WO2008123730A1

WO2008123730A1 - Update system of external additional device by using mobile phone

Info

Publication number: WO2008123730A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001959
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dug Hwan Han
Original assignee: Starchip Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-04-06
Filing date: 2008-04-07
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: KR100716498B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone, and more particularly, to firmware updating of an additional external device including a program memory that can be updated in connection with a virtual machine of a mobile phone. The update system comprises an additional external device having a program memory; a mobile phone connected to the additional external device and performing firmware updating of the additional external device by using a virtual machine program,' a virtual machine server providing the mobile phone with the virtual machine program! and an update server connected by the virtual machine program and providing firmware data for updating the additional external device.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]

UPDATE SYSTEM OF EXTERNAL ADDITIONAL DEVICE BY USING MOBILE PHONE [Technical Field]

<i> The present invention relates to an update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone, and more particularly, to firmware updating of the additional external device including a program memory that can be updated by a virtual machine(hereinafter referred to as a "VM") of the mobi Ie phone.

[Background Art]

<2> Recently, mobile phones are increasingly used as the necessaries of life. The mobile phone was developed only for calling but has evolved to support various functions on user's demand. In order to support the various functions, the VM which serves as an OS(Operating System) has been installed in the mobile phone. Thus, a variety of application programs can be executed by the VM in the mobile phone.

<3> In general, the application programs means mobile softwares which can be executed in the mobile phone and there are mobile games, mobile banking, and mobile stock trading. The application programs are coded or programmed to softwares to be executed and are used by installing the softwares in the VM in the mobile phone.

<4> However, there is a problem that the application programs are too big and complicated in size and function respectively to be executed in the mobile phone.

<5> Therefore, additional external devices which can be connected to input/output interface(I/O interface) of the mobile phone had been developed to help execute the application programs having multi-function.

<6> The additional external devices store a lot of contents for users and are driven in connection with the VM of the mobile phone. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem] <7> However, there is another problem that the additional external device works depending on the environmental parameters of the mobile phone, such as type of model, manufacturers and manufactured time. Therefore, the additional external devices are required to update the latest firmware to reduce the effect of the environmental parameters and for stable operation in the mobile phone.

<8> As a result, it causes user's inconvenience to frequently visit the provider or the service center of the additional external device to update the firmware.

<9> In general, a boot loader area is embodied in program memory in order to update an electronic device.

<io> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a program memory structure for updating the electronic device, which includes a micro controller unit(MCU) with a boot loader area.

<ii> When the electronic device is turned on, a boot loader program is executed. After the boot loader program initializes the hardware of the electronic device, it waits for receiving an external message for a predetermined time. If the message is not received, the electronic device hands over its control to a main program(i.e. an actual program). As soon as the main program obtains the control, it initializes all the related parts and performs its original function. On the other hand, if the message is received, the boot loader program stops operating and waits for receiving the external message.

<i2> According to a command of the external message programmed in advance, the boot loader program erases a main program area or writes a new program.

<i3> In addition, the boot loader program provides specific information of the system for the hardware of the electronic device.

<14> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a program memory structure for updating the electronic device, which includes the MCU without the boot loader area.

<i5> Because the program memory illustrated in FIG. 2 does not have the boot loader area, the boot loader program is arbitrarily installed and an interrupt vector is set as illustrated in FIG. 2 in a way that the electronic device can be updated. The program memory means a ROM memory that is the main memory of the MCU and the update process is the same as described in FIG. 1. [Technical Solution]

<16> The objects of the present invention are achieved by the following embodiments.

<i7> In an embodiment, an update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone includes: an additional external device having a program memory; a mobile phone connected to the additional external device and performing firmware updating of the additional external device by using a virtual machine program; a virtual machine server providing the mobile phone with the virtual machine program; and an update server connected by the virtual machine program and providing firmware data for updating the additional external device.

<i8> In another embodiment, an update system of an external additional device using a mobile phone includes: an additional external device having a program memory; a mobile phone connected to the additional external device and performing firmware updating of the additional external device by using a virtual machine program; and a virtual machine server providing the virtual machine program and firmware data for updating the additional external device to the mobile phone.

<19> The terms and words used in this specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the meanings defined in commonly used dictionaries! and they should be interpreted as the meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical ideals of the present invention, on the basis of the principle that the inventors can define the concepts of terms suitably in order to describe their inventions in the best way.

<20> The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary, and should not be construed as representing all the technical ideals of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that the present invention encompasses a variety of equivalents and modifications that can replace the described embodiments and the illustrated configurations at the time of the present application.

<2i> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Advantageous Effects] <23> According to the present invention, an update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone is embodied to be updated by connecting the program memory which is included in the controller unit of the additional external device with the VM program of the mobile phone, so that the firmware of the additional external device can be updated anytime and anywhere by using the mobile phone. Also, the firmware updating can help the additional external device to be more compatible with a variety of the latest mobile phones.

[Description of Drawings] <24> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a program memory structure for updating the electronic device, which includes a micro controller unit(MCU) with a boot loader area. <25> FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a program memory structure for updating the electronic device, which includes the MCU without the boot loader area. <26> FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an ACR according to an embodiment of the present invention. <27> FIG. 4 is a structural diagram illustrating an update system of an ACR using a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. <28> FIG. 5 is a structural diagram illustrating an update system of an ACR using a mobile phone according to another embodiment of the present invent ion.

<29> DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS IN MAIN PORTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS> <30> 400: ACR 410: Mobile phone <3i> 420: VM server 430: Update server

[Best Mode] <32> FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an auto calling router(ACR) 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. <33> Referring to FIG. 3, an ACR 300 is an additional external device of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ACR 300 includes a connector unit 310, a power source unit 320, and a controller unit

330. <34> The connector unit 310 performs data 1/0 mutually and supplies power by being connected to the standard 24-pin I/O terminal of the mobile phone. <35> The power source unit 320 receives power from the mobile phone in order to operate the ACR 300 normally and supplies the power to the controller unit

330. <36> The controller 330 is an MCU that includes a central processing unit

(CPU), a main memory having a ROM and a RAM, and an 1/0 port. Herein, the

ROM is used as a program memory and stores an initialization program called a boot loader. When the ACR 300 is turned on, the boot loader program is executed.

<37> <38>

<39> The boot loader program initializes the hardware of the electronic device and then waits for receiving an external message for a predetermined time. If the message is not received, the electronic device hands over its control to a main program(i.e. an actual program). As soon as the main program obtains the control, it initializes all the related parts and carries out the original function.

<40> On the other hand, if the message is received, the boot loader program stops operating and waits for receiving the external message.

<4i> According to a command of the external message programmed in advance, the boot loader program erases a main program area or writes a new program.

<42> Thus, the initialization program is stored in the ROM so as to retain data even in power-off state and the ACR 300 must set the value of a program counter to the start address of the boot loader when it turns on.

<43> FIG. 4 is a structural diagram illustrating an update system of an ACR 400 using a mobile phone 410 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<44> Referring to FIG.4, an update system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ACR 400, a mobile phone 410, a VM server 420, and an update server 430.

<45> The ACR 400 is an additional external device that is connected to the standard 24-pin 1/0 terminal of the mobile phone 410. When a call attempt occurs, the ACR 400 connects the call to a special category telecommunications provider for low call charges.

<46> The mobile phone 410 can receive data from the VM server 420 and the update server 430 through a subscribed mobile communication network. Also, the mobile phone 410 have to install the VM program to update the firmware of the ACR 400 connected to the 1/0 terminal of the mobile phone.

<47> The VM server 420 can be connected through the mobile communication network of the mobile phone 410 and provides a VM program for updating the firmware of the ACR 400 in the mobile phone 410. The mobile phone 410 can be connected to the VM server 420 by using Wireless Internet Numbers for Contents (hereinafter referred to as "WINC") that is provided by the manufacturer of the ACR 400.

<48> The update server 430 can be connected through the mobile communication network of the mobile phone 410 where the VM program is executed. By building a customer database (not illustrated), the update server 430 receives the specific system information of the ACR 400 that is extracted by the VM program and authenticates the ACR 400. Thereafter, the update server 430 checks the version of the authenticated ACR 400 and updates the latest firmware data if the ACR 400 has the old version.

<49> After the mobile phone 410 downloads the VM program for updating the ACR 400 from the VM server 420 and installs the VM program completely, the update system connects the mobile phone 410 to the ACR 400 to execute the VM program. The VM program serves as a bridge for connecting the update server 430 to the ACR 400. Also, the VM program extracts the specific system information of the ACR 400 to be transmitted to the update server 430.

<50> If the VM program is executed, the mobile phone 410 is connected to the update server 430. The update server 430 receives the specific system information of the ACR 400 from the VM program and checks whether the ACR 400 is a registered device or not and its firmware version. If the firmware of the ACR 400 is the latest version, the update server 430 terminates the VM program. On the other hand, if the firmware of the ACR 400 is not the latest version, the update server 430 uploads the latest firmware data to the mobile phone 410. <5i> When the uploading is completed, the mobile phone 410 updates the ACR

400 with the latest firmware. <52> The ACR 400 can be stably updated because it consists of a controller unit of the program memory structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. <53> FIG. 5 is a structural diagram illustrating an update system of an ACR

500 using a mobile phone 510 according to another embodiment of the present invention. <54> Referring to FIG. 5, an update system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an ACR 500, a mobile phone 510, and a VM server 510. <55> The ACR 500 is an additional external device that is connected to the standard 24-pin 1/0 terminal of the mobile phone 510. When a call attempt occurs, the ACR 500 connects it to a special category telecommunications provider for low call charges. <56> The mobile phone 510 can receive data from the VM server 520 through a subscribed mobile communication network. Also, the mobile phone 510 have to install a VM program to update the firmware of the ACR 500 connected to the

1/0 terminal of the mobile phone. <57> The VM server 520 can be connected through the mobile communication network of the mobile phone 510 and provides a firmware update data and a VM program for updating the firmware of the ACR 500 in the mobile phone 510. <58> Also, because the VM server 520 has a customer databaseCnot illustrated), it can check whether the ACR 500 is a registered device or not.

The mobile phone 510 can be connected to the VM server 520 by using the WINC that is provided by the manufacturer of the ACR 500. <59> When the mobile phone 510 linked to the ACR 500 is connected to the VM server 520, the ACR 500 transmits its specific system information to the VM server 520. After the VM server 520 authenticates the ACR 500 by using the customer database(not illustrated), it uploads the VM program for updating firmware to the mobile phone 510. There are two types of the authentication. One is a direct authentication by which the users directly input their ID and their password. The other is an indirect authentication by which the mobile phone 510 extracts the specific system information of the ACR 500 and transmits the extracted information to the VM server 520.

<60> After the VM program is downloaded and installed completely in the mobile phone 510, the connection with the VM server 520 is terminated and the VM program is executed.

<6i> Herein, the VM program contains the latest firmware data for updating the ACR 500.

<62> Thus, the VM program checks the firmware version of the ACR 500 and updates the firmware to the latest version if the firmware is old.

<63> The update system of FIG. 5 is characterized in a way that it provides the VM program having data for updating the firmware in a server. The ACR 500 can be stably updated because it consists of a controller unit of the program memory structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

<64> The update systems of FIGS.4 and 5 can be applied not only to the ACRs 400 and 500, but also to additional external devices that carry out various functions such as games, karaoke, and e-book.

<65> While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. [Sequence List Text] <66> Boot loader, Update, Mobile phone, Additional external device, ROM, ACR

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1] <68> An update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone, the update system comprising:

<69> an additional external device having a program memory! <70> a mobile phone connected to the additional external device and performing firmware updating of the additional external device by using a virtual machine program; <7i> a virtual machine server providing the mobile phone with the virtual machine program; and <72> an update server connected by the virtual machine program and providing firmware data for updating the additional external device.

[Claim 2] <73> The update system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual machine program extracts a specific system information of the additional external device.

[Claim 3] <74> The update system according to claim 2, wherein the update server includes a customer database.

[Claim 4] <75> The update system according to claim 3, wherein the update server receives the specific system information from the additional external device and compares the specific system information with the customer database to authenticate the additional external device and checks the firmware version.

[Claim 5] <76> An update system of an additional external device using a mobile phone, the update system comprising:

<77> an additional external device having a program memory; <78> a mobile phone connected to the additional external device and performing firmware updating of the additional external device by using a virtual machine program; and <79> a virtual machine server providing the virtual machine program and firmware data for updating the additional external device to the mobile phone.

[Claim 6]

<80> The update system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the program memory includes a boot loader program.

[Claim 7]

<8i> The update system according to claim 5, wherein the virtual machine server includes a customer database for authentication of the additional external device.

[Claim 8]

<82> The update system according to claim 5, wherein the virtual machine program checks the version of the additional external device.