manufacturer is arranged to check.In this embodiment, though search step S11 be arranged on after the download step S10, yet be not in order to limiting the present invention, step S11 also can carry out before step S10, or carried out simultaneously.If do not belong to the CD drive of A manufacturer, then show in order to inform that the user does not have the information of the CD drive that belongs to A manufacturer (step S12) and finishes the firmware program updating program.In other embodiments, step S11 can carry out before the step S4 first menu picture is shown, and with detect step the above-mentioned first time and merge.In this case, omit step S11, step S10 leaps to step S13.
In the present embodiment, can detect and obtain the identification code as peripheral units such as CD drive of client 10 via the application programming interfaces that the operating system that is executed in above-mentioned client 10 provides.For instance, the above-mentioned program demand operating system that automatically performs returns the identification code of the peripheral unit of client 10 to require operation.Yet it is not in order to limit the present invention, can utilize other method to reach identical purpose yet.
If the CD drive that belongs to A manufacturer is arranged, then obtain the product serial number that belongs to the CD drive that A company makes as device identification code, and former firmware program identification code comprise its former firmware program version (version code; Version code) reaches open date (date code; Date code).Manufacturer's information of CD drive is recorded in the product serial number of CD drive.In the present embodiment, judge that according to the product serial number of CD drive first CD drive 8 and second CD drive 9 are to belong to the CD drive that A company makes.Then, the product serial number of first CD drive 8 and second CD drive 9 and firmware program version thereof are shown in a device tabulation 42, as shown in Figure 6.
Show the device tabulation 42 of preferred embodiment of the present invention as Fig. 6.Wherein the product serial number of first CD drive 8 is DRW-0804A, and its former firmware program version is 0.1b.The product serial number of second CD drive 9 is DRW-0402P/D, and its former firmware program version is 1.05.
After download obtains above-mentioned index file, according to the firmware program that is applicable to above-mentioned CD drive in the product serial number of CD drive 8 and 9 and former firmware program version (version code) or open date (date code) the information search index file of etc.ing, and the version of above-mentioned firmware program or disclose the date newly in former firmware program (step S13).Hence one can see that, and the product serial number in the CD drive identification code is to be used for the foundation of firmware information in the search index file index file, and among the step S5, the manufacturer's information in the identification code of CD drive is with the foundation that decides menu to switch.In above-mentioned search process, according to new and old (the step S14) of the listed firmware program of the version (version code) of firmware program or open date (date code) more former firmware program and index file.And according to corresponding to being installed in client 10 and belonging to the journal search result (step S15) of each CD drive of A company.For instance, with in the index file about the information of CD drive 9, promptly L3 is listed as the information of L18 row, and about the information temporary storage of CD drive 8 in the internal memory of client 10.The information that above-mentioned search result is come out for acquisition from above-mentioned index file.
In the process of newer firmware and former firmware, can wherein one come the new and old of newer firmware and former firmware according to version (version code) or open date (date code).Can write down a parameter at each firmware program in the above-mentioned index file, during for example Fig. 3 L6 is listed as "<version is relatively more crucial〉version ", should be that key value comes the comparison version with version or open date in order to indicate this firmware program.
Please get back to Fig. 4 A, then judge whether to search finish (step S16).If search finishes then gets back to step S13 and continue to search.When search finishes, then carry out next step S17.
When the user selects wherein a CD drive (step S17), for example during second CD drive 9, check the firmware program (step S18) whether new edition is arranged in the search result of corresponding this CD drive.If this corresponding search result of having selected CD drive 9 then shows the information (step S19) in order to inform no new edition firmware program not than the new firmware program of former firmware program version.Then, jump to step S32 with the deletion from the said apparatus tabulation of second CD drive 9.
If this has selected the corresponding search result of CD drive 9 to have than the new firmware program of former firmware program version, then produce and show the capable table 43 of firmware program (the step S20 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 4 A), this tabulation more shows filename, version and the open date of newer firmware program.Fig. 7 shows the capable table 43 of the firmware program of preferred embodiment of the present invention, and wherein indication is stored in the new edition firmware program of server 20, and its file is called " 0402PD_107.zip ", and version is " V1.07 ", and the open date is " 031006 ".
When the user selects one of them firmware program of the capable table of firmware program (step S21), show that one downloads inquiry message in order to inquire whether the user will download this and select firmware program.
When the user selects the download firmware program, from the search result of selecting CD drive, obtain the above-mentioned address of having selected firmware program and path and download this according to this and selected firmware program file (step S22).
When the download firmware program finishes, show that an information determines whether installing the firmware program (step S23) of download in order to the inquiry user.If the user selects uneasiness to load the firmware program that carries, then jump to step S32 with CD drive 9 deletion from the said apparatus tabulation.If the user selects to install the firmware program of download, check then whether the firmware program of downloading is compressed file (step S24).
If the firmware program of downloading is not a compressed file, promptly firmware program is an execute file, then jumps to step S30 and directly installs to download firmware program.If the firmware program of downloading is to be compressed file, then the firmware program decompress(ion) of this download being contractd produces decompress files (step S26).Then, the compressed file (step S28) that deletion is downloaded, and with above-mentioned decompress files execution installation (step S30).Actual in the installation steps is to replace former firmware program with the new edition firmware program.
After end is installed, with CD drive 9 deletion (step S32) from said apparatus tabulation 42.Then, whether do not upgrade the CD drive (step S34) of firmware program in the testing fixture tabulation 42 in addition.If also have other device in the device tabulation, then get back to step S17 and repeat above-mentioned handling procedure.If do not had any device in the device tabulation, then finish to upgrade the firmware program program.
Firmware update disposal route in the preferred embodiment of the present invention also can be used in the peripheral unit that upgrades other, for example: floppy disk or other optical storage media device or magneto optical driver (Magneto-Optical Disk Drive), comprising but be not limited to read or write the Storage Media device of following Storage Media: CD-ROM driver (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, be called for short CD-ROM), multifunctional digital CD (Digital Versatile Disc/Disk, be DVD), phase change disc (Phase change Dual disk, be PD), magnetooptics (Magneto-optic) Storage Media such as disc pocket (MiniDisc, be MD), the cassette tape Storage Media, magnetic Storage Media, integrated circuit card (IC Card) and microcaloire (Miniature Card).
The present invention proposes a kind of computer-readable storage medium, and in order to store a computer program, above-mentioned computer program is in order to realize the firmware update disposal route, and the method can be carried out aforesaid step.
Fig. 8 is the computer-readable storage medium synoptic diagram of expression according to the firmware update disposal route of the embodiment of the invention.This Storage Media 60 is in order to store a computer program 620, in order to realize the firmware update disposal route.Its computer program comprises four logics, is respectively to download logic 621, device inspection logic 622, firmware program search logic 623, firmware program installation logic 624.
Download logic 621 in order to download index file and firmware program.Device checks that logic 622 is configured in the CD drive that belongs to particular manufacturer of client in order to inspection.Firmware program is searched the firmware program information of logic 623 in order to be suitable for according to the CD drive search.Firmware program is installed logic 624 in order to firmware program to be installed and to carry out in case of necessity and decompress.
The input button 41 of preferred embodiment of the present invention can be in conjunction with other application program, for example DVD playing program or CD baking program.When this application program is activated, check whether client 10 has the device of configuration A company.If client 10 has the device of configuration A company then shows that above-mentioned button 41 is in display 5.Button 41 also can be the icon of non-binding other application program, a for example shortcut diagram on window operating system desktop (desktop), or graphical user's interface of other form.
The operation of informing the progress of user's firmware program updating program in the mode of display message and obtaining the user in preferred embodiment of the present invention determines whether starting refresh routine, download, decompression, installation new edition firmware program.Yet can after starting refresh routine, the user not inform that in other is real the user downloads, decompresses, installs the renewal firmware program automatically.
Utilize in the preferred embodiment of the present invention and detect the product serial number that the client configuration device is obtained CD drive, and with the suitable firmware program of product serial number search.Yet also can otherwise obtain the new edition firmware program.For instance, in the firmware program updating application program of nonconformity formula, this application-specific is in a device.Therefore application program can write down new edition firmware program address.To start refresh routine at every turn, promptly obtain according to this new edition firmware program address.The product serial number that does not need again pick-up unit.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, index file and new edition firmware program all are stored in the station server, yet index file and new edition firmware program also can be stored in different servers.For instance, index file is stored in first server, and the new edition firmware program is stored in the second server, needs the network address and the position of a plurality of new edition firmware programs in second server of record second server in the index file.
Therefore, firmware update disposal route of the present invention can solve the inconvenience of the artificial firmware update of tradition, do not need to utilize resident program initiatively to upgrade simultaneously, and the waste computer resource.
Though the present invention discloses as above with preferred embodiment; yet it is not in order to limit the present invention; any person skilled in the art person; without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention; when can doing various changes and replacement, so protection scope of the present invention is when looking being as the criterion that accompanying Claim defines.