System and method for independently downloading features into a set of storage locations in a wireless communication device

• US 6,449,476 B1
• Filed: 03/12/1999
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Hutchison, James A. IV, Lekven, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMOS FELICIANO, ELISEO
• Application Number:
  US09/267,824
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418-419, 455/551, 455/556, 455/557, 455/558, 455/575, 455/433, 455/73
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A system and method for independently downloading a main program and optional features into a set of storage locations of a wireless communication device uses a memory to store the main program and a set of selected optional features. An identification element associated with one in the set of selected optional features enables the main program to interact with the one in the set of selected optional features. A programmer programs the selected optional feature programs into the memory by locating a storage location in the memory. An indicator indicates when the set of selected optional features has been stored in the memory. The memory can further contain a linking element and a pointer to identify storage locations in the memory. The invention allows the set of selected optional features to be stored after the main program is stored in the memory.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a memory;

a main program stored in the memory to control operation of the wireless communication device;

a set of selectable optional features programmable into the memory independent of the main program;

an identification associated with at least one of the set of independently programmed selectable optional features, the main program using the identification to interact with the at least one of the set of independently programmed selectable optional features; and

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, the linking element having an indicator set by an external programmer to indicate when the set of selectable optional features are stored in the memory.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the linking element is a portion of the main program and includes a plurality of pointers to identify a plurality of corresponding storage locations in the memory, the plurality of corresponding storage locations storing a corresponding selectable optional feature in the set.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the main program includes a searching program to search the memory for a storage location corresponding to the one of the set of selectable optional features, the storage location having an indicator to indicate when the one in the set of selectable optional features is stored in the storage location.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the set of the selectable optional features includes a pointer to identify a storage location where the one of the set of the selectable optional features is stored.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the set of the selectable optional features comprises a selected one of a dialing plan system, an encryption system, a browser system, or a language system.

6. A programming system for a wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless communication device having a programmable memory, the programmable memory having a first storage location to store a main program associated with operation of the wireless communication device and a second storage location different from the first storage location;

a port coupled to the programmable memory to receive a set of selectable optional features for the wireless communication device;

a programmer coupled to the port to send the set of selectable optional features to the port for storage in the second storage location, the programmer storing the set of selectable optional features in the second storage location independently of a storing of the main program in the first storage location; and

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, the linking element having an indicator set by the programmer to indicate when the set of selectable optional features are stored in the second storage location.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the linking element includes a pointer to direct the programmer where to store the set of selectable optional features in the programmable memory.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the linking element is stored in a storage location of the programmable memory different from the first storage location.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the set of selectable optional features includes a pointer to identify a memory location in the programmable memory.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the linking element remains inactive until activated by the programmer, the programmer activating the linking element when the programmer sends the set of selectable optional features for storage in the second storage location.

11. A programming system for a wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless communication device having a programmable memory, the programmable memory having a first storage location to store a main program associated with operation of the wireless communication device and a second storage location different from the first storage location;

a port coupled to the programmable memory to receive a set of selectable optional features for the wireless communication device;

a programmer coupled to the port to send the set of selectable optional features to the port for storage in the second storage location, the programmer storing the set of selectable optional features in the second storage location independently of a storing of the main program in the first storage location; and

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, wherein the linking element includes a pointer identifying a secondary linking element, the secondary linking element having a plurality of pointers to identify memory locations in the programmable memory.

12. A programming system for a wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless communication device having a programmable memory, the programmable memory having a first storage location to store a main program associated with operation of the wireless communication device and a second storage location different from the first storage location;

a port coupled to the programmable memory to receive a set of selectable optional features for the wireless communication device;

a programmer coupled to the port to send the set of selectable optional features to the port for storage in the second storage location, the programmer storing the set of selectable optional features in the second storage location independently of a storing of the main program in the first storage location; and

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, wherein the set of selectable optional features includes a secondary linking element, the secondary linking element having a plurality of pointers to identify a plurality of corresponding memory locations in the programmable memory.

13. A programming system for a wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless communication device having a programmable memory, the programmable memory having a first storage location to store a main program associated with operation of the wireless communication device and a second storage location different from the first storage location;

a port coupled to the programmable memory to receive a set of selectable optional features for the wireless communication device;

a programmer coupled to the port to send the set of selectable optional features to the port for storage in the second storage location, the programmer storing the set of selectable optional features in the second storage location independently of a storing of the main program in the first storage location; and

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, wherein the set of selectable optional features includes a first indicator to indicate when one of the set of selectable optional features is stored in the second storage location and a second indicator to identify a memory location in the second storage location where the one of the set of selectable optional features is stored, a size of the memory location, or a type of the one of the set of selectable optional features.

14. A wireless communication device comprising:

a first storage location storing a main program associated with operation of the wireless communication device;

a second storage location programmable to store a set of selectable optional features independently from the main program;

a linking element to associate the main program with the set of selectable optional features, the linking element associating the set of selectable optional features with the main program when the second storage location is programmed to store the set of selectable optional features; and

an indicator to indicate when the set of selectable optional features is stored in the second storage location;

wherein the set of selectable optional features includes a secondary linking element, the secondary linking element having a plurality of pointers to identify a plurality of corresponding memory locations in the first or second storage locations, the corresponding memory locations programmable to store a one of the set of selectable optional features.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the linking element is a portion of the main program stored in the first storage location.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the set of selectable optional features includes one of a dialing plan system, encryption system, browser system, or language system.