KR101083547B1 - Method of upgrading firmware and system for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A firmware update method and system for the same are provided to disperse an access point to an update server in order to receive a firmware file. CONSTITUTION: Each of a portable terminal determines time to connect to an update server(201). Each of portable terminals is connected to the time to the update server through the communication network. Each portable terminal updates the firmware file. The portable terminal includes an update result to a complete message.

Description

How to update firmware and system for it {METHOD OF UPGRADING FIRMWARE AND SYSTEM FOR THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a firmware update method and a system therefor, and more particularly, to a firmware update method and a system for performing the update by receiving the firmware file without a reception delay when receiving the firmware file for the update.

With the development of wireless communication technology, the technological development of portable terminals including various services and functions for user convenience, such as portable CDP (Compact Disk Player), portable MP3 player, PMP (Protable Multimedia Player), etc. Situation.

As the portable terminal has various functions and complexity, the software mounted on the portable terminal is also more likely to cause a lot of bugs, and there is an increasing demand for the addition of new functions after the release of the portable terminal. For this reason, portable terminals have recently accommodated various functions that reflect user needs. In particular, the recent portable terminal is not all development is completed at the product release stage, but also pursues the evolution of the software that is constantly loaded even after the initial release of the product.

Therefore, the development and production companies of portable terminals continue to modify and supplement firmware on the released products even after the initial release of the product. Here, the firmware generally refers to a micro program that controls hardware stored in a ROM, and is the same as software in terms of a program, but is separated from general application software in that it is closely related to hardware. Has the characteristics of both software and hardware.

Recently, new functions can be added to the portable terminal using only the firmware without changing the hardware of the portable terminal, and the firmware is frequently updated. Hereinafter, a firmware update system for updating a conventional firmware will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a firmware update system for a conventional firmware update.

Referring to FIG. 1, the firmware update system may include a manufacturer 101, a network 102, and a portable terminal 103. The network 102 may include an update server 112, a central server 122, It may be configured to include a plurality of sub-server 132 and the router 142. The manufacturer 101 is an operator developing the portable terminal 103 and provides update files such as drivers, firmware, and application programs developed for performance improvement, service expansion, and interworking of each device to the update server.

The update data server 112 receives the update file provided by the manufacturer 101 and provides the received update file to the central server 122. The central server 122 stores the update file received from the update data server 112 in the database 152. In addition, the central server 122 provides the received update file to the plurality of sub servers 132 and informs the router 142 of the reception of the update file. The router 142 transmits a push message to the portable terminal 103 periodically or aperiodically to perform a firmware update request, and determines whether the firmware can be updated according to the state of the portable terminal 103.

For example, when the router 142 sends a push message to the portable terminal 103 to perform a firmware update, but the portable terminal 103 is not currently in use (stand-by state) by the user, the portable terminal 103 ) May send a confirmation message to the router 142 to allow the update to be performed. Alternatively, the portable terminal 103 transmits a confirmation message to the router 142 according to the usage pattern of the user in consideration of the pattern (specific time zone) in which the user uses the portable terminal 103.

When the router 142 receives the confirmation message from the portable terminal 103, the router 142 receives the update file from one of the plurality of sub-servers 132 and transmits the update file to the portable terminal 103. The portable terminal 103 receiving the update file performs an update using the update file. However, the router 142 is inefficient because it must transmit a push message to the portable terminal 103 periodically or aperiodically in proportion to the number of the portable terminals 103. In addition, when the portable terminal 103 receives an update file by accessing a sub server transmitting the update file to a plurality of portable terminals among the plurality of sub servers 132, a problem that the reception speed of the update file is slowed is reduced. have.

A first object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a firmware update system for updating firmware.

A second object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a firmware file receiving apparatus for receiving a firmware file in a firmware update system.

A third object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a firmware file receiving method for receiving a firmware file in a firmware update system.

A fourth object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a firmware file providing method for providing a firmware file in a firmware update system.

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, the firmware update system according to the present invention receives and registers a firmware file from a manufacturer, transmits an update notification message to different types of portable terminals, and connects the portable terminals. An update server configured to transmit the registered firmware file to the portable terminal through a communication network and to receive an update completion message from the portable terminal, when the detection is detected; And when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating by using the update notification message, modulates an identifier to determine a time for accessing the update server, and at the determined time, The mobile terminal includes a portable terminal that accesses an update server, downloads a firmware file to perform an update, and includes the update result in an update complete message and transmits the result to the update server.

In the firmware update system according to the present invention for achieving the second object of the present invention, the firmware receiving apparatus includes: a message transmitting / receiving unit for receiving an update notification message from an update server; A determination unit for determining whether a firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating by using the update notification message and outputting a determination result; A determination unit for determining a time for accessing the update server by modulating the identifier of the receiving device when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating; And an execution unit which accesses the update server at the determined time, downloads a firmware file, performs an update, and outputs an execution result.

In the firmware update system according to the present invention for achieving the third object of the present invention, the method for receiving a firmware file includes receiving an update notification message from an update server through a communication network and registering the received update notification message with the updated server. Determining whether the firmware file is a file for updating; Determining a time for accessing the update server by modulating the identifier of the portable terminal according to the result of the determining; Accessing the update server at the determined time and receiving the registered firmware file through a communication network; And performing an update using the received firmware file and including the result in an update complete message and transmitting the result to the update server through a communication network.

A firmware file providing method in a firmware update system for achieving the fourth object of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving and registering a firmware file from a manufacturer; Transmitting an update notification message for notifying registration of the firmware file through a communication network to different types of portable terminals; When the connection of at least one portable terminal of the different types of portable terminals is detected and the current time is the time when the portable terminal accesses the update server, the firmware file is provided to the connected portable terminal through a communication network. Making; And receiving an update completion message from the portable terminal through a communication network.

In the case of using the firmware update system according to the present invention as described above, a plurality of portable terminals can distribute the time points for accessing the update server to receive the firmware file, thereby reducing the load on the update server. In addition, since the plurality of portable terminals can recognize that a file corresponding to their firmware file is registered by using an update notification message provided from the update server, the plurality of portable terminals can efficiently receive the firmware file.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a firmware update system for a conventional firmware update.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of a portable terminal of a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an update notification message transmitted from an update server to a mobile terminal in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart illustrating load distribution of an update server in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 illustrates a process in which a portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N receives a firmware file from an update server 201 to perform a firmware update in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart shown.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the update server 201 provides a firmware update to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

The terms first, second, A, B, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that another component may exist in between. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Various embodiments of the term "portable terminal" used in the present application include a cellular telephone, a smart phone having a wireless communication function, a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication function, a wireless modem, a portable computer having a wireless communication function, a wireless Integrates combinations of such functions, as well as photographing devices such as digital cameras with communications capabilities, gaming devices with wireless communications capabilities, music storage and playback appliances with wireless communications capabilities, and Internet appliances with wireless Internet access and browsing. It may include, but are not limited to, a portable unit or terminals.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the firmware update system may include an update server 201, a communication network 202, and portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N. In the firmware update system according to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N and the update server 201 may be connected through the communication network 202. Refers to all communication networks capable of transmitting and receiving firmware files wired and wirelessly. Wibro, public telephone networks, mobile communication networks, for example, code division multiple access (CDMA). And Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), but is not limited thereto.

The update server 201 may detect the registration of the firmware file provided by the manufacturer (not shown) and notify the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N of the firmware file registration. If the update server 201 detects that the firmware file is registered from the manufacturer, the update server 201 transmits an update notification message to the mobile terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N through the communication network 202. By registering the firmware file can be announced. Here, the update notification message may include message information and firmware file information received from the manufacturer, and the message information may include identification information of the update notification message, validation information, message length information, and the like. It may include manufacturer information, model information, version information, server URL information, and the like.

In addition, the update server 201 detects the connection of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., And 203_N, and the connected portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N can download the firmware file. You can determine if you have permission. First, a case in which the update server 201 determines that the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N have the authority to download the firmware file will be described. The portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N whose current time is earlier than the download end time of the firmware file and corresponds to the download time of the firmware file determined by the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N. Accesses the update server 201 through the communication network 202, the update server 201 determines that the connected portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N have the authority to download the firmware file. The firmware file registered from the manufacturer may be transmitted to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N.

Second, the case where the update server 201 determines that the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N do not have the authority to download the firmware file will be described. The portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N whose current time is earlier than the download end time of the firmware file and does not correspond to the download time of the firmware file determined by the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N ) Accesses the update server 201 through the communication network 202, the update server 201 does not have the authority to download the firmware file to the connected portable terminal (203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N) It determines and does not transmit the registered firmware file to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N.

In addition, the update server 201 may terminate the download of the firmware file according to the download end time of the firmware file. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the update server 201 is configured to prevent the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N from receiving the firmware file when the current time passes the download end time of the firmware file. Finish the download. The update server 201 may receive an update completion message from the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N. The update server 201 may recognize that the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N has successfully completed the update using the received firmware file by receiving the update completion message.

The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receive the update notification message from the update server 201, and the firmware file registered in the update server 201 using the received update notification message has its own firmware file. You can determine if the file is required for the update. First, a case in which it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file will be described.

The make and model of the firmware file of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N are the same as the make and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, and the update server 201 is larger than the version of its firmware file. If the version of the firmware registered in the s) is high, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N determine that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file.

Second, a case in which the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not determined to be a file necessary for updating its firmware file will be described. If the manufacturer and model of the firmware file of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N are not the same as the manufacturer and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,... , 203_N determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file necessary for updating its firmware file.

Further, even when the make and model of the firmware file of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N are the same as the make and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,. If the firmware version of .. 203_N is higher than the version of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not necessary for updating its own firmware file.

The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may determine the download end time of the firmware file using the update notification message received from the update server 201. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N can access the update server 201 and download the firmware file within 3 pm from the present by using the update notification message. It may be determined, and it may be determined that the firmware file may be downloaded by accessing the update server 201 within 12 pm on July 21.

In addition, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may determine the time for downloading the firmware file by accessing the update server 201 using the identifier. Here, the identifier may be a unique ID for identifying the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N, for example, a media access control (MAC) address, an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), and an electronic serial number (ESN). And the like, but are not limited thereto. Here, the process of determining the time for downloading the firmware file by accessing the update server 201 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may access the update server 201 and download the firmware file at the time determined using the identifier. The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N which have downloaded the firmware file perform an update by using the received firmware update, and transmit the update result to the update server 201 by including the result of the update in the update complete message. Next, the internal structure of the portable terminal of the firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N of a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may include a message transmission / reception unit 301, a determination unit 302, a determination unit 303, and an execution unit 304. Can be. The message transmitter / receiver 301 receives an update notification message from the update server 201 and transmits an update complete message to the update server 201 according to the update result of the performer 304.

The determination unit 302 may determine whether the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is necessary for updating the firmware file using the update notification message received from the message transmitter / receiver 301. First, if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file required for updating its firmware file, the manufacturer and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201 are the same, and When the version of the firmware registered in the update server 201 is higher than the version of the firmware file, the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file. .

Secondly, when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not necessary for updating the firmware file, the manufacturer and model of the current firmware file is the manufacturer of the firmware file registered in the update server 201. And if the model is not the same, the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file required for the update. Further, even if the make and model of the current firmware file are the same make and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, if the current firmware version is higher than the version of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the update server ( It is determined that the firmware file registered at 201) is not a file necessary for updating its firmware file.

The determination unit 303 may determine the time for downloading the firmware file by accessing the update server 201 according to the determination result of the determination unit 302. First, the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file, so that the determination unit 303 uses the identifier to inform the update server 201. A case of determining the time to connect will be described. Here, the identifier may include a unique ID for identifying the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N, for example, a MAC address, an IMEI, an ESN, and the like, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the ESN, which is a serial number of the portable terminal, is 570, the determination unit 303 updates the portable terminal 203_N-1 by using a result 3 of modulating the ESN with a predetermined integer 7. A time point for accessing the server 201 may be determined as time slot 3.

Secondly, when the determination result of the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,. Since 203_N does not need to receive the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the update server 201 does not need to be connected. For this reason, the determination unit 303 does not determine the time for connecting to the update server 201.

The execution unit 304 may access the update server 201 and receive the firmware file at the time of accessing the update server 201 determined by the determination unit 302. In addition, the execution unit 304 performs an update using the received firmware file, and transmits the result of the update to the message transmission / reception unit. Next, the structure of the update notification message transmitted from the update server to the mobile terminal in the firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an update notification message transmitted from an update server to a mobile terminal in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the update server 201 detects registration of a firmware file provided by a manufacturer, the update server 201 transmits an update notification message to the mobile terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N through the communication network 202. By doing so, it is possible to notify the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N of the registration of the firmware file. The update notification message may be configured to include a header 401 and a body 402. The header 401 may be configured to include identifier information, validation information, and length information of the message. 402 is firmware file information for validation information included in the header 401, for example, manufacturer information, model information, version information, and information of the update server 201, for example, of the update server 201. It may be configured to include URL information, download validity period information.

The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N use their firmware file information for the validation information included in the body 402 of the update notification message to register the firmware file registered in the update server 201 with their own firmware. You can determine if the file is needed for updating the file. First, when the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the body of the update notification message ( If the manufacturer information and model information included in 402 is the same as the manufacturer information and model information of its firmware file, and the version information included in the body 402 of the update notification message is higher than the version information of its firmware file, The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N determine that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file.

On the other hand, when the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file required for updating its firmware file, the body of the update notification message If the manufacturer information and model information included in 402 are not the same as the manufacturer information and model information of its own firmware file, the terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N are firmware registered in the update server 201. It is determined that the file is not necessary for updating its firmware file.

Also, even when the manufacturer information and model information included in the body 402 of the update notification message are the same as the manufacturer information and model information of its firmware file, the firmware versions of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N If the information is higher than the version information of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, it is determined that the file is not necessary for updating its firmware file.

When the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N 203_N may determine the download end time of the firmware file by using the download valid period information included in the body 402 of the update notification message.

In addition, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N having determined the download end time of the firmware file access the update server 201 and determine the time to download the firmware file before the determined end time. The firmware file may be downloaded by accessing the update server 201 using information of the update server 201 included in the body 402 of the update notification message. Next, the load distribution of the update server in the firmware update system for firmware update according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a sequence chart illustrating load distribution of an update server in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the message transmitter / receiver 301 receives an update notification message from the update server 201, and transmits an update complete message to the update server 201 according to a result of performing the update of the performer 304. . The determination unit 302 may determine whether the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is necessary for updating the firmware file using the update notification message received from the message transmitter / receiver 301. The determination unit 303 may determine the time to access the update server 201 according to the determination result of the determination unit 302.

First, a case in which the determination result of the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file to determine the time to access the update server 201. Shall be. The determination unit 303 may determine the time for downloading the firmware file by accessing the update server 201 using the identifier. Here, the identifier may include a unique ID for identifying the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N, for example, a MAC address, an IMEI, an ESN, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the MAC address, which is an absolute value assigned to the LAN card in the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N, is a type of 00-EC-4C-E3-7E-69, The first six hexadecimal digits 00-EC-4C are producers' codes, and the remaining six hexadecimal digits E3-7E-69 are serial numbers that identify the portable terminal 203_N-1. The determination unit 303 converts the last two hexadecimal numbers 69 of these serial numbers into 105, which is a decimal number, and updates the portable terminal 203_N-1 by using a result of performing a modulation operation on the converted 105 to a predetermined integer 7. The time point for connecting to the server 201 is determined from the time point t0 to the time point t1. Here, the determination unit 303 may determine that the time point at which the two portable terminals 230_1 and 230_N access the update server 201 is one time point, for example, time point t3 and time point t4, according to the modulation operation result of the identifier. have. Through this process, the time point at which the portable terminal 203_3 and the portable terminal 203_2 connect to the update server 201 is determined from time t1 to time t2, and time t5 to time t6.

Secondly, when the determination result of the determination unit 302 determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,. Since 203_N does not need to receive the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the update server 201 does not need to be connected. For this reason, the determination unit 303 does not determine the time for connecting to the update server 201.

The execution unit 304 connects to the update server 201 and receives the firmware file at a time point when the execution unit 304 can access the update server 201 determined by the determination unit 302. Here, the portable terminal 230_N-1 is from t0 to t1, the portable terminal 230_3 is from t1 to t2, and the portable terminal 230_1 and the portable terminal 230_N are from t3 to t4, The terminal 230_2 may access the update server 201 from time t5 to time t6 to receive the firmware file. The execution unit 304 performs an update using the received firmware file, and transmits the result of the update to the message transmitter / receiver. In the following, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receives a firmware file from the update server 201 in the firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 6 to update the firmware. The process of performing will be described in more detail.

6 illustrates a process in which a portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N receives a firmware file from an update server 201 to perform a firmware update in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart shown.

Referring to FIG. 6, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receive an update notification message from the update server 201 connected through the communication network 202 (601). The portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receiving the update notification message determines whether the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file (602). .

First, if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the manufacturer of the firmware file of the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N and If the model is the same manufacturer and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, and the version of the firmware registered in the update server 201 is higher than the version of its own firmware file, the portable terminal (203_1, 203_2,. ..., 203_N determines that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its firmware file.

Second, if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not necessary to update its own firmware file, the manufacturer of the firmware file of the mobile terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N will be described. If the model and the model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201 are not the same, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may have its own firmware file registered in the update server 201. It is determined that the file is not necessary for updating the firmware file.

Further, even when the make and model of the firmware file of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N are the same as the make and model of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,. If the firmware version of .. 203_N is higher than the version of the firmware file registered in the update server 201, it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not necessary for updating its own firmware file.

If it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is a file necessary for updating its own firmware file, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receives the update notification message received from the update server 201. The download end time of the firmware file is determined by using (603). On the other hand, if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server 201 is not a file necessary for updating its firmware file, the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N receives the firmware file from the update server 201. It exits without downloading it.

The portable terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N determined to be a file necessary for updating the firmware file determines the time to download the firmware file by accessing the update server 201 (603). If the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N connects to the update server 201 at the determined access time (605), the portable terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N is the update server. A firmware file may be downloaded by accessing 201 (507). On the other hand, when the time that the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N access the update server 201 does not correspond to the connection time of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N (505) ), The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N are in a connection waiting state until their connection time (606).

The portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N receiving the firmware file from the update server 201 through the communication network 202 perform an update using the received firmware file (608). The terminal 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N includes the firmware update result in the update completion message and transmits the result to the update server 201 (609). Next, the process of providing the firmware update to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N by the update server 201 in the firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. It will be described in more detail.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the update server 201 provides a firmware update to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N in a firmware update system for firmware update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the update server 201 detects registration of a firmware file provided by a manufacturer (701). If the update server 201 detects that the firmware file is registered from the manufacturer (701), the update server 201 transmits an update notification message to the mobile terminal 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N. The registration of the firmware file may be notified by transmitting through 703. Here, the update notification message may include message information and firmware file information received from the manufacturer, and the message information may include identification information of the update notification message, validation information, message length information, and the like. It may include manufacturer information, model information, version information, server URL information, and the like. On the other hand, if the update server 201 does not detect that the firmware file is registered from the manufacturer (701), the update server 201 waits until the firmware file is registered (702) to detect the registration of the firmware file.

The connection of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N may be detected. 704. If the connection of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N is not detected, the update server may be detected. 201 waits until the connection of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N is detected (705). On the other hand, when the connection of the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N is detected, the update server 201 that detects the connection determines whether the current time is earlier than the download termination time of the firmware file (706). If the current time is earlier than the download end time of the firmware file, the update server 201 may include the portable terminal 203_1 corresponding to the download time of the firmware file determined by the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N. If it is determined that 203_2, ..., 203_N are connected through the communication network 202 (707), the update server 201 may download the firmware file to the connected portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N. In operation 708, the firmware file may be transmitted to the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N. The update server 201 receives an update complete message including a firmware update result from the portable terminals 203_1, 203_2,..., 203_N (709).

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims It can be understood that

101: manufacturer 102: network
103: portable terminal 112: update server
122: central server `132: multiple subservers
142: router 152: database
201: update server 202: communication network
203_1, 203_2, ..., 203_N: portable terminal
301: message transmission / reception unit 302: determination unit
303: determination unit 304: execution unit
401: header 402: body

Claims (20)

In the firmware update system,
Receives and registers a firmware file from a manufacturer, transmits an update notification message to a plurality of portable terminals, and when the connection of the portable terminal is detected, transmits the registered firmware file to the portable terminal through a communication network, An update server for receiving an update completion message from the terminal; And
On the basis of the update notification message, when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating, an operation of modulating an identifier to determine the time to access the update server is performed, and the update is performed through the communication network at the determined time. And a portable terminal connected to a server, downloading a firmware file to perform an update, and including the update result in an update complete message and transmitting the update result to the update server. The method of claim 1, wherein the update server,
And if the connection of the portable terminal is detected, but the current time is different from the time of accessing the update server determined by the portable terminal, the registered firmware file is not transmitted to the portable terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the update notification message,
Firmware update system comprising a header and body. The method of claim 3, wherein the header,
Firmware update system comprising the identifier information of the update notification message, validation information, the length information of the message. The method of claim 3, wherein the body,
A firmware update system comprising firmware file information and update server information for validation information. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable terminal,
And if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is not a file for updating by using the update notification message, the firmware file is not received from the update server. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network,
Firmware update system, characterized in that the communication network that can directly connect the update server and the portable terminal by wire or wireless. In the firmware file receiving apparatus in the firmware update system,
A message transmitter / receiver for receiving an update notification message from an update server through a communication network;
A determination unit which determines whether a firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating by using the received update notification message and outputs a determination result;
A determination unit for determining a time for accessing the update server by modulating the identifier of the receiving device when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating; And
And an execution unit which accesses the update server at the determined time, downloads a firmware file, performs an update, and outputs an execution result. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining unit,
And when it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is not a file for updating, the determination unit does not receive the firmware file from the update server. The method of claim 8, wherein the message transmitting and receiving unit,
And transmitting the update completion message to the update server according to the output result of the execution unit. The method of claim 8, wherein the communication network,
Portable terminal, characterized in that the communication network that can be directly connected to the update server by wire or wireless. In the firmware update system receiving a firmware file,
Receiving an update notification message from an update server through a communication network, and determining whether a firmware file registered in the update server is a file for updating by using the received update notification message;
Determining a time for accessing the update server by modulating the identifier of the portable terminal according to the result of the determining;
Accessing the update server at the determined time and receiving the registered firmware file through a communication network; And
And performing an update using the received firmware file and including the result in an update complete message and transmitting the result to the update server through a communication network. The method of claim 12, wherein the update notification message,
Firmware file receiving method comprising a header and a body. The method of claim 13, wherein the header,
Firmware file receiving method comprising the identifier information, validation information, the message length information of the update notification message. The method of claim 13, wherein the body,
A firmware file receiving method comprising firmware file information and update server information for validation information. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving step,
And if it is determined that the firmware file registered in the update server is not an update file, the firmware file is not received from the update server. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication network,
Firmware file receiving method characterized in that the communication network that can be directly connected to the update server by wire or wireless. In the firmware update system providing a firmware file,
Receiving and registering a firmware file from a manufacturer;
Transmitting an update notification message for notifying registration of the firmware file through a communication network to different types of portable terminals;
When the connection of at least one portable terminal of the different types of portable terminals is detected and the current time is the time when the portable terminal accesses the update server, providing the firmware file to the connected portable terminal through a communication network. step; And
And receiving an update completion message from the portable terminal through a communication network. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the firmware file comprises:
If the connection of the portable terminal is detected, but the current time is different from the time the portable terminal accesses the update server, the firmware file providing method characterized in that the firmware file is not provided to the connected portable terminal. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication network,
Firmware file providing method characterized in that the communication network that can be directly connected to the portable terminal by wire or wireless.

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