SOFTWARE UPGRADE USING SINGLE SOURCE CHANNEL

• US 20100095291A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: KOTA, KALYANA, PANDYA, UTKARSH, WONG, LING JUN
• Granted Patent: US 8,677,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

An automatic data downloader (ADD) causes a source device communicating with the ADD to download available software for destination devices using a single predetermined update channel. The software is received by the ADD from the source device and stored. Upon connecting to destination device that is compatible with downloaded software, the ADD sends the software to the destination device.

Claims

1. An automatic data downloader (ADD) comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one computer readable medium bearing instructions to cause the processor to;

cause a source device communicating with the ADD to download available software for at least one destination device using a single predetermined update channel;

receive the software from the source device;

store the software in a computer readable medium internal to the ADD; and

send software stored in the computer readable medium internal to the ADD to compatible destination devices that communicate with the ADD.

2. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the ADD can be disconnected from the source device prior to sending software to a destination device.

3. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the processor checks to determine whether and what downloaded software is compatible with destination devices with which the ADD communicates, the ADD sending compatible software to correct destination devices.

4. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the ADD sends to the source device destination device identification information.

5. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the source device is separate from the ADD.

6. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the ADD causes the source device to download software for all of potential destination devices made by a single manufacturer.

7. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the channel is a TV channel and a user is not required to input an address to obtain the updates.

8. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the source device is a game console or a personal communicator.

9. The ADD of claim 1, wherein the destination device is not networked and communicates only with the ADD.

10. A method comprising:

establishing communication between an automatic data downloader (ADD) and a source device, the source device being a networked device communicating with a download channel;

causing the source device to access software for a predetermined set of destination devices over the download channel;

sending the software to the ADD;

storing the software on the ADD; and

using the ADD to send at least some of the software to at least one non-networked destination device communicating with the ADD.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising using the ADD to check to determine whether and what downloaded software is compatible with destination devices with which the ADD communicates, the ADD sending compatible software to correct destination devices.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the ADD can be disconnected from the source device prior to sending software to a destination device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the ADD sends to the source device destination device identification information.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the source device is separate from the ADD.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the ADD causes the source device to download software for all of potential destination devices made by a single manufacturer.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the channel is a TV channel and a user is not required to input an address to obtain the updates.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the source device is a game console or a personal communicator.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the destination device is not networked and communicates only with the ADD.

19. An automatic data downloader (ADD) comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one tangible computer readable medium communicating with the processor and storing drivers executable by the processor, the drivers including control and adaptation information for communicating with destination devices envisioned to be upgraded and for devices envisioned for use as sources of software to be sent to the destination devices.