Method to reduce the cost of product software upgrades after production

• US 20100218465A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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: Takaya, Norifumi
• Application Number:
  US12/379,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100218465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/467
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators see also B65D5/4212, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6837 tv or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A product packaging shipping container for housing and shipping a device that allows for service upgrades while the product packaging container remains closed. The product packaging container may include a set of container interfaces configured to be accessible from an exterior of the product packaging container and respectively corresponding to a set of device interfaces. The shipping container may also include a set of connections that respectively connect the set of container interfaces to the set of device interfaces, such that an external connection to the set of devices is provided while the product packaging container remains closed via access to the set of container interfaces.

Claims

1. A product packaging shipping container for housing and shipping a device and allowing connection to device interfaces while the product packaging container remains closed, the product packaging container comprising:

a set of container interfaces configured to be accessible from an exterior of the product packaging container and respectively corresponding to a set of device interfaces; and

a set of connections that respectively connect the set of container interfaces to the set of device interfaces, such that an external connection to the set of devices is provided while the product packaging container remains closed via access to the set of container interfaces.

2. The product packaging shipping container of claim 1, wherein the set of container interfaces accommodate a device upgrade while the product packaging container remains closed, and wherein the product packaging container is a shipping container, such that the device upgrade is carried out prior to shipment of the product packaging container without requiring direct access to the device within the product packaging container.

3. The product packaging shipping container of claim 1, wherein the set of container interfaces includes a first container interface that corresponds to a power interface of the device to allow supply of power to the device while the product packaging container remains closed.

4. The product packaging shipping container of claim 3, wherein the set of container interfaces includes a second container interface that corresponds to a service interface of the device to allow a service upgrade to the device.

5. The product packaging shipping container of claim 4, wherein the second container interface receives updated product software information from an upgrade jig, which is supplied to the device through the second container interface.

6. The product packaging shipping container of claim 4, wherein the second container interface receives product rework from an upgrade jig, which is supplied to the device through the second container interface.

7. The product packaging shipping container of claim 1, wherein the set of container interfaces includes a wireless update device that corresponds to a service interface of the device to allow service upgrade and power to the device.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein product software upgrade is upgraded through a jig that is connected to a first container interface.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the power is provided through a power connector that is connected to a second container interface.

8. A method of accessing a device in a product packaging shipping container comprising the steps of:

housing a device inside a product packaging container such that the location of a container interface corresponds to the location of a device interface,

connecting a set of container interfaces and the device interfaces with a connection such that product software upgrades can be transmitted between the container interfaces and the device interfaces.

providing power to the container interfaces through a power connector so as to relay power to the device interfaces such that the device is powered up to receive software upgrades.