Apparatus function change system having an apparatus service center containing customer information and setting information for a reconfigurable chip

• US 6,789,135 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Socionext Inc.
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Shinichi, Nishiyama, Tamotsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Ilwoo
• Application Number:
  US09/393,108
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 713/100, 709/201, 709/203, 717/168-178
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/656 while running

Abstract

An apparatus function change service system for changing a function of an apparatus including a reconfigurable chip includes a request receiving section for receiving a request for a function change of the apparatus from a user of the apparatus; a specifying section for specifying a change to be made in the reconfigurable chip for fulfilling the request based on the request; and a changing section for performing the change in the reconfigurable chip based on the specified change to be made in the reconfigurable chip.

Claims

1. An apparatus function change service system, comprising:

an apparatus including a reconfigurable chip and an apparatus service center for changing a function of the apparatus, the apparatus service center being connected to the apparatus via a network, wherein the apparatus service center includes;

a request receiving section for receiving a request for a function change of the apparatus from a user;

a specifying section for specifying a change to be made in a hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip based on the request; and

a sending section for sending information to the apparatus via the network to perform the change in the hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip based on configuration of the reconfigurable chip,

wherein the apparatus service center further includes;

a customer list having customer information stored therein which indicates that the user has purchased the apparatus;

a function table representing a relationship between the function of the apparatus and setting of the reconfigurable chip for realizing the function; and

an apparatus management information table having setting information of the reconfigurable chip stored therein.

2. An apparatus function change service system according to claim 1, wherein the request is for repair of the apparatus.

3. An apparatus function change service system according to claim 1, wherein the request is for one of function in addition of the apparatus and function expansion of the apparatus.

4. An apparatus function change service system according to claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable chip includes a plurality of circuit blocks for realizing different functions from one another.

5. An apparatus function change service system according to claim 4, wherein the reconfigurable chip further includes a plurality of circuits for realizing an identical function.

6. An apparatus function charge service system according to claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable chip includes a reconfigurable logic circuit for realizing a prescribed function in accordance with circuit information.

7. An apparatus function change service method, comprising the steps of:

selling an apparatus in which a reconfigurable chip is initially set so as to realize a function desired by a user;

receiving, at an apparatus service center, a request for a function change of the apparatus from the user;

specifying, at the apparatus service center, a change to be made in a hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip based on the request; and

sending information to the apparatus via a network to perform the change in the hardware configuration of the initially set reconfigurable chip based on the specified change to be made in the hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip,

wherein the step of selling the apparatus includes the steps of;

storing, in a customer list in the apparatus service center, customer information which indicates that the user has purchased the apparatus; and

storing, in the apparatus service center, initial setting information of the reconfigurable chip.

8. An apparatus function change service method according to claim 7, wherein the step of specifying the change to be made in the reconfigurable chip includes the step of:

specifying, at the apparatus service center, the change to be made in the reconfigurable chip, referring to the customer list, the apparatus management information table, and a function table representing a relationship between a function of the apparatus and setting of the reconfigurable chip for realizing the function.

9. An apparatus function change service method according to claim 7, wherein after the step of sending the information to perform the change in the reconfigurable chip the method further includes the step of:

updating the initial setting information in the apparatus management information table after the change in the reconfigurable chip is performed.

10. An apparatus function change service method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of charging the user for the function change of the apparatus.

11. An apparatus function change service method comprising the steps of:

selling an apparatus containing a reconfigurable chip is initially set so as to realize a function desired by a user;

receiving, at an apparatus service center, a request for a function change of the apparatus from the user;

specifying, at the apparatus service center, a change to be made in a hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip based on the request; and

sending information to the apparatus via a network to perform the change in the hardware configuration of the initially set reconfigurable chip based on the specified change to be made in the hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip,

wherein the step of selling the apparatus includes the steps of;

offering a first set of initial settings so as to realize a function desired by a user;

offering a second set of initial settings so as to realize a second function desired by a user;

selecting between said first set of initial settings and said second set of initial settings;

charging X amount for the selection of said first set of initial settings;

charging Y amount for the selection of said second set of initial settings, wherein X than Y;

storing, in a customer list in the apparatus service center, customer information indicates that the user has purchased the apparatus;

storing, in the apparatus service center, initial setting information of the reconfigurable chip.

12. An apparatus function change service method, comprising the steps of:

selling an apparatus in which a reconfigurable chip is initially set so as to realize a default function;

receiving, at an apparatus service center, a request for a function change of the apparatus from the user;

specifying, the apparatus service center, a change to be made in a hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip based on the request; and

sending information to the apparatus via a network to perform the change in the hardware configuration of the initially set reconfigurable chip based on the specified change to be made in the hardware configuration of the reconfigurable chip,

wherein the step of selling the apparatus includes the steps of;

storing, in a customer list in the apparatus service center, customer information which indicates that the user has purchased the apparatus; and

storing, in the apparatus service center, initial setting information of the reconfigurable chip.