EP0959635A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connectionless downloading of software to wireless terminals
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
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Filing: 1999-05-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2019-05-03
Abstract
Abstract Method of connectionless downloading of a software program in a number of terminations of a communications network, by broadcasting, over a downloading channel from a fixed infrastructure (Fl), the program in question in fragmented form, to a set of network terminations (WT) grouped according to their software version. The transmission takes place in repeated sequences. Each network termination (WT) receives the repeated sequences of the software program fragments, stores those program fragments received error-free, and continues receiving repeated sequences until all the fragments of a complete version have been stored error-free, in which moment the network termination (WT) sends an confirmation announcement of reception completed. When the percentage of network terminations (WT) which have sent reception completed confirmation announcements is equal to or surpasses a successful threshold value (U), the downloading process is stopped.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose Luis Martinez Acedo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/22; H04W8/24; H04W8/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Method of connectionless downloading of a software program in a
number of terminations of a communications network (TN) by means of
broadcasting said software program in fragments from a fixed infrastructure
(Fl), characterised by comprising the steps of: grouping in a respective set the network terminations (WT) which
incorporate identical or compatible versions of the software program, and
allocating a group identity to said set; indicating a downloading channel in order to carry out the
downloading of the software program into said set; transmitting, in repeatable sequences, the fragments of said
software program over said downloading channel; receiving, in said network terminations (WT), said repeatable
sequences of the fragments of the software program, and checking for their
error-free reception; and storing the fragments received error-free in each network termination
(WT) until all fragments that constitute said software program are stored.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that the network
terminations (WT) are wireless terminations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that the data to be
transmitted to the network terminations (WT) in the form of fragments
include: the new version of software to be downloaded in octets; a sum of all
the octets of said version; the group identity before downloading the
software; a group identity after downloading the software; and a transmission
mode indication, with or without encryption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the indication of the downloading channel is done by the fixed
infrastructure (Fl).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that once all the fragments of the software program are stored in a
network termination (WT), the latter sets up an acknowledgement call to the
fixed infrastructure (Fl), reporting success in the downloading procedure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that in the event
that a network termination (WT) receives one or more fragments with errors,
it remains connected to the downloading channel waiting to receive the
ensuing sequences until said fragments are received correctly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the transmission in sequence is repeated until an operation and
maintenance centre (OMC) decides to halt the connectionless software
downloading procedure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Method, according to claim 7, characterised in that the halting of
the downloading process is decided when a value relative to the number of
the network terminations (WT) that have achieved error-free reception is
equal to or greater than a pre-determined success threshold value (U).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that a sequence number is added to the fragments of the software
program in order to permit their numbering and sorting in the network
terminations (WT), and a redundancy factor by means of an error correction
code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the transmission mode of the fragments is encrypted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method, according to claim 10, characterised in that the fixed
infrastructure (Fl) sends to the network terminations (WT) a random number
which, together with a group key and the group identity before downloading,
gives as a result an encryption key which is applied in the transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the interface used as the transmission medium is the air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
System for carrying out the method of claim 1, characterised in
that it comprises a fixed infrastructure (Fl) which provides connection
between a number of wireless network terminations (WT) and a local
exchange through the interfaces required by the local exchange, as well as
with an operation and maintenance centre (OMC); an operation and
maintenance centre (OMC) connected to the fixed infrastructure (Fl) and
serving for the management of software versions; and a number of wireless
network terminations (WT) which provide connection between user terminals
and the local exchange and the operation and maintenance centre (OMC)
over the air interface that links them to the fixed infrastructure (Fl) of the
system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5699275A
Cited
WO1996039787A2
Cited
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