KR20040090566A - Method of upgrading software using smartcard in wireless terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for upgrading software by using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal is provided to enable a wireless communication terminal to store software transmitted through a wireless communication network in a smart card, and to upgrade the software of the terminal by using the smart card, thereby stably upgrading the software. CONSTITUTION: A wireless communication terminal receives a software upgrade request(301). The terminal decides whether a current smart card can upgrade software(302). If so, the terminal backs up existing software in the smart card(303), and receives software to be upgraded from a wireless communication network to store the received software in the smart card(304). When the software is fully downloaded in the smart card, the terminal receives the software from the smart card to store the software in a nonvolatile memory, and upgrades the software(305).

Description

Software upgrade method using smart card in wireless communication terminal {METHOD OF UPGRADING SOFTWARE USING SMARTCARD IN WIRELESS TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a method for upgrading software using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the method.

In the present invention, a wireless communication terminal is a mobile communication terminal, a personal mobile communication terminal (PCS), a personal digital terminal (PDA), a smart phone, a next generation mobile communication terminal (IMT-2000), wireless communication while carrying an individual such as a wireless LAN terminal Say this is possible terminal.

Today, integrated circuit (IC) cards, which are widely used in various fields such as telecommunications, finance, transportation, and e-commerce, are growing rapidly due to the increase of internet usage and the change of information and communication environment. In particular, based on the development of semiconductor and software technology, the application field is expanding due to the large amount of information recording capability and high security that the existing magnetic card does not have.

There are largely memory cards and smart cards in the IC card, and memory cards are cards that store only data. Smart cards have a logic operation circuit and a central processing unit (CPU) to perform small computer functions. It is a card that can be. Smart cards are used in various ways, such as IC cards, chip cards, microprocessor cards, and CPU cards, depending on the scope of application. Generally, smart cards are equipped with "microprocessors, operating systems, security modules, memory, etc." Credit card-sized plastic cards with built-in circuit chips. There are usually the most in the form of credit cards, and there are also quite a few that are inserted into wireless communication terminals.

In addition, smart cards are divided into two types according to the communication method with the outside, using a contact card to insert the gold-plated contact surface into the terminal slot and the antenna built in the card to the RF (Radio Frequency) signal There is a contactless card to communicate with. The smart card does not have a built-in battery, power is supplied from the outside by the reader, and the memory uses an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) that can retain its contents even when no voltage is supplied. In contrast, a memory card is a microprocessor-less, memory-only card, which, in a strict sense, is not a smart card but is widely included.

Such a smart card is composed of a processor, memory, input and output devices, a chip operating system (COS) and application service software. An 8-bit processor is mainly used as a processor, but a 32-bit processor is expected to be used in the future. In addition, memory for storing security keys, data, application services, protocols, and encryption algorithms has also increased from several bytes to tens of kilobytes (KBytes).

Smart card modules used in wireless communication terminals are typical of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), etc. There is this.

The subscriber identity module (SIM) is a smart card module inserted into a European mobile phone (GSM) terminal for mobile communication network authentication, and conforms to ISO 7816, and stores non-volatile data (telephone number, mobile communication service provider, Personal phone books, etc.) and limited cryptographic functions and software execution. The SIM card using the subscriber identity module (SIM) includes a phone number, a personal security key, and data necessary for operating the mobile communication terminal. When the card is installed in a new mobile terminal, the call can be made to the new mobile terminal. In addition to the security function, this card can store all the information stored in the existing mobile communication terminal and can also be used as a debit card, credit card, bus card. Currently, the subscriber identity module (SIM) card is being developed as a core platform for implementing future revenue-based data services centered on European mobile phone (GSM) mobile communication service providers.

The User Identity Module (UIM) is a smart card module that conforms to ISO 7816. It is inserted into multiple modes of code division multiple access (CDMA) and roams in European mobile telephone (GSM) networks. A user identification module (UIM) card using a user identification module (UIM) is a type of CDMA Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

The Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) is also a smart card module that conforms to ISO 7816. It is inserted into 3rd generation mobile communication terminals to provide network authentication and additional functions. It is standardized.

On the other hand, as the functions of the wireless communication terminal are diversified day by day, software upgrades are often necessary. However, in the related art, in order to upgrade the software of the wireless communication terminal, a service center or the like may be directly visited to connect a computer and a wireless communication terminal, and the wireless communication terminal may download and upgrade the software stored in the computer.

However, this method is very inconvenient because the user must visit the service center, etc., and there is a problem in that a large part of the subscriber information is lost during the upgrade.

In addition, in a case where a patch file or the like is to be distributed in a batch due to a defect in software, all of the wireless communication terminals are collected or all users have to visit the service center.

As a more improved method, there is a method in which a wireless communication terminal directly downloads software through a base station and stores it in a nonvolatile memory (Nvram). However, if a problem occurs while downloading software to a nonvolatile memory Nvram provided to the wireless communication terminal, there is a problem that the wireless communication terminal cannot be restored to its previous state.

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, a method for upgrading the software of the wireless communication terminal by storing the software received through the wireless communication network in the wireless communication terminal in the smart card, using the smart card. And a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the method.

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied.

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of a smart card used in the present invention.

Figure 3 is an embodiment of a method for upgrading the software using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a state transition when software is being upgraded in a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

11: Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC) 12: Wireless Communication Network

13: wireless communication terminal 14: smart card

21: CPU (CPU) 22: RAM

23: EEPROM 24: ROM

25: input / output device

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for upgrading software using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal, wherein the wireless communication terminal receives a software upgrade request from the outside to determine whether the smart card can be upgraded. Confirming the first step; A second step of receiving, by the wireless communication terminal, software to be upgraded from a wireless communication network and receiving the software to be upgraded from the wireless communication network side as it is confirmed that the smart card is capable of upgrading the software in the first step; And a third step of the wireless communication terminal receiving the software from the smart card and storing the software to upgrade the software.

In addition, the present invention, the wireless communication terminal for transmitting the existing software to the smart card step 4; And a fifth step of receiving the existing software from the smart card and restoring the software if an error occurs during the software upgrade of the wireless communication terminal.

On the other hand, the present invention, a wireless communication terminal having a processor, the wireless communication terminal receives a software upgrade request from the outside to determine whether the smart card software upgrade is possible; A second function of receiving, by the wireless communication terminal, software to be upgraded from a wireless communication network, and storing the smart card in the smart card as it is confirmed that the smart card is capable of upgrading the software in the first step; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a third function of receiving software from the smart card and upgrading the software.

In addition, the present invention, the wireless communication terminal for transmitting the existing software to the smart card fourth function; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a fifth function of receiving the existing software from the smart card and recovering the software if an error occurs during the software upgrade of the wireless communication terminal.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied includes an operation and maintenance center (OMC) 11, a wireless communication network 12, a wireless communication terminal 13, and a smart card 14. ).

The operation maintenance center (OMC) 11 is a place that is in charge of centralized operation and maintenance of the wireless communication network 12, and collects various messages extracted from the electronic exchange using a centralized exchange maintenance system (CSMS), Analyze and remotely control the failure prevention and repair. In addition, it stores upgrade software or patch files applied to the wireless communication terminal 13, and downloads to the smart card 14 via the wireless communication terminal 13 automatically or at the request of the user, the wireless communication The terminal 13 receives the software or patch file downloaded from the smart card 14 to upgrade.

2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a smart card used in the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the smart card 14 used in the present invention is a central processing unit (CPU) 21, the central processing unit (CPU) 21 for decoding the command of the program and processing accordingly RAM (RAM) for storing programs to be executed in the program and storing various data used during or performing the work, security keys, data, application services, protocols, encryption algorithms, etc. (EEPROM) 23, ROM 24 for storing non-volatile data such as an operating system (OS) and input / output for exchanging data, clock, power, signal reports, etc. with a wireless communication terminal. Device 25.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of upgrading software using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention.

First, the wireless communication terminal 13 receives a software upgrade request from the outside (301). At this time, the software upgrade request may be received from the wireless communication network 12 side, or may be received from the user of the wireless communication terminal 13. That is, a service provider (wireless communication network) classifies wireless communication terminals requiring software upgrades using an electronic serial number (ESN) and an International Mobile Equipment Identity connection (IMEI). When the separated wireless communication terminals access the wireless communication network 12, the software automatically requests a software upgrade. Alternatively, the user of the wireless terminal may request a software upgrade by selecting a menu.

In this way, the wireless communication terminal 13 that has been requested to upgrade the software determines whether the smart card 14 is currently capable of software upgrade (302). At this time, the determination of whether the smart card 14 is capable of upgrading the software may determine whether the smart card 14 is currently connected to the wireless communication terminal 13 or whether the smart card has sufficient storage space. do

As a result of the determination 302, if the smart card 14 is not in the state of being able to upgrade the software, the wireless communication network 12 or the user (output device) requesting the software upgrade outputs a message indicating that the current software upgrade is impossible (306). ).

As a result of the determination 302, if the smart card 14 is capable of software upgrade, the wireless communication terminal backs up the existing software to the smart card 14 (303), and can be upgraded from the wireless communication network 13 side. The software is received and stored in the smart card 14 (304). As such, the reason for backing up the existing software to the smart card 14 is that if the software received from the wireless communication network 12 side is defective or a problem occurs during the upgrade, the wireless communication terminal ( 13) to recover the software.

Then, when the download of the software to the smart card 14 is completed, the wireless communication terminal 13 receives the software from the smart card 14 and stores it in the corresponding area of the nonvolatile memory to upgrade the software ( 305). In this case, a process of storing and upgrading the software received from the smart card 14 by the wireless communication terminal 13 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a state transition when software is being upgraded in a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention.

First, the wireless communication terminal 13 that completes the storage of the software in the smart card 14 reboots automatically. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication terminal 13 recognizes that there is software to be upgraded at the time of rebooting, and then transitions to the bootup mode 41. The software is upgraded by receiving the software from the smart card 14 in the bootup mode 41 and storing the software in the corresponding area of the nonvolatile memory. When the software upgrade is completed, the software reboots to transition to the service mode 42. As a result, the software upgrade of the wireless communication terminal 13 is completed successfully, and then operates according to the newly upgraded software.

As described above, the method of the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

As described above, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional user who directly visits the service center to upgrade the software or downloads the software through the base station and stores the data in the nonvolatile memory and directly upgrades the software, the smart card receives the software from the wireless communication network Upgrade by using a stable upgrade is possible and has the effect of improving the convenience of the user.

In addition, the present invention, when the wireless communication service provider needs a batch of software update (or patch program), the software of the wireless communication terminals are collectively collected without collecting the wireless communication terminals or visiting the service centers of users. There is an effect that can be upgraded.

Claims (7)

In the method of upgrading the software using a smart card in the wireless communication terminal, A first step of confirming whether the wireless communication terminal receives a software upgrade request from the outside and whether the smart card can upgrade the software; A second step of receiving, by the wireless communication terminal, software to be upgraded from a wireless communication network and receiving the software to be upgraded from the wireless communication network side as it is confirmed that the smart card is capable of upgrading the software in the first step; And A third step of receiving software from the smart card and upgrading the software; Software upgrade method using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, A fourth step of transmitting, by the wireless communication terminal, the existing software to the smart card; And A fifth step of recovering software by receiving the existing software from the smart card if an error occurs during the software upgrade of the wireless communication terminal; Software upgrade method using a smart card in the wireless communication terminal further comprising. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The first step of the software upgrade request process, The wireless communication network distinguishes wireless communication terminals requiring software upgrade, and when the wireless communication terminal classified as the wireless communication terminal requiring upgrade accesses the wireless communication network, the wireless communication terminal automatically requests a software upgrade. How to upgrade software using a smart card on. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The first step of the software upgrade request process, Software upgrade method using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal, characterized in that generated by the menu selection through the input device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The third step, After completing the storage of the software on the smart card, the wireless communication terminal automatically reboots and transitions to a bootup mode, and receives the software from the smart card, upgrades and reboots, and transitions to a service mode. Software upgrade method using a smart card in a wireless communication terminal. In a wireless communication terminal having a processor, A first function of checking whether the smart card is in a state where software upgrade is possible by receiving a software upgrade request from the wireless communication terminal; A second function of receiving, by the wireless communication terminal, software to be upgraded from a wireless communication network, and storing the smart card in the smart card as it is confirmed that the smart card is capable of upgrading the software in the first step; And A third function of upgrading the software by receiving the software from the smart card by the wireless communication terminal; A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this. The method of claim 6, A fourth function for the wireless communication terminal to transmit and store the existing software to the smart card; And A fifth function of receiving the existing software from the smart card and restoring the software if an error occurs during the software upgrade of the wireless communication terminal; A computer-readable recording medium that records a program for further realization.