Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-10-30
Dharia, Rupal (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus access regulation
C710S100000, C710S108000, C710S108000, C712S020000, C455S405000, C455S410000, C455S411000, C455S412100, C455S558000, C455S418000, C365S051000, C365S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311241
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for transferring programs to an electronic unit, and also to a configuration for carrying out the method. The term “program” in this case relates in particular to software and/or firmware used to operate the electronic unit.
After an electronic unit, which is provided with a processor for executing programs, (e.g. a mobile radio terminal) has been sold to the end customer, the situation frequently arises whereby new programs, software or firmware are intended to be transferred to the electronic unit. This may involve for example programs that enable new additional functions of the electronic unit or program updates that improve the properties of the electronic unit. To date, this problem has been solved either by transferring the programs from a PC to the electronic unit via a serial interface or by exchanging ROM or EPROM modules. In other methods, programs stored on a floppy disk, for example, are read by a floppy disk drive dedicated for this purpose. However, all these methods are associated with a high outlay and presuppose in some instances special hardware or peripherals. Moreover, correct registration of the number of programs sold by a dealer and/or transferred to units (e.g. mobile radio terminals) is possible only with difficulty using these methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method and a configuration for transferring programs which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art methods and devices of this general type, in which programs can be transferred to electronic units with little outlay and in the most practical way possible.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for transferring programs to an electronic unit, which includes storing a program to be transferred on a plug-in device; and transferring the program to the electronic unit after the plug-in device has been inserted into the electronic unit, the transfer being controlled by a controller of the plug-in device.
In this case, the programs that are stored on a plug-in device are transferred to the electronic unit after the plug-in device has been inserted into the electronic unit, the transfer being controlled by a controller in the plug-in device.
This has the advantage that the transfer does not have to be controlled by the unit and, therefore, the unit does not have to be provided with additional hardware or software.
In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the plug-in device is adapted to a slot—which is already present for other purposes on the electronic unit—for receiving plug-in cards and an associated interface, and the controller controls the transfer of the programs and adapts the transfer to the input/output interface which corresponds to the interface, or the corresponding transfer protocol. The effect achieved by this is that an already existing interface can be utilized for the program transfer, i.e. programs can be transferred without having to provide an interface separately for these purposes.
A further advantageous embodiment variant envisages that a non-volatile memory is additionally provided on the plug-in device, which memory registers the number of transfers of the program to the electronic units, and the transfer of the program is no longer permitted if a specific number of transfers have been carried out. In practice, this affords the advantage, for example, that a dealer having a plug-in device acquired from the manufacturer can transfer a new program only to a specific number of electronic units of end customers. This massively simplifies sales of the programs and the associated accounting.
The effect that can be achieved by the invention, particularly when the electronic unit already utilizes plug-in cards for user identification, for example, as is the case in current cellular mobile radio networks (SIM card), is that an existing device for receiving plug-in cards and the associated interface (SIM interface) can be utilized to transfer programs. In this case, the controller controls the transfer of the programs and enables utilization for example of an existing input/output interface (SIM input/output interface) and the associated transfer protocol (SIM protocol).
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method and a configuration for transferring programs, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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“Device and Method for the Replacement or Modification of Software in Equipment”, Ludwig Flauger, 1/95 (translated from DE4321381).
Dharia Rupal
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Stemer Werner H.
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