TW548594B - Downloading of firmware for CE equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system includes a download server 100 and at least one CE apparatus 110. The download server 100 includes a communication interface 130 for communication via a wide area network 120. The server also stores operational firmware of the CE apparatus 110 in a storage 140. The CE apparatus 110 includes a communication interface 160 for communicating via the wide area network 120. The CE apparatus 110 stores a predetermined identifier 170 identifying the download server 100 with respect to the wide area network 120. The CE apparatus 110 initiates the downloading by establishing communication with the identified server 100. It receives the firmware from the download server 100, stores it in a writable storage medium 180, and ensures that the downloaded firmware will be executed by the processor 150.

Description

548594 V. Description of the Invention 1 ~ '" 一 ~ " ------ Mingshi ^ Ming is about a communication system that includes a download server and at least one set of microelectronics. The invention further relates to a communication system comprising an invention f, an interface and at least one set of microcomputer equipment. Guan ^ er is also about microcomputer equipment and interface equipment. According to the present invention, the method downloads the firmware to the microcomputer device automatically. The invention also relates to a computer program product.欧; 、 州 查 & i and Lv Gong, application £? 399 200 describes a communication system with a central head-end location, which is converted and connected via a cable TV network. The sub-addressable, addressable headers can be used to send firmware to individual converters via a wired network. This converter is used to store and receive the neodymium non-volatile memory β, and used to execute the firmware and processor. The firmware update is performed at the head end. Updates only apply to those authorized converters according to the records of 1-line TV operators. This record includes converter information, such as their address. . There are several disadvantages to the known types of updating, such as the need for updatable conversions, and the need for at least sometimes when the head-end wants to update the converter, the converter is accessible via the network. < The object of the present invention is to provide a method for improving firmware downloading of paper to a microcomputer device. In order to meet the purpose of the present invention, the communication system includes a download server and at least one set of microcomputer equipment; the download server includes a memory for storing microcomputer equipment operating body; and a communication for communication via a wide area network Interface; microcomputer equipment includes a predetermined identifier identifying a download server related to the WAN; and a

Page 5 548594 V. Description of the invention (2) The microcomputer equipment can be operated at the initial stage of communication through communication with the identified download server. / ≫ u τ & &Firmware; store the firmware on a writable storage medium; cause the download firmware to execute. _ The initial download value is located in the microcomputer device. Servers are often accessed via wide area routes. § The microcomputer device hopes to update its moving body temple, which can also be accessed from f itself ', so that wide-area connection is needed only when used. This delicate device stores server scolds. This identifier is preferably mounted on. Also get clothes & or buy time. This makes it easy to remove one blade without involving many users. In addition, there is no longer a need to manage the addresses / identifiers of a large number of microcomputer devices on the server. This microcomputer device can even be identical and the WAN need not be identifiable. The feeder identifier can be unique for each type of microcomputer device. This can be done using a patent #eye device for each type of microcomputer device. It is preferred to use a -person identifier 'where the primary identifier identifies the server of the network and the secondary identifier identifies the memory location of the server (or in some other way is specific to the type of microcomputer device). With the special representative of microcomputer equipment-an audio / video device, like KR and CD player, a computer peripheral, like a scanner, printer, camera, digital speaker; or-a home appliance I, such as a microwave oven, and coffee vending machine. The present invention is particularly suitable for these microcomputer devices which are not normally connected via software such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk drive or a user-replaceable memory module for easy software updates. In an alternative arrangement, the communication system includes a download server, an interface device and at least one set of microcomputer equipment; the download server

H9IIH $ 6 pages 548594 V. Description of the Invention (3)-Includes memory for storing operating firmware of microcomputer equipment; and communication interface used by the WAN for communication; this interface device includes the communication device used by the WAN for download server The first communication interface for communication is a second communication interface for communicating with a microcomputer device via a local network, the microcomputer device includes a predetermined identifier for identifying a relevant wide area network (WAN); and The communication port interface; and the communication device is operable to make the identifier available to the interface device. The interface device can establish communication with the download server; receive the firmware from the interface device; store the firmware into the storage medium; and cause The download firmware is executed; and this interface is operated to receive a predetermined identifier from the microcomputer device; establish communication with the download server and convert the firmware to the microcomputer device; the initial value of the microcomputer device or interface device. ’An interface device, such as a PC or a set-top box, is used by computer peripherals to access a remote download server. The user already has a wide area communication capable device. More and more such devices. Kushiro, such as USB or IEEE 1394, is used for microcomputer peripheral players, solid state players (like MP3 players), scanners, and digital speakers. With the provision of such equipment, it is possible to perform a firmware update in a cost-effective way during the download process ... There is a storage in the microphone (that is, in WeChat); r: Thunder π, holding the initial value, no need Fixed wide-area connection also does not recognize the server. 'It is not needed on the server but must be on the server; 丨 face a is prepared to use user information to install, with a minimum of one kind of method: and the communication interface and the interface have been identified in advance. The physical equipment can be identified and used to provide a very frequent installation in any kind of equipment such as a simple service. Utilization management, users

II 548594 V. Description of the invention (4) Automatic download replacement of the installation is also possible, as defined in item 3 of the patent scope of the subsidiary application — the initial stage of the microcomputer device. The download preferably automatically updates the new firmware every two downloads. For automatic installation, you can use the "Twenty Two" file to capture the most up-to-date operating software when it is not ready.迨 The device may be possible. 苴 In the middle section, the micro-electric A stand is produced in the mouth. Frenrenhong is ready to be jealous at the moment of lock sale. ^ ^ With moderately functional software can already be selected. ^ 2 in advance and the final feature of the software is manufacturing and selling. ::: In the law, the introduction time of microcomputer equipment can be reduced. In this case, the geodesy as defined in item 5 of the scope of the attached application patent = every few months is implemented to ensure that this device is justified in the measurement of the scope of the subsidiary application patent in item 6, using the initial body% t to download and provide Full user control. In this method, Manlidou 豆 (^ t ^ ^: i, two, even new carcasses with unexpected errors) can also be avoided. For the measurement defined in item 7 of the scope of the attached patent application, this microcomputer device has a button that allows the user to initiate the download in a simple way. This button can be a soft button. Especially for microcomputer devices that have a limited user interface, this device has a physical button that does not require any further installation or setup by the user to trigger a download. If it is measured in item 9 of the scope of the attached patent application, this microcomputer device recognizes its firmware. In this method, using certain download server for several microcomputer devices, the server identifier can download the firmware for these different microcomputer device types, where the firmware identifier is used to find the

548594 V. Description of the invention (5) The firmware required. Firmware identification can be simple, such as by product category. Firmware identification is a better indicator of the software version. The download server can ‘determine if a newer or improved version is available. °° In accordance with the purpose of the present invention, 'automatic downloading of operating firmware from a download server includes retrieval of a predetermined identification payment from a microcomputer device, and identification of a download server identifying a download server related to a wide area network. First determine the identifier to identify the download server, causing the download operation to be stored in a microcomputer writable storage medium, and to download the firmware using a microcomputer device. In order to meet the purpose of the present invention, the method of automatically downloading a brain device from a download server includes setting the interface at a glance = downloading: the identification of the server; downloading the server from the Guangtong microcomputer device. The q 丨 j path is changed to edit the moving body to :: a purpose of the present invention. A computer program includes a program that can be operated on the brain to perform the method mentioned above. The object of the present invention is to provide an interface device that provides an improved download from a download server to a microcomputer device. -Object of the invention 'This interface device includes a first communication interface for communicating with a download server via a wide area network; and a second communication interface for communicating with a microcomputer device via a network; this interface α The device is operable to receive a predetermined identifier from a microcomputer device; establish communication with an identified download server; receive an action from an identified download server ^

Page 9 548594 V. Description of the invention (6) and conversion of firmware to microcomputer equipment. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the illustrated embodiments. . Brother Figure 1 shows a system block diagram of a download server according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a system of a download server according to the present invention, a system with a set of microcomputer equipment Block diagram; 10 and FIG. 3 show a flowchart of a download method according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 shows a more detailed download coldness via an interface device. FIG. 1 shows a system block diagram of a download server and a microcomputer: 1 according to the present invention; communication can be established between a carrier 100 and a microcomputer device via a wide area network 120. In the example shown here = the device 110 is directly connected via a wide area network. The wide area network σ 120 passthrough including several switches will be detectable. In addition, or additional equipment on the microcomputer device side, such as relays, 柃, π: to be included in wide area communication. Regarding the use of the invention according to the following: quasi-interaction, such a device does not provide additional functionality. The public Internet is saved via a carrier server 100 that typically does not have a wide-area network, including one via the wide-area network. . . Interface 13. It can be any communication device used to provide communication, such as a telephone or cable modem. The download server 10 is a computer device. To operate the memory U of the moving body. This initial body is connected by microcomputer equipment u. The embedding place Wangliqi 15 is embedded to be executed

Page 10 548594 V. Description of the invention (7) ^ This firmware is generally in the form of executable code, but can also be in other suitable forms, such as decodable, like Java. This code can even have parameter settings for the presence of the embedding code, and the month b in which the embedding code is changed in this method. The download server is usually implemented on a computer, such as a server system used by Internet service providers. The electric device i 1 〇 includes a device for downloading and downloading via a wide area network 丨 2 〇. α 1 0 〇 through afL communication interface 丨 6 〇. The interface 16 includes any device for communication 2 suitable for mounting 4 'such as a telephone or a wired modem. The device also includes a memory 170 that stores a predetermined identifier identifying the WAN download server. This memory can be of any suitable type, such as pre-programmed with 7 to store permanent identifiers like ROM, CD-ROM or CD-R5, write-once 5 memory, or writeable memory, such as EEPR0M, hard drive or CD-RW. Preferably, solid-state memory is used. This memory can be permanent or removable in a microcomputer device, for example in the form of an automatic card, a memory stick or a CD-ROM type. This identifier can take any suitable form. For example, if the wide area network 120 is constructed using a telephone network via a dial-in server 100. This identifier can simply be a phone number. The complete international code is preferably used for such numbers, allowing microcomputer equipment to be used in different regions and different countries. If the wide area network 120 is a public Internet ', it is possible to use URLs. Microcomputer equipment 丨 Q can be operated to initiate download. Normally, the download process will be controlled by the processor 15 of the brain device 11 under program control. As part of the initial download value, the microcomputer device 110 establishes communication with the download server 100 via the wide area network 120.纟 Response_L ’Download Server 丄 〇 〇 Capture for microcomputer equipment

Page 11 548594 V. Description of the invention (8) 11 〇 firmware and convert the firmware to microcomputer equipment 11 〇. The microcomputer device i 0 receives the firmware and stores it in a writable storage medium 1 80. A memory 1 70 'like a description identifier may use any suitable type. Both memory 170 and 180 can be combined in the same physical memory. After the download has been completed, the firmware can be executed. Execution can begin immediately, for example, by loading the firmware from EEPROM to the execution memory, which typically consists of RAM, and restarting the execution of the program represented by the blade. It can also be executed to explicitly reset the microcomputer device (for example, use this device to turn off the device and then turn it on). In this case, the suspending boot process will automatically load the newly downloaded Wei blade body (assuming the boot program knows or is informed of the Memory storage location (like memory address. Download server status 1 0 0 can simply use access to find the required firmware in its memory 1 4 0 (for example, download server i00, which is one of the microcomputer device types, is specific, and The server identifier itself is equivalent to this firmware.) This identifier can also include more information that allows the server to operate on different types of microcomputer devices, such as in the form of a URL. In this case, the microcomputer device Ensure that this information is transferred to the server so that the server can better retrieve the requested firmware. For a URL, this automatically occurs within the Internet. Microcomputer devices 1 1 0 can also store an additional firmware that identifies the operating firmware Identifier. Such an identifier can be, for example, a particular microcomputer device type and / * or the current Cantonese version. If so, the microcomputer device The device 110 makes the firmware identification available to the download server and enables the download server i 00 to take an operating body suitable for this microcomputer device. Figure 2 shows that there is a download server 200 and an interface device 548594 according to the invention 2. Description of the invention (9) A system block diagram of the device 2 10 and a group of microcomputer equipment 2 2 0. The download server 2 0 0 may be the same as the download server of FIG. 1 described above. The interface device 2 2 includes a WAN 2 500 is the first communication interface 2 1 2 for communication with download server 2000. WAN 2 50 and communication technology can be as described above. This interface device can be connected to microcomputer through local network 2 600 Device communication. Three microcomputer devices 2 2 0, 23 0, and 240 are shown. The detailed description is only displayed on the micro computer device 2 2 0. This local network can be any suitable type of wired or unlimited, such as USB, IEEE 1 3 94, Ethernet, etc. This local network can be of any topology, such as point-to-point or bus / tree, and can include one or more parts. This network also Different technologies may be included, such as being connected via a bridge. The interface device 210 includes a second communication interface 214 for communicating with a microcomputer device via a local network 260. The microcomputer device 220 is substantially the same structure as described in FIG. 1, where Now the communication interface 2 2 2 is a local network interface, such as a USB transceiver. As before, the microcomputer device 2 220 stores a predetermined identifier identifying a download server related to a wide area network in the memory 2 2 4. The blade body is executed by the processor 2 2 6. In this arrangement, the microcomputer device 2 2 0 enables the predetermined identifier to be used for the interface device 2 丨 〇 enables the interface device 2 1 0 to establish and identify the download server 2 〇〇's communication. The microcomputer device 2 2 0 preferably obtains the initial value for converting ID to the interface device 2 1 0. However, the interface device 2 1 0 can also read the identifier from the micro computer 2 2 0 at its initial value. In either case, the interface device 2 1 0 receives a predetermined identifier from the microcomputer device 2 2 0 and establishes a communication with the identified download server 2 0. It is similar to the device already described in FIG. 1, where the computer device is established

Page 13 548594 V. Description of Invention (10) This communication. The interface device 210 receives the firmware from the identified download server 2000 and converts it to the microcomputer device 220. These operations will usually take place under the processor control of a user-friendly interface device 2 10. Similar to ^ 丨 ^ described, the microcomputer device 2 2 0 receives the firmware (but now from the interface device 210) 'storing the body in a writable storage medium; and causes the downloading body to execute (immediately or later). As described above in Fig. 1, the microcomputer device 2 2 0 may include a firmware identifier for identifying the operating firmware. The microcomputer device 2 2 〇 can make this identifier can be used in the download server 2 Q 〇 makes the download server cry 2 0 3b is enough to extract the best operating body suitable for the microcomputer 2 2 0. The microcomputer δ and 2 2 0 can actively convert the identifier to an interface device 2 1 0 that passes above the download server 2 0 0. The interface device 2 1 0 can optionally read it from the microcomputer device 2 2 0. In one embodiment according to the invention, the download is initiated automatically. This initial value can be obtained using a microcomputer device (both shown in the structure of Fig. 1 or 2), the interface e (the structure of Fig. 2), or either (the structure of Fig. 2). It is preferred to automatically initiate the download as part of the first installation of the microcomputer device. If the initial value is obtained using a microcomputer device, this microcomputer device can check whether the body has been downloaded or not when it is powered. For this purpose, the microcomputer device can store a flag in a rewritable memory. This flag can be set by the manufacturer to indicate that a download has not yet occurred and to change to indicate that a download has taken place after it has been completely successfully downloaded. If the initial value is obtained using an interface device, this interface can use functions that can be used without complicated installation on a local network to test the microcomputer device for booting. This interface device can self-manage the firmware, whether it has been downloaded to or read from a microcomputer device, similar to the above

Page 14 548594 V. Description of the invention (11) A ^^ ---- The description flag, when downloading can be selected or added during installation, is the body, downloading can be automatically started at a fixed time interval. It is located in a microcomputer device or interface device. Save the most = can and compare it with the current time indication to determine whether there is privacy between the day and day and therefore whether a new download is better = sufficient how long it was born to take place when the parent or secondary interface device or microcomputer device is turned on Initialize the response to the trigger from the user when the trigger for download is optional or added above. To this end 2-the acquisition device (microcomputer device or interface device) preferably includes a user actuation button that initially receives a trigger from the user. To ensure simplicity; 2, this button is a physical button is better. If this button is located on the device; for example, setting the top box, the button's activity is better to trigger the firmware download for the parent computer downloadable microcomputer device. In this method, use Go ^ to simply upgrade the entire system with a one-button activity. Fig. 3 illustrates a method from a download server itself to a microcomputer device according to the present invention. This method includes the following steps: computer equipment operation. This identifier can be uploaded using microelectronics: device read. This identifier identifies the benefits of downloads related to the WAN. At step 320, the outgoing connection via the wide area network. This connection can be downloaded from a writable storage medium of a microcomputer device using a microcomputer device or an interface device. At step 350, the child

548594 V. Description of the invention (12) The carrier firmware is executed by microcomputer equipment. FIG. 4 provides a more detailed method for automatically downloading the operating firmware from the download server 42 to the microcomputer device 400, where the download occurs via the interface device 4 1〇, which is operable to communicate with the download server 4 2 0 via a wide area network And communication with microcomputer equipment 400 via local network. The method includes step 430, in which a predetermined identifier is converted from the microcomputer device 400 to the interface device 41. This identifier can be read and transmitted using a microcomputer device or can be read using an interface device from a microcomputer device. This identifier identifies the download service related to the wide area network and, for its part, enables the interface device 4 to establish communication with the identified download server 4 2 0. At step 4 40, a connection is made from the interface device 410 to the identified download server 42o via the wide area network. At step 450, the operating firmware is downloaded from the storage medium of the download server 42 to the interface; i 4 10 At step 460, the download operating firmware is changed from the interface to the computer device 4GQ via the local network. In step 47G, this download operation is initially stored in the writable storage medium of the microcomputer device 400. In step 480, the download firmware is prepared for execution using a microcomputer device. The functions described herein are typically performed under the control of a conventional device. This processor, such as a pc class = processor or a processor like a DSP, can be processed programmatically. This program is usually entered from the background memory. Computer program products can be used, for example, to plant landscape memory towels. Such products can be stored in the C-D-ROM, or distributed via the Internet. Like the public Internet II, three different programs can contain I,. As shown in Figure 4 '3, the method according to the invention is performed:

Page 16 548594 V. Description of the invention (13) One program is on the server, one is on the interface device, and one is on the microcomputer device. 0 1 ^ 1 page 17

Claims (1)

548594 VI. Scope of patent application1. One type includes a download server; the download server communicates with at least one set of microcomputer equipment; the download server includes a storage device; and-via a wide area network: storage microcomputer device operation and storage of the blade Microcomputer equipment includes: a communication interface for communication; a predetermined identifier; and-two communication interfaces related to server communication of a download server of a wide area network; 躞 used by the wide area network to identify the download of the microcomputer device. Firmware; Store firmware in writable :: download; receive rows from download server. Writer's storage medium; and cause downloading activity 2. A communication system including a download server interface device and at least a group of microcomputer equipment; The download server includes _ 闺 搜 突 · ^ L for storing microcomputer equipment fall童 7? 执 ώΑ — storage state; and a storage device through Guangxi Yan ^ leisure cerium as the firmware. The interface device includes 22: = communication interface; the first-communication interface; ... f: two for download server The second communication interface of the device communication; 夂 °°, Zhou Road for communication with the microcomputer equipment, the microcomputer equipment includes a rule ω ^ 哉 and also a predetermined identifier for the aging date under the wide area network β σσ ΛΑ; and —Sister Shimin Jiacai downloads the communication state of the server. The network interface for the server communication of the disk P ^ σ σ server; and a microcomputer device that has been downloaded is operable to: make a predetermined identifier Can be used in Ba Er μm * Renli communicates with the identified download server: 丨 ° and '丨 surface equipment can be built to receive moving objects from interface equipment; Page 18 548594 = Firmware is stored in a writable storage medium; and 40% of the download firmware is executed; and Fu child; The device is operable to receive a predetermined identification from a microcomputer device ^ pull to establish communication with the identified download server; Identify the download server port, Wei knife body, and convert the firmware to the microcomputer device; ° Hip load is initialized by the microcomputer device or interface device. △ If the communication system of item 1 or 2 of patent application scope, it is initialized automatically. Bucha 4 · If the patent application scope 3 download is used as a microcomputer device 5 · If the patent application scope 3 is the new operating firmware, at a fixed 6 · If the patent application scope 1 is the response to the trigger from the user 7 · For example, the 6th patent application includes equipment for receiving from sister. 8 · If the scope of patent application is the seventh rational button. 9 · If the first device in the scope of patent application includes an identification operation firmware, the microcomputer device can be operated in a communication system that enables the download server to support item 0, which automatically initializes a part of the first installation. The communication system of the item, in which downloading is automatically initiated in order to obtain the maximum time interval. Or the communication system of 2 items, in which the downloading is initially 4 daggers. The communication system of the item, wherein the user is initialized by taking the user's trigger to start the communication system of the item, wherein the button is an object or a communication system of 2 items, in which the firmware identifier of the microelectronics; Download servo cry capture operation suitable for microcomputer equipment ;;: P.19 548594 Application for Patent Scope If you apply for the communication system of item 1 or 2 of the patent scope, Langzhong Internet. "Yin, or network" two kinds of micro-electronic toothbrushes used in the system such as the first patent application scope, the microcomputer equipment includes a predetermined identifier for identifying the downloading of the wide area network; and A communication interface for communication with a downloaded server; the microcomputer device can be operated at two locations; receiving firmware from a download server; storing the firmware in a writable = $ female,) ι, and causing download firmware carried out. = Sub \ 1 '— A microcomputer used in a system such as the scope of patent application No. 2 Interface; and, do n’t violate the computer equipment can be operated on: to make a predetermined identifier available to the interface-and have been 5? 丨 1 under the B β "" for use; Able to build ... GA download server communication; receive mobiles from interface devices; store firmware in a writable storage medium; and execute downloading primitives; and downloads are initialized using microcomputer devices or interface devices. 偌The first interface used for the system such as the second scope of the patent application is set to 1 μm. The “surface” also includes a connection via a wide area network to the download server, a “deuterium connection”, and a communication channel. Local network is a second communication interface for communicating with microcomputer equipment; remote interface equipment is operable to receive predetermined identification from microcomputer equipment Page 548594 Create and exchange the firmware with the identified device and convert it 1 4 · A method from the download server 'This method includes retrieving the download server of the Guangwei network from a microcomputer device to cause the operating firmware to pass through the server storage medium Causing the download operation firmware to be introduced; and causing the download firmware to be used 15. If the patent application device occurs, the steps operable to download via a local network and a microcomputer include: converting from a microcomputer device to a device that can be established and identified via the WAN Down and from the local network via the local network. 16. A method of downloading from the server, including communication from the micro server on the interface via a local network; from Wei Blade to micro computer equipment. The server automatically downloads and operates the predetermined identifier; the server; the WAN load from the predetermined; the body is stored in the microcomputer device; The method around item 14, which uses the wide area network to communicate with the download server, causes the server to automatically download and operate the device to perform the following steps: Computer equipment captures the pre-determined identified download server to the microcomputer device identifier identification Relevant identifiers can be written to the storage media for downloading via the interface server communication and the firmware from the download server to the page first to determine the identifier to the interface device so that the interface has a download server communication operation; Firmware to interface device; Surface device conversion download operation firmware to microcomputer device to microcomputer device fixed identifier; the identification 548594 VI. Scope of patent application The identifier identifies the download server related to the WAN; receives the operating firmware from the download server via the wide area network; and converts the download operating firmware to the microcomputer device via the local network. 17. A computer program product, wherein the program is operable to cause a computer to execute the method as described in item 16 of the scope of patent application. Page 22