EP1228654A1

EP1228654A1 - Method for updating a main programme executed by a radio communication module

Info

Publication number: EP1228654A1
Application number: EP00974598A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antoine Dambre
Original assignee: Wavecom SA
Current assignee: Sierra Wireless SA
Priority date: 1999-11-09
Filing date: 2000-10-27
Publication date: 2002-08-07
Also published as: CN1421109A; WO2001035686A1; FR2800963B1; AU1284001A; HK1049090A1; CN100391279C; FR2800963A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for updating a main programme (2) executed by a radio communication module (1), and/or data associated with said main programme, said radio communication module communicating with an updating equipment (5). The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following successive steps: launching the execution, by the radio communication module, of a downloading programme (21) capable of communicating, in accordance with a standard communication protocol, with a standard file transfer programme (20), of the data terminal type, executed by the updating equipment; sending through the standard file transfer programme (20) to the downloading programme (21), in accordance with the standard communication protocol, a new main programme (12) and/or new data; storing through the downloading programme (21), in a non-volatile memory (11) of the radio communication module (1), the new main module (12) and/or the new data.

Description

Method for updating a main program executed by a radiocommunication module

The field of the invention is that of radiocommunication sy stems with mobiles.

The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, in GSM 900 radio systems (for "Global System for Mobile - 900

MHz "), DCS 1800 (for" Digital Cellular Svstem - 1800 MHz "), PCS 1900 (for

"Personal Communication System - 1900 MHz") or UMTS (for "Universal Mobile Telecommunication System - 2 GHz").

More specifically, the inv ention relates to a method for updating a pπncipal program executed by a radiocommunication module, and / or data associated with this pπncipal program.

First of all, we recall what is meant by radiocommunication module. Conventionally, a subscriber to a radiocommunication system, for example of GSM type, has a mobile station (sometimes also called mobile radiotelephone or telephone. portable) comprising a radiocommunication terminal (or ME, for "Mobile Equipment" in English) cooperating with a SIM card (for "Subscπber Identity Module" in English, or subscriber identification module).

In its primary application, which is the most conventional, the radiocommunication module (for example a "GSM module") is included in the radiocommunication terminal and provides the wireless communication function, by controlling various hardware elements (screen, keyboard). , speaker, ...) of the radiocommunication terminal. Other applications of the radiocommunication module are also known.

It has notably been proposed to integrate it into devices other than radiocommunication terminals, but nevertheless requiring wireless communication functionality. By way of example, mention may be made of telemetry devices (meter readings) or even bank card reader devices. It has also been proposed to provide the radiocommunication module in independent form, with in particular its own power supply: it is then qualified as a modem. Such a modem, which does not include any hardware element (screen, 1st key, loudspeaker, ...) of man / machine interface, is intended to cooperate with third party equipment (typically a microcomputer), which has human-machine interface hardware. Generally, the third-party equipment controls the modem by means of a set of AT commands (for "ATTENTION command" in English).

Whatever the form of application of the radiocommunication module (in a radiocommunication terminal, in another device, or even in a modem), it is sometimes necessary to update the main program that it runs, and / or data associated with it These data define, for example, melodies, directories, menu items in different languages, etc. We now decπt, in relation to Figure 1, the traditional technique used to perform this update. For the sake of simplification, an update describing only the main program is described. It is clear that the other update cases (data only, or even main program and data) are deduced directly and easily from the following. It is assumed that the radiocommunication module 1 is connected to an update equipment 5 by a serial link 10 supporting a proprietary protocol. Classically, a distinction is made between the following successive steps: a user performs a restart (or "reset") of the radiocommunication module 1 while maintaining one of the pins, known as "reboot" (or "pin boot"), at a predetermined voltage level (for example ground), so that module 1 restarts internally, not with its main program 2 but with a reboot program (or "boot") 3. The main program 2 is stored in memory flash ROM 1 1, and the reboot program 3 in boot ROM 4; the reboot program 3 communicates according to the owner's protocol with a download program on the equipment side (or

"downloader equipment") 6, so as to download (13) into the memory RAM 7 of the radio communication module a download program on the module side (or "downloader module") 8. The download program on the equipment side 6 is a specific proprietary program executed by the updating equipment 5. The download program on the module side 8 is previously stored (8 ') in a memory 9 associated with the updating equipment 5; the reboot program 3 launches the execution of the module-side download program 8 which has just been loaded into RAM memory 7; the module side download program 8 communicates according to the proprietary protocol with the equipment side download program 6, so as to download (14) into the flash memory ROM 11 of the module a new main program 12. The new main program 12 is previously stored (12 ') in a memory 9 associated with the updating equipment 5; the user performs a restart of the radio communication module 1 while maintaining the reset pin at the supply voltage, so that the module 1 restarts externally, not with the previous main program 2, in flash ROM 11, but with the new main program 12, also in ROM flash memory 11.

This classic updating technique has several drawbacks. In particular, the fact that the download program on the equipment side is a proprietary program, written specifically for use with a proprietary protocol, is not without problems. Indeed, this implies a distribution to each of the users wishing to update, not only the new main program and / or the new data, but also the download program on the equipment side.

In addition, because of its "owner-specific" nature, such an equipment-side download program can generally only be executed by one type of equipment (for example microcomputers under the DOS operating system). However, it is common that the various users do not all use the same type of equipment. During an update, we are therefore currently forced to develop as many new "owner-specific" programs as there are different types of equipment.

Likewise, the proprietary protocol, on the basis of which the download programs are developed on the equipment side and on the module side, is generally specific to the physical medium (serial link, infrared link, radio link, etc.) on which it is placed. in work. During an update, this further increases the number of new "owner-specific" programs that must be developed.

Another disadvantage of the current updating technique is that it requires a double download. In fact, you must first download the download program on the module side, then the new main program and / or the new data.

Yet another drawback of the current updating technique is that it requires two reboots of the radiocommunication module, one internally (at the start, keeping the reboot pin for example to ground) and the other externally (at the end, keeping the reset pin at the supply voltage). Each time, the user is therefore led to manipulate the reset pin

The invention particularly aims to overcome these various drawbacks of the state of the art. More specifically, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method for updating the main program (and / or associated data) executed by a radiocommunication module, this method allowing the radiocommunication module to communicate with different types of update equipment. The invention also aims to provide such a method which can be implemented with several types of physical medium between the radiocommunication module and the updating equipment, without however requiring any modification, both on the side radio module only on the update equipment side. Another object of the invention is to provide such a method which does not require any manipulation of the repriming spindle by the user. An additional objective of the invention is to provide such a method which does not require a double download.

These various objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention using a method for updating a main program executed by a radiocommunication module, and / or data. associated with said main program, said radiocommunication module communicating with updating equipment. According to the invention, said method comprises the following successive steps: launching of the execution, by said radiocommunication module, of a download program capable of communicating, according to a standard communication protocol, with a standard file transfer program , of the "data terminal" type, executed by said updating equipment; sending by said standard file transfer program to said downloading program, according to said standard communication protocol, a new main program and / or new data; storage by said download program, in a non-volatile memory of said radiocommunication module, of said new main program and / or said new data. The general principle of the invention therefore consists in using, on the updating equipment side, not a specific proprietary download program, but a standard file transfer program (or software), of the "data terminal" type.

The latter uses a standard communication protocol (and not a proprietary protocol). In other words, programs of the type are used in an unusual way.

"data terminal". Indeed, normally they are used two by two to transfer files between two machines, possibly by interposed modems (if the nature of the physical medium between machines executing these programs requires it). The usual configuration is therefore as follows: a first "data terminal" software, executed by a first machine, communicates according to a standard communication protocol (for example via a serial link or an infrared link) with a second "data terminal" software, executed by a second machine. On the contrary, in the context of the present invention, there is no second machine executing a second "data terminal" software, but a radio communication module executing a download program. Furthermore, whatever the physical communication medium, the present invention does not require the interposition of modems.

There are several types of "data terminal" software, such as in particular, but not exclusively: "Hyperterminal" software (registered trademark), designed for a "PC" type computer with an "Windows" type operating system (trademark) ; "Minicom" software (registered trademark), designed for a "PC" type computer with an operating system of "Linux" type (registered trademark); "Norton Commander" software (registered trademark), designed for a "PC" type computer with a type operating system

"DOS" (registered trademark); etc. All these "data terminal" software can communicate according to one or more standard communication protocols, such as for example the "X-MODEM", "Y-MODEM", "Z-MODEM", "KERMIT", ... protocols.

Using such a standard file transfer program has several advantages. First of all, this standard program is compatible with all types of machines that can be used as updating equipment. In addition, it already exists on most machines (and in particular microcomputers) which can be used as updating equipment. It is designed to communicate on several types of physical media, namely generally over a serial link or an infrared link (IRDA). Finally, it provides better reliability in the course of the update operation.

Advantageously, said download program is permanently stored in a non-volatile memory of said radio communication module. In this way, during an update, only the new main program and / or the new data are downloaded.

Preferably, said step of launching the execution, by the radiocommunication module, of the download program is carried out when at least one of the following conditions is verified: a user has made an update request via a human interface / machine associated, directly or indirectly, with said radiocommunication module; a user has made an update request via a man / machine interface associated with said update equipment; when powering up said radio communication module, said main program cannot be used or does not exist.

It should be noted that none of these variants requires the user to perform a restart ("internally") of the radiocommunication module, while maintaining the reboot pin to ground. Indeed, the restart request is made either by the user, thanks to a man / machine interface (case of the first and second v ariantes), or automatically (case of the third vaπante).

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said method further comprises the following ante step: restarting said radiocommunication module with said new pnncipal program and / or said new data, after said storage step has been carried out

Such a restart, which is not systematic, is for example necessary in order to modify the executable version of the main program and / or of the associated data. Advantageously, said restarting step is started when at least one of the following conditions is swollen: a user has made a restart request v ιa a man / machine interface associated, directly or indirectly, with said radiocommunication module; a user has made a restart request via a man / machine interface associated with said updating equipment; said download program comprises a spontaneous restart command, executed when it reaches the end of execution; said standard file transfer program sends a spontaneous restart command to said radio communication module, when it detects the end of the sending of said new main program and / or said new data. It should be noted that none of these variants requires the user to reboot ("externally") the radiocommunication module, while maintaining the reboot pin at the supply voltage. In fact, the restart request is made either by the user, thanks to a man / machine interface (case of the first and second variants), or automatically, thanks to a spontaneous restart command (case of the third and fourth variants). ).

Preferably, said radiocommunication module is included in a device belonging to the group comprising: - the radiocommunication terminals; devices, other than radiocommunication terminals, requiring wireless communication functionality; modems. Advantageously, said download program can communicate with said standard file transfer program, according to said standard communication protocol, by means of at least one physical medium belonging to the group comprising: serial links, infrared links, radio links, ...

The invention also relates to a radiocommunication module, of the type which can communicate with updating equipment in order to carry out an update of a main program executed by said radiocommunication module, and / or of data associated with said main program. . According to the invention, said radio communication module comprises means for executing a download program capable of communicating, according to a standard communication protocol, with a standard file transfer program, of the "data terminal" type, executed by said updating equipment, so that said standard file transfer program sends to said download program, according to said standard communication protocol, a new main program and / or new data, and which said download program stores in a non-volatile memory of said radiocommunication module said new main program and / or said new data. Other characteristics and advantages of the inv ention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the inv ention, given by way of non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which . FIG. 1 illustrates the current technique (prior art) of updating; and FIG. 2 illustrates a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The current technique, as illustrated in Figure 1, has already been discussed in detail above.

We now present, in relation to FIG. 2, a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention for updating a main program executed by a radiocommunication module, and / or data associated with this main program.

Those of the elements of figure 1 which also appear in figure 2 keep the same reference numbers (namely: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 1 1, 12 and 12 ') For the sake of simplification , it is assumed that the update relates only to the main program. It is clear that the other update cases (data only, or even main program and data) are deduced directly and easily from the following.

Conventionally, the main program 2 (current) is stored in the flash memory ROM 1 1 of the radiocommunication module 1. The objective is to download into a non-volatile memory of the module (for example the flash memory

ROM 11) the new pπncipal program 12. The latter is previously stored (12 ') in a memory 9 associated with the updating equipment 5.

According to the invention, the updating equipment 5 can execute a standard file transfer program 20, of the "data terminal" type, making it possible to communicate according to a standard communication protocol. For example, if the equipment 5 is a microcomputer of the "PC" type under the "DOS" operating system, the standard program 20 can be the "Hyperterminal" program, and the standard protocol the "X-modem" protocol. It is clear, however, that other types of "data terminals" can be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, also according to the invention, the radio communication module 1 permanently stores, in its flash ROM 11, a download program 21. When executed, the latter is designed and developed so as to be able to communicate, according to the standard communication protocol, with the standard file transfer program 20.

By design, the standard communication protocol can be supported alternately by several types of physical media, typically a serial link (RS 232) or an infrared link (IRDA).

In the particular embodiment, the operation of which is illustrated in FIG. 2, this method comprises the following steps:

(a) launching of the execution, by the radiocommunication module, of the download program 21;

(b) sending (23) by the standard file transfer program 20 to the download program 21, according to the standard communication protocol, of the new main program 12;

(c) storage by the download program 21, in the ROM flash memory 11 of the radiocommunication module 1, of the new main program 12;

(d) restart of the radio communication module 1 with the new main program 12.

Step (a) is for example carried out when the user signals, by means of a man / machine interface (based for example on an AT command), his intention to launch an update. By human / machine interface, we mean for example the possibility for the user to navigate (thanks to one or more keys on a keyboard) within a (sub) update menu (displayed on the screen ), and make a choice by which it requests the launch of an update. This man / machine interface can be that of the updating equipment 5 or that of the radiocommunication module 1. Step (a) can also be carried out if, when powering up the radiocommunication module, the main program 2 cannot be used or does not exist. In this case, the restart is automatic, in order to avoid a blocking situation, in which the radiocommunication module 1 could never restart.

These two possibilities for launching step (a) can optionally be combined within the same radiocommunication module.

Step (d) is for example carried out when the user requests, thanks to a man / machine interface (based for example on an AT command), for a restart of the module 1. By man / machine interface, we mean for example the possibility for the user to press a specific restart key (or "reset" key). This man / machine interface can be that of the updating equipment 5 or that of the radiocommunication module 1. Step (d) can also be carried out automatically, if the download program 21 includes a restart command. spontaneous, executed when it reaches the end of execution, or even if the standard file transfer program 20 sends a spontaneous restart command to the radiocommunication module, when it detects the end of the sending of the new program water main 12.

Claims

1. Method for updating a main program (2) executed by a radiocommunication module (1), and / or data associated with said main program, said radiocommunication module communicating with update equipment (5) , characterized in that said method comprises the following successive steps: launching of execution, by said radiocommunication module, of a download program (21) capable of communicating, according to a standard communication protocol, with a transfer program standard file (20), of the "data terminal" type, executed by said updating equipment; sending by said standard file transfer program (20) to said download program (21), according to said standard communication protocol, a new main program (12) and / or new data; - Storage by said download program (21), in a non-volatile memory (11) of said radio communication module (1), of said new main program (12) and / or said new data.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said download program (21) is permanently stored in a non-volatile memory (11) of said radiocommunication module (1).

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said step of launching the execution, by the radiocommunication module (1), of the download program (21) is carried out when at least one the following conditions are verified: - a user has made an update request via a man / machine interface associated, directly or indirectly, with said radiocommunication module (1); a user has made an update request via a man / machine interface associated with said update equipment (5); - when powering up said radiocommunication module (1), said main program cannot be used or does not exist.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises the following step: restarting said radiocommunication module (1) with said new main program (12) and / or said new data , after said storage step has been carried out.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said restarting step is launched when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a user has made a restarting request via a man / machine interface associated, directly or indirectly, with said audit radiocommunication module (1); a user has made a restart request via a man / machine interface associated with said update equipment (5); said download program (21) comprises a spontaneous restart command, executed when it reaches the end of execution; - Said standard file transfer program (20) sends a spontaneous restart command to said radio communication module (1), when it detects the end of the sending of said new main program (12) and / or said new data.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said radiocommunication module (1) is included in a device belonging to the group comprising: radiocommunication terminals; devices, other than radiocommunication terminals, requiring wireless communication functionality; - modems.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said download program (21) can communicate with said standard file transfer program (20), according to said standard communication protocol, via at least one physical medium belonging to the group including: - serial links; infrared links; radio links.

8. Radiocommunication module (1), of the type that can communicate with updating equipment (5) in order to carry out an update of a main program (2) executed by said radiocommunication module, and / or data associated with said main program, characterized in that it comprises means for executing a download program (21) capable of communicating, according to a standard communication protocol, with a standard file transfer program (20), of the "data terminal" type, executed by said updating equipment (5), so that said standard file transfer program (20) sends to said downloading program (21), according to said standard communication protocol, a new main program (12) and / or new data, and which said download program (21) stores in a non-volatile memory (11) of said radiocommunication module (1) said new main program and / or said new they given.