SE514762C2 - Method, device and portable terminal for software download in a wireless network and such telecommunication network - Google Patents

Abstract

The functionality of portable wireless devices can be changed by providing programs written in a language, e.g. Java, producing a verifiable intermediary code (byte code). The intermediary code is translated to machine code in a node in the network before it is transferred to the wireless device on which it is to be executed. Several machine code variants of each program, translated using translators for different types of terminals, may exist. This enables use of the same source code for different terminal types and a division between software vendor, terminal vendor and network operator of the responsibility for carrying out the different functions involved in changing the functionality of a device, namely developing the source code of the program, compiling the source code into byte code, translating the byte code into machine code and transferring the machine code to the terminals on which it is to be run.

Description

25 514 762 In addition, there are a large number of different terminal types that use different hardware and software platforms. It is therefore desirable to create programs that can be run on different platforms.

Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to enable the execution of more advanced or demanding programs in a portable unit than would normally be possible due to the processor capacity and memory space of the portable unit.

It is an object of the invention to enable execution of programs in a small unit with limited processor capacity and / or memory space without reducing the processor speed.

It is another object of the invention to enable new applications, upgrade of applications or complete replacement of an application package in different types of portable devices, in particular portable devices adapted for use in a cellular network.

It is also an object of the present invention to enable the execution of programs which do not need to be permanently stored in the terminal.

These objects are achieved according to the present invention with a method for changing the functionality of a mobile terminal connected to a network via a wireless connection, which functionality is realized as a program in a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code, which is executable. and verifiable, which method is characterized by the steps of: - the program is translated into machine code using at least one translator depending on the hardware and software environment of at least one terminal type; 10 15 20 25 514 762 3 - the correct variant of the machine code to be downloaded to the terminal is determined on the basis of the type of terminal and / or the type of subscription with which the terminal is currently working; the machine code is downloaded to said terminal.

These objects are also achieved by a device for providing programs in a network including host nodes and different types of terminals, at least some of the terminals being connected to other parts of the network by wireless connections, the programs being realized in a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code which is executable and verifiable, and interpreted or translated into a machine code, which device is characterized in that it comprises: - memory means for storing programs in the form of machine code, executable in at least one of the types of terminals in the net; means for deciding which machine code to download to a particular terminal based on the type of terminal and or the type of subscription that the terminal is currently working on; means for transmitting a program, in the form of machine code, to at least one terminal.

The objects are achieved according to the invention also with a telecommunication network comprising host nodes and different types of terminals, at least some of the terminals being connected to other parts of the network with wireless connections, the telecommunication network being characterized in that it comprises - at least one translator means for a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code, which translator means is used to translate the intermediate level code into machine code executable on at least one of said terminals; - memory means for storing the machine code; 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 4 - means for determining which programs or program versions are to be downloaded to a particular terminal based on the type of terminal and / or the type of subscription currently working in the terminal; means for transmitting a program, in the form of machine code, to at least one terminal.

According to a preferred embodiment, said device also comprises at least one translator for the intermediate level code, which translator is adapted to at least one hardware and software environment used by terminals in the network. According to this embodiment, the method also comprises the step of translating the program with the aid of the at least one translator in the host node before they are stored.

Programs can be downloaded to a terminal automatically, or on request fi from the user of the terminal.

The method is especially useful for portable terminals in a cellular telecommunications network.

According to a preferred form of drying, it is determined which software variant is to be downloaded to the terminal based on the terminal type, e.g. based on an identity code for the terminal.

The objects are also achieved with a portable terminal arranged for wireless communication and comprising a core which is arranged to receive programs and / or program parts in the form of machine code, which terminal is characterized in that the core is arranged to install the received programs or program parts while the terminal is in operation, and that it is arranged to inform the correct node in the network about its type and / or the type of subscription with which it is currently working.

The portable terminal may be arranged to provide the user with information about the dependency trees of the available programs. The portable terminal may also be arranged to inform the appropriate node in the network of its type and the type of subscription it is currently working with, and other information, such as its current battery status.

According to a preferred embodiment, the portable terminal according to the invention also receives and interprets information on whether a program or a program block is to be stored in the portable terminal.

The most common programming language of the type mentioned today is Java. Other examples are LISP, SmallTalk and Erlang. The source code of a java program is not compiled into machine code for a particular type of processor, but into short pseudo-instructions for a virtual machine, "byte code". When a program is to be executed, the byte code is typically downloaded to the terminal where it is to be executed and translated there into machine code for the terminal. In this way, a program written in such an interpreted language, such as Java, can be executed in any type of computer having a translator, or an interpretation program for the language.

Java is primarily used in Internet applications, but the benefits of interpreted languages also make it suitable for use in cellular networks. J ava programs are usually smaller than the corresponding machine code programs and are therefore suitable for mobile terminals in which the available memory space is limited. An increasing number of mobile terminals support java applications.

The use of an interpreted language, such as J ava, is particularly advantageous in portable terminals because they have limited memory space. Translating the program outside the terminal also reduces the requirements for processor speed and power, which are also limited in portable terminals.

An important advantage of the present invention is that it enables a division of responsibilities to perform the various functions associated with changing the function of a unit slightly. For example, a software manufacturer may be responsible for developing the source code of the program and compiling the source code into the byte code. The manufacturer of the mobile terminal may be responsible for translating the change code into machine code, and the network operator may be responsible for transmitting the machine code to the terminals where it is to be run.

Interpreted languages, such as Java, have many advantages: They make it easier to download and remove parts of code dynamically to reduce the space needed. They facilitate the replacement of parts of the software because dynamic linking of programs is easier than with other programming languages, and They make it possible to run the same byte code in different processors and with different types of system architecture, so that a certain function only needs to be programmed once.

The last two points are useful for all portable devices, and in particular for portable devices that can communicate with any type of wireless network, which can then take advantage of all the types of services offered in the network. Upgrading the software by downloading new programs will also be easy to perform, so that the terminal will not become obsolete as the functions are upgraded or new services are developed. This also makes it easier to change from one operator to another, as the new operator's service package replaces the old package. It is also conceivable to allow the services offered by a mobile operator to change, e.g. based on the time of day, error status of the base stations in the area, the availability of internet-related services, etc.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a simplified view of a net in which the solution according to the invention is applied.

Figure 2 is a more complete view of a network in which the solution according to the invention is applied.

Figure 3 is a fate diagram of the procedure for making a new service available in the network according to the invention. 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 7 Figure 4 is a flow chart of the procedure for downloading a new service to a terminal automatically according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a fate diagram of the procedure for downloading a new service to a terminal at the request of a user according to the invention.

Figure 6 is an overview of how the responsibility can be divided between different participants according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments Figure 1 is a simplified view of a net in which the solution according to the invention is applied.

A portable terminal 1 is connected via an air interface to a mobile network, through a base station 3. The base station is connected to a control unit 5 which in turn is connected to a network (not shown). The control unit 5 controls the base stations and performs resource allocation functions and other functions such as switching functions in the mobile telecommunication network.

In or adjacent to the control unit 5 there is a program unit 9 which provides programs.

The control unit 5 is connected to one or fl of your hardware suppliers' host nodes 7 which in turn are connected to host nodes 8, e.g. associated software vendors. Typically, software vendors' host nodes 8 are used to generate the source code and to compile the source code into byte code. The exchange code is then transmitted to the hardware suppliers' host nodes 7, in which the exchange code is translated into machine code. For this, each hardware supplier's host node 7 includes one or fl your translators ll for at least this hardware supplier's terminal types. Both in the host nodes 7 i of the hardware vendors and the host nodes 8 of the software vendors, test activities are usually performed in a known manner.

In the discussion above, the division of functions on the host nodes 7 of the hardware suppliers, the host nodes 8 of the software suppliers and the control unit 5 or the program unit 9 has mainly been made to clarify the various functions performed.

The host nodes 7, 8 can of course also be a host node in which the source code is both compiled and translated. The translator function can also be performed in the program unit 9, in which case the program unit must include at least one translator ll.

The program unit 9 comprises a number of programs 13, 15. Each program is in a number of variants 13a, 13b, 130, 15a, 15b, 15c, translated with different translators 11 in order to be executed in different types of terminals 1.

Alternatively, only the exchange code is stored. In this case, the program 13, 15 is translated by the relevant translator 11 when it is to be downloaded to a portable terminal 1, in order to be executed on the terminal 1, and the resulting machine code is sent to the terminal 1. This procedure is discussed in detail in connection with fi gures 4 and 5.

Figure 2 is a more detailed overview of a network in which the solution according to the invention is realized.

The network may include fl your networks, e.g. a telecommunication network 21 and a data network 23, such as the Internet. In Figure 2, the telecommunication network 21 is a cellular network. The telecommunication network 21 comprises one or more communication units 25, such as base stations, connected to the network by control nodes 26, which control the function of the communication units 25 and possibly other functions, such as switching functions in the network.

The communication units 25 are adapted for seamless communication with terminals 27 in the network.

The data network 23 also comprises a number of terminals 29, 31, some of which 29 are used to provide programs in the form of source code or byte code. Others 31 can download programs that are made available according to the invention.

The stymodes 26 also include the programs to be downloaded to the terminals 27 of the cellular network 21. In a preferred embodiment, the translated versions of the programs are downloaded to the stymodes 26 and stored. in the control mode 26 and is stored 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 in 9 there in the form of machine code. The programs can also be downloaded to style mode and stored as a change code. In the latter case, the byte code must be translated into the machine code when the program is to be downloaded to a terminal.

It will be readily appreciated that any terminal 27, 31 connected to any of the networks 21, 23 may also download programs from any host node 25, 29 in any of the networks, provided that the functions required to do so this is available in terminal 27, 29, 31, or in the network.

Figure 3 is a fl fate diagram of the steps performed to make a new program available on the network.

Step S31: The source code for the service application is written, in Java or another interpreted language.

Step S32: The source code generated in step S31 is compiled to provide the byte code. This step usually includes security checks, troubleshooting, function testing, debugging, etc.

Step S33: The exchange code produced in step S32 is downloaded to the power station in which it is to be stored. This step also usually includes security checks.

Step S34: The service programs are translated by each of the available translators. Of course, if the service programs are not to be run on all types of terminals, they only need to be translated by the current translators.

Step S35: The machine code generated in step S34 is stored in a location from which it can be downloaded to portable terminals or other devices.

If the storage space in the control mode 26 is limited, it may not be appropriate to store olika your different translated versions of the program. In this case, programs can be stored in the form of byte code. The translation of the exchange code then takes place when it is downloaded to the terminal, ie. steps 34 and 35 are not needed. It is of course possible to interpret the programs before they are transferred to the network center where they are to be stored, ie. to change on steps S33 and S34. 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 10 Figure 4 is a fl diagram of the steps performed when a service is to be downloaded automatically to a portable device.

Step S41: Step S42: Step S43: The system informs the user that it may be desirable to download a program, and receives a confirmation. This can occur, e.g. because a new program, or a new version of a program has been made available, or because the user selects a function that requires a program that is not in the user's terminal.

The user accepts or refuses to download the new software version.

If the user accepts download, the appropriate software variant for the terminal type is selected and the program is downloaded. End the procedure.

Figure 5 is a fate diagram of the steps performed when a service is to be downloaded to a portable terminal at the request of a user to execute or store a program.

Step S51: Step S52: Step S53: Step S54: The user starts a connection between the device to which the application is to be downloaded and the power exchange on which the application is stored.

This can be done in any known way, through an air interface or a pipe.

The terminal type is determined. This is preferably done automatically by the system, but if necessary the user can specify the terminal type.

If appropriate, the user selects the program or programs to be downloaded.

The appropriate variant and version of the program or programs selected in step S53 is identified and downloaded. If the programs are stored as a change code in the network center, they must also be translated by the appropriate translator when they are downloaded. End the procedure.

The programs can be stored temporarily in the terminal and deleted when they have been executed, or the programs can be stored in the terminal. In steps S43 and S54, the appropriate variant of the program may be selected in the communication unit, or this information may be obtained from the supplier of the terminal or software.

Which programs, and which variant of each program, can be downloaded to a particular terminal can be determined depending on the type of terminal and the type of subscription.

Information about the type of subscription is found on a chip in the telephone and is always communicated to the base station when a connection is to be connected. This chip, e.g.

The SIM card in GSM is usually removable and can be inserted into your various terminals.

The type of terminal can therefore not be determined from information on the chip. However, different terminal types may run different programs, and require different versions of the programs, even if the subscription type is the same.

The terminal type can be determined both automatically and with manual identification. In the latter case, each tenninal type can e.g. is assigned an identification number, which is entered each time a program is to be downloaded.

. In a preferred embodiment, the type of terminal is determined using an identity code for the terminal, which is a unique number that identifies a wireless terminal.

In e.g. GSM International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IIVIEI) can be used.

It is also possible to deny a number of terminal types and make it possible for each terminal to inform the system. its terminal type. For this to work, information on the requirements for each series of terminals must be provided by the manufacturers of terminals and stored in each host node, or retrieved from the manufacturer each time it is needed. This information may have the form of a specification of the translator to be used for each terminal type. The translator can be provided by the manufacturer of the terminal, in which case the appropriate translator only needs to be identified. If the manufacturer of the terminal does not provide the translator, the requirements for the translator must be specified in detail. 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 12 The programs to be downloaded can also be determined depending on other factors, such as cell identity, operator, date or time of day.

Automatic download of programs can be used, e.g. in the following situations: Once an application package has been updated, it can be downloaded to each terminal the first time it connects to the network after the update.

When the user tries to activate a service, the program associated with that service can be downloaded without explicitly informing the user first.

Some programs can be downloaded automatically depending on position, time of day, operator, etc.

In the first of the above cases, it should be possible for the user to stop downloading software if he / she does not wish to receive the new software.

This can occur, e.g. due to lack of time or if the battery voltage is low.

The download can also be stopped automatically, e.g. if the battery voltage is low.

The situation when a subscriber is connected to a network other than the one where he / she is a subscriber, e.g. when the subscriber is abroad, can be handled in different ways. In this case, the system knows from the subscriber information that is transmitted that the subscriber does not belong in the current network. Although automatic downloading may be inappropriate, it may be desirable to allow software downloads upon request. The transfer of programs from the host node to the terminal can be done according to strict protocols for data transmission in the current system. For example. in GSM, the protocol for packet communication, GPRS, can be used. In systems according to the standard Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) protocol can be used. The latter protocol also includes functions for putting data communication on hold when a voice call is to be forwarded. 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 13 The transfer of progam to the mobile terminal can be done on any available channel. To transmit a program from the communication unit to a mobile terminal at a given time, a traction channel can be used. Data can of course be sent with circuit-switched protocols or packet switching protocols, such as GPRS in GSM systems. High-speed connections that use more than one transmission channel can be used, e.g. High-Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) in GSM. This makes the transmission of the program faster, but is probably only suitable when the traction load in the network is low.

Broadcast connections can be used when the same program is to be transmitted to your mobile terminals at the same time. In this case, control information must be added so that the mobile terminals know which terminal types are to receive the program and each terminal must include control programs so that they can determine whether the program is intended for this particular terminal.

In some situations, it is advantageous to fix parts of the program code temporarily or permanently, in particular parts to be run fl your times, so as not to have to download them every time they are to be run. For example. subroutines for a program which are to be run fl times while the program is running can be fixed temporarily in the terminal as long as the program is running. Programs that perform important functions can be stored pennantly or semi-permanently.

The program parts to be prepared in this way can be selected by the subscriber or by a node in the network, but preferably by both in cooperation. Several ways to achieve this are known. For example, each program or part of a program can be marked to indicate that it should be repaired in the mobile terminal, from the point of view of the system, e.g. to save bandwidth. However, in order to decide whether a program or program part should be stored in the mobile terminal or not, it is also necessary to know the state of the team.

It is therefore usually not appropriate to repair these program parts automatically, without giving the subscriber a chance to cancel.

I 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 14 If the subscriber is to delete a program or part of a program, he / she must be informed of the dependency tree, ie. which other programs or parts of the program use the program or part of the program to be removed, in order to determine whether the program or part of the program is actually to be removed.

The mobile terminal should therefore include functions that enable the subscriber to decide whether a particular program or part of a program should be stored, and for how long, and to provide the information the user needs to determine this.

Figure 6 shows the division of responsibilities for providing the programs according to the invention.

A service provider 101 provides the appropriate source code or exchange code. To do this, the service provider 101 must be aware of the desired function of the service to be provided. Detailed information about the software and hardware environment in the terminals is not needed, but basic knowledge of e.g. the capacity of a terminal can be good.

A terminal manufacturer 103 provides the terminals and usually a translator for the programming language, adapted to the terminal he provides. The terminal manufacturer 103 must have knowledge of the programming language used. It can of course be your service providers and terminal manufacturers.

A network operator 105 is responsible for a mobile network 1-07 and is responsible for providing the services to subscribers 109 in the network 107.

The responsibility can be shared between the service provider 101, the tenninal provider 103 and the network operator 105 in olika your different ways. For example, the service provider 101 may provide the byte code to the terminal manufacturer 103 as shown by the arrow 11 1. The terminal manufacturer 103 then translates the byte code into machine code with the current translators for the terminals he provides and provides this machine code to the network operator 105. through a transport network 113, e.g. The Internet, as shown by an arrow 115. The machine code can of course be provided in any known manner, e.g. over a direct fl year connection or on a diskette or CD-ROM.

Another way of dividing the responsibility would be for the service provider 101 to provide the exchange code directly to the network operator 105 through the transport network 113, as shown by an arrow 117. The terminal manufacturer 103 can provide the translator to the network operator and the network operator 105 can translate the exchange code into machine code.

Either way, the machine code can be stored in a memory 119 and provided to the subscriber 109 through the cellular network 107 when desired, as indicated by an arrow 121. The service provider 101 may, of course, supply the source code instead of the exchange code, but it is usually not. desirable to supply source code.

Claims (22)

10 15 20 25 514 762 16 Patent claims Method for changing the functionality of a mobile terminal connected to a network via a wireless connection, which functionality is realized as a program in a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code, which is executable and verifiable, characterized by the steps of - the program translated into machine code using at least one translator depending on the hardware and software environment of at least one terminal type; - the correct variant of the machine code to be downloaded to the terminal is determined by the type of terminal and / or the type of subscription with which the terminal is currently working; the machine code is downloaded to said terminal. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that - the program is translated into machine code using said at least one translator; - the machine code for said program is stored in a host node in the network; the machine code is transmitted to at least one of said terminals when desired. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downloading of programs is started by a device in the network. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the program is downloaded to a terminal at the request of a user of the terminal. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the terminals are portable terminals for use in a cellular telecommunication network. 10 15 20 25 30 514 762 17 Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the step of determining whether a program block is to be stored temporarily or permanently in the terminal and, if so, that the program block is stored accordingly. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mandatory variant of the machine code to be downloaded to the terminal is determined on the basis of an identity code for the terminal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps that - for each program, the terminal types that can use the program are determined; - the program is translated using the relevant translators for these terminal types. Apparatus for providing programs in a network comprising host nodes and olika your different types of terminals, at least some of the terminals being connected to other parts of the network with wireless connections, the programs being realized in a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code which is executable and verifiable, and is interpreted or translated into a machine code, which device is characterized in that it comprises: - means for storing programs in the form of machine code, executable in at least one of the types of terminals in the network; means for determining which machine code is to be downloaded to a particular terminal outside the terminal type and or the type of subscription with which the terminal is currently operating; means for transmitting a program, in the form of machine code, to at least one terminal. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises translator means for translating intermediate level code into machine code in such a way that it can be executed in at least one type of portable terminal in a cellular network. 10 15 20 25 514 7621 18 11. ll. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in! in that at least one type of terminal is a portable terminal connected in a cellular network. Device according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that it comprises means for determining which terminal types can use each program. Device according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for determining which machine code is to be downloaded to a specific terminal on the basis of a serial number for the terminal. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises means for determining which machine code is to be downloaded to a certain terminal based on the type of subscription that applies to the terminal. Telecommunication network comprising host nodes and olika your different types of terminals, at least some of the terminals being connected to other parts of the network with wireless connections, characterized in that it comprises - at least one translator means for a programming language for which the source code can be compiled into an intermediate level code , which translator means is used to translate the intermediate level code into machine code executable on at least one of said terminals; - memory means for storing the machine code; means for determining which programs or program versions are to be downloaded to a particular terminal based on the type of terminal and / or the type of subscription with which the terminal is currently working; means for transmitting a program, in the form of machine code, to at least one terminal. 10 15 20 25 514 762 19 Telecommunication network according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises means for determining which program or which version of program is to be downloaded to a certain terminal outside the terminal type. Telecommunication network according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it comprises means for determining which program or which version of program is to be downloaded to a certain terminal on the basis of the type of subscription. Portable terminal arranged for wireless communication and comprising a core arranged to receive programs and / or program parts in the form of machine code, characterized in that the core is arranged to install the received programs or the program parts while the tenninal is in operation, and that it is arranged to inform the correct node in the network about its type and / or the type of subscription with which it is currently working. Portable terminal according to claim 18, characterized in that it is arranged to provide information to the user about the dependency tree for the available programs. Portable terminal according to claim 18 or 18, characterized in that it is arranged to inform the correct node in the network about its type and the type of subscription with which it is currently operating. Portable terminal according to one of Claims 18 to 20, characterized in that it is arranged to inform the correct node in the network of its current battery status. Portable terminal according to one of Claims 18 to 21, characterized in that it is arranged to receive and interpret information on whether a program or a program block is to be stored in the portable terminal.