FIRMWARE UPDATES ON MEDIA

• US 20090274451A1
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Pictures Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Pictures Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Eklund, Don Charles II
• Application Number:
  US12/160,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20090274451A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/239
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/818 OS software
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8193 dedicated tools, e.g. video decoder software or IPMP tool

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided to allow convenient updating of the controller of a media device using content-containing media accessible by the device. Features provided in implementations can include, but am not limited to, prompt and efficient distribution of updates to device users, and promotion of use of the device.

Claims

1. A method of providing an update to a controller of a media player, comprising:

making an update/content medium, the update/content medium including data corresponding to content and data corresponding to at least one update.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is selected from the group, consisting of:

a DVD player, a CD-ROM player, a magnetic or optical disk player, and a flash memory player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is a BD-ROM player.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the media player is a DVD player or a BD-ROM player and the content is a motion picture or televised program.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the making further comprises making a plurality of slots to contain a corresponding plurality of updates.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of slots contain different updates for one media player.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each slot contains a different update for one type of media player.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of slots contain different updates, one or more each for a plurality of types of media players.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each slot contains a latest update for a different type of media player.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is configured to automatically detect the presence of an update.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the making further comprises storing the update in a disc replicator, such that the update is provided on the media when the media is replicated.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the making further comprises storing an update in each slot until all the slots are filled, and then replacing an oldest-in-time update with a next-in-time update.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the update is encrypted.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the update includes a header that identifies to which media player the update pertains.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the header is encrypted.

16. A computer-readable medium including data corresponding to content and data corresponding to at least one update.

17. A method of updating a controller of a media player, comprising:

a. providing an update/content medium, the update/content medium including data corresponding to content and data corresponding to at least one update;

b. instructing a user to insert the update/content medium into a media player;

c. detecting if the update/content medium includes an update corresponding to the media player, and if so;

i. displaying a screen to the user via the media player, the screen giving the user the option to install the update;

ii. such that if the user chooses to install the update, the update modifies the controller of the media player.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying a notice that the update was installed.

19. A method of updating a controller of a media player, comprising:

a. providing an update/content medium, the update/content medium including data corresponding to content and data corresponding to at least one update;

b. inserting the update/content medium into a media player; and

c. installing the update/content medium such that the controller of the media player is modified.