Method, system and apparatus for reprogramming a digital electronic device via a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for delivering data to a target, the method comprising:
- building a data packet, the data packet comprising a header and a payload;
writing data into the payload;
writing processing instructions into the header, and the processing instructions specifying that the data is to be stored in a memory prior to delivery to the target;
providing a computer network, and transmitting the data packet via the computer network;
delivering the data packet via the computer network to a sniffer of a controller, the controller comprising the sniffer and the memory, via the computer network, and coupling the controller to the target;
the sniffer reading the processing instructions, and the sniffer informing the controller to store the data in the memory;
delivering the data via the controller to the memory according to the processing instructions; and
delivering the data from the memory and to the target via the controller.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reprogramming a digital electronic device or Appliance is provided. A preferred embodiment locates a reprogrammable Controller chip in the communications flow between a reprogrammable digital device and an application server. The application server transmits commands and programming data to the Controller chip in data packets via the Internet. The Controller sniffs each data packet to determine the type of data contained therein. The Controller will immediately forward certain types of data packet onto the digital device. Alternatively, the Controller may store data packets that relate to the reprogramming of either the digital device or the Controller itself, for collation and later transference during a reprogramming of the digital device or the Controller. Data packets may contain upgrade data, status queries, monitoring instructions, logic settings, and other information relating to the operation and status of the server, device or Controller. The application server of the preferred embodiment transmits Controller and device specific instruction commands via the Internet that are related to the native language of the Controller and/or the digital device. The device may be programmed to periodically check in with the applications server for purposes such as security, reporting, maintenance and/or refreshing the operational methodology of the system. The periodic check-ins maybe real time based, time-period based and/or event driven. The Controller may optionally be accelerated by a high performance processor. The Controller may use PKI encryption techniques, store public keys and private keys, and generate public/private key pairs.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for delivering data to a target, the method comprising:
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building a data packet, the data packet comprising a header and a payload;
writing data into the payload;
writing processing instructions into the header, and the processing instructions specifying that the data is to be stored in a memory prior to delivery to the target;
providing a computer network, and transmitting the data packet via the computer network;
delivering the data packet via the computer network to a sniffer of a controller, the controller comprising the sniffer and the memory, via the computer network, and coupling the controller to the target;
the sniffer reading the processing instructions, and the sniffer informing the controller to store the data in the memory;
delivering the data via the controller to the memory according to the processing instructions; and
delivering the data from the memory and to the target via the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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6. A method for delivering reprogramming information to a controller, the method comprising:
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providing a controller and a target, and coupling the reprogrammable controller and the target, building a data packet, the data packet comprising a header and a payload;
writing reprogramming data into the payload;
writing processing instructions into the header, and the processing instructions specifying that the data is to be stored in a memory prior to reprogramming the controller;
providing a computer network, and transmitting the data packet via the computer network;
delivering the data packet via the computer network to a sniffer of a controller, the controller comprising the sniffer and the memory, via the computer network;
the sniffer reading the processing instructions, and the sniffer informing the controller to store the data in the memory;
delivering the data via the controller to the memory according to the processing instructions; and
reprogramming the controller by delivering the information stored in the memory to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 18)
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28. A system for reprogramming a target via the Internet, the system comprising:
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A server, the server coupled with the Internet;
A controller, the controller comprising a memory;
A target, the target coupled with the controller, The server for transmitting a plurality of data packets to the controller via the Internet; and
The controller for receiving the plurality of data packets and storing at least a fraction of the data packet in the memory, and the controller reprogramming the target with the fractions of data packets stored in the memory.
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29. An apparatus for reprogramming a target, the apparatus comprising:
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A sniffer, the sniffer for reading a header of a data packet, and the sniffer storing a payload of the data packet in a memory when directed to by information stored in the header;
The memory for storing the payloads, the memory coupled with the sniffer; and
An upgrade processor for delivering the payloads to the target, the upgrade processor coupled to the memory and the target.
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Specification