Headset firmware update from headset base unit

• US 9,645,812 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2015
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GN Netcom A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: GN Netcom A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Proschowsky, Morten
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Marina
• Application Number:
  US14/967,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20160098264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 513 Days
• Field of Search: 717169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements

Abstract

A method of updating a headset system firmware and a headset system are provided. The headset system comprises a headset and a base unit, the base unit having a base unit control circuit and being configured to connect to a computer system, the base unit comprises a headset dock to receive the headset. The method comprises the steps of receiving, in the base unit control circuit, a headset system firmware update from the computer system, the headset system firmware update comprising a headset firmware update and/or a base unit firmware update, and updating the base unit control circuit with the base unit firmware update. In a base unit storage, storing the headset firmware update having a headset firmware update version and when a headset having a current headset firmware version is received in the headset dock, controlling the base unit control circuit to check whether the current headset firmware version is the same as the headset firmware update version stored in the base unit storage, and updating the current headset firmware with the stored headset firmware update if one or more conditions are fulfilled.

Claims

1. A method of updating firmware in a headset system comprising at least two headsets, including primary and secondary headsets, and said headsets being linkable to a base unit by pairing, the base unit having a control circuit and being configured to connect to a computer system, the base unit including a headset dock to receive the headsets, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving and storing in the control circuit a plurality of headset firmware updates from the computer system, the headset firmware updates including at least a latest update version and at least one prior update version,

when a headset is docked in the headset dock, controlling the control circuit to check whether;

a. whether the headset is paired to the base unit;

b. whether the headset is paired as the primary or secondary headset to the base unit;

c. whether a current headset firmware version is the same as a headset firmware update version stored in the base unit, determining as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version;

d. if the headset is the primary paired headset to the base unit, then updating the current headset firmware update version as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version from the stored headset firmware updates;

e. if the headset is not the primary paired headset to the base unit, but a current headset firmware version in the secondarily paired headset is compatible with the base unit, then bypass updating; and

f. if the headset is not the primary paired headset to the base unit, but the current headset firmware version in the secondarily paired headset is not compatible with the base unit, then updating the current headset firmware version as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version from the stored headset firmware updates.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the headset system during updating of the current headset firmware version is provided in a firmware update mode in which the headset is docked in the base unit and is not operational.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the headset is provided in the firmware update mode if the control circuit determines that current headset firmware version is different from the latest update version.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein an alert is provided to a user of the headset system during updating of the current headset firmware version.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the headset firmware updates are provided to the base unit using a mass deployment scheme.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the headset firmware updates are stored in a base unit storage until a new headset firmware update version is provided to the base unit.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein a base unit storage is configured to store the headset firmware updates.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein each of the headset firmware updates are being configured for a specific headset type.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the headset firmware updates corresponds to one or more headset firmware update versions.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the headsets are wireless headsets and wherein the wireless protocol is updated with the headset firmware updates.

11. A headset system comprising a base unit and at least primary and secondary headsets configured to connect and communicate with the base unit, said headsets each comprising an earphone, a microphone, and being configured to provide an interconnection to the base unit, a processor configured to process audio signals and a headset control circuit being configured to control the processor and the interconnection with the base unit, each headset having a stored headset firmware version, the base unit being configured to connect to a computer system and comprising a base unit storage, a dock for receiving the headsets and a base unit control circuit configured to control a base unit processor,

the base unit control circuit being configured to receive a headset system firmware update from the computer system, the headset system firmware update comprising a base unit firmware update and a headset firmware update, wherein the base unit control circuit is configured to store the headset firmware update in the base unit storage, detect a firmware version in the docked headset:

if the stored headset firmware version is different from a newer headset firmware update version stored in the base unit storage, then the control circuit is configured to provide all available updates to bring the headset to the newer update version according the following sequence;

a. the control circuit detects if the headset is paired to the base unit;

b. the control circuit detects whether the headset is paired as a primary or secondary headset to the base unit;

c. the control circuit detects whether a current stored headset firmware version is the same as the newer headset firmware update version stored in the base unit storage, determining as necessary to bring the headset up to the newer headset firmware update version;

d. if the headset is the primary paired headset to the base unit, then the control circuit updates the current stored headset firmware version as necessary to bring the headset up to the newer headset firmware update version from the base unit storage;

e. if the headset is not the primary headset to the base unit, but a current stored headset firmware version in the secondary paired headset is compatible with the base unit, then bypass updating; and

f. if the headset is not the primary headset to the base unit, but the current stored headset firmware version in the secondary paired headset is not compatible with the base unit, then the control circuit updates the current stored headset firmware version as necessary to bring the headset up to the newer headset firmware update version from the base unit storage.

12. A headset system according to claim 11, wherein the headsets are wireless headset(s) and wherein the headset and the base unit each comprises a wireless communications unit configured for wireless data communication between the headset and the base unit.

13. A method of updating a headset system firmware, the headset system comprising at least primary and secondary headsets paired with a base unit, the base unit having a base unit control circuit and being configured to connect to a computer system, the base unit comprising a headset dock to receive the headset, the method comprising the steps of:

physically docking the headsets into the base unit;

receiving, in the base unit control circuit a headset system firmware update from the computer system, the headset system firmware update comprising a headset firmware update,

storing in a base unit storage at least a latest headset firmware update version having a headset firmware update version,

as a headset is received in the headset dock, accessing the base unit control circuit to check whether a current headset firmware version is the same as the headset firmware update version stored in the base unit storage, determining as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version;

updating the current headset firmware version as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version from the base unit storage according to the following conditions;

a. determining whether the headset is docket in the base unit;

b. determining if the headset is paired to the base unit;

c. determining whether the headset is paired as a primary or secondary headset to that base unit;

d. determining whether the current headset firmware version is the same as the headset firmware update version stored in the base unit storage, determining as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version;

e. if the headset is the primary paired headset to the base unit, then updating the current headset firmware version as necessary to bring the headset up to the latest update version from the base unit storage;

f. if the headset is not the primary headset to the base unit, but the firmware in the secondarily paired headset is compatible with that base unit, then bypass updating.