Apparatus and methods for providing software updates to devices in a communication network
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing software to a subscriber device in a communication network, comprising:
- a processor;
a database coupled to said processor;
said database containing information about subscribers of a communication network; and
a communication device, in electrical communication with said processor, for providing software to the subscriber device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for transmitting software to a subscriber device in a communication network, which includes a processor, a database coupled to the processor, and a communication device for providing software to a subscriber device. The database contains information about subscribers of a communication network. A method for transmitting software to subscriber devices in a communication network, comprising identifying a subscriber device which requires a software update, transmitting a first signal from a processor to the subscriber device, initiating a communication channel between the subscriber device and the processor, and transmitting a second signal to the subscriber device. The second signal contains software.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing software to a subscriber device in a communication network, comprising:
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a processor;
a database coupled to said processor;
said database containing information about subscribers of a communication network; and
a communication device, in electrical communication with said processor, for providing software to the subscriber device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a mobile switching computer for facilitating mobile communications in the communication network; and
a base station subsystem device associated with said mobile switching computer, wherein said base station subsystem device communicates directly with the subscriber device.
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3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication network comprises a plurality of subscriber devices.
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4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus operates over a public switched telephone network.
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5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a storage device configured to store files which are available for transfer to the subscriber device.
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6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a signature processor configured to encrypt data to be transferred to the subscriber device.
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7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said signature processor encrypts said data with a private key.
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8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices comprises:
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a processor for controlling the operation of said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices; and
a memory storage device coupled to said processor, wherein said memory storage device contains at least one of program data and configuration data.
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9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices further comprises:
a pointing device for pointing to one of program data and configuration data currently in use at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices.
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10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices further comprises:
a radio module device for facilitating communication between said subscriber processor and said apparatus.
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11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices comprises at least one of:
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a computer interface device for facilitating use of a computer at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices; and
a telephone interface device for facilitating use of a telephone at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices.
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12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is a software download computer.
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13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said data is decrypted with a public key at the subscriber device.
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14. An apparatus for providing software to a subscriber device in a communication network, comprising:
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means for controlling apparatus operation;
means, in electrical communication with said means for controlling, for storing information about subscribers of a communication network; and
means, in electrical communication with said means for controlling, for providing software to the subscriber device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
means for facilitating mobile communications in the communication network; and
means for communicating directly with the subscriber device.
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16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said communication network comprises a plurality of subscriber devices.
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17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus operates over a public switched telephone network.
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18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
means for storing files which are available to transfer to the subscriber device.
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19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
means for encrypting data to be transferred to the subscriber device.
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20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said encryption means encrypts said data with a private key.
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21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices comprises:
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means for controlling the operation of said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices; and
means for storing at least one of program data and configuration data, wherein said storing means is coupled to said controlling means.
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22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices further comprises:
means for pointing to one of program data and configuration data currently in use at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices.
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23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices further comprises:
means for facilitating communication between said apparatus control means and said subscriber device control means.
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24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices comprises at least one of:
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means for facilitating use of a computer at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices; and
means for facilitating use of a telephone at said at least one of said plurality of subscriber devices.
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25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said processing means is a software download computer.
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26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said data is decrypted with a public key at the subscriber device.
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27. A method for transmitting software to a subscriber device in a communication network, comprising:
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transmitting a first signal from a processor to the subscriber device;
initiating a communication channel between the subscriber device and the processor; and
transmitting a second signal to the subscriber device, wherein said second signal contains software. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
examining a subscriber database to identify a subscriber device requiring one of software and a software update.
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29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
calculating a first data set which is a function of at least one of a subscriber network address, a number for communication with the processor, and a random number.
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30. The method of claim 27, wherein said first signal contains at least one of a subscriber device address, a number for communicating with the processor, a random number, and the encrypted data set.
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31. The method of claim 27, wherein said first signal is transmitted over a signaling channel.
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32. The method of claim 27, wherein said second signal is transmitted over a bearer channel.
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33. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
determining if said first signal is an authentic signal.
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34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
storing the software in a memory device.
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35. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
determining if the software download was successfully received at the subscriber device.
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36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:
transmitting a third signal from the subscriber device to the processor, wherein said third signal contains information indicative of one of a successful software download operation and an unsuccessful software download operation.
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37. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
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changing a software pointing device to point to software received at the subscriber device with said second signal; and
resetting the subscriber device to operate from the received software.
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38. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
updating a subscriber database to indicate one of the occurrence of a software download and a current one of program data and configuration data utilized by the subscriber device.
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39. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
re-attempting a software download if an unsuccessful download has occurred.
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40. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
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determining if the subscriber device is in use; and
deferring the transmission of said second signal until the subscriber device is not in use.
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41. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
delaying the transmission of said second signal for a pre-specified time period after the subscriber device is determined to not be in use.
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42. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
identifying a subscriber device which requires one of software and a software update.
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43. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
encrypting at least a portion of data in at least one of said first signal and said second signal at the processor with a private key.
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44. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
decrypting at least a portion of data in at least one of said first signal and said second signal at the subscriber device with a public key.
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45. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
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detecting if the subscriber device is in use; and
canceling the transmission of said second signal in response to a detection of the subscriber unit being in use.
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46. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
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detecting a transmission of a fourth signal to said subscriber device; and
canceling the transmission of said second signal in response to said detection of said fourth signal.
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47. An apparatus for providing software to a subscriber device in a communication network, comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting one a first signal and a second signal to the subscriber device; and
a receiver for receiving a third signal from the subscriber device;
wherein said first signal prompts the subscriber device to initiate and establish a communication channel between said transmitter and the subscriber device. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification