Location based software flashing system

• US 7,487,499 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gatz, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, Jr.; Lewis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kang; Insun
• Application Number:
  US10/975,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 717/168, 717/174, 715/700, 702/150, 704/2
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A software flashing system includes a processor and a position locating system in communication with the processor and configured to provide information relating to a geographic location of at least one target entity. The processor is configured to interface with the position locating system to determine the geographic location of the at least one target entity and to supply the at least one target entity with a software update related to the geographic location of the at least one target entity.

Claims

1. A software flashing system, comprising:

a processor; and

a position locating system in communication with the processor and configured to provide information relating to a geographic location of at least one target entity;

wherein the processor is configured to;

interface with the position locating system to determine the geographic location of the at least one target entity;

supply the at least one target entity with a software update that modifies an application previously installed on the at least one target entity or installs a new application on the at least one target entity, the software update being related to the geographic location of the at least one target entity;

determine a characteristic associated with the at least one target entity;

compile a set of location based software updates available to the at least one target entity based on the characteristic associated with the at least one target entity; and

select the software update to be supplied to the at least one target entity from the compiled set of location based software updates.

2. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the position locating system includes at least one global positioning system receiver.

3. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the position locating system includes a transceiver configured to receive position information from a source external to the software flashing system.

4. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the position locating system includes an input device configured to receive position information manually entered by an operator.

5. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the position locating system is configured to download the geographic location of the at least one target entity from at least one of the target entity and a source external to both the target entity and the software flashing system.

6. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the position locating system is configured to read the geographic location of the at least one target entity from a computer readable medium.

7. The software flashing system of claim 1, further including at least one communications component configured to transfer the software update from the software flashing system to the at least one target entity.

8. The software flashing system of claim 7, wherein the communications component is configured to transfer the software update from the software flashing system to the at least one target entity via at least one of an RF coupling, an inductive coupling, a wired connection, an optical signal, or a computer readable media.

9. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic includes an identity of the at least one target entity.

10. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes setting a value of a variable available for use by a controller associated with the at least one target entity.

11. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes sending an executable file to the at least one target entity.

12. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes sending an executable file that is configured to install the new application on the at least one target entity.

13. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes overwriting an application previously installed on the at least one target entity.

14. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes providing a patch to an application previously installed on the at least one target entity.

15. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes selecting a language setting associated with the at least one target entity.

16. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes activating an application previously installed on the at least one target entity.

17. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update includes guidelines for complying with regulations associated with operation of the at least one target entity in the geographic location.

18. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the software update from a computer readable medium.

19. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive the software update, for supplying to the at least one target entity, over a network.

20. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the target entity includes a control system associated with a work machine, wherein the control system includes a controller for controlling at least one component associated with the work machine.

21. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the software update is configured to affect at least one of an engine setting for a work machine, a ground speed limit for a work machine, an electrical system setting for a work machine, an audio setting for an audio device, a transmission characteristic setting for a transmitting device, or a language setting for an electronic device.

22. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the target entity includes a programmable transmission device.

23. The software flashing system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to supply the at least one target entity with the software update that installs the new application on the at least one target entity.

24. A method for providing a software update to a target entity, comprising:

establishing communication between a software flashing system and at least one target entity;

determining a geographic location of the at least one target entity; and

supplying at least one software update to the target entity that modifies an application previously installed on the target entity or installs a new application on the target entity,

the at least one software update including a characteristic associated with the geographic location of the at least one target entity,

wherein supplying the at least one software update further comprises;

determining a characteristic associated with the target entity;

compiling a set of location based software updates available to the target entity based on the characteristic associated with the target entity; and

selecting the software update to be supplied to the target entity from the compiled set of location based software updates.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein establishing communication between the software flashing system and the at least one target entity includes establishing at least one of an RF coupling, an inductive coupling, a wired connection, or an optical connection between the software flashing system and the at least one target entity.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein determining the geographic location of the at least one target entity includes downloading the geographic location of the at least one target entity from the at least one target entity.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein determining the geographic location of the at least one target entity includes determining a position of the software flashing system and relating the position of the software flashing system to the geographic location of the at least one target entity.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining the geographic location of the at least one target entity includes determining a position of the software flashing system using a GPS receiver associated with the software flashing system and using the determined position of the software flashing system as the geographic-location.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein determining the geographic location of the at least one target entity includes downloading the geographic location of the at least one target entity from a source external to both the software flashing system and the at least one target entity.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the set of available software updates is generated by accessing at least one device remotely located from the software flashing system.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the set of available software updates is generated by accessing a database associated with the software flashing system.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein supplying the at least one software update to the target entity includes at least one of overwriting a previously installed application, providing a patch to a previously installed application, altering the value of a variable, setting a language setting, providing guidelines for complying with regulations associated with the geographic location, or activating a previously installed application.

33. A software flashing system, comprising:

a processor; and

a GPS receiver operatively coupled to the software flashing system and configured to provide the processor with position information related to a geographic location of the software flashing system;

wherein the processor is configured to;

determine the geographic location of the software flashing system using the position information supplied by the GPS receiver;

determine a characteristic associated with a preselected target entity;

compile a set of location based software updates available to the preselected target entity based on the characteristic associated with the preselected target entity;

select the software update to be supplied to the preselected target entity from the compiled set of location based software updates; and

supply the preselected target entity with the software update that modifies an application previously installed on the preselected target entity or installs a new application on the preselected target entity, the software update being configured to affect operation of an element associated with the preselected target entity in a manner related to the determined geographic location.