Athletic Activity Data Device Firmware Update

• US 20160350100A1
• Filed: 05/25/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Gale, Jon, Folske, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 10,310,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories

Abstract

Systems and processes for downloading and installing a firmware update on an electronic device are provided. The firmware update may be downloaded on an electronic device while the electronic device is in a usable mode. The electronic device may be placed in an unusable mode, the firmware update may be installed while the electronic device is in the unusable mode, and the electronic device may be returned to the usable mode.

Claims

1. A method for downloading and installing a firmware update on an electronic device, the method comprising:

downloading the firmware update while the electronic device is in a usable mode;

placing the electronic device in an unusable mode;

installing the firmware update while the electronic device is in the unusable mode; and

returning the electronic device to the usable mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein downloading the firmware update comprises downloading discrete packets such that the downloading may be paused and resumed.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the discrete packets of the firmware update are downloaded when resources are available, when the electronic device is connected to a network, and/or when the electronic device is in a powered on mode.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is placed in the unusable mode when authorized by a user.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the firmware update is downloaded directly from a server.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the firmware update is downloaded from another electronic device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein downloading and installing the firmware update is controlled by the other electronic device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device sends an indication of its battery level to the other electronic device.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

determining if a battery level of the electronic device meets a threshold level to install the firmware update; and

upon determining that the battery level meets the threshold level, transmitting a prompt to the other electronic device indicating that the firmware update is available.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the other electronic device is a mobile device.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an athletic activity data device.

12. An athletic activity data device comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory computer readable medium on which are stored computer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to;

download a firmware update while the athletic activity data is in a usable mode;

place the athletic activity data device in an unusable mode;

install the firmware update while the athletic activity data device is in the unusable mode; and

return the athletic activity data device to the usable mode.

13. The athletic activity data device according to claim 12, further comprising a sensor, and wherein the computer readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to obtain athletic activity data from the sensor.

14. The athletic activity data device according to claim 12, wherein downloading the firmware update comprises downloading discrete packets such that the downloading may be paused and resumed.

15. The athletic activity data device according to claim 12, wherein the firmware update is downloaded from another electronic device.