KR20060087841A - Apparatus for managing firmware file information, apparatus for updating firmware file using firmware file information, and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing firmware file information, an apparatus for updating firmware using firmware file information, and a method thereof, and more particularly, to generate and store file information on a firmware version update file uploaded from an administrator. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for managing firmware file information capable of analyzing only file information stored by a firmware device and updating only a required firmware file, a device for updating firmware using firmware file information, and a method thereof.

When a predetermined firmware version is selected from an administrator, the apparatus for managing firmware file information according to an embodiment of the present invention uploads a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version, and a file for the uploaded firmware version update file. A firmware management unit for generating information, and a storage unit for storing the firmware version update file and the generated file information.

Firmware, file information, version, update

Description

Apparatus for managing firmware file information, Apparatus for updating firmware file using firmware file information, and method

1 is a view showing an update process of a conventional firmware version.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for managing firmware file information and an apparatus for updating firmware using firmware file information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing an example of file information of a firmware version update file according to another embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating firmware using firmware file information management and firmware file information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

100: firmware information management device 110: firmware management unit

120: storage 200: firmware device

210: file information analysis unit 220: firmware update unit

The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing firmware file information, an apparatus for updating firmware using firmware file information, and a method thereof, and more particularly, to generate and store file information on a firmware version update file uploaded from an administrator. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for managing firmware file information capable of analyzing only file information stored by a firmware device and updating only a required firmware file, a device for updating firmware using firmware file information, and a method thereof.

In general, firmware refers to a micro program that controls hardware stored in a ROM. It is the same as software in terms of a program, but it is distinguished from general application software in that it is closely related to hardware. Thus, firmware has both characteristics of software and hardware.

When you make hardware that performs some function, if you make all the circuits that control it only in hardware, the structure becomes very complicated and even the logical part becomes difficult to express. In such a case, a large part of the software is replaced, but the memory stored in the software is configured as a central part of the control circuit of the hardware, and the problem can be solved very simply and at low cost. The hardware software thus created is called firmware.

In this case, the hardware has a software characteristic because it does not have a separate logic circuit, but from the software perspective, it can be described that the micro program has a hardware characteristic because it controls the hardware.

If the function of the software can be changed to firmware, the speed is significantly increased, and the firmware is frequently used in a program requiring high-speed processing or a portable device having insufficient system specifications.

1 is a diagram illustrating an update process of a conventional firmware version.

First, when the device 10 asks the server 20 for an update (1), the server 20 informs the device 10 whether it is updated (2). Accordingly, the device 10 downloads and updates firmware registered in the server 20 (3). Here, when updating the firmware version, there are a full version and a patch version update method.

The full version update method downloads all the components to update the firmware. It can be easily configured without complicated algorithms, and has the advantage of ensuring the update.

However, there is a disadvantage in that an overhead exists because all unnecessary elements must be updated, and there is a problem in that use becomes more limited as the firmware size increases.

The patch version update method downloads only the components necessary to update the firmware.It has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to implement depending on the complexity of the algorithm.However, the update overhead is small because only the necessary components are downloaded. There is this. In this case, in order to select only necessary components, the server 20 mainly processes the command to take only the elements corresponding to the device.

However, if a dependency relationship between patches is not recorded, there is a problem in that the firmware needs to be updated as much as desired because the firmware is set to update in the order in which the patches are raised.

For example, it is assumed that the version update history is as follows. Here, the version update history is 1.09-> 1.10-> 1.11.

In other words, if you want to update from 1.09 to 1.11, you need to update from 1.09 to 1.10, and then update to 1.11 because the firmware is set to update in the order of the patches.

Therefore, since there is no logic that is directly updated from 1.09 to 1.11, there is a problem that an unnecessary update process must be repeated. If you need to update from 1.05 to 1.40, you need to apply 35 patches or install the full 1.40 version.

Meanwhile, there may be a case where the change history is stored for each firmware version using specific logic in the server database.

In this case, when a firmware update request comes from the device 10, the server 20 performs a calculation on a component required by the device 10, and then transmits the component to the device 10.

However, since the server 20 needs to calculate all the elements required by the device 10, there is a problem in that overhead is concentrated on the server 20.

For example, assuming that there are 100 devices 10, overhead is incurred because the server 20 must do a lot of work to calculate all the patch elements of these devices 10.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 16-126965 (print driver and version upgrade method and computer-readable storage medium and program) has a system including a method of upgrading by transferring part or all of new firmware in the case of an older version through comparison between modules. Although it discloses, it does not mention any technique for generating file information on the firmware file, analyzing the generated file information, and upgrading only necessary components.

An object of the present invention is to generate and provide file information on a firmware version update file for a firmware version uploaded from an administrator by a firmware information management device.

Another object of the present invention is to update the file of the firmware required by the firmware device by analyzing the file information on the firmware version update file.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for managing firmware file information according to an embodiment of the present invention uploads a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version when a predetermined firmware version is selected from an administrator. And a firmware manager to generate file information on the firmware version update file, and a storage unit to store the firmware version update file and the generated file information.

The method for managing firmware file information and updating firmware according to another embodiment of the present invention may include uploading a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version when a firmware version is selected by the firmware information management apparatus. Generating file information on the uploaded firmware version update file, checking and analyzing the generated file information by a firmware device, and checking a component necessary for firmware update; and Updating the firmware file.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

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

2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for managing firmware file information and an apparatus for updating firmware using firmware file information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the firmware information management apparatus 100 includes a firmware management unit 110 and a storage unit 120, the firmware device 200 is a file information analyzer 210 and firmware update unit 220 It is configured to include.

The firmware information management apparatus 100 uploads a firmware version update file according to a firmware version selected from an administrator, and generates and stores file information of the uploaded firmware version update file.

When a predetermined firmware version is selected from the administrator, the firmware manager 110 uploads a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version to the storage 120, and generates file information on the uploaded firmware version update file. Here, the firmware manager 110 includes an upload module 111, a file information generation module 112, and a setting module 113.

The upload module 111 uploads the firmware version update file according to the firmware version selected from the administrator to the firmware storage module 121 of the storage 120. Here, the firmware version update file may be understood as a program file for increasing the function or performance of a predetermined device.

The file information generation module 112 generates file information on the firmware version update file uploaded by the upload module 111. Here, the current version of the file firmware, version information of each component (for example, firmware version, upload date, file format, etc.), a directory in the firmware information management apparatus 100 in which the firmware file of the corresponding firmware version is located. Information, and directory information in the firmware device 200 to which the corresponding firmware is to be downloaded.

The version setting module 113 sets firmware versions to be provided to predetermined firmware devices 200 among firmware version update files uploaded from the upload module 111. For example, if the uploaded firmware versions are 2.0, 1.8, and 1.7, if the version setting module 113 sets the current version to v1.8, the current version provided in the file information is displayed as 1.8. That is, the version setting module 130 is used when it is necessary to limit the firmware version to the firmware device 200.

The storage unit 120 stores the firmware version update file and the generated file information uploaded from the firmware manager 110. Here, the storage unit 120 includes a firmware storage module 121 and a file information storage module 122.

The firmware storage module 121 stores the firmware version update file uploaded from the firmware manager 110. Here, the firmware storage module 121 stores the firmware version update file in a full version or a patch version. Here, the firmware version update file is stored in a binary format.

The file information storage module 122 stores file information generated by the file information generation module 112. Here, the file information may include a current version of firmware, version information of each component (for example, a firmware version, an upload date, a file format, and the like), and a firmware information management apparatus 100 in which a firmware file of a corresponding firmware version is located. Directory information in the firmware device 200 to which the corresponding firmware is to be downloaded, and the like. Hereinafter, the file information of the firmware version update file according to FIG. 3 will be described in detail.

Accordingly, the firmware information management apparatus 100 generates and stores file information on a firmware version update file for a firmware version uploaded from an administrator and provides the file information to the firmware apparatus 200, thereby providing firmware information management apparatus 100. ) Does not have to analyze the file of the firmware required for the firmware device 200 can reduce the overhead of the firmware information management device (100).

The firmware device 200 analyzes file information stored in the firmware information management device 100 and updates only a firmware file for a required component. Here, the firmware device 200 may be understood as a computer, a notebook, a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like, and the firmware device 200 includes a file information analyzer 210 and a firmware updater 220.

The file information analyzer 210 analyzes file information stored in the file information storage module 122 of the firmware information management apparatus 100 to determine whether the firmware version is updated.

For example, assume that the firmware device 200 is a PDA and the current version is 1.8.

First, the file information analyzer 210 checks file information of a firmware version update file stored in the file information storage module 122 to check the current firmware version (for example, the current version 2.0).

Next, by analyzing the file information to check the components required for the firmware update, and requests the update of the file to the firmware update unit 210 to be described later according to the check result.

The firmware updater 220 updates the firmware version in the firmware information management management apparatus 100 according to the file information analysis result of the file information analyzer 210.

Therefore, the firmware device 200 may update only the firmware file for the required component by analyzing the file information of the firmware version update file stored in the firmware information management management device 100 so that the update can be performed quickly without being overloaded. have.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of file information of a firmware version update file according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the file information of the firmware version update file includes the current version of the firmware, version information of each component (eg, firmware version, upload date, and file format), and the firmware file of the corresponding firmware version is located. Directory information in the firmware information management apparatus 100 and directory information in the firmware apparatus 200 to which the corresponding firmware is to be downloaded.

For example, {SW Version} 1.38 indicates the current version of the firmware, and <ELEMEMT_COPY> indicates version information of each component. In addition, SRC_DIR represents directory information in which the firmware version is located, and DEST_DIR represents directory information in a device in which the firmware is to be located.

That is, the current version of the firmware is 1.38, the directory where the firmware version is located is located in "tw_grardpad_v1.38 / apps", and the directory of the device where the firmware is located is "\\ sm \\ apps".

Accordingly, the firmware device 200 analyzes the file information as described above and performs an update when the current firmware version (for example, 1.38) is the required firmware version.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating firmware using firmware file information management and firmware file information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, when a predetermined firmware version is selected from the manager, the firmware information management apparatus 100 uploads a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version to the firmware storage module 121 of the storage 120 (S100).

Next, the file information generation module 112 generates file information on the uploaded firmware version update file, and transmits the generated file information to the file information storage module 122 (S110).

Thus, the file information storage module 122 stores the file information transmitted from the file information generation module 112 (S120). Here, the file information may include the current version of firmware, version information of each component (for example, firmware version, upload date, and file format), and the firmware information management apparatus 100 in which the firmware file of the corresponding firmware version is located. And directory information in the firmware device 200 to which the corresponding firmware is to be downloaded (see FIG. 3).

Next, the file information analysis unit 210 of the firmware device 200 checks the version of the current firmware from the file information stored in the file information storage module 122 of the firmware information management device 100 (S130), and the current firmware. It is checked whether the version is higher than the current version of the firmware device 200.

As a result of the check, if the current firmware version is higher than the current version of the firmware device 200 (S140), the file information is analyzed to check the components necessary for the firmware update (S150).

Next, the file information analyzer 210 requests the firmware updater 220 to update the firmware file according to the checked component, and the firmware updater 220 responds to the firmware in the directory where the firmware file is located. Update the file (S160).

If the current firmware version is lower than the current version of the firmware device 200 (S140), the update process is not performed.

Therefore, the firmware information management device 100 generates and provides file information on the firmware version update file for the firmware version uploaded from the administrator, so that the firmware information management device 100 requires the firmware file for the firmware device 200. Since the need not be analyzed, the overhead of the firmware information management apparatus 100 may be reduced.

In addition, the firmware device 200 may update only the firmware file for the required component by analyzing the file information of the firmware version update file stored in the firmware information management management device 100 so that the update may be performed quickly without being overloaded. have.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, it is assumed that the current version of the firmware device (for example, PDA) is 1.37, and the file information is the same as the file information shown in FIG.

First, the PDA checks the file information stored in the firmware information management apparatus 100 to confirm that the current S / W version is 1.38.

Next, it analyzes the file information and checks which component to update. For example, the version of "rea.txt" and "twguardsetup.exe" is 1.38, indicating that this is a newly provided component.

Accordingly, the PDA downloads the corresponding firmware file from "tw_guardpad_v1.38 / apps" where "rea.txt" and "twguardsetup.exe" are stored and updates to "\\ sm \\ apps".

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

According to the apparatus for managing the firmware file information of the present invention as described above, the apparatus for updating the firmware by using the firmware file information, and the method there are one or more of the following effects.                     

First, the firmware information management device generates and provides file information on a firmware version update file for a firmware version uploaded from an administrator, and checks and updates a firmware file required for firmware update by analyzing the file information provided by the firmware device. Since the firmware information management device does not have to analyze the file of the firmware required for the firmware device, the overhead of the firmware information management device can be reduced.

Second, the firmware information management device analyzes the file information on the firmware version update file stored in the firmware information management device, checks the components necessary for the firmware update, and updates only the firmware file accordingly, thereby rapidly updating the firmware version without being overloaded. The advantage is that it can be done.

Claims (5)

A firmware manager for uploading a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version and generating file information on the uploaded firmware version update file when a predetermined firmware version is selected from an administrator; And And a storage unit for storing the firmware version update file and the generated file information. The method of claim 1, The firmware management unit, An upload module for uploading a firmware version update file according to the firmware version selected from the manager to the storage unit; A file information generation module for generating file information on the uploaded firmware version update file; And And a setting module configured to set a firmware version to be provided to predetermined firmware devices among the uploaded firmware version update files. The method of claim 1, The storage unit, A firmware storage module for storing a firmware version update file uploaded from the firmware manager; And And a file information storage module for storing file information generated according to the uploaded firmware version update file. Uploading a firmware version update file according to the selected firmware version, when a predetermined firmware version is selected from an administrator; Generating file information on the uploaded firmware version update file; Checking, by the firmware device, the components necessary for firmware update by checking and analyzing the generated file information; And And updating the firmware file according to the checked component. The method of claim 4, wherein And the file information includes any one of a current version of firmware, version information of each component, and directory information where a corresponding firmware version is located.

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