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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
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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 23:05
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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