Firmware upgrade method for wireless communications device, and method for supporting firmware upgrade by base station
First Claim
1. A firmware (F/W) upgrade method for a wireless communications device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) transferring an identification of a user of the wireless communications device, and information required for an F/W upgrade, to a corresponding base station;
(b) converting a current mode of the wireless communications device into an F/W upgrade mode according to whether the corresponding base station allows the F/W upgrade, which is determined based on the transferred information; and
(c) upgrading an F/W of the wireless communications device wirelessly by means of the corresponding base station;
wherein the information required for the F/W upgrade includes at least F/W update information and information about a level of a battery of the wireless communications device and wherein step (b) is performed only when the level of the battery is above a predetermined level.
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Abstract
A method for upgrading firmware (F/W) of a wireless communications device is capable of updating F/W at all times through a simple process by transferring, directly and wirelessly, new firmware required for the wireless communications device from a base station. In the F/W upgrade method, a user'"'"'s identification of the wireless communications device and information required for F/W upgrade are transferred to the corresponding base station, and the current mode of the wireless communications device is converted into an F/W upgrade mode according to whether or not the corresponding base station allows the upgrade, which is determined based on the transferred information. Then, F/W of the wireless communications device is wirelessly upgraded by the corresponding base station.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A firmware (F/W) upgrade method for a wireless communications device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) transferring an identification of a user of the wireless communications device, and information required for an F/W upgrade, to a corresponding base station;
(b) converting a current mode of the wireless communications device into an F/W upgrade mode according to whether the corresponding base station allows the F/W upgrade, which is determined based on the transferred information; and
(c) upgrading an F/W of the wireless communications device wirelessly by means of the corresponding base station;
wherein the information required for the F/W upgrade includes at least F/W update information and information about a level of a battery of the wireless communications device and wherein step (b) is performed only when the level of the battery is above a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
(c1) reporting a delay message, indicating a delay in use of the wireless communications device in the F/W upgrade mode, to the user from the corresponding base station; and
(c2) performing the F/W upgrade in the F/W upgrade mode;
wherein the F/W upgrade mode is provided by at least one of the corresponding base station without payment, a manufacturer of the wireless communications device, and a network management company as required.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the sub-steps of:
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(c1) reporting a service charge, required for receiving the F/W upgrade, to the user from the corresponding base station; and
(c2) determining whether the user consents to the service charge, and performing the F/W upgrade when the user consents to the service charge;
wherein the F/W upgrade mode is provided for the service charge by the corresponding base station according to the need of the user.
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4. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (a) thru (c) are performed before the wireless communications device is switched to a normal mode after power to the wireless communications device is turned on.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) thru (c) are performed as the wireless communications device is placed in the F/W upgrade mode from the normal mode by one of the user and the corresponding base station.
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6. A method for supporting firmware (F/W) upgrade for a sending station by a base station, comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a pilot signal;
(b) identifying a user and F/W upgrade update information of the sending station with respect to the pilot signal;
(c) determining whether the F/W upgrade is required for the sending station according to the F/W upgrade update information, and switching the sending station into one of two F/W upgrade modes as required; and
(d) upgrading the F/W of the sending station wirelessly by means of the base station according to whether the sending station allows said one of the two F/W upgrade modes; and
wherein said two F/W upgrade modes comprise a first upgrade mode for upgrading the F/W of the sending station on a no-charge basis and a second upgrade mode for upgrading the F/W of the sending station on a charge basis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of upgrading firmware (F/W) of a wireless communication device in a system which includes a base station, comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling an F/W upgrade mode of the wireless communication device;
(b) transferring upgrade information from the wireless communication device to the base station;
(c) determining at the wireless communication device whether the base station will allow an F/W upgrade;
(d) switching the wireless communication device to an F/W upgrade mode when it is determined in step (c) that the base station will allow the F/W upgrade; and
(e) wirelessly upgrading the F/W of the wireless communication device;
wherein step (d) comprises switching the wireless communication device to one of a first F/W upgrade mode wherein the F/W upgrade is at no monetary charge to the wireless communication device and a second F/W upgrade mode wherein the F/W upgrade is at a monetary charge to the wireless communication device; and
wherein step (e) comprises the sub-steps of;
(e1) reporting a service charges required for receiving the F/W upgrade, to the user from the base station; and
(e2) determining whether the user consents to the service charge, and performing the F/W upgrade in the second F/W upgrade mode when the user consents to the service charge. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
(e1) reporting a delay message, indicating a delay in use of the wireless communication device in the F/W upgrade mode, to the user from the base station; and
(e2) performing an upgrade mode;
wherein the upgrade mode is provided by at least one of the base station, a manufacturer of the wireless communication device, and a network management company.
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20. The method of claim 16, wherein step (a) is performed before the wireless communication device is switched to a normal mode after power of the wireless communication device is turned on.
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21. The method of claim 16, wherein step (a) comprises switching the wireless communication device from a normal mode to the F/W upgrade mode by one of the user and the base station.
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22. The method of claim 16, wherein step (e) comprises the sub-steps of:
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(e1) reporting an F/W upgrade message to the user; and
(e2) performing the F/W upgrade in accordance with one of the first and second F/W upgrade modes.
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23. The method of claim 22, wherein step (e) further comprises the sub-steps of:
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(e3) determining whether there is a wait mode; and
(e4) when there is await mode, informing the user of upgrade information as to upgrading in the second F/W upgrade mode.
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24. The method of claim 23, wherein step (e) further comprises the sub-steps of:
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(e5) determining whether the user consents to the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W up(rade mode; and
(e6) when the user consents to the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W upgrade mode, performing the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W upgrade mode.
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25. The method of claim 22, wherein step (e) further comprises the sub-steps of:
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(e3) determining whether the user consents to the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W upgrade mode; and
(e4) when the user consents to the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W upgrade mode, performing the F/W upgrade in accordance with the second F/W upgrade mode.
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Specification