JP2005251028A - Method and system for changing software of portable radio communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve software distribution to a communication terminal for reducing a burden on a communication carrier and a user in distributing software to the communication terminal by utilizing a radio base station, suppressing increase of traffic at minimum with a relatively simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The base station 2 inserts information for changing the software incorporated in the radio communication terminal 1 into notification information for standby operation constantly transmitted in an area, and transmits the information, and constantly and repeatedly distributes software information for changing the software incorporated in the radio communication terminal 1 by using a different frequency from that of the notification information. The radio communication terminal 1 extracts the information for changing the software included in the notification information received from the base station 2. When information relating to a software module incorporated in the radio communication terminal exists in the extracted information and is upgraded, the frequency is transited to the frequency received for distributing the software information, and the software module incorporated in the radio communication terminal is upgraded on the basis of the received software information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for distributing communication software to a communication terminal such as a mobile phone that enables wireless communication using a wireless base station.

  When functions such as a modem, a synthesizer, a voice codec, and a communication protocol of a portable radio communication terminal are realized by a software module using, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), the version of the radio communication terminal by software change Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like include a method of rewriting software in a portable wireless communication terminal by transmitting software information to be updated via a wireless base station when an upgrade, function change, function addition, or the like occurs. It is described in.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a notification channel, which is a dedicated channel for notifying information for location registration or control information, is transmitted from a base station to an unspecified wireless communication terminal, and notification is made using this notification channel. The software information to be updated is added to the control information and distributed to the wireless communication terminal.

  Specifically, at least one software module that can be used by the wireless communication terminal is held on the server device, and these software modules are transmitted from the server device to the base station via the network. In the base station, data of the software module received from the server device is periodically and repeatedly transmitted to the wireless communication terminal as a notification frame using a notification channel which is a dedicated wireless channel. The wireless communication terminal receives information of a broadcast frame transmitted from the base station via a broadcast channel, extracts a software module included therein, and rewrites software included in the wireless communication terminal by the extracted software module. ing.

  In Patent Document 2, a download base station that transmits a download channel for downloading software, a broadcast base station that transmits a broadcast channel for broadcasting information related to the download channel, and software downloaded by the download channel are described. A wireless terminal having a function to execute, wherein the wireless terminal accesses the broadcast channel, acquires information about a download channel for downloading desired software, and downloads the information based on the acquired information about the download channel The user accesses the channel and downloads desired software to the terminal.

JP 2001-43087 A JP 2001-61186 A

  According to the method described in Patent Document 1, since the software module used by the wireless communication terminal is transferred using the broadcast channel, the software of a large number of wireless communication terminals is simultaneously rewritten by one transmission on the base station side. In addition, since the software module is transferred without establishing a data link, the user can rewrite the software module during standby. The burden at the time of correction or addition of the function is reduced, and the user can easily change the function of the wireless communication terminal. However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the software information is obtained only at the frequency for the standby operation. Cannot be distributed, and software information is added to the broadcast channel. For, there is a problem that the frequency of the traffic for the standby operation is increased.

  In addition, in the method described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide a dedicated broadcast base station for transmitting a broadcast channel for broadcasting information related to the download channel, and the wireless terminal acquires information related to the download channel. In order to do so, communication means necessary for accessing the broadcast base station must be provided in advance, resulting in a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce a burden on a communication carrier and a user when distributing software to a communication terminal using a wireless base station, and to increase traffic with a relatively simple configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide means for realizing software distribution to a communication terminal while minimizing the above.

  A method of changing software of a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention includes a software module server having a database function accessible from a wireless system network, a base station connected to the wireless system network, and a software module provided by the software module server. In a wireless system including a built-in wireless communication terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station using the software, the base station includes in the broadcast information for performing a standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area. , For inserting and transmitting information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal, and for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from the broadcast information Software information is constantly and repeatedly distributed. The wireless communication terminal extracts information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received in the area controlled by the base station, and the wireless communication terminal is incorporated in the extracted information If there is information related to the software module to be compared, the software version in the information is compared with the software version currently built in the wireless communication terminal, and the software version in the extracted information is more If it is a new version, transition to reception of the frequency to which the software information is distributed, receive software information for changing the software, and based on the received software information, the wireless communication The terminal software module is upgraded.

  The software change system for a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention includes a software module server having a database function accessible from a wireless system network, a base station connected to the wireless system network, and software provided by the software module server. In a wireless system including a wireless communication terminal that incorporates a module and wirelessly communicates with the base station using the software, the base station transmits notification information for performing a standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area. Means for inserting and transmitting information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal, and changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from the broadcast information Software information is always and repeatedly distributed Means for extracting information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received in the area controlled by the base station, and the extracted information. Means for comparing the software version in the information with the software version currently installed in the wireless communication terminal when there is information related to the software module built in the wireless communication terminal As a result of comparison by the comparison means, when the software version in the extracted information is a newer version, the software information for changing the software is received by transitioning to reception of the frequency at which the software information is distributed. And a software module of the wireless communication terminal based on the received software information Characterized in that it comprises a means for performing the upgrade.

  Also, the base station of the present invention inserts information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal into the broadcast information for performing the standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area. And means for constantly transmitting software information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from that of the broadcast information.

  The radio communication terminal of the present invention includes means for extracting information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received from the base station in an area controlled by the base station, and the extracted Means for comparing the software version in the information and the software version currently built in the wireless communication terminal when information related to the software module built in the wireless communication terminal exists in the information; As a result of comparison by the comparison means, when the software version in the extracted information is a newer version, software information for changing the software by changing to reception of the frequency at which the software information is distributed is obtained. Based on the received software information and the received software information, the software module of the wireless communication terminal Characterized in that it comprises means for performing over John up.

  According to the present invention, software information for actually changing software is always repeatedly distributed in the base station area using a frequency band that is not used in normal standby operation, and broadcast information for performing standby operation Since only the information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal is included, the software information can be distributed from the base station to a plurality of communication terminals at the same time. Software information for changing software can be distributed with little influence on the standby operation of the communication terminal.

  In addition, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated broadcast base station for transmitting a broadcast channel for broadcasting information related to the download channel, and information related to the download channel is included in the broadcast information for performing a normal standby operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the wireless communication terminal with a special communication means for accessing a broadcast base station that transmits information related to the download channel.

  FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, communication terminals 1a to 1d such as mobile phones that enable voice communication and packet communication by radio, base stations 2a to 2b capable of radio communication with the plurality of communication terminals 1a to 1d, and a plurality of The wireless system network 3a for controlling the base stations 2a to 2b and the software module server 4a having a database function accessible from the wireless system network 3a.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to this sequence chart, taking as an example the case of changing the software of the A company communication terminal 1a shown in FIG.

  When the company A communication terminal 1a enters the area 7a controlled by the base station 2a or when the company A communication terminal 1a is turned on in the area 7a, the base station 2a is constantly transmitting the area 7a. The broadcast information for performing the standby operation is received. The company A communication terminal 1a determines whether or not the standby operation is possible based on the received notification information, and if possible, performs location registration to the base station 2a.

  In addition, the broadcast information includes information for changing software built in the communication terminal (hereinafter, this information is referred to as software CH information 8a). This software CH information 8a distributes software information 6a for changing software of each company and each model using software CH 5a which is a frequency different from the frequency at which the base station 2a is in standby operation, and the software information 6a. The information regarding the configuration of the software CH5a is included.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the soft CH information 8a included in the broadcast information of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the software CH information 8a includes the manufacturer name, model name, software version, frequency of the software CH 5a, and data structure of the software CH 5a, which is distributed by the base station 2a using the software CH 5a. It is constituted by. In addition, the base station 2a continuously distributes the software information 6a using the software CH 5a.

  The company A communication terminal 1a receives the broadcast information from the base station 2a, registers its location, extracts and analyzes the soft CH information 8a included in the broadcast information, and analyzes the software information 6a of the company A communication terminal 1a. Check if there is any. When the software CH information 8a does not include the software information 6a of the company A communication terminal 1a, a transition is made to a normal standby operation. If the software CH information 8a includes the software information 6a of the company A communication terminal 1a, the software version in the software information 6a is compared with the software version currently installed in the company A communication terminal 1a. When the software version installed in the communication terminal 1a is the same as the software version in the software information 6a, the process shifts to a normal standby operation.

  On the other hand, when the software version in the software information 6a is a newer version, the reception of the software information 6a of the company A communication terminal 1a is started. First, before starting reception of the software information 6a, the company A communication terminal 1a notifies the base station 2a that it will transition to the software CH 5a. The company A communication terminal 1a transitions from a frequency for performing a normal standby operation to a frequency for receiving the software CH 5a according to the extracted software CH information 8a, and the base station 2a uses the software CH 5a to constantly distribute software. Information 6a is received.

  When the company A communication terminal 1a receives all of the software information 6a from the base station 2a using the software CH 5a, the communication terminal 1a makes a transition to the frequency for performing the normal standby operation and also notifies the base station 2a that the frequency has changed to the frequency for performing the normal standby operation. Notice. Thereafter, the company A communication terminal 1a upgrades the software module of the company A communication terminal 1a based on the received software information 6a, and transitions to a normal standby operation when the version upgrade is completed.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the software CH 5a in the present embodiment. The software CH 5a includes software information 6a and standby information 9a for notifying the arrival of voice or packet from the base station 2a. The software information 6a included in the software CH 5a is divided and distributed as appropriate according to the size of data required for upgrading. The company A communication terminal 1a can recognize the data configuration of the soft CH 5a from the soft CH information 8a received together with the broadcast information before the reception of the software information 6a.

  In the example of FIG. 4, it is shown that the software information 6a is divided into ten pieces. Information about how many pieces of software information 6a are divided into all pieces of divided software information 6a1 / 10 to software information 6a10 / 10, and each piece of software information 6a1 / 10 to software information 6a10 / 10 is what number data. Contains data that indicates whether it is present.

  Further, in the software CH 5a shown in FIG. 4, the standby information 9a is periodically arranged and transmitted every time four pieces of software information 6a are transmitted. The standby information 9a includes the same information that the communication terminal 1a receives during a normal standby operation. By placing the standby information 9a in the software CH 5a, the software is being received. Even if it exists, it is possible to receive incoming voice calls and incoming packets.

  Next, the operation of the company A communication terminal 1a that receives the software information 6a of the software CH 5a will be described with reference to FIG.

  The company A communication terminal 1a notifies the base station 2a of transition to the software CH 5a, then transitions to reception of the software CH 5a, and starts receiving software information 6a of the software CH 5a. At this time, the base station 2a continues to repeatedly distribute the software information 6a using the software CH 5a regardless of the company A communication terminal 1a. Therefore, the software information 6a received first by the company A communication terminal 1a is not necessarily in order. There is no need to receive from the beginning on the street.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the communication terminal 1a of Company A starts receiving from the software information 6a3 / 10 of the software CH 5a. From the information included in the first software information 6a3 / 10 for the company A communication terminal 1a, the software information 6a is divided into ten and the first received software information 6a3 / 10 is the third information in the software information 6a. Can be recognized. Thereafter, the software information 6a4 / 10 and the software information 6a5 / 10 are received in order, and the received information is stored in the temporary storage area of the company A communication terminal 1a.

  The company A communication terminal 1a receives the standby information 9a while the software information 6a is being received, but if there is no notification of voice or packet reception to the company A communication terminal 1a, the company A communication terminal 1a receives the standby information. 9a is ignored, software information 6a6 / 10 or later transmitted after the standby information 9a is received and sequentially stored in the temporary storage area of the company A communication terminal 1a, and when software information 6a2 / 10 is received, The base station 2a is notified of the transition to the frequency for performing the normal standby operation and the frequency for performing the normal standby operation.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, description will be given of the operation in the case where the A company communication terminal 1a receives the notification of the incoming voice call or the incoming packet addressed to the terminal while the software CH 6a is receiving the software information 6a. .

  The company A communication terminal 1a periodically receives the standby information 9a while receiving the software information 6a. The standby information 9a is used to receive voice and packet incoming calls to the company A communication terminal 1a. When the notification is included, the communication terminal 1a of Company A temporarily stops receiving the software information 6a in the software CH 5a, and preferentially starts a response to an incoming voice call or incoming packet. However, the software information 6a3 / 10 to the software information 6a4 / 10 received immediately before the reception of the software information 6a is interrupted is retained, and the reception of the software information 6a is resumed when the voice communication or the packet communication is completed. The reception of the software CH 5a is repeated until all of the software information 6a1 / 10 to the software information 6a10 / 10 are received.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the base station 2a is configured to always distribute the software information 6a from the soft CH 5a, a single base station can communicate with a plurality of communication terminals in the base station area. Software information can be distributed simultaneously.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, since the base station 2a can control a plurality of frequencies, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of software CHs for distributing software information according to traffic conditions.

  FIG. 7 shows another configuration example of the software CH 5a in the present embodiment. As in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the standby information from the software CH 5b distributed from the base station 2a.

  In this embodiment, while the communication terminal is transitioning to reception of the soft CH 5b and receiving the software information 6b, the communication terminal cannot receive the notification of the voice incoming call or the packet incoming call. Since it is possible to concentrate on reception, it is possible to minimize the time for receiving software information.

  FIG. 8 shows still another configuration example of the software CH 5a in the present embodiment. As in the configuration of the soft CH 5c shown in FIG. 8, by adding the soft CH configuration information 10c to the configuration of the soft CH 5c distributed from the base station 2a, even if the communication terminal is receiving the soft information 6c, The data structure can be changed.

  In this embodiment, for example, even when the number of communication terminals receiving the software information 6c distributed from the base station 2a suddenly increases or decreases, by changing the distribution frequency of the standby information Thus, the base station 2a can execute a countermeasure that does not affect incoming voice calls or incoming packets.

It is a network block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the soft CH information 8a contained in the alerting | reporting information of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of software CH5a in this embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the communication terminal which receives the soft information 6a of soft CH5a in this embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the communication terminal which receives the soft information 6a of soft CH5a in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of software CH5a in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of software CH5a in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1a to 1b Communication terminal 2a to 2b Base station 3a Wireless system network 4a Software module server

Claims (14)

A software module server having a database function that can be accessed from a wireless system network, a base station connected to the wireless system network, and a software module provided by the software module server are incorporated, and wireless communication with the base station is performed by the software. A method of changing software of the wireless communication terminal in a wireless system including a wireless communication terminal performing
The base station inserts information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal into the broadcast information for performing a standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area, and transmits the information. In addition, software information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from the broadcast information is constantly and repeatedly distributed,
The wireless communication terminal extracts information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received in an area controlled by the base station, and the wireless communication terminal includes the extracted information in the extracted information. When there is information related to the built-in software module, the software version in the information is compared with the software version currently built in the wireless communication terminal, and the software version in the extracted information is compared. Is a new version, transition to reception of the frequency to which the software information is distributed, receive software information for changing the software, and based on the received software information, A portable radio characterized by executing a version upgrade of a software module built in a communication terminal Software how to change the signal terminal.   2. The software changing method for a portable radio communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the software information for changing the software distributed from the base station is divided into an appropriate number and distributed.   The software information for changing the software distributed from the base station is divided into an appropriate number, and standby information is periodically inserted between the divided software information for distribution. The method of changing software for a portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 1.   When the standby information received during reception of software information for changing the software by the wireless communication terminal includes notification of incoming voice or packet arrival to the wireless communication terminal The software information is held and reception of the software information is temporarily suspended, a response to the voice call or packet call is preferentially started, and after the voice communication or packet communication is finished, the reception of the software information is stopped. 4. The method of changing software in a portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein the software information is resumed and the remaining software information is received. A software module server having a database function that can be accessed from a wireless system network, a base station connected to the wireless system network, and a software module provided by the software module server are incorporated, and wireless communication with the base station is performed by the software. In a wireless system including a wireless communication terminal that performs
The base station inserts information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal into the broadcast information for performing a standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area, and transmits the information. And means for constantly and repeatedly delivering software information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from that of the notification information,
The wireless communication terminal includes: means for extracting information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received in an area controlled by the base station; and the wireless communication terminal in the extracted information Means for comparing the software version in the information with the software version currently built in the wireless communication terminal when there is information related to the software module built in, as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, When the software version in the extracted information is a newer version, means for receiving software information for changing the software by changing to reception of the frequency to which the software information is distributed, and the received Based on the software information, the version of the software module built into the wireless communication terminal Software changes the system of the portable radio communication terminal, characterized in that it comprises means for performing up.   The information for changing the software transmitted from the base station includes the manufacturer name and model of the software information for changing the software distributed by the base station using a frequency different from the broadcast information. 6. The name, software version, the frequency delivering the software information, and the structure of data transmitted by the frequency delivering the software information are included. Software change system for portable wireless communication terminals.   Software information for changing the software that is constantly and repeatedly distributed from the base station is divided into an appropriate number, and standby information is periodically inserted between the divided software information. The software changing system for a portable radio communication terminal according to claim 5 or 6.   Means for changing the period of the standby information inserted between the divided software information, and means for additionally inserting information notifying the change of the data structure to be transmitted when the change is made The mobile wireless communication terminal software changing system according to claim 7, further comprising:   When the wireless communication terminal detects that the standby information received during reception of software information for changing the software includes a voice incoming notification or packet incoming notification to the wireless communication terminal, Means for holding the software information received so far and temporarily suspending reception of the software information; means for preferentially starting a response to the incoming voice call or incoming packet; and the voice communication or packet communication is terminated And means for resuming the reception of the software information, receiving the remaining software information, receiving all the divided software information, and executing a version upgrade of the software module built in the wireless communication terminal. A software change system for a portable radio communication terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising: A software module server having a database function that can be accessed from a wireless system network, a base station connected to the wireless system network, and a software module provided by the software module server are incorporated, and wireless communication with the base station is performed by the software. The base station used in a wireless system including a wireless communication terminal that performs
Means for inserting and transmitting information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal in broadcast information for performing a standby operation that is constantly transmitted in the base station area; and the broadcast A base station characterized by comprising means for constantly and repeatedly distributing software information for changing software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from that of information.   The software information for changing the software that is constantly and repeatedly distributed is divided into an appropriate number, and the waiting information is periodically inserted between the divided software information for transmission. The base station according to claim 10.   Means for changing the cycle of the standby information inserted between the divided software information, and information for notifying the change of the data structure to be transmitted upon the change is additionally inserted between the divided software information The base station according to claim 12, further comprising means for A software module server having a database function that can be accessed from the wireless system network, and information of the notification information that is connected to the wireless system network and is constantly transmitted to perform a standby operation to the wireless communication terminal in the area. Means for inserting and transmitting information for changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal, and changing the software built in the wireless communication terminal using a frequency different from the broadcast information A wireless system including a base station provided with means for constantly delivering software information for performing and a software module provided by the software module server, and including a wireless communication terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station using the software The wireless communication terminal used ,
Means for extracting information for changing the software included in the broadcast information received from the base station within an area controlled by the base station; and the wireless communication terminal is incorporated in the extracted information Means for comparing the software version in the information with the software version currently installed in the wireless communication terminal when there is information related to the software module, and the result of comparison by the comparison means, the extraction Means for receiving software information for changing the software by changing to reception of the frequency to which the software information is distributed when the software version in the information is a newer version, and the received software information Based on the above, version upgrade of the software module built into the wireless communication terminal Portable wireless communication terminal, characterized in that it comprises means for executing. The software information for changing the software that is constantly and repeatedly distributed from the base station is divided into an appropriate number, and standby information is periodically inserted between the divided software information. When the communication terminal detects that the standby information received during reception of the software information for changing the software includes a voice incoming notification or a packet incoming notification to the wireless communication terminal, Means for temporarily holding reception of the soft information by holding the received software information, means for preferentially starting a response to the incoming voice call or incoming packet, and after the voice communication or packet communication is completed, The reception of the software information is resumed, the remaining software information is received, and after all the divided software information is received, the wireless communication terminal is built in the wireless communication terminal. Portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a means for performing the upgrading of the software modules.

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