Method of distributing data packets of system software where the receiving units acknowledge only proper reception
First Claim
1. A method of distributing data packets of a new version of system software in a point-to-multipoint system (SYS) from a send unit (SERVER) to a plurality of receive units (DEC), wherein at least part of the receive units (DEC) each include a decoder, and wherein the new version of the system software is an upgrade, update, or modified version of the operating system software of the decoders, characterized in that the following steps are taken one after the other:
- 1. an announce signal, containing information that the system software or part thereof will subsequently be transmitted, is transmitted from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, and 2. the system software or part thereof is transmitted as data packets from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, including to receive units (DEC) which will prevent replacement of system software if the new version of the system software has already replaced the old version, wherein the receive units (DEC) acknowledge only proper reception, and only after receipt of a last data packet belonging to the system software, so transmission of the data packets is not interfered with by acknowledgements, and wherein a receive unit (DEC) which receives less than all data packets of the system software or part thereof must subsequently receive a complete version containing all data packets including those already received, and therefore the send unit (SERVER) will send only complete versions of system software.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a point-to-multipoint system (SYS), particularly a video-on-demand system, comprising a send unit (SERVER) in the form of a server and a plurality of receive units (DEC) in the form of decoders, a new version of the system software for the decoders is to be transferred to the latter. This is done by taking the following steps:
1. An announce signal containing the information that the new system software or part thereof will subsequently be transferred is transmitted from the server to all decoders simultaneously.
2. The system software or part thereof is transferred in the form of data packets from the server to all decoders simultaneously.
By the advance information in the form of an announce signal which is transmitted to all decoders by the broadcast method, the decoders are notified of the forthcoming transmission of the current version of the system software, whereupon they can prepare for the reception of the new version. The new version is also transmitted by the broadcast method, and ideally only once.
29 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of distributing data packets of a new version of system software in a point-to-multipoint system (SYS) from a send unit (SERVER) to a plurality of receive units (DEC), wherein at least part of the receive units (DEC) each include a decoder, and wherein the new version of the system software is an upgrade, update, or modified version of the operating system software of the decoders, characterized in that the following steps are taken one after the other:
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1. an announce signal, containing information that the system software or part thereof will subsequently be transmitted, is transmitted from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, and 2. the system software or part thereof is transmitted as data packets from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, including to receive units (DEC) which will prevent replacement of system software if the new version of the system software has already replaced the old version, wherein the receive units (DEC) acknowledge only proper reception, and only after receipt of a last data packet belonging to the system software, so transmission of the data packets is not interfered with by acknowledgements, and wherein a receive unit (DEC) which receives less than all data packets of the system software or part thereof must subsequently receive a complete version containing all data packets including those already received, and therefore the send unit (SERVER) will send only complete versions of system software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification