Protocol stack with modification facility
First Claim
1. A method of modifying a communications protocol for processing a signal provided in a processing apparatus having a processor and memory, the protocol defined by a plurality of protocol layers, at least one layer being in use capable of occupying one of a plurality of predetermined states wherein each state has associated with it a predetermined functionality including message dependent transition of the layer into one of the other states;
- the method comprising;
loading a software update module into memory, the module arranged to receive and process one or more messages corresponding to one of said states of one of said layers, the module comprising at least one message dependent transition unit operable to cause transition of said layer into another state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to protocol stacks and protocol layers within protocol stacks especially, but not exclusively, for communications terminals such as mobile phones, lap top computers and base stations. The present invention provides a method of modifying a communications protocol for processing a signal provided in a processing apparatus having a processor and memory, the protocol defined by a plurality of protocol layers, at least one layer being in use capable of occupying one of a plurality of predetermined states wherein each state has associated with it a predetermined functionality including message dependent transition of the layer into one of the other states; the method comprising loading a software update module into memory, the module arranged to receive and process one or more messages corresponding to one of said states of one of said layers, the module comprising at least one message dependent transition unit operable to cause transition of said layer into another state. Apparatus configured to perform the method, and computer readable storage media and downloadable signals to cause apparatus to be configured in such a way are also described.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of modifying a communications protocol for processing a signal provided in a processing apparatus having a processor and memory, the protocol defined by a plurality of protocol layers, at least one layer being in use capable of occupying one of a plurality of predetermined states wherein each state has associated with it a predetermined functionality including message dependent transition of the layer into one of the other states;
- the method comprising;
loading a software update module into memory, the module arranged to receive and process one or more messages corresponding to one of said states of one of said layers, the module comprising at least one message dependent transition unit operable to cause transition of said layer into another state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- the method comprising;
-
13. Apparatus for modifying a communications protocol for processing a signal provided in a processing apparatus having a processor and memory, the protocol defined by a plurality of protocol layers, at least one layer being in use capable of occupying one of a plurality of predetermined states wherein each state has associated with it a predetermined functionality including message dependent transition of the layer into one of the other states;
- the apparatus comprising means for loading a software update module into memory, the update module being arranged to receive and process one or more messages corresponding to one of said states of one of said layers, the module comprising at least one message dependent transition unit operable to cause transition of said layer into another state.
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
18. An update module for modifying a communications protocol in signal processing apparatus having a processor and memory, the protocol defined by a plurality of protocol layers, at least one layer being in use capable of occupying one of a plurality of predetermined states wherein each state has associated with it a predetermined functionality including message dependent transition of the layer into one of the other states;
- the update module being loadable into memory in said apparatus to receive and process one or more messages corresponding to one of said states of one of said layers, the update module comprising at least one message dependent transition unit operable to cause transition of said layer into another state.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification