US6141795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communication system
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-15
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2017-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A communication system is composed of a terminal unit (1) which includes a control circuit (5) and at least two non-volatile rewritable memories (6, 7) for storing software, and a station (2) for supplying new version software to the terminal unit to replace old version software currently stored in the two memories. The station has a control circuit (5) which is configured for exchanging software contained in at least one memory (6, 7) of the station in response to an exchange command. The software includes at least first and second blocks which are stored each in a different non-volatile memory (6, 7) of the terminal, the first software block containing specific functions for use during an exchange operation, and the second block not containing specific functions for use during an exchange operation. During an exchange operation the control circuit (5) of the terminal is configured for replacing a stored old version second software block with a received new version first software block, and thereafter replacing a stored old version first software block by a received new version second software block.
Inventors
- 👤 Armin Laugner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/247; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1402; G06F11/1415; G06F11/1417; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/65; H04M1/2471; H04Q; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13109; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13376
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A communication system comprising a terminal unit which includes a control circuit and at least two memories for storing at least first and second software blocks, each of the first and second software blocks in a different one of the at least two memories, and comprising a station for supplying new version first and second software blocks contained in at least one memory of the station to the terminal unit, the first software block containing specific functions for use by the control circuit during an exchange operation for replacing currently stored first and second software blocks with new version first and second software blocks, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said certain specific functions, the station having a control circuit which is configured for controlling transmitting new version first and second software blocks to the terminal during an exchange operation in response to an exchange command, and the control circuit of the terminal unit being configured for, during the exchange operation: first replacing the second software block stored in a first of the at least two memories by a received new version first software block using the specific functions in the first software block stored in a second of the at least two memories; and thereafter second replacing the first software block stored in a second of the at least two memories by a received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A communication system comprising a terminal unit which includes a control circuit and at least two memories for storing at least first and second software blocks, each of the first and second software blocks in a different one of the at least two memories, and comprising a station for supplying new version first and second software blocks contained in at least one memory of the station to the terminal unit, the first software block containing specific functions for use by the control circuit during an exchange operation for replacing currently stored first and second software blocks with new version first and second software blocks, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said certain specific functions, the station having a control circuit which is configured for controlling transmitting new version first and second software blocks to the terminal during an exchange operation in response to an exchange command, and the control circuit of the terminal unit being configured for, during the exchange operation: first replacing the second software block stored in a first of the at least two memories by a received new version first software block using the specific functions in the first software block stored in a second of the at least two memories; and thereafter second replacing the first software block stored in a second of the at least two memories by a received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first software block contains specific functions for an erase or store operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit of the terminal unit is configured for not erasing an area of a memory of the terminal unit which contains rudimentary software for carrying out basic functions of the control circuit of the terminal unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control center which is coupled to the terminal unit and the station via a network and is provided for sending an exchange command after a connection has been set up with the terminal unit and the station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit of the station is configured for controlling sending consecutive segments of a new version first software block to the terminal unit after a first connection has been set up, and the control circuit of the terminal unit is configured for controlling: receiving the segments of the new version first software block in a buffer of the control circuit of the terminal unit; transferring the segments of the first software block from the buffer to the first of the at least two memories; setting up a second connection to the station after the transmission of all the segments of the first block and a disconnection; receiving in the buffer segments of the second software block from the station; and transferring the received segments from the buffer to the second of the at least two memories.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control circuit of the terminal unit is configured for erasing the first of the at least two memories after a first of the segments of the first software block has been received in the buffer, and for erasing the second of the at least two memories after a first of the segments of the second software block has been received in the buffer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least two memories is a flash-EPROM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
231 words
A communication terminal unit which includes a control circuit and at least two memories for storing at least first and second software blocks, each of the first and second software blocks in a different one of the at least two memories, the first software block containing specific functions for use by the control circuit during an exchange operation for replacing initially stored first and second software blocks with new version first and second software blocks, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said specific functions, and the control circuit is configured for, during an exchange operation, controlling: receiving from a station of a communication system a new version first software block and a new version second software block; first replacing the initially stored second software block in a first of the at least two memories by the received new version first software block using the specific functions in the initially stored first software block; and thereafter second replacing the initially stored first software block in a second of the at least two memories with the received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
231 words
A communication terminal unit which includes a control circuit and at least two memories for storing at least first and second software blocks, each of the first and second software blocks in a different one of the at least two memories, the first software block containing specific functions for use by the control circuit during an exchange operation for replacing initially stored first and second software blocks with new version first and second software blocks, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said specific functions, and the control circuit is configured for, during an exchange operation, controlling: receiving from a station of a communication system a new version first software block and a new version second software block; first replacing the initially stored second software block in a first of the at least two memories by the received new version first software block using the specific functions in the initially stored first software block; and thereafter second replacing the initially stored first software block in a second of the at least two memories with the received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A communication terminal unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first software block contains specific functions for an erase or store operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A communication terminal unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the new version first software block and the new version second software block are each comprised by consecutive segments, and the control circuit is configured for controlling receiving the segments of the new version first software block from the station during a first connection and storing the received segments in a buffer, transferring the received segments of the new version first software block from the buffer to the first of the at least two memories, and after a disconnection, setting up a second connection to the station, receiving segments of the new version second software block from the station during the second connection and storing the received segments in the buffer, and transferring the received segments of the new version second software block from the buffer to the second of the at least two memories.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A communication terminal unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control circuit is configured for erasing the first of the at least two memories after the first of the segments of the first software block has been stored in the buffer, and for erasing the second of the at least two memories after the first of the segments of the second software software block has been stored in the buffer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A communication terminal unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the at least two memories is a flash-EPROM.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of controlling an exchange operation for exchanging first and second software blocks initially stored in first and second memories of a communications terminal unit, respectively, with new version first and second software blocks, the initially stored and new version first software blocks each containing specific functions for use by the control method during the exchange operation, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said specific functions, and the control method comprises: receiving from a station of a communication system a new version first software block and a new version second software block from a station; first replacing the initially stored second software block in a first of the at least two memories by the received new version first software block using the specific functions in the initially stored first software block; and thereafter second replacing the initially stored first software block in a second of the at least two memories with the received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
210 words
A method of controlling an exchange operation for exchanging first and second software blocks initially stored in first and second memories of a communications terminal unit, respectively, with new version first and second software blocks, the initially stored and new version first software blocks each containing specific functions for use by the control method during the exchange operation, wherein prior to each exchange operation the currently stored first software block is stored in only one of the at least two memories and is the only software block stored in the terminal unit containing said specific functions, and the control method comprises: receiving from a station of a communication system a new version first software block and a new version second software block from a station; first replacing the initially stored second software block in a first of the at least two memories by the received new version first software block using the specific functions in the initially stored first software block; and thereafter second replacing the initially stored first software block in a second of the at least two memories with the received new version second software block using the specific functions in the new version first software block now stored in the first of the at least two memories.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the new version first software block and the new version second software block are each comprised by consecutive segments, and the receiving, the first replacing, and the second replacing are such that the segments of the new version first software block are received from the station during a first connection, stored in a buffer, and transferred from the buffer to the first of the at least two memories, and after a disconnection and a setting up of a second connection to the station, the segments of the new version second software block are received from the station during the second connections stored in the buffer, and transferred from the buffer to the second of the at least two memories.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |