Welding-Type Power Supply With Boot Loader
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1-40. -40. (canceled)
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41. A method of updating software used to control a welding-type system;
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determining if a software update over a network is available; executing a software update over the network if a software update is available. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. An apparatus for updating software used to control a welding-type system;
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means for determining if a software update over a network is available; means for executing a software update if a software update is available, connected to the means for determining. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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- 59. A software subroutine which forms a subset of software capable of controlling a welding-type power supply and a welding system peripheral, the software subroutine being capable of transmission through an internet connection to overwrite at least a portion of one of the software and data which controls the welding-type power supply and the welding system peripheral upon prompting.
Specification