System, method and apparatus for embedded firmware code update

• US 7,890,947 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Toyoshima, Akihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao; Thuy
• Application Number:
  US09/972,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20020087759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,420 Days
• Field of Search: 717/171, 717/172, 455/556.1
• US Class Current: 717/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A wireless module is provided for wirelessly updating code to any appropriate peripheral device and may allow for wireless communication with the desired peripheral device to update an operating software code. The wireless module has the similar size, shape, and form factor as the current Memory Stick™. In one embodiment, the method of updating code to the wireless module and/or the desired peripheral devices includes providing a fail-safe code to the peripheral device, updating the peripheral device with a new code utilizing the wireless module, and executing a primary code for operation of the peripheral device. Further, the wireless module may be provided to any number of peripheral devices compatible with the Memory Stick™ removable data storage media. The wireless module is removably connected to the desired peripheral device and provides the peripheral device with a fail-safe system, method and apparatus for updating the embedded operational software code without recalling and servicing the peripheral device.

Claims

1. A method for updating code in a wireless telephone, comprising the acts of:

providing a first operational code to the telephone, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the telephone for effecting wireless communication;

engaging a wireless module with the telephone, the wireless module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code; and

transferring the updated operational code from the wireless module to the telephone, wherein the memory medium includes a NAND FLASH device.

2. A method for updating code in a wireless telephone, comprising the acts of:

providing a first operational code to the telephone, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the telephone for effecting wireless communication;

engaging a wireless module with the telephone, the wireless module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;

transferring the updated operational code from the wireless module to the telephone; and

wirelessly transmitting the updated operational code to the wireless module, wherein the updated operational code is transmitted to the wireless module using at least one format selected from the group consisting of;

IS-95B, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA 1x EV, CDMA ONE, Wideband CDMA, GSM, GPRS, and EDGE.

3. A method for updating code in a wireless telephone, comprising the acts of:

providing a first operational code to the telephone, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the telephone for effecting wireless communication;

engaging a wireless module with the telephone, the wireless module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;

transferring the updated operational code from the wireless module to the telephone;

checking the updated operational code for errors; and

only if the updated operational code is verified as error free, using the updated operational code at the wireless telephone in lieu of the first operational code for effecting wireless communication.

4. A method for updating code in a wireless telephone, comprising the acts of:

providing a first operational code to the telephone, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the telephone for effecting wireless communication;

engaging a wireless module with the telephone, the wireless module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;

transferring the updated operational code from the wireless module to the telephone; and

storing incidental information related to the updated operational code to a NAND FLASH device in at least one of the wireless module, and the wireless telephone.

5. A method for updating code in a wireless telephone, comprising the acts of:

providing a first operational code to the telephone, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the telephone for effecting wireless communication;

engaging a wireless module with the telephone, the wireless module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code; and

transferring the updated operational code from the wireless module to the telephone; and

storing both operational codes in the wireless telephone for selective use thereof by the telephone.

6. A wireless communication device, comprising:

storage means for storing both an initial operational code and an updated operational code;

means for designating the initial operational code as a primary code to be used for wireless communication;

means for subsequently designating the updated operational code as the primary code and undesignating the initial operational code as the primary code; and

means for undesignating the updated operational code as the primary code and redesignating the initial operational code as the primary code.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for undesignating executes in response to a user selection of a primary code.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for subsequently designating executes only if the updated code is verified to be error-free.