Apparatus and method for data updating

• US 20040230969A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autotools Group Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Autotools Group Company Limited
• Inventors: Huang, C.J. Jason, Deng, Jong-Min
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/171
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A data updating apparatus for updating data in an embedded system is provided. The data updating apparatus includes a processor and a transmission line. The processor acquires new data. The transmission line includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the processor to receive the new data. The second end communicates with the embedded system to transmit the new data to the embedded system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for updating data of an embedded system, the apparatus comprising:

a processor for retrieving a new data;

a transmission line, having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the processor to receive the new data, the second end communicating with the embedded system to transmit the new data to the embedded system.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the transmission line is connected to the embedded system.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral device connected to the second end of the transmission line to receive the new data, the peripheral device assisting the second end in communicating with the embedded system to transmit the new data to the embedded system.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral device includes a power charger.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line includes an RS232 transmission line.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line includes a USB transmission line.

7. A method for updating a data of a data area of an embedded system, the data having an end address for the data, the data having a plurality of application programs arranged in order, the method comprising:

retrieving an application program update;

searching for an application program, within the plurality of application programs, corresponding to the application program update;

if the corresponding application program is found, retrieving a first address and a second address of the corresponding application program;

obtaining a length value of the corresponding application program from the first address and the second address;

writing contents of the data area from the second address to the end address into the data area beginning from the first address;

adding the first address to the length value to obtain a third address; and

writing the application program update into the data area beginning from the third address.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

if the corresponding application program is not found, writing the application program update beginning from the end address.

9. An apparatus for updating data of a memory, the apparatus comprising:

a first processor for retrieving a new data;

a transmission line, having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first processor; and

a second processor for communicating with the second end of the transmission line, the second processor being connected to the memory;

wherein the transmission line receives the new data from the processor and transmits the new data to the second processor to write the new data into the memory.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second end of the transmission line is connected to the second processor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a peripheral device connected to the second end of the transmission line to receive the new data, the peripheral device assisting the second end in communicating with the second processor to transmit the new data to the second processor.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral device includes a power charger.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission line includes an RS232 transmission line.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission line includes a USB transmission line.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data of a data area has a end address for the data and a plurality of application programs arranged in order, and the new data includes an application program update, and the second processor executes steps as follows:

searching for an application program, within the plurality of application programs, corresponding to the application program update;

if the corresponding application program is found, retrieving a first address and a second address of the corresponding application program;

obtaining a length value of the corresponding application program from the first address and the second address;

writing contents of data area from the second address to the end address into the data area beginning from the first address;

adding the first address to the length value to obtain a third address; and

writing the application program update into the data area beginning from the third address.

16. The data updating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein if the corresponding application program is not found, write the application program update beginning from the end address.