Satellite control of electronic memory devices

• US 6,470,495 B1
• Filed: 09/06/1996
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Ames, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Application Number:
  US08/709,021
• Time in Patent Office: 2,237 Days
• Field of Search: 395/712, 395/200.5, 395/200.51, 395/200.52, 395/651, 395/652, 395/653, 340/311.1, 340/825.44, 717/168-178, 709/216, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/220, 709/221, 709/222, 709/273
• US Class Current: 717/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/14 Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit data transmission in general H04L; telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station H04Q9/00

Abstract

Microprocessor-controlled equipment, such as cash register/inventory control systems, sometimes require in-field modification of programs which run on the microprocessors. Under the invention, such modified programs are downloaded to the equipment, via a commercially available paging service, through a satellite link. When owners of the equipment receive the new programs, they update old programs, as appropriate.

Claims

1. A method of modifying a previous program contained in microprocessor-controlled equipment, comprising the following steps:

a) storing said previous program in a manner which allows it to be re-used at a later time in said equipment;

b) using a paging service, transmitting a new version of said program, together with a code identifying said equipment;

c) receiving said new version at said equipment;

d) loading said new version into program memory of said microprocessor;

e) preventing said paging service from causing said new version to run on said microprocessor; and

f) transmitting a message, prior to transmission of said new program, which specifies the time when said new program will be transmitted.

2. A system for modifying a previous program contained in microprocessor-controlled equipment, comprising the following steps:

a) means for storing said previous program in a manner which allows it to be re-used at a later time in said equipment;

b) means for transmitting a new version of said program through a paging service, together with a code identifying said equipment;

c) means for receiving said new version at said equipment;

d) means for loading said new version into program memory of said microprocessor;

e) means for preventing said paging service from causing said new version to run on said microprocessor; and

f) means for transmitting a message, prior to transmission of said new program, which specifies the time when said new program will be transmitted.