Recording/reproducing apparatus and method for updating firmware of the apparatus

• US 7,272,711 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Hattori, Hisahide, Suda, Hajime
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONNOLLY, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US10/720,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 717/168, 717/170, 717/171, 717/172, 717/173
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories

Abstract

In a recording/reproducing apparatus capable of communicating with a data transmission site and the other apparatus through a network, a control unit controls the recording and reproducing of the information based on firmware. A receiving unit receives first information from the other apparatus through the network, the first information including a request of updating of the firmware. An output unit outputs second information to the data transmission site through the network in response to reception of the first information, the second information including a request of transmitting third information used for updating the firmware. A unit acquires the third information from data transmission site through the network to update the firmware.

Claims

1. A recording/reproducing apparatus configured to record information in a recording medium and reproduce the information from the recording medium, the apparatus being capable of communicating with a data transmission site and an other apparatus through a network, the recording/reproducing apparatus comprising:

a control unit configured to control the recording and reproducing of the information based on firmware;

a receiving unit configured to receive first information from the other apparatus through the network, the first information including a request of updating the firmware;

an output unit configured to output second information to the data transmission site through the network in response to reception of the first information, the second information includes a request for transmitting third information used for updating the firmware; and

a unit configured to acquire the third information from data transmission site through the network to update the firmware.

2. A recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit adds specific information for identifying the recording/reproducing apparatus to the second information.

3. A recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a unit configured to supply fourth information indicating end of acquisition of the third information to the other apparatus through the network.

4. A recording/reproducing apparatus configured to record information in a recording medium and reproduce the information from the recording medium, the apparatus being capable of communicating with a data transmission site and an other apparatus through a network, said recording/reproducing apparatus comprising:

a control unit configured to control the recording and reproducing of the information based on firmware;

a receiving unit configured to receive first information from the other apparatus through the network, the first information including a request to update page data;

a first output unit configured to output second information to the data transmission site through the network in response to reception of the first information, the second information include a request for transmitting the update page data;

a unit configured to acquire the update page data from the data transmission site through the network;

a unit configured to transfer the update page data to the other apparatus through the network;

a unit configured to receive third information from the other apparatus through the network, the third information includes a request of updating for the firmware;

a second output unit configured to output fourth information to the data transmission site through the network in response to reception of the third information, the fourth information includes a request for transmitting fifth information used for updating the firmware; and

a unit configured to acquire the fifth information from the data transmission site through the network.

5. A recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first output unit adds model information for indicating the model of the apparatus to the second information.

6. A recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second output unit adds specific information for identifying the apparatus to the fourth information.

7. A recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a unit configured to output fifth information indicating end of acquisition of the update data through the network to the other apparatus.

8. A method which is applied to a recording/reproducing apparatus configured to record information in a recording medium and reproduce the information from the recording medium based on firmware, and which updates the firmware, said method comprising:

receiving first information from a network, the first information being information requesting an update page data of the firmware;

outputting second information to the network in response to reception of the first information, the second information being used for requesting the update page data;

acquiring the update page data from the network;

outputting the update page data through the network to a transmitter from which the first information is transmitted;

receiving third information from the network, the third information being information requesting update data;

outputting fourth information to the network in response to reception of the third information, the fourth information being information requesting the update data; and

acquiring the update data from the network.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein model information is added to the second information.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein specific information is added to the fourth information.

11. A method according to claim 8, further comprising outputting information indicating end of acquisition of the update data to the transmitter from which the first information is transmitted, the information being sent to the transmitter by way of the network.