JP2004320591A - Portable communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and surely perform rewriting by downloading software from a communication network by effectively utilizing the storage area in a terminal. <P>SOLUTION: When a free area is generated in a memory device 7 of the terminal 1, a plurality of free area generation processings such as scrap/compression saving/re-loading/external saving are selectively performed to the software of the memory device 7. Priority of the free area generation processings and adaptability of each software to each free area generation processing are set in a table 4. In the case of download of the software from the communication network 10, when it is necessary to newly generate a free area in the memory device 7, a rewriting processing part 3, etc. sequentially performs processing from software having the adaptability to the free area generation processing with high priority by information from the table 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone and a PDA that can be connected to a communication network, it has been proposed to download and rewrite software via a communication network for the purpose of updating software or correcting defects in programs. Software can be downloaded and rewritten by downloading all necessary software at once and then rewriting (batch download method), or by downloading non-module software part by part and rewriting sequentially (split download Method).
[0003]
In the divided download method, there is a possibility that software does not operate normally when communication is interrupted in the middle or when data contains an error. In addition, when the software is modularized, the data amount increases, and the communication time and the processing time increase.
[0004]
The batch download method is unlikely to cause the above-described inconvenience of the split download method, and can perform stable update processing. However, in a general portable communication terminal, it is often impossible to partially rewrite only the changed portion of the software, and it is often necessary to rewrite the entire software. On the other hand, since the storage area provided inside the mobile communication terminal is generally small, an extra storage area must be prepared in the mobile communication terminal according to the size of the data of the software to be downloaded.
[0005]
Patent Literature 1 discloses an external nonvolatile memory for download connected to a mobile phone, a program downloaded via a communication network stored in the external nonvolatile memory, and a program stored in the external nonvolatile memory. Is copied to a flash memory in a mobile phone.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-220832
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the system of Patent Literature 1, the user has to prepare another component called an external non-volatile memory for downloading, and the user has a great economic burden. In the case of a mobile communication terminal that does not have an interface for connecting an external nonvolatile memory, the program cannot be downloaded.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and enables efficient and efficient download and rewrite of software via a communication network by effectively utilizing a storage area in a terminal without requiring a separate component. An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal that can reliably perform the communication.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A portable communication terminal according to the present invention includes a storage unit, a determination unit, a free area generation unit, a download unit, and an update unit.
[0010]
The storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of software each having a unique attribute. The determination means compares the size of the update software to be downloaded with the size of the existing free area of the storage means, and determines that the free area is insufficient when the existing free area is smaller than the update software. The free area generating means performs a free area generating process for generating a new free area on the software stored in the storage means when the determining means determines that the free area is insufficient. Apply according to attributes. The download unit downloads the updated software via the communication network and stores the updated software in a free area of the storage unit. The updating unit rewrites existing software stored in the storage unit with updated software stored in the storage unit.
[0011]
In the above configuration, when the existing free area of the storage means is smaller than the updated software, the free area generation means performs a free area generation process on the software of the storage means to generate a new free area in the storage means. In addition, a free area required for temporarily storing the updated software is secured. This free area generation processing is set according to the attribute of the software to be processed. For this reason, it is possible to download and rewrite updated software at once without dividing the updated software by effectively utilizing the storage means in the terminal without connecting another component such as a memory outside the mobile communication terminal.
[0012]
The mobile communication terminal may further include a table. In the table, the priority of the free space generation process and the adaptability of each software to each free space generation process are set. The free area generating means sequentially performs processing based on the table from software having applicability to the high priority free area generating processing.
[0013]
The table may be provided in the free space generating means, or may be provided in the storage means.
[0014]
In the above configuration, when the existing free area in the storage means is smaller than the update software, the free area generating means first selects the free area generating process having the highest priority and has applicability to this process. The selected free area generating process is performed by software. If the existing free space in the storage means is smaller than the updated software even after this process is completed, the next highest priority free space generation process is selected, and the process is performed by software having applicability to this process. Is applied. Thereafter, similarly, the area generation processing is sequentially selected in accordance with the priority and the processing is performed on the software.
[0015]
As described above, priorities are set in advance for a plurality of free space generation processes, and the free space generation process to be executed is selected according to the priorities. For example, as in the process of discarding stored software, The processing in which the processing time is relatively short and in which a large empty area can be expected can be preferentially performed, and the empty area can be efficiently generated.
[0016]
If there is a plurality of software that has applicability to a certain free space generation process, the table may further set priorities for the plurality of software, and the free space generation unit may use When performing the free space generation processing, the processing may be performed sequentially from software having a higher priority.
[0017]
Even if the software has applicability to the same free area generation processing, the degree of adaptability is not always the same. In the above configuration, when the selected free area generation processing is executed, the processing is performed in order from the software having the highest adaptability, so that the free area can be generated more efficiently.
[0018]
The free area generating means may include at least two of the discarding means, the compression / decompression means, the reloading means, and the external storage device saving means. The discarding unit discards the software stored in the storage unit and newly generates a free area. The compression / decompression means compresses the software stored in the storage means, moves the software to another area of the storage means to newly generate a free area, and decompresses the compressed software after the rewriting by the updating means to complete the storage means. In the original area. The reloading means temporarily discards the software stored in the storage means to newly generate an empty area, and downloads the discarded software via a communication network after the rewriting by the updating means, and downloads the discarded software to the storage means. In the area. The external storage device saving means temporarily saves the software stored in the storage means to an external saving device connected to the communication network, and downloads the saved software via the communication network after rewriting by the updating means. It is stored in the original area of the storage means.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a software management table.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone (hereinafter abbreviated as a terminal) 1 as a mobile communication terminal includes a CPU 2, a rewrite processing unit 3, a software management table 4, a download processing unit 5, a communication interface (I / F) 6, a memory device 7, a compression / expansion device 8, and an external storage device saving processing section 9. A file server 11 functioning as an external storage device is provided on a communication network 10 capable of communicating with the terminal 1.
[0022]
The CPU 2 performs overall operation control of the terminal 1 including a function as a mobile phone, which is an essential function of the terminal 1.
[0023]
The memory device 7 functions as a storage unit, and includes a rewritable RAM, a flash ROM, and the like. In the storage area of the memory device 7, various types of software are stored in addition to the communication control programs and applications. Each software has a unique attribute. This attribute is the adaptability of each software to each free space generation process described later.
[0024]
The communication I / F 6 performs communication with the communication network 10. A software server (not shown) is connected to the communication network 10. The software server stores updated software for rewriting software stored in the memory device 7 of the terminal 1. This software is not relocatable.
[0025]
The download processing unit 5 functions as a download unit, downloads update software from a network via the communication I / F 6, and temporarily stores the update software in a free area of the memory device 7. In addition, the download processing unit 5 also functions as a determination unit. Before downloading the update software, the size of the update software to be downloaded and the size of the free area already existing in the storage area of the memory device 7 are determined. , Compare. If the existing free area is smaller than the updated software, the free area is determined to be insufficient for temporarily storing the updated software, and is output to the rewriting processing unit 3.
[0026]
The software management table (table) 4 is provided in the rewrite processing unit 3. The table 4 may be provided in the memory device 7.
[0027]
The rewriting processing unit 3 functions as an updating unit, and rewrites existing software stored in the memory device 7 to updated software temporarily stored in the memory device 7 by the download processing unit 5. The rewriting processing unit 3 also functions as a free area generating unit. When the free area is insufficient, the rewriting processing unit 3 stores the updated software in the memory device 7 according to the information in the table 4 until a free area capable of storing the updated software is secured. The free space generation process is performed on the stored software, and a new free space is sequentially generated in the storage area.
[0028]
The rewriting processing unit 3 further functions as a discarding unit, and performs a free space generation process (discarding process). Specifically, the software stored in the memory device 7 is discarded, and a free area is newly generated in the storage area.
[0029]
The compression / expansion unit 8 functions as compression / expansion means, and performs another free area generation process (compression saving process). More specifically, the software stored in the memory device 7 is compressed, moved to another area in the storage area of the memory device 7 (evacuated), and a free area is newly generated. After the rewriting (updating) by the rewriting processing unit 3 is completed, the compressed and stored software is decompressed and stored in the original area before the compression.
[0030]
The rewrite processing unit 3 and the download processing unit 5 also function as reload means, and perform another free space generation process (reload process). Specifically, the rewriting processing unit 3 temporarily discards the software stored in the memory device 7 and newly generates a free area. After rewriting (updating) by the rewriting processing unit 3, the download processing unit 5 downloads the discarded software again via the communication network 10 and stores the discarded software in the original area of the memory device 7 before discarding.
[0031]
The external storage device save processing unit 9 functions as an external storage device save unit, and performs another free space generation process (external save process). Specifically, the software stored in the memory device 7 is temporarily stored (evacuated) in the file server 11 connected to the communication network 10. Further, after the rewriting (updating) by the rewriting processing unit 3, the saved software is downloaded via the communication network 10 and stored in the original area before the saving.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, the table 4 shows the address areas (start address and end address) for each of the software A, B, C, D, E, F, G,. , Its attributes are recorded. The attribute is the adaptability (disposability / compression) of each software A, B, C, D, E, F, G,... To each free space generation process (discard / compression save / reload / external save). Evacuation possibility, reloading possibility, external evacuation possibility). For example, the browser cache has the possibility of discarding, the font program has the possibility of compression and saving, and the application software such as the ring tone downloaded from the communication network 10 has the possibility of reloading.
[0033]
Each column is an integer value, "0" indicates that adaptation is not possible, and a positive integer value indicates that adaptability is possible. Further, a positive integer value indicates a priority for the same free area generation processing. When the priority is the highest, it is “1”, and the priority decreases as the number increases. For example, in the external save, the column of software F is “1” and the column of software G is “3”. Therefore, the software that can be saved to the outside is F and G, the priority of which is higher than that of F. In the case of the external saving process, F is processed before G.
[0034]
The order of the free space generation processing on the table 4 indicates the priority. That is, the free space generation processing is arranged in the order of discarding / compression saving / reloading / external saving from left to right in FIG. 2, and discarding has the highest priority. Priority decreases in order.
[0035]
The rewriting processing unit 3 sequentially performs processing from software having applicability to the free area generation processing with high priority. If there is a plurality of software that can be applied to one free area generation process, the process is performed sequentially from the software with the highest priority. The free area generation processing is continued until a free area capable of storing updated software is secured in the storage area of the memory device 7.
[0036]
Although not particularly shown, the terminal 1 has an input operation unit, a speaker, a microphone, a display unit, and the like as elements related to the telephone function.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0038]
In a normal operation state, the terminal 1 activates software stored in the memory device 7 and functions as a communication terminal.
[0039]
When a software rewrite instruction is input to the terminal 1 from the user, the download processing unit 5 starts a process of downloading updated software to the memory device 7 via the communication I / F 6 (software update process). In the following description, the updated software to be downloaded is referred to as a patch.
[0040]
First, as a preparatory process before downloading a patch, a free area shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is secured.
[0041]
When the control of securing the free area starts, the process proceeds to step S1. In step S1, the download processing unit 5 acquires the size of the patch, and determines whether or not there is enough free space in the memory device 7 to store the patch. If the free area is larger than the size of the patch, the necessary free area is secured, and the control of securing the free area ends.
[0042]
If the empty area is smaller than the size of the patch, a signal is output to the rewriting processing unit 3 and the process proceeds to step S2 and subsequent steps.
[0043]
In steps S2 to S13, processing is performed to secure a necessary free area.
[0044]
First, in step S2, the rewriting processing unit 3 determines whether there is discardable data (software) based on the information in the table 4 in FIG. 2, and proceeds to step S3.
[0045]
In step S3, the rewriting processing unit 3 discards the discardable data. According to Table 4, since the column of the software B is “1”, the software B is discarded, and the process proceeds to step S4.
[0046]
In step S4, the free area is compared with the size of the patch. If the free area is larger, the control is terminated. If the empty area is still smaller, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0047]
In step S5, the rewrite processing unit 3 determines whether there is any data that can be compressed and saved from the information in the table 4, and proceeds to step S6.
[0048]
In step S6, the compression / expansion unit 8 compresses the data that can be compressed and saved, and moves it to another area in the memory device 7. According to Table 4, since the columns of the software B and C are "1" and the software B has already been discarded, the software C is compressed and saved, and the process proceeds to step S7.
[0049]
In step S7, the free area is compared with the size of the patch. If the free area is larger, the control is terminated. If the empty area is still smaller, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0050]
In step S8, the rewrite processing unit 3 determines whether there is data that can be reloaded from the information in the table 4, and proceeds to step S9.
[0051]
In step S9, the rewriting processing unit 3 temporarily discards the reloadable data. According to Table 4, since the columns of the software B, D, and E are “1” and the software B has already been discarded, the software D and E are temporarily discarded, and the process proceeds to step S10.
[0052]
In step S10, the free area is compared with the size of the patch. If the free area is larger, the control is terminated. If the empty area is still smaller, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0053]
In step S11, the rewrite processing unit 3 determines whether or not there is data that can be externally saved (externally saved from the terminal) based on the information in the table 4, and proceeds to step S12.
[0054]
In step S12, the external storage device save processing unit 9 performs an external save process. According to Table 4, the column for software F is “1” and the column for software G is “3”. As described above, when the positive integer values of the columns are different (when the priorities are different), control according to FIG. 4 (steps S21 to S27) is performed.
[0055]
In the control shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S21, the free area is compared with the size of the patch, and if the free area is larger, this control ends. If the empty area is still smaller, the process proceeds to step S22.
[0056]
In step S22, the priority P is set to 1 and the process proceeds to step S23.
[0057]
In step S23, it is determined whether or not all the software has been checked for the corresponding free area generation processing (in this embodiment, the external save processing). If all software has already been checked, it is determined that securing of a free area in the corresponding free area generation processing (external save processing) has failed. If all software has not been checked yet, the process proceeds to step S24.
[0058]
In step S24, it is determined whether or not there is data of priority P. If there is data of the priority P, the process proceeds to step S25, the data is processed (external save process), and the process proceeds to step S26.
[0059]
In step S26, the free area is compared with the size of the patch, and if the free area is larger, this control ends.
[0060]
If it is determined in step S24 that there is no data of priority P, and if it is determined in step S26 that the empty area is still smaller, the process proceeds to step S27, where P = P + 1, the process returns to step S23, and step 23 is performed again. The following control is performed.
[0061]
When the priorities of the respective software for the same free area generation processing are different from each other, the column of the priority "1" is searched first, the corresponding software is processed, and the free area becomes larger than the size of the patch. , The corresponding software is sequentially processed with decreasing priority (in the order of “2”, “3”, “4”,...). According to Table 4, the software F whose column is “1” is first externally saved, and when it is still insufficient, the software G whose column is “3” is externally saved.
[0062]
In FIG. 4, if the securing of the free area succeeds or fails, the process returns to FIG. 3.
[0063]
Note that the control shown in FIG. 4 is similarly performed in the discarding process, the compression saving process, and the reloading process when the priorities are different.
[0064]
In step S13 in FIG. 3, the free area is compared with the size of the patch. If the free area is larger, the free area is successfully secured and the control ends. If the vacant area is still smaller, the vacant area cannot be secured and the control ends.
[0065]
If the free area cannot be secured, the software cannot be downloaded, and the software update process ends.
[0066]
If the free area is successfully secured, the software update processing is continued.
[0067]
First, the download processing unit 5 downloads the patch to the empty area acquired in the memory device 7, and restarts the terminal 1. At the time of this activation, a rewriting program is activated instead of the normal program stored in the memory device 7, and the patch is written to the storage area of the memory device 7 as specified in the patch.
[0068]
When the writing is completed, the patch in the memory device 7 is discarded, and a normal program is started. After normal startup, the compressed and saved software is decompressed and written to the original area. The data discarded by reloading is redownloaded from the network and written to the original area. The externally saved software is downloaded from the file server 11 and written in the original area.
[0069]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the free space existing in the memory device 7 is smaller than the update software, the free space generation processing is performed on the software stored in the memory device 7 to execute the free space generation processing. A new free area is generated, and a free area having a size necessary for temporarily storing updated software is secured. This free area generation processing is set according to the attribute of the software to be processed. Therefore, the updated software can be downloaded and rewritten at a time without dividing the updated software by effectively utilizing the memory device 7 in the terminal 1 without connecting another component such as a memory outside the terminal.
[0070]
In addition, priorities are set in advance for a plurality of free space generation processes, and the free space generation process to be executed is selected according to the priorities. Can be preferentially performed in a process in which the generation of a large free area can be expected, and the generation of a free area can be performed efficiently.
[0071]
Further, when the degree of adaptability for the same free area generation processing differs between software, the processing is performed in order from the software having the highest adaptability, so that the free area can be generated more efficiently.
[0072]
In the above embodiment, the mobile phone is described as an example of the terminal 1. However, the present invention is applicable to other mobile communication terminals such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) having a voice communication function. Can be.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, downloading and rewriting of software via a communication network can be performed efficiently and reliably by effectively utilizing a storage area in a terminal without requiring a separate component.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a software management table.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Mobile communication terminal 2. CPU
3 rewriting processing unit 4 software management table 5 download processing unit 6 communication I / F
7 Memory device 8 Compression / expansion device 9 External storage device saving processing unit 10 Communication network 11 File server

Claims (4)

A mobile communication terminal that downloads update software via a communication network,
Storage means for storing a plurality of software each having a unique attribute;
Comparing the size of the update software to be downloaded with the size of an existing free area of the storage unit, and when the existing free area is smaller than the update software, determining means for determining that the free area is insufficient;
A free area generating means for performing a free area generating process for generating a new free area on the software stored in the storage means according to the attribute when it is determined that the free area is insufficient. When,
Download means for downloading updated software via the communication network and storing the updated software in a free area of the storage means;
Update means for rewriting existing software stored in the storage means with update software stored in the storage means,
A mobile communication terminal comprising: The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1,
It further includes a table in which the priority of the free space generation process and the adaptability of each software to each free space generation process are set,
The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said free space generating means sequentially performs processing based on said table from software having a possibility of adapting to a high priority free space generating process. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein
In the table, further priority is set for a plurality of software having applicability to one free space generation process,
The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said free space generating means sequentially performs processing from software having a higher priority when said one free space generating process is performed. A mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The empty area generating means includes at least two of a discarding means, a compression / decompression means, a reloading means, and an external storage device saving means,
The discarding unit discards software stored in the storage unit to newly generate an empty area,
The compression / decompression means compresses the software stored in the storage means, transfers the software to another area of the storage means to newly generate a free area, and decompresses the compressed software after rewriting by the updating means. And store it in the original area of the storage means,
The reloading means temporarily discards software stored in the storage means to newly generate a free area, and after rewriting by the updating means, downloads the discarded software via the communication network. Stored in the original area of the storage means,
The external storage device saving means temporarily saves software stored in the storage means to an external saving device connected to the communication network, and after the rewriting by the updating means finishes saving the software saved in the communication network. A portable communication terminal, wherein the portable communication terminal downloads the data via an external device and stores the data in an original area of the storage means.

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