KR20030010986A - Firmware upgrade system and a method for portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system and method for upgrading a firmware of a mobile device is provided to append new function using software by upgrading a firmware of a mobile device. CONSTITUTION: A computer(200) may be connected to a server for supplying a firmware with respect to a DCDP(Digital Convergence Disk Player)(100) through the Internet. The computer(200) may search and download the newest firmware with respect to the DCDP(100). A storage(143) of the DCDP(100) stores a position of a firmware downloaded in the computer(200). A user sets a position of a firmware to be downloaded to the computer(200) in advance and stores the position of firmware set by an input unit(148) in the storage(143). An interfacing unit(144) is connected to the computer(200) and transmits/receives data to the computer(200). A display unit(145) is controlled by a control unit(141), displays a selection menu with respect to an upgrade or not of a firmware, or displays a message for enabling the user to input a proper command necessary for an operation control of the DCDP(100). A flash memory(150) stores a firmware for an operation of the DCDP(100). If an upgrade command is inputted through the input unit(148), the control unit(141) searches a position of a firmware downloaded in the computer(200) from the storage(143).

Description

Firmware upgrade system and a method for portable device}

The present invention relates to a firmware upgrade system and method, and more particularly, to a system and method for upgrading firmware for operation of a portable device.

With the development of modern technology, useful devices for reproducing or restoring desired information regardless of time and place have been widely used. Among the devices that have been popularly presented are recording media such as magnetic tape, floppy disk (FD), compact disk (CD), and the like, and devices using the recording media. With the development of digital technology, these recording media are getting larger and the system is getting smaller and faster. The development of such recording media and systems, and the popularization of the Internet, enable individuals to acquire and store large amounts of information.

Recently, a compact disk having a diameter of 32 mm and having a large capacity of 500 megabytes in comparison with its size and a device for driving the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a digital convergence disk (DCD)) (hereinafter referred to as a digital convergence disk) The term 'player' and 'portable device' are used interchangeably, making it easier for users to carry large amounts of information.

With the development of digital technology, portable devices with new performance are being developed day by day, and the life of new products is getting shorter. However, buying a new product every time a new product comes out is a luxury.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a firmware upgrade system and method for adding new functions in software by upgrading firmware of a portable device.

1 is a schematic illustration of a computer connected to a server via the Internet;

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a firmware upgrade system according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the DCDP of FIG.

4 is a block diagram illustrating data exchange between a host and a register included in the DCDP of FIG. 2;

5 is a plan view showing one surface of the DCD divided by recording area;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a firmware upgrade process according to FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: DCD 12: Hole

14: ID number recording area 16: data recording area

18: File system recording area 100: DCD digital device

120: engine portion 127: register portion

140: host 200: computer

A firmware upgrade system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a computer capable of downloading the latest version of firmware from a server connected through a communication network, and a portable device connected to the computer and capable of transmitting and receiving data with the computer The portable device includes a flash memory, and compares the firmware downloaded to the computer with the firmware stored in the flash memory, and if the downloaded firmware is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory, the portable device includes a flash memory. The stored firmware may be upgraded to the downloaded firmware.

Preferably, the portable device is connected to the computer, the interface for transmitting and receiving data with the computer, an input unit for inputting an upgrade command for upgrading the firmware stored in the flash memory, the firmware of the firmware downloaded to the computer When the upgrade command is input through the storage unit storing the location and the input unit, the location of the firmware downloaded from the storage unit is searched, and the firmware downloaded through the interface unit is received according to the retrieved location of the firmware. And a control unit for upgrading the firmware stored in the flash memory to the received firmware when the version of the firmware is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory.

Preferably, the firmware upgrade system further includes a display unit which displays a selection menu for whether to upgrade the firmware.

Here, if the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit does not match the location of the downloaded firmware, the control unit displays a message to modify the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit on the display unit, and corrects through the input unit. When the command is input, it is preferable that the firmware is implemented to receive the firmware according to the modified location of the firmware.

Meanwhile, according to the firmware upgrade system according to the present invention, interfacing a portable device to a computer capable of downloading the latest version of firmware from a server connected through a communication network, the firmware downloaded from the downloaded location of the preset firmware Receiving, comparing the received firmware with the firmware stored in the flash memory provided in the portable device, and if the received version of the firmware is newer than the version of the firmware stored in the flash memory A firmware upgrade method is provided that includes upgrading the firmware stored in a flash memory to the received firmware.

Preferably, in the firmware upgrade method, determining whether an upgrade command is input through an input unit provided in the portable device, and when the upgrade command is input through the input unit, searching for a location of the downloaded firmware stored in a storage unit. The method may further include receiving the firmware downloaded from the location of the firmware searched through an interfacing unit.

The firmware upgrade method may further include displaying a selection menu on whether to upgrade the firmware stored in the flash memory on a display unit.

In addition, the firmware upgrade method, if the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit does not match the location of the downloaded firmware, displaying a message to the display unit to modify the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit, And receiving the firmware according to the modified position of the firmware when a modification command is input through the input unit.

As a result, the firmware upgrade system according to the present invention enables the firmware of the portable device to be upgraded, thereby adding a new function to the portable device.

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

1 is a diagram schematically showing a computer connected to a server via the Internet, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a firmware upgrade system according to the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the computer 200 may be connected to a server 400 providing firmware for the DCDP 100 through the Internet 300.

The computer 200 may access the server 400 to search for the latest version of the firmware for the DCDP 100, as well as download the latest version of the found firmware.

The DCDP 100 includes a control unit 141, a storage unit 143, an interface unit 144, a display unit 145, an input unit 148, and a flash memory 150. 200).

The storage unit 143 of the DCDP 100 stores the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200. Here, the user may preset the location of the firmware to be downloaded to the computer 200 and store the location of the firmware set through the input unit 148 in the storage unit 143. In addition, the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit 143 is preferably implemented to be changed through the input unit 148 when the storage location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 is changed. The interfacing unit 144 is connected to the computer 200 to transmit and receive data with the computer 200.

The display unit 145 is controlled by the control unit 141 to display a selection menu on whether to upgrade the firmware or to display a message so that a user can input an appropriate command necessary for controlling the operation of the DCDP 100.

The input unit 148 is implemented to input an upgrade command for upgrading the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 to the latest version of the firmware.

The flash memory 150 stores firmware for performing the operation of the DCDP 100. The flash memory 150 is a non-volatile storage unit continuously supplied with power and may be erased or reprogrammed in units of blocks. The flash memory 150 is one of variants of the EEPROM, which is fast because it is modified in units of blocks unlike the EEPROM, which can be erased or modified at the byte level.

When the upgrade command is input through the input unit 148, the controller 141 retrieves the location of the firmware downloaded from the storage unit 143 to the computer 200. The controller 141 receives the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 from the location of the firmware retrieved through the interface 144. In addition, the controller 141 determines whether the received firmware version is newer than the firmware version stored in the flash memory 150, and when the received firmware version is the latest version, the controller 141 stores the stored firmware in the flash memory 150. Upgrade the firmware to the received firmware.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the DCDP of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating data exchange between a host and a register included in the DCDP of FIG. 2. Here, the same member numbers are assigned to the same members as in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the DCDP 100 includes an engine unit 120 and a host 140.

The engine unit 120 is a device for reading out predetermined information from the DCD 10 by rotating the detachably mounted DCD 10 or recording the predetermined information in the DCD 10. The host 140 may be connected to the engine unit 120 to control the engine unit 120, and may be connected to an external device, for example, a personal computer (PC) 200, to control the engine unit 120.

The engine unit 120 includes a DCD deck unit 122, a DCD servo 124, a buffer 125, an engine memory 126, an engine control unit 128, and an engine interface 129.

The DCD deck unit 122 is controlled by the engine controller 128 when the DCD 10 is inserted into the DCD drive 122a to record data in the DCD 10 or to pick up data from the DCD 10.

The DCD servo 124 drives a DCD drive (not shown) under the control of the engine controller 128. That is, the DCD servo 124 rotates the DCD 10 by varying the speed according to the signal received from the engine controller 128.

The engine controller 128 transmits and receives data to and from the controller 141 of the host 140 through the engine interface 129. Attribute information about files recorded in the DCD 10 received from the DCD deck unit 122 is transmitted to the control unit 141 of the host 140 through the engine interface unit 129.

The buffer 125 is for temporarily storing data to be recorded and reproduced when data is recorded and reproduced with respect to the DCD 10, and may use a static random access memory (SRAM). The engine memory 126 is for storing code values and control data of various command words promised between the DCD 10, the engine unit 120, and the engine unit 120 and the host 140. memory: flash RAM) can be used. The engine controller 128 controls the DCD deck 122, the DCD servo 124, and the buffer 125. The engine interface 129 provides an interface between the engine unit 120 and the host 140.

The host 140 includes a control unit 141, a power supply unit 142, a storage unit 143, an external interface 144, a display unit 145, an audio output unit 146, a voice input unit 147, an input unit 148, and The battery remaining detection unit 149 is included.

The control unit 141 is connected to the engine interface 129 and accesses the engine unit 120 to control not only recording and reading data but also reproducing the read data and the entire DCDP 100. In addition, the controller 141 controls the entire DCDP 100 to process the reproduction / recording of the file according to the attribute information of the data read out in units of files.

The controller 141 includes a timer 141a and an OSD processor 141b. The timer 141a provides time information for controlling the DCDP 100. The OSD processor 141b provides various character information to be displayed on the display unit 145.

The power supply unit 142 includes a main battery 142a and a backup battery 142b. The main battery 142a provides a power source for driving the DCDP 100. The backup battery 142a provides power for returning data remaining in the storage unit 143 to the DCD 10 after the power of the DCDP 100 is turned off. The remaining battery detection unit 149 checks the remaining amount of the main battery 142a and transmits the result to the controller 141.

In addition, the storage unit 143 is controlled by the control unit 141, receives and stores the location information of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 from the interface unit 144. The display unit 145 is controlled by the controller 141 and may display firmware location information stored in the storage unit 143. In addition, the display unit 145 is implemented to display a user selection menu on whether to upgrade the firmware. In addition, when an error occurs in the operation of the DCDP 100, the display unit 145 may be implemented to display a message for inducing a proper solution along with a menu for the error. As a result, the user can input a control command for properly instructing the operation of the DCDP 100 by the selection menu and the message displayed on the display unit 145.

The external interface 144 of the control unit 141 used a USB interface as an interface between the DCDP 100 and the PC 200.

The audio output unit 146 is controlled by the control unit 141 and outputs audio data reproduced from the DCD 10. The voice input unit 147 processes the voice command input from the user and transmits the voice command to the controller 141. Of course, the user may input a command to the DCDP 100 through the input unit 148. Here, the input unit 148 is used for inputting a user's upgrade selection command for firmware stored in the flash memory 150 or a position information modification command of firmware downloaded to the computer 200 stored in the storage unit 143. do.

The engine unit 120 also includes a register unit 127 composed of four registers as shown in FIG. The register section 127 is composed of a control register 127a, a status register 127b, a byte counter register 127c, and a data register 127d, and each register is used for communication with the host 140. The host 140 selects a register to be accessed from among the registers of the register unit 127 according to the values of the two bit bits (DPI_ADD0 and DPI_ADD1) for the DCD interface. The host 140 performs a write operation on the control register 127a, and the engine 120 performs a read operation.

The control register 127a has the function control and interface interrupt enable / disable values recorded by the host 140. The host 140 can read only the status register 127b, and the engine unit 120 can both read and write the status register 127b. The status register 127b holds status information and interrupt reason information. The host 140 and the engine unit 120 may perform both write and read operations with respect to the byte counter register 127c. However, the host 140 may write to the byte counter register 127c only when the BUSY bit of the status register 127b is clear, and the data DATA bit of the status register 127b is set. Only return valid information is read from the byte counter register 127c. The byte counter register 127c contains the byte count for the next command, data, or status mode transfer. The host 140 and the engine unit 120 can both read and write the data register 127d. However, the host 140 writes the data to the data register 127d to transmit data to the engine unit 120 during the command and data out phases. In addition, the host 140 reads the data register 127d to transmit data from the engine unit 120 during the status and data in phases.

Between the host 140 and the engine unit 120, a physical layer physically connecting the host 140 and the engine unit 120, and information between the host 140 and the engine unit 120. A data-link layer defining a method used for the exchange, a command layer recording commands related to data for the DCD 10 to control data accessed by the engine unit 120, and There are four layers of connection states, including an application layer including file data / meta data mapping and a user interface. The connection status of the four layers existing between the host 140 and the engine unit 120 is such that file data / metadata recorded in the DCD driven by the engine unit 120 is smoothly transmitted to the host 140 to be processed. To be able.

5 is a plan view showing one surface of the DCD divided by recording areas. Referring to the drawings, the DCD 10 has a disc shape, and is divided into a hole 12, a unique number recording area 14, a data recording area 16, and a file system recording area 18 in the circumferential direction from the center of the disc. It is.

The hole 12 is formed in the central portion of the DCD 10, and mitigates the shaking while the DCD 10 is rotated. The unique number recording area 14 of the DCD 10 is formed in a ring type so as to occupy a predetermined range around the hole 12. In this unique number recording area 14, a unique number assigned to each DCD 10 is recorded in order to distinguish each DCD 10 from each other. In addition, the unique number recording area 14 includes identifiable information on one side and the other side of one DCD 10 according to the characteristics of the DCD 10 which is a double-sided recordable optical recording medium. The data recording area 16 is an area in which files including music data, document data, video data, and the like are recorded, and occupies most of the DCD capacity.

The file system recording area 18 is formed in a ring shape at the outermost part of the DCD 10, and information about each file recorded in the data recording area 16 of the DCD 10, namely, file system information and directory. The information is recorded. The file system information includes a file size, a file name, a recording date and time for a file recorded in the data recording area 16 of the DCD 10, a format of a recorded file, location information for recording each recorded file, and The last modified date and time of the file.

Directory information refers to a space separated to store files related to each other in a group. Unrelated files are not mixed by being stored in different directories.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a firmware upgrade process according to FIG. 2. Referring to the figure, the user connects the computer 200 to the server 400 providing the latest version of firmware via the Internet 300. The computer 200 connected to the server 400 may download the latest version of firmware provided from the server 400 (S601). Here, the server 400 refers to a server that can upgrade and provide firmware for the operation of the DCDP 100 at any time.

The interfacing unit 144 of the DCDP 100 is connected to the computer 200 connected to the server 400 providing the firmware via the computer 200 or the Internet 300 where the latest version of the firmware has been downloaded (S603). . The interface unit 144 of the DCDP 100 is connected to the computer 200 to transmit and receive data with the computer 200.

When the interface unit 144 of the DCDP 100 is connected to the computer 200, the control unit 141 of the DCDP 100 may upgrade the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 of the DCDP 100. Is displayed on the display unit 145 (S605). The user may select an upgrade command according to the selection menu displayed on the display unit 145 and input the upgrade command through the input unit 148. When the user's selection command is input through the input unit 148, the controller 141 determines whether the input signal is an upgrade command (S607).

If the upgrade command of the user is not input through the input unit 148, the controller 141 terminates the firmware upgrade process of the firmware upgrade system, and controls the DCDP 100 to perform an operation according to another operation mode of the DCDP 100. To control.

If it is determined that the user's selection command input through the input unit 148 is an upgrade command, the control unit 141 searches for the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 stored in the storage unit 143 (S609). Here, the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 is data in which the user pre-specifies a directory for storing the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 and inputs the designated directory through the input unit 148.

The controller 141 searches the directory of the computer 200 corresponding to the searched location and determines whether the searched location matches the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 (S611). In this case, if the firmware corresponding to the operation of the DCDP 100 is searched by searching the directory corresponding to the searched location, it is determined that the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 matches the searched location. Here, the firmware for the operation of the DCDP 100 includes a predetermined identification code, and if the firmware including the identification code is found, the controller 141 recognizes that the firmware is related to the operation of the DCDP 100. Done.

If it is determined that the location of the retrieved firmware coincides with the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200, the controller 141 determines the location of the firmware retrieved through the interfacing unit 144, that is, the directory of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200. Received firmware downloaded from the (S613).

When the downloaded firmware is received, the controller 141 determines whether the received firmware version is newer than the firmware version stored in the flash memory 150 of the DCDP 100 (S615). If it is determined that the version of the received firmware is newer than the version of the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 of the DCDP 100, the controller 141 upgrades the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 to the received firmware ( S617). However, if the version of the received firmware is not the latest version than the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 of the DCDP 100, the controller 141 terminates the upgrade process of the firmware upgrade system.

If the location of the retrieved firmware does not match the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200, that is, it is determined that the firmware for the operation of the DCDP 100 does not exist at the location retrieved from the storage unit 143, the controller The display unit 145 displays a message for correcting the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit 143 (S619). By the message displayed on the display unit 145, the user can correct and input correct location information of the firmware downloaded to the computer 200.

When a signal is input to the input unit 148 by the user, the controller 141 determines whether the location information of the firmware stored in the storage unit 143 has been modified (S621). If the location information of the firmware stored in the storage unit 143 is corrected correctly, the controller 141 receives the firmware downloaded to the computer 200 according to the modified location information of the firmware and upgrades the firmware stored in the flash memory 150. You can do it. However, if there is no signal input through the input unit 148 within a predetermined time, the control unit 141 terminates the upgrade process of the firmware upgrade system.

Here, the controller 141 may be implemented to receive the downloaded firmware according to the modified location information of the firmware, and to determine whether to upgrade by comparing the version of the received firmware with the version of the firmware stored in the flash memory 150. . In addition, even if there is a signal input through the input unit 148 within a predetermined time, the controller 141 ends the operation of the firmware upgrade system even when the input signal is not the location information or does not match the location of the downloaded firmware. Can be implemented.

As a result, the firmware upgrade system may upgrade the firmware stored in the flash memory 150 of the DCDP 100 at any time, thereby continuously improving the performance of the DCDP 100.

According to the present invention, the firmware upgrade system is capable of continuously improving the performance of the portable device by upgrading the firmware of the portable device accessible to the computer.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications, as well as such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

A computer capable of downloading the latest version of firmware from a server connected via a communication network; And A portable device connected to the computer and capable of transmitting and receiving data with the computer; The portable device includes a flash memory, and comparing the firmware downloaded to the computer with the firmware stored in the flash memory and the firmware stored in the flash memory if the downloaded firmware is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory. Firmware upgrade system, characterized in that to upgrade the downloaded firmware. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable device, An interface unit connected to the computer and configured to transmit and receive data with the computer; An input unit for inputting an upgrade command for upgrading firmware stored in the flash memory; A storage unit to store the location of the firmware downloaded to the computer; And When the upgrade command is input through the input unit, the location of the firmware downloaded from the storage unit is searched, and the firmware version received by receiving the firmware downloaded through the interfacing unit according to the searched position of the firmware is displayed. And a controller for upgrading the firmware stored in the flash memory to the received firmware when the firmware is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory. The method of claim 2, And a display unit for displaying a selection menu for upgrading the firmware. The method of claim 3, wherein If the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit does not match the location of the downloaded firmware, the control unit displays a message to correct the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit on the display unit, and a correction command is input through the input unit. The firmware upgrade system of a portable device, characterized in that for receiving the firmware according to the modified location of the firmware. Interfacing the portable device to a computer capable of downloading the latest version of firmware from a server connected via a communication network; Receiving the downloaded firmware from a preset download location of the firmware; Comparing the received firmware with firmware stored in a flash memory provided in the portable device; And Upgrading the firmware stored in the flash memory to the received firmware when the received version of the firmware is newer than a version of the firmware stored in the flash memory. How to upgrade the firmware. The method of claim 5, Determining whether an upgrade command is input through an input unit provided in the portable device; Searching for the location of the downloaded firmware stored in a storage unit when the upgrade command is input through the input unit; Receiving the firmware downloaded from the location of the firmware retrieved through an interfacing unit; Firmware upgrade method of a portable device further comprising. The method of claim 6, And displaying a selection menu on whether to upgrade the firmware stored in the flash memory on a display unit. The method of claim 7, wherein If the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit does not match the location of the downloaded firmware, displaying a message on the display unit to modify the location of the firmware stored in the storage unit; And Receiving the firmware according to the modified position of the firmware when the correction command is input through the input unit; Firmware upgrade method of a portable device further comprising.