WO2002006979A2 - Systeme de materiel informatique configurable - Google Patents

Systeme de materiel informatique configurable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002006979A2
WO2002006979A2 PCT/IL2001/000513 IL0100513W WO0206979A2 WO 2002006979 A2 WO2002006979 A2 WO 2002006979A2 IL 0100513 W IL0100513 W IL 0100513W WO 0206979 A2 WO0206979 A2 WO 0206979A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hardware device
circuit reconfiguration
configurable hardware
circuit
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2001/000513
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002006979A3 (fr
Inventor
Doron Handelman
Shlomo Kipnis
Gershon Bar-On
Daniel Ratner
Original Assignee
Nds Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IL137296A external-priority patent/IL137296A/en
Application filed by Nds Limited filed Critical Nds Limited
Priority to GB0300114A priority Critical patent/GB2382445B/en
Priority to AU2001264205A priority patent/AU2001264205A1/en
Priority to US10/332,868 priority patent/US20040016002A1/en
Publication of WO2002006979A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002006979A2/fr
Publication of WO2002006979A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002006979A3/fr
Priority to US12/586,154 priority patent/US20100121748A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F30/00—Computer-aided design [CAD]
    • G06F30/30—Circuit design
    • G06F30/34—Circuit design for reconfigurable circuits, e.g. field programmable gate arrays [FPGA] or programmable logic devices [PLD]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to configurable hardware devices, and more particularly to use of configurable hardware devices in consumer appliances.
  • STBs set-top boxes
  • cellular telephones are typically unchangeable and a user who wants to add or change applications in a consumer appliance needs to purchase additional hardware and to install it in his appliance.
  • broadcasters and communications service providers that are interested in adding capabilities to consumer appliances that they serve must replace or upgrade the consumer appliances and such replacement or upgrading operations are typically time consuming and expensive.
  • the replacement or upgrading of the consumer appliances may be avoided if the consumer appliances can be upgraded at consumer sites, preferably, from a remote site. This may be achieved by using configurable hardware devices such as Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) in the consumer appliances.
  • CPLDs Complex Programmable Logic Devices
  • FPGAs Field Programmable Gate Arrays
  • a hardware configuration of a CPLD or an FPGA may be downloaded via the Internet as described in the following publications: an article published in Hebrew and entitled (in translation) "Working Close, Programming Far", by Azi Mehtinger in Electronica magazine, Issue 80, September - October 1999, pp. 32 - 35; and an article published in Hebrew and entitled (in translation)
  • DSP Digital signal processing
  • US Patent 5,774,546 to Handelman et al describes a data access system including a processor, an IC card reader and writer coupled to a processor and including an IC card receptacle, and an IC card that is insertable into the IC card receptacle.
  • the IC card has two separate integrated circuits embodied within, and each of the separate integrated circuits is separately accessible by the IC card reader and writer.
  • PCT/ILOO/00103 filed February 20, 2000 describe a method and system for determining that all of a scrambled message, which is typically but not necessarily divided into sub-messages, has been successfully received at a receiver.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved method and apparatus for remote configuration of configurable hardware devices at consumer premises via communication networks.
  • a user of a user unit may transmit via a communication network to a hardware configuration provider a request to reconfigure a configurable hardware device in the user unit.
  • the hardware configuration provider preferably transmits via the communication network a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device.
  • the circuit reconfiguration is preferably received at the user unit and implemented in the configurable hardware device thereby generating a reconfigured hardware device. Then, upon determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device, which may be provided by testing the reconfigured hardware device, the user may be billed for the transmitted circuit reconfiguration. Preferably, the following operations are performed without user intervention: implementing the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device; testing of the reconfigured hardware device; and billing of the user.
  • the user unit may include a smart card that provides access control to the circuit reconfiguration and the configurable hardware device.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may include using one of the following: an initial circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device; and a circuit configuration replacing an existing circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device.
  • the configurable hardware device may include at least one of the following types: an FPGA; and a CPLD.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may include at least one of the following circuit configurations: a digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator; a DES/AES (DES - Data Encryption Standard, AES - Advanced Encryption Standard) supporter; a camera effects controller; a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS); a graphic accelerator; and a modular arithmetic accelerator.
  • DSP digital signal processing
  • DES/AES DES - Data Encryption Standard, AES - Advanced Encryption Standard
  • OS operating system
  • graphic accelerator a graphic accelerator
  • modular arithmetic accelerator arithmetic accelerator
  • the present invention is applicable for at least the following types of user units: a smart card; a set-top box (STB); a plug-in card for a computer; a micro/nano-robotic device; a television including STB functionality; and a cellular telephone.
  • a method for reconfiguring a circuit configuration of a configurable hardware device via a communication network including the steps of transmitting via the communication network from a hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device in response to a request from a user of the configurable hardware device to reconfigure the configurable hardware device, implementing the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device thereby reconfiguring the configurable hardware device and providing a reconfigured hardware device, and billing the user in response to a determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the configurable hardware device is included in a user unit.
  • the method also preferably includes the step of testing the reconfigured hardware device to determine correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device after the implementing step.
  • the testing step preferably includes the step of testing the reconfigured hardware device via the hardware configuration provider unit to determine correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the testing step is performed without user intervention.
  • the implementing step preferably includes the step of implementing the reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device without user intervention.
  • the billing step preferably includes the steps of generating, at the user unit, a message indicating correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device in response to the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device, transmitting the message from the user unit to the hardware configuration provider unit, and billing the user in response to reception of the message at the hardware configuration provider unit.
  • the transmitting step preferably includes the step of transmitting the message without user intervention.
  • the billing step includes the steps of generating, at the hardware configuration provider unit, a message indicating correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device in response to the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device, and billing the user in response to the message.
  • the request from the user is associated with an indication of agreement of the user to pay for the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device.
  • the indication of agreement of the user to pay for the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device preferably includes a representation of financial transaction details and/or a payment identification code.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be associated with an application, and the request from the user may include a payment identification code indicating agreement of the user to pay for the application and for the circuit reconfiguration associated with the application.
  • the method also includes the step of enabling use of the circuit reconfiguration in execution of an application in response to the billing step.
  • the billing step preferably includes the step of conditionally accessing the circuit reconfiguration to allow use of the circuit reconfiguration in execution of an application.
  • the conditionally accessing step preferably includes the step of generating an enabling key to allow access to the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device is included in an applet including an application program and a circuit reconfiguration file
  • the implementing step preferably includes the steps of using the circuit reconfiguration file to implement the circuit reconfiguration so as to provide the reconfigured circuit device, and executing the application program by the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the applet is preferably signed with a digital signature.
  • the applet may also be encrypted, and the method may also include the step of decrypting the applet prior to the executing step.
  • the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device may include a first applet including an application program and a second applet including a circuit reconfiguration file, and the step of transmitting the circuit reconfiguration in response to the request from the user may include the step of transmitting the first applet and the second applet separately.
  • the first applet and the second applet are preferably separately encrypted.
  • the implementing step may alternatively include the steps of implementing the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device in the configurable hardware device for a predetermined time period, and deleting the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device from the configurable hardware device after the predetermined time period elapses.
  • the deleting step preferably includes the steps of transmitting a delete signal from the hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device when the predetermined time period elapses, and erasing the circuit reconfiguration from the configurable hardware device in response to the delete signal.
  • a method for reconfiguring a circuit configuration of a configurable hardware device with a circuit reconfiguration which is operative to execute an application in a first communication network including the steps of transmitting the circuit reconfiguration via a second communication network from a hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device, implementing the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device thereby proving a reconfigured hardware device, and employing the reconfigured hardware device reconfigured by the circuit reconfiguration to execute the application in the first communication network.
  • a method for reconfiguring a circuit configuration of a configurable hardware device with a circuit reconfiguration including the steps of transmitting a first portion of the circuit reconfiguration via a first communication network from a hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device, implementing the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device thereby providing a partially reconfigured hardware device, transmitting a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration via a second communication network from the hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device, the entire circuit configuration including the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration and the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration, implementing the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device thereby providing an entirely reconfigured hardware device, and employing the entirely reconfigured hardware device to execute an application in one of the following: the first communication network, and the second communication network.
  • a method for reconfiguring a circuit configuration of a configurable hardware device with a circuit reconfiguration enabling performance of a complex mathematical computation including the steps of transmitting a first portion of the circuit reconfiguration via a communication network from a hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device, the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration being useful for performing a first set of mathematical computations from the complex mathematical computation, implementing the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device thereby providing a partially reconfigured hardware device, operating the partially reconfigured hardware device to perform the first set of mathematical computations, transmitting a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration via a communication network from the hardware configuration provider unit to the configurable hardware device, the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration being useful for performing a second set of mathematical computations from the complex mathematical computation, wherein the complex mathematical computation includes the first set of mathematical computations and the second set of mathematical computations, implementing the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device thereby providing an entirely
  • a user unit in a communication network including a configurable hardware device, and a communication interface unit operatively associated with the communication network and the configurable hardware device and operative to receive, from a hardware configuration provider unit via the communication network, a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device in response to a request from a user of the user unit to reconfigure the configurable hardware device in the user unit, wherein the user is billed when both of the following have occurred: implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device so as to provide a reconfigured hardware device, and determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the user unit also includes an appliance operatively associated with the configurable hardware device, wherein the configurable hardware device, when configured by the circuit reconfiguration, is operative to change behavior of the appliance.
  • the appliance may include a smart card or one of the following: a set-top box (STB), a plug-in card for a computer, a micro/nano-robotic device, a television including STB functionality, and a cellular telephone.
  • the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device includes one of the following: an initial circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device, and a circuit configuration replacing an existing circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may include at least one of the following circuit configurations: a digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator, a DES/AES supporter, a camera effects controller, a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS), a graphic accelerator, and a modular arithmetic accelerator.
  • DSP digital signal processing
  • DES/AES supporter a DES/AES supporter
  • camera effects controller a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS)
  • OS operating system
  • graphic accelerator a graphic accelerator
  • modular arithmetic accelerator arithmetic accelerator
  • the configurable hardware device preferably includes at least one of the following: an FPGA, and a CPLD.
  • the hardware configuration provider unit is preferably included in a headend of a pay television network, and the communication network preferably includes a pay television network.
  • the user unit also includes a processor operatively associated with the configurable hardware device and the communication interface unit, and the processor is operative to enable billing of the user when both of the following have occurred: the implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device so as to provide a reconfigured hardware device, and the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the processor is also operative to test the reconfigured hardware device so as to provide the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device.
  • the user unit may additionally include a security element operatively associated with the configurable hardware device and operative to provide conditional access to the circuit reconfiguration by conditionally allowing use of the circuit reconfiguration in execution of an application.
  • the security element preferably includes a removable security element.
  • the removable security element preferably includes a smart card.
  • the communication interface unit is also operatively associated with an additional communication network, and the reconfigured hardware device is employed to execute an application in the additional communication network.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be implemented for a predetermined time period predetermined by the processor, and the processor may be operative to generate a command for deleting the circuit reconfiguration after the predetermined time period elapses.
  • the predetermined time period may be predetermined by the hardware configuration provider unit, and the hardware configuration provider unit may be operative to generate a command for deleting the circuit reconfiguration after the predetermined time period elapses.
  • the user unit may also preferably include a server operative to serve a plurality of appliances.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may include a plurality of sub-circuit reconfigurations, and each sub-circuit reconfiguration is operative to execute an application associated with one of the plurality of appliances.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be used in a time-sharing basis to execute applications associated with the plurality of appliances.
  • a user unit in a first communication network including a configurable hardware device, and a communication interface unit operatively associated with the first communication network, a second communication network and the configurable hardware device and operative to receive a first portion of a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device from a first hardware configuration provider unit via the first communication network, and a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device from a second hardware configuration provider unit via the second communication network, the entire circuit reconfiguration including the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration and the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration, wherein after implementation of the entire circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device so as to provide an entirely reconfigured hardware device, the entirely reconfigured hardware device is operative to execute an application in one of the following: the first communication network, and the second communication network.
  • a user unit in a communication network including a configurable hardware device, and a communication interface unit operatively associated with the communication network and the configurable hardware device and operative to separately receive a first portion of a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device and a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device from a hardware configuration provider unit via the communication network, the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration being useful for performing a first set of mathematical computations included in a complex mathematical computation, the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration being useful for performing a second set of mathematical computations included in the complex mathematical computation, wherein after implementation of the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device, the configurable hardware device is enabled to perform the first set of mathematical computations, and after the implementation of the first portion and after implementation of the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device, the configurable hardware device is enabled to complete the complex mathematical computation.
  • a communication system including a communication network, a hardware configuration provider unit operatively associated with the communication network, and a multiplicity of user units operatively associated with the hardware configuration provider unit, each of the multiplicity of user units including a configurable hardware device, and a communication interface unit operatively associated with the communication network and the configurable hardware device and operative to receive, from the hardware configuration provider unit via the communication network, a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device, wherein upon implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device so as to provide a reconfigured hardware device and determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device, billing for the circuit reconfiguration is enabled.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustration of a preferred embodiment of a user unit in the communication system of Fig. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a preferred implementation of a circuit reconfiguration of a configurable hardware device in the user unit of Fig. 2;
  • Figs. 4A and 4B are simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustrations of preferred implementations of smart cards in the user unit of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustration of a preferred implementation of an appliance including the user unit of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a preferred method of operation of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustration of a communication system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the communication system 10 preferably includes a communication network 15.
  • the communication network 15 may preferably include at least one of the following: a broadcast or a multicast network; a unicast network; and a telephone network. It is appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the type of communication network 15 used in the communication system 10 and/or by the type of communicating termini in the communication system 10.
  • the broadcast or multicast network may be a one-way or a two-way network and may include a television network or a multicast computer network.
  • the unicast network may include a one-way or a two-way unicast computer network.
  • Both the multicast computer network and the unicast computer network may be implemented by at least one of the following: a local-area-network (LAN); a metropolitan-area-network (MAN); and a wide-area-network (WAN).
  • LAN local-area-network
  • MAN metropolitan-area-network
  • WAN wide-area-network
  • the television network may be implemented via infrastructure including any combination of coaxial cables, satellite, telephone wires, and fiber optic cables. It is appreciated that the television network may include a pay television network.
  • the telephone network 15 may include a cellular telephone network or a wired telephone network that may be implemented via infrastructure including, for example, any combination of coaxial cables, satellite, telephone wires, and fiber optic cables.
  • the communication system 10 preferably enables communication between two ends of the communication system 10 via the communication network 15.
  • the communication network 15 in Fig. 1 is a television network and a user unit 20 may communicate via a satellite 25 with a headend 30 of the television network 15. Additionally or alternatively, the user unit 20 may communicate with a local-area-network (LAN) 35 and a telephone network 40.
  • LAN local-area-network
  • the user unit 20 may communicate with any number of networks via suitable interfaces.
  • the user unit 20 is preferably one of a multiplicity of user units that may communicate with each of the television network 15, the LAN 35 and the telephone network 40.
  • the user unit 20 preferably includes an appliance, such as a set-top box (STB) 45 that may be associated with a television 50.
  • an appliance such as a set-top box (STB) 45 that may be associated with a television 50.
  • STB 45 and the television 50 may be replaced by a television including STB functionality (not shown).
  • the STB 45 is preferably associated with an antenna 55 for reception of transmissions from the headend 30.
  • the appliance included in the user unit 20 may alternatively include one of the following: a plug-in card for a computer; a micro/nano-robotic device; and a cellular telephone.
  • the television 50 may be replaced, for example, by a built-in display (not shown) in the appliance.
  • the STB 45 may preferably include a configurable hardware device 60 and a communication interface unit 65 operatively associated with the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the communication interface unit 65 is also preferably operatively associated with the communication network 15 and is operative to receive, from a hardware configuration provider unit 70 via the communication network 15, a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the hardware configuration provider unit 70 may be located at one of the following locations: the headend 30; a telephone node (not shown); and a LAN node (not shown).
  • the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device may be received in response to a request from a user of the user unit 20 to reconfigure the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20.
  • the user of the user unit 20 may be billed.
  • the configurable hardware device 60 implements the circuit reconfiguration without user intervention. It is appreciated that the configurable hardware device 60 may operate either in a non-volatile mode in which the circuit reconfiguration is maintained when the STB 45 is turned off, or in a volatile mode in which the circuit configuration is erased when the STB 45 is turned off. Preferably, a price for the circuit reconfiguration may differ according to the mode in which the configurable hardware device 60 operates.
  • the circuit reconfiguration is preferably intended to change behavior of the STB 45, such as by changing an algorithm performed by the STB 45, by changing an operation mode of the STB 45 and so forth. It is appreciated that by changing the behavior of the STB 45, performance of the STB 45 may change, and therefore, upon operation of the reconfigured hardware device 60, the performance of the STB 45 may be changed and typically enhanced with respect to performance of the STB 45 before implementation of the circuit reconfiguration.
  • circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60 may include one of the following circuit configurations: an initial circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device 60; and a circuit configuration replacing an existing circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the configurable hardware device 60 may preferably include, for example, at least one of the following: an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array); and a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).
  • the circuit reconfiguration for each type of the configurable hardware device 60 being used in the user unit 20, may preferably include, for example, at least one of the following circuit configurations: a digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator; a DES (Data Encryption Standard) or AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) supporter; a camera effects controller; a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS); a graphic accelerator; and a modular arithmetic accelerator.
  • DSP digital signal processing
  • DES Data Encryption Standard
  • AES Advanced Encryption Standard
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustration of a preferred embodiment of a user unit in the communication system of Fig. 1.
  • the television transmissions received at the antenna 55 may preferably include conventional television programs as well as pay television transmissions and data in television format.
  • the data in television format may include, for example, multimedia data, computer-generated data and applications, world-wide-web (web) pages, teletext, video games, computer program codes, and audio data.
  • the antenna 55 that receives the television transmissions preferably provides the television transmissions to an integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) 100 in the STB 45 via cables 105, such as coaxial cables.
  • the antenna 55 may be a receive/transmit antenna that may also transmit information provided via the IRD 100.
  • the antenna 55 may be part of a conventional VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) (not shown).
  • VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal
  • the IRD 100 is operative to receive and decode the television transmissions and to provide decoded television transmissions to the television 50.
  • the television transmissions may be provided either in an analog format or in a digital format, and accordingly the IRD 100 may be either an analog IRD or a digital IRD.
  • the IRD 100 is preferably operatively associated with a communication bus 110 in the STB 45.
  • the following units may be embodied in the STB 45 and also preferably operatively associated with the communication bus 110: a compressor/decompressor 115; an encryptor/decrypter 120; a processor 125; a memory 130; a security element reader, such as smart card reader 135; a telephone modem 140; the configurable hardware device 60; and a LAN interface 145.
  • the compressor/decompressor 115, the encryptor/decrypter 120, the processor 125, the memory 130, the security element reader 135, the modem 140, the configurable hardware device 60, and the LAN interface 145 may be operative to communicate with each other directly without using bus communication.
  • the LAN interface 145 may be employed to communicate in two-way communication with the LAN 35.
  • the telephone modem 140 may be employed to communicate, for example, with the Internet, via the telephone network 40.
  • television transmissions may be provided to the user unit 20 via telephone, and Internet transmissions may be provided via the headend 30 and the satellite 25.
  • the user unit 20 may also receive video transmissions from an external video source 150.
  • the user unit 20 may receive information in various forms from a variety of sources and via networks comprised in the communication network 15.
  • the information provided to the user unit 20 may preferably be received via at least one of the following: the IRD 100; the modem 140; and the LAN interface 145. It is further appreciated that at least one of the following: the IRD 100; the modem 140; and the LAN interface 145 may be included in the communication interface unit 65.
  • the processor 125 is preferably operatively associated with an input/output (I/O) interface 155 which is operative to receive inputs from at least one input device, such as a remote control 160, a keyboard (not shown), and a mouse (not shown).
  • I/O input/output
  • the processor 125 may use inputs received via the I/O interface 155 to browse through or make selections from the information received via the communication network 15.
  • the security element reader 135 is preferably operative to accept a security element that may preferably include a removable security element such as a smart card 165.
  • the security element reader 135 is operative to read data from and to write data into the smart card 165.
  • the smart card 165 is preferably operatively associated with the configurable hardware device 60 via the communication bus 110 and is preferably operative to provide conditional access to the configurable hardware device 60 by conditionally allowing at least one of the following: loading a circuit reconfiguration into the configurable hardware device 60; and using the circuit reconfiguration in execution of an application by the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the processor 125 may be embodied in the smart card 165 or in any other removable element (not shown). In such a case, the smart card 165, or the removable element, may be operative to perform all the functions of the processor 125, and the processor 125 may be optional.
  • the configurable hardware device 60 may also be embodied in a removable element (not shown) which may be accessed by an external card reader (not shown) that is operatively associated with the communication bus 110.
  • the memory 130 may preferably be used to store information for use by the processor 125. It is appreciated that the memory 130 may be either an internal memory, or may be embodied in the smart card 165 or in a removable memory card (not shown) accessed by a memory reader (not shown).
  • the compressor/decompressor 115 may preferably be used to compress information before transmission from the user unit 20 and to decompress compressed information received at the user unit 20.
  • the encryptor/decrypter 120 may preferably be used to encrypt information before transmission from the user unit 20 and to decrypt encrypted information received at the user unit 20.
  • a separate encryptor and a separate decrypter may be provided, or only one of an encryptor and a decrypter may be provided.
  • the compressor/decompressor 115 and the encryptor/decrypter 120 may each operate in a conventional manner, as is well known in the art, and may preferably be implemented in any appropriate combination of hardware and software such as, for example, in the processor 125.
  • the information encrypted/decrypted by the encryptor/decrypter 120 may include various types of information such as computer data, television transmissions, and applets such as applets that include circuit reconfigurations of the configurable hardware device 60 as described below.
  • the information compressed/decompressed by the compressor/decompressor 115 may include various types of information such as computer data, television transmissions, and applets such as applets that include circuit reconfigurations of the configurable hardware device 60 as described below.
  • the user unit 20 due to its network connectivity, may also function as a server for serving a plurality of appliances, such as appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185, by providing, for example, updates of operational data to the appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185.
  • the updates of operational data may be used, for example, to expand the variety of features supported by the plurality of appliances and to enable the plurality of appliances to use software updates and a variety of software programs.
  • the user unit 20 may be operative to serve the plurality of appliances via at least one of the following: the modem 140; the LAN interface 145; and the IRD 100. In the example depicted in Fig.
  • the user unit 20 serves the appliances 170 and 175 via the LAN interface 145 and the LAN 30, and the appliances 180 and 185 via the modem 140 and the telephone network 40. It is appreciated that the number of appliances served by the user unit 20 may vary.
  • a user of the user unit 20 may transmit to an operator of the hardware configuration provider unit 70, typically located at premises of a hardware configuration provider (not shown), a request to upgrade the user unit 20 or to change the functionality of the user unit 20.
  • Such an upgrade or functionality change may be required in order to enable execution of applications that require, for example, rich-graphics, camera effects, DSP acceleration, various kinds of encryption/decryption algorithms or methods, and so forth.
  • the upgrade or the functionality change may be provided by reconfiguring the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20 with a circuit reconfiguration having an enhanced required processing ability.
  • the term "reconfiguration" in all of its forms is used throughout the specification and claims to include use of an initial configuration as well as a configuration replacing an existing configuration.
  • the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20 may include use of one of the following: an initial circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device 60; and a circuit configuration replacing an existing circuit configuration of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the enhanced required processing ability may be provided, for example, by a circuit reconfiguration having a digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator that enhances processing of applications that require DSP.
  • DSP digital signal processing
  • Applications that require encryption/decryption processing may be enhanced, for example, by a circuit configuration having a DES/AES support subsystem.
  • Other examples of circuit configurations that may enhance processing of applications may include the following: a camera effects controller; a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS); a graphic accelerator; and a modular arithmetic accelerator.
  • the request from the user may be associated with an indication of agreement of the user to pay for the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the indication of agreement of the user to pay for the circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60 may include a representation of financial transaction details and/or a payment identification code that may be processed to enable billing of the user.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be associated with an application, and the request from the user may include a payment identification code indicating agreement of the user to pay for both the application and the circuit reconfiguration associated with the application.
  • transmission of the request to the hardware configuration provider may preferably include transmission, by the processor 125, of the payment identification code in the upstream to the headend 30 via one of the IRD 100, the modem 140 and the LAN interface 145.
  • the headend 30 may then process the payment identification code to bill the user or send an indication of the request of the user together with billing information obtained from the payment identification code to the hardware configuration provider thereby enabling the hardware configuration provider to bill the user.
  • upstream is used throughout the specification and claims to refer to a direction of communication from the user unit 20 to the headend 30 or the hardware configuration provider, and the term “downstream” is used to refer to a direction of communication from the hardware configuration provider or the headend 30 to the user unit 20.
  • the hardware configuration provider may use the hardware configuration provider unit 70 to transmit to the user unit 20, in the downstream via the communication network 15, a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20.
  • the circuit reconfiguration transmitted to the user unit 20 may be signed by a digital signature prior to transmission thereof.
  • the smart card 165 or the processor 125 may perform an authentication procedure to verify authenticity of the signature associated with the circuit reconfiguration transmitted by the hardware configuration provider. If authenticity of the signature is verified, the circuit reconfiguration may be received and implemented at the user unit 20. It is appreciated that the circuit reconfiguration may be received via the communication network 15 at one of the IRD 100, the modem 140 and the LAN interface 145 depending on a communication path used to transmit the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may however be transmitted over more than one communication path so that, for example, a first portion of the circuit reconfiguration may be transmitted from the hardware configuration provider unit 70 via the LAN 35, and a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration may be broadcast from the hardware configuration provider unit 70 via the satellite 25. It is appreciated that the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration together with the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration form the entire circuit reconfiguration. Once the circuit reconfiguration is entirely received at the user unit
  • the configurable hardware device 60 preferably implements the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20, thereby reconfiguring the configurable hardware device 60 and providing a reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20 may be performed without user intervention.
  • circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 may be controlled by the processor 125 or the smart card 165.
  • the smart card 165 may also provide conditional access to allow the implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 only under certain conditions, such as only when there was prior registration in a database (not shown) supported by the hardware configuration provider.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be implemented in more than one stage.
  • the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration may be implemented so as to provide a partially reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration is implemented thereby completing reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device 60 so as to provide the reconfigured hardware device 60 being entirely reconfigured.
  • the processor 125 or the smart card 165 may control implementation of at least one of the following: the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration; the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration; and the entire circuit reconfiguration.
  • the smart card 165 may provide conditional access to allow the implementation in the configurable hardware device 60 under certain conditions of at least one of the following: the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration; the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration; and the entire circuit reconfiguration.
  • the user may be billed for the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the processor 125 may be operative to enable billing of the user.
  • the processor 125 may be operative to execute billing operations so as to bill the user upon the implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 and the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the user may be billed by the hardware configuration provider, for example via the hardware configuration provider unit 70, upon the implementation of the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device 60 and the determination of correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the reconfigured hardware device 60 may be tested. Testing of the reconfigured hardware device 60 may include, for example, performance of a sample program. If the reconfigured hardware device 60 performs the sample program properly, the reconfigured hardware device 60 is preferably considered to operate correctly and the user may be billed as mentioned above. Preferably, the testing of the reconfigured hardware device 60 may be performed by the hardware configuration provider or by a testing entity (not shown) via the hardware configuration provider unit 70. Alternatively, the processor 125 or the smart card 165 may be operative to test the reconfigured hardware device 60. Further alternatively, the configurable hardware device 60, upon implementation of the circuit reconfiguration, may be operative to automatically perform a testing program and to output a test result to the hardware configuration provider unit 70 or to the processor 125.
  • the testing of the reconfigured hardware device 60 is preferably performed without user intervention. Alternatively, the testing of the reconfigured hardware device 60 may be performed with user intervention.
  • the processor 125 may preferably generate a message indicating correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device 60. Then, the processor 125 may be operative to transmit the message from the user unit 20 to the hardware configuration provider unit 70 via one of the modem 140, the LAN interface 145, and the IRD 100.
  • the user may be billed, either at the hardware configuration provider unit 70 or at the user unit 20, in response to reception of the message at the hardware configuration provider unit 70. It is appreciated that the message may be transmitted to the hardware configuration provider unit 70 without user intervention.
  • billing operations are preferably performed in the smart card 165, and the smart card 165 may keep billing records of the user.
  • the processor 125 may perform the billing operations, and the billing records of the user may be kept in the memory 130 or in the smart card 165.
  • the hardware configuration provider unit 70 may be operative to generate the message indicating correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the hardware configuration provider unit 70 may be operative to perform the billing operations in response to generation of the message.
  • the billing of the user may preferably be performed in association with a conditional access process in which the circuit reconfiguration is conditionally accessed to allow use of the circuit reconfiguration in execution of any required application or a specific set of applications.
  • the conditional access process includes a conventional conditional access process that is performed in the smart card 165.
  • the conditional access process preferably results in generation of an enabling key to allow access to the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the reconfigured hardware device 60 is enabled to execute any required application or the specific set of applications in accordance with terms of purchase of the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the terms of purchase of the circuit reconfiguration may include, for example, the following: use of the circuit reconfiguration to execute applications in only one of the networks that form part of the communication network 15; and use of the circuit reconfiguration to execute applications for a predetermined limited time period after which the circuit reconfiguration is deleted.
  • the terms of purchase of the circuit reconfiguration may not limit use of the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the circuit reconfiguration may be used for an unlimited time period for any applications, and also for executing any applications in any of the networks that form part of the communication network 15 regardless of the network via which the circuit configuration was downloaded.
  • the hardware configuration provider unit 70 may determine the predetermined time period and transmit a delete signal to the user unit 20 when the predetermined time period elapses. Then, the processor 125 or the configurable hardware device 60 may delete the circuit reconfiguration in response to the delete signal.
  • the processor 125 may determine the predetermined time period and generate a delete command for deleting the circuit reconfiguration when the predetermined time period elapses. Then, the processor 125 or the configurable hardware device 60 may delete the circuit reconfiguration in response to the delete command.
  • the circuit reconfiguration transmitted from the hardware configuration provider to the user unit 20 is preferably included in an applet.
  • the applet preferably includes an application program and a circuit reconfiguration file.
  • the circuit reconfiguration file is preferably used to reconfigure the configurable hardware device 60 so as to provide the reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the application program may preferably include a program for execution by the reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the application program may be comprised in a first applet
  • the circuit reconfiguration file may be comprised in a second applet
  • the first applet and the second applet may preferably be transmitted to the user unit 20 separately.
  • the applet, or the first and second applets may preferably be signed with a digital signature by a recognized center (not shown).
  • the applet, or the first and second applets may also be transmitted in an encrypted form, and the encryptor/decrypter 120 may decrypt the applet, or the first and second applets, prior to implementation of the circuit reconfiguration and execution of the application program. It is appreciated that the first applet and the second applet may be separately encrypted. It is further appreciated that in a case where the applet is signed with a digital signature by the recognized center, the circuit configuration file or the application program need not be signed separately by digital signatures.
  • the hardware configuration provider 70 may separately transmit, for example, a first portion of the circuit reconfiguration and a second portion of the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration is preferably useful for performing a first set of mathematical computations from the complex mathematical computation, such as addition and subtraction.
  • the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration is preferably useful for performing a second set of mathematical computations from the complex mathematical computation, such as multiplication and division.
  • the combination of the first set of mathematical computations and the second set of mathematical computations preferably form the entire complex mathematical computation.
  • the first portion of the circuit reconfiguration may be implemented in the configurable hardware device 60 thereby providing a partially reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the partially reconfigured hardware device 60 may be operated to perform only the first set of mathematical computations.
  • the second portion of the circuit reconfiguration may be implemented in the partially reconfigured hardware device 60 thereby providing an entirely reconfigured hardware device 60.
  • the entirely reconfigured hardware device 60 may then be operated to complete performance of the complex mathematical computation by performing the second set of mathematical computations in addition to the first set of mathematical computations previously performed.
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a preferred implementation of a circuit reconfiguration of a configurable hardware device in the user unit of Fig. 2.
  • the circuit reconfiguration 300 may preferably be generated by implementation of a circuit reconfiguration file that is included in an applet transmitted by the hardware configuration provider.
  • the circuit reconfiguration 300 may be useful in the case where the user unit 20 operates as a server serving the appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185 as mentioned above.
  • the circuit reconfiguration 300 includes sub-circuit reconfigurations 310, 320, 330 and 340 which may be used with the appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185 respectively.
  • the sub-circuit reconfiguration 310 may include a DES/AES supporter that may be used by the appliance 170 to perform DES/AES encryption/decryption operations.
  • the sub-circuit reconfiguration 320 may include, for example, a DSP accelerator that may be used by the appliance 175 to enhance DSP operations. It is appreciated that the appliances 170 and 175 preferably communicate with the configurable hardware device 60 via the LAN 35 in order to respectively use the sub-circuit reconfigurations 310 and 320.
  • the sub-circuit reconfiguration 330 may include, for example, a circuit configuration designed to support an operating system (OS) that may be used by the appliance 180 to support various types of operating systems.
  • the sub-circuit reconfiguration 340 may include, for example, a modular arithmetic accelerator that may be used by the appliance 185 to accelerate performance of the applications that use modular arithmetic. It is appreciated that the appliances 180 and 185 preferably communicate with the configurable hardware device 60 via the telephone network 40 in order to respectively use the sub-circuit reconfigurations 330 and 340.
  • the circuit reconfiguration 300 may be used on a time-sharing basis to execute applications associated with the appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185 via the networks 35 and 40 respectively.
  • each of the appliances 170, 175, 180 and 185 may use each of the sub-circuit reconfigurations 310, 320, 330 and 340 but on a time sharing basis.
  • Figs. 4 A and 4B are simplified partly pictorial, partly block diagram illustrations of preferred implementations of smart cards in the user unit of Fig. 2.
  • Smart cards 400 and 500 respectively may each replace both the smart card 165 and the configurable hardware device 60 in the user unit 20 of Fig. 2.
  • the smart card 400 includes an integrated circuit (IC) 410 that includes both the functionality of the smart card 165 and the functionality of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • the smart card 400 may preferably be accessed via the security element reader 135 and the communication bus 110.
  • the smart card 500 preferably includes an IC 510 and an IC 520.
  • the IC 510 preferably includes the functionality of the smart card 165, and the IC 520 preferably includes the functionality of the configurable hardware device 60.
  • the smart card 500 may preferably be accessed by a smart card reader 530 that is capable of accessing a smart card having two ICs, as described, for example, in the above mentioned US Patent 5,774,546 to Handelman et al, and the communication bus 110.
  • Fig. 5 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially block diagram illustration of a preferred implementation of an appliance including the user unit of Fig. 2.
  • the appliance 600 includes the user unit 20 of Fig. 2.
  • the appliance 600 shown in Fig. 5 is a plug-in card for a computer 610, but it is appreciated that the user unit 20 may alternatively be embodied in other appliances, such as a cellular telephone, a micro/nano-robotic device and a smart card (all not shown). It is appreciated that in appliances having a limited size, such as the cellular telephone, the micro/nano-robotic device and the smart card, some of the components of the user unit 20, such as the IRD 100, may be either optional or embodied in a separate device (not shown).
  • a monitor 620 of the computer 610 may replace the television 50 and television transmissions may be displayed on the monitor 620 as is well known in the art.
  • Fig. 6 is a simplified flow chart illustration of a preferred method of operation of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2. The method of Fig. 6 preferably includes the following steps:
  • a user of a user unit transmits via a communication network to a hardware configuration provider a request to reconfigure a configurable hardware device in the user unit (step 700).
  • the hardware configuration provider preferably transmits via the communication network a circuit reconfiguration of the configurable hardware device (step 710).
  • the circuit reconfiguration is preferably received at the user unit and implemented in the configurable hardware device thereby generating a reconfigured hardware device (step 720). Then, the reconfigured hardware device is tested (step 730) to determine correct operation of the reconfigured hardware device (step 740). If the reconfigured hardware device does not operate correctly, an error message is preferably sent to the hardware configuration provider (step 750). In response to receipt of the error message, the hardware configuration provider may, for example, retransmit the circuit reconfiguration.
  • the user may be billed for the transmitted circuit reconfiguration (step 760).
  • the circuit reconfiguration in the configurable hardware device, testing of the reconfigured hardware device, and billing of the user may be performed without user intervention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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Abstract

Procédé pour modifier une configuration de circuit d'un périphérique configurable par le biais d'un réseau de communication. Le procédé consiste à transmettre par le réseau de communication, depuis un fournisseur à matériel configurable à destination du périphérique configurable, une reconfiguration de circuit du périphérique configurable en réponse à une requête adressée par un utilisateur du périphérique configurable, effectuer la reconfiguration de circuit du périphérique configurable et reconfigurer ainsi le périphérique configurable et fournir un périphérique reconfiguré; on facture ensuite l'utilisateur après détermination du fonctionnement correct du périphérique reconfiguré. L'invention concerne aussi une unité utilisateur dans un réseau de communication.
PCT/IL2001/000513 2000-07-13 2001-06-03 Systeme de materiel informatique configurable WO2002006979A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0300114A GB2382445B (en) 2000-07-13 2001-06-03 Configurable hardware system
AU2001264205A AU2001264205A1 (en) 2000-07-13 2001-06-03 Configurable hardware system
US10/332,868 US20040016002A1 (en) 2000-07-13 2001-06-03 Configurable hardware system
US12/586,154 US20100121748A1 (en) 2000-07-13 2009-09-16 Configuring field programmable devices

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL137296 2000-07-13
IL137296A IL137296A (en) 2000-07-13 2000-07-13 Configurable hardware system
US27553301P 2001-03-12 2001-03-12
US60/275,533 2001-03-12

Related Child Applications (1)

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US12/586,154 Continuation US20100121748A1 (en) 2000-07-13 2009-09-16 Configuring field programmable devices

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WO2008115205A2 (fr) 2006-10-24 2008-09-25 Sony Corporation Système et procédé pour matériel orienté objets
WO2012056338A1 (fr) 2010-10-26 2012-05-03 Nds Limited Distribution efficace d'éléments de données structurés

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WO2008115205A2 (fr) 2006-10-24 2008-09-25 Sony Corporation Système et procédé pour matériel orienté objets
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EP2095229A4 (fr) * 2006-10-24 2012-01-11 Sony Corp Système et procédé pour matériel orienté objets
WO2012056338A1 (fr) 2010-10-26 2012-05-03 Nds Limited Distribution efficace d'éléments de données structurés

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GB2382445B (en) 2004-10-27
AU2001264205A1 (en) 2002-01-30
GB2382445A (en) 2003-05-28
GB0300114D0 (en) 2003-02-05

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