Software update system and software update manage

• US 20060248162A1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Hirokuni
• Application Number:
  US11/410,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A software update system includes: a product running on software; a server for providing update software of the product; and a software update management apparatus for managing software updating of the product by connecting the server and the product, wherein the server manages software update information of the product, stores the update software, and performs data communication with the software update management apparatus; the product stores the software and product information on the product, performs data communication with the software update management apparatus and updates the software; and the software update management apparatus acquires the product information from the product and update information on the software of the product from the server in accordance with the product information, downloads the update software of the product in accordance with the update information, and transmits the downloaded software to the product to update the software.

Claims

1. A software update system comprising:

a product running on software;

a server for providing update software of the product; and

a software update management apparatus for managing software updating of the product by connecting the server and the product, wherein

the server manages software update information of the product, stores the update software, and has a function of performing data communication with the software update management apparatus;

the product stores the software and product information on the product and has functions of performing data communication with the software update management apparatus and updating the software; and

the software update management apparatus acquires the product information from the product, acquires update information on the software of the product from the server in accordance with the product information, downloads the update software of the product in accordance with the update information, and transmits the downloaded software to the product to update the software of the product.

2. The software update system according to claim 1, wherein

the software update management apparatus accesses the server on own initiative to acquire the update information on the software of the product.

3. The software update system according to claim 1, wherein

the server notifies on own initiative the software update management apparatus of software updating.

4. A software update management apparatus comprising:

first communication means for performing data communication with a server on a network;

second communication means for performing data communication with a product running on software;

product information acquiring means for acquiring and product information on the product by using the second communication means and storing the acquired product information;

update information acquiring means for acquiring update information on the software of the product by using the first communication means; and

control means for downloading, in accordance with the update information, update software of the product by using the first communication means and transmitting the downloaded update software to the product by using the second communication means to update the software of the product.

5. The software update management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the product information includes device information for identifying a device of the product and information on the software installed in the product.

6. The software update management apparatus according to either one of claim 4 and 5, wherein:

the second communication means performs data communication with a plurality of products; and

the product information acquiring means acquires and stores the product information on the plurality of products.

7. The software update management apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein

the software update management apparatus comprises a mobile phone terminal.

9. The software update management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the software update management apparatus comprises a mobile phone terminal.

8. A software update management apparatus comprising:

a first communication section for performing data communication with a server on a network;

a second communication section for performing data communication with a product running on software;

a product information acquiring section for acquiring and product information on the product by using the second communication section and storing the acquired product information;

an update information acquiring section for acquiring update information on the software of the product by using the first communication section; and

a control section for downloading, in accordance with the update information, update software of the product by using the first communication section and transmitting the downloaded update software to the product by using the second communication section to update the software of the product.