CN1421109A - Method for updating main programme executed by radio communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for updating a main programme (2) executed by a radio communication module (1), and/or data associated with said main programme, said radio communication module communicating with an updating equipment (5). The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following successive steps: launching the execution, by the radio communication module, of a downloading programme (21) capable of communicating, in accordance with a standard communication protocol, with a standard file transfer programme (20), of the data terminal type, executed by the updating equipment; sending through the standard file transfer programme (20) to the downloading programme (21), in accordance with the standard communication protocol, a new main programme (12) and/or new data; storing through the downloading programme (21), in a non-volatile memory (11) of the radio communication module (1), the new main module (12) and/or the new data.

Description

Method for updating main program executed by radio communication module

The invention belongs to the technical field of systems for radio communication with mobile stations.

The present invention is especially applicable to (but not only applicable to) GSM 900 (Global Digital Mobile Communication System-900MHz), DCS 1800 (Digital Cellular System-1800MHZ), PCS 1900 (Personal Communication System-1900MHZ) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System - 2GHz) type radio communication system.

In particular, the invention relates to a method of updating a main program executed by a radio communication module and/or data associated with this main program.

First, let's look at what the radio communication module means.

Traditionally, a user of a radiocommunication system, such as a GSM-type system, has a mobile station (sometimes also called a mobile radiotelephone or portable telephone) comprising a A radio communication terminal (or mobile equipment (ME)).

In the most traditional main application, a radio communication module (such as a GSM module) is configured in a radio communication terminal to provide wireless communication functions by driving various hardware components (display screen, keyboard, speaker, etc.) of the radio communication terminal.

Radio communication modules are also known to have several other applications.

A noteworthy proposal is to integrate it into devices other than radio communication terminals, but this still requires wireless communication functionality. For example, telemetry equipment (meter reading) and even card reading equipment for bank credit cards may be mentioned.

It has also been proposed to configure the radio communication module in a stand-alone form, in particular with its own power supply, a so-called modem. Such a modem does not include any human/machine interface hardware components (display screen, keyboard, speakers, etc.), and is intended to cooperate with a third-party device (usually a microcomputer) that has its own human/machine interface hardware components. In a nutshell, this third-party device controls the modem through an AT (ATtention) command set.

Regardless of the mode of application of the radio communication module (for a radio communication terminal, for other equipment, or for a modem), it is sometimes necessary to update the main program it executes and/or the data associated with this main program. These data define, for example, music pieces, content, menu items in different languages, etc.

A conventional technique for performing an update is described below with reference to FIG. 1 . For the sake of brevity, only the updating of the main program will be described. Obviously, other update cases (just data, or even main program and data) can be derived directly and conveniently from what is described below. It is assumed that the radio communication module 1 is connected to an update device 5 by a serial link 10 supporting a proprietary protocol.

Traditionally, the following sequential steps are performed:

The user performs a reset of the radio communication module 1 by holding one of the leads, the so-called boot pin, at a predetermined voltage level (e.g. ground), so that the module 1 does not use its main program 2 but Internal reset with a boot procedure 3. The main program 2 is stored in a ROM flash memory 11 and the startup program 3 is stored in the ROM startup memory 4 .

The startup program 3 communicates with the device side (or downloading device) download program 6 according to a proprietary protocol, so as to download (13) the module side (or download module) download program 8 into the RAM memory 7 of the radio communication module. The device side download program 6 is a special proprietary program executed by the update device 5 . The module-side download program 8 is previously stored ( 8 ′) in the memory 9 associated with the update device 5 .

The startup program 3 starts and executes the module side download program 8 that has just been loaded into the RAM memory 7;

· The module side download program 8 communicates with the device side download program 6 according to a proprietary protocol, and downloads (14) a new main program 12 into the ROM flash memory 11 of the module. The new main program 12 is stored (12') in advance in a memory associated with the updating device 5;

The user performs a reset of the radio communication module 1 with the start lead held on the supply voltage, so that instead of the previous main program 2 in the ROM flash memory 11 the module 1 is used in the ROM flash memory 11 as well 12 external resets within the new main program.

This traditional updating technique has some disadvantages.

Most obviously, the device-side downloader is a proprietary program, specifically written to work with a proprietary protocol, so there are inevitably some problems.

In practice, this involves distributing not only a new main program and/or new data, but also a device-side download to each user wishing to perform an update.

Furthermore, due to its special proprietary nature, such a device-side download program can usually only be executed by a single type of device (for example, a microcomputer running under the DOS operating system).

Now, it is often the case that different users do not all use the same type of equipment. Currently, as many different types of devices have to be developed during an update as new "special proprietary" programs.

Moreover, a proprietary protocol is usually specific to the physical medium (serial link, infrared link, radio link, etc.) on which it is implemented, depending on which downloads are developed on the device side and on the module side. Therefore, during the update period, there is a further increase in the number of new "special proprietary" programs that must be developed.

Another disadvantage of the update technique described above is that it requires a double download. Indeed, it is first necessary to download the module to download the program, and then download the new main program and/or new data.

The above updated technique also has the disadvantage that it requires two resets of the radio communication module, one internal (to begin, hold the enable lead eg grounded) and an external reset (finally, hold the enable lead at supply voltage) . Therefore, the user has to operate the activation lead each time.

The purpose of the present invention is mainly to overcome these disadvantages of the current technology.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for updating the main program (and/or related data) executed by a radio communication module, which method allows the radio communication module to communicate with different types of updating devices.

This object of the invention is therefore to provide a method which can be implemented with several types of physical media between the radio communication module and the updating device, which however does not require any modifications on the side of the radio communication module and on the side of the updating device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method that does not require any action by the user on the activation lead.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method that does not require double downloading.

These objects and others which can be seen below are achieved according to the invention by a method of updating a main program executed by a radio communication module and/or data associated with said main program, wherein said radio communication module Communicate with an update device. According to the invention, said method comprises the following sequential steps:

said radio communication module initiates execution of a download program capable of communicating with a data terminal type standard file transfer program executed by said update device according to a standard communication protocol;

Sending a new main program and/or new data according to the standard communication protocol through the standard file transfer program of the download program;

- storing the new main program and/or the new data in a non-volatile memory of the radio communication module by means of the download procedure.

Therefore, the general principle of the present invention is not a special proprietary download program but a data terminal type standard file transfer program (or software package) is used on the update device side. This standard file transfer program uses a standard communication protocol (rather than a proprietary protocol).

That is, a "data terminal" type of program applied in a different way. Indeed, these programs are typically used two by two to perform file transfers between two machines, optionally via an intervening modem if the nature of the physical medium between the machines executing the programs so requires. The usual arrangement is therefore that a first "data terminal" software package executed by a first machine interacts with a first "data terminal" software package executed by a second machine according to standard communication protocols (e.g., via a serial link or infrared link). Two data terminal software packages communicate. Instead, within the framework of the invention, no second machine executes a second data terminal software package, but a radio communication module executes a download program. Furthermore, the present invention does not require the insertion of a modem, regardless of the physical communication medium.

There are several types of data terminal packages, notable (but not limited to) such as:

"Hyperterminal" (registered trademark) software package designed for PC-type computers with a Windows (registered trademark) type operating system;

"Minicom" (registered trademark) software package designed for PC-type computers with "Linux" (registered trademark) type operating systems;

"Norton Commander" (registered trademark) software package designed for PC-type computers with a DOS (registered trademark) type operating system;

·etc.

All these data terminal software packages can communicate according to one or several standard communication protocols such as X-MODEM, Y-MODEM, Z-MODEM, and KERMIT protocols.

Using such a standard file transfer procedure has several advantages. First, this standard procedure is compatible with all types of machines that can be used as update equipment. Second, it is already present in most machines (notably microcomputers) that can be used as update devices. This standard program is designed to communicate over several types of physical media, typically over a serial link or an infrared link (IRDA). Finally, better reliability can be obtained during update operations.

Advantageously, said download program is permanently stored in a non-volatile memory of said radio communication module.

Thus, during an update, only a new main program and/or new data are downloaded.

Preferably, the step of the radio communication module starting to execute the download program is executed when at least one of the following conditions is met:

· a user has performed an update request through a man/machine interface directly or indirectly associated with said radio communication module;

· a user executes an update request through a man/machine interface associated with said update device;

• The main program is not available or does not exist after the radio communication module is powered on.

It should be noted that none of these alternatives require the user to perform a reset of the radio communication module by holding the reset lead to ground (internal reset). Indeed, this reset request is performed either by the user via a man/machine interface (case of the first and second alternatives) or automatically (case of the third alternative).

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes the following steps:

• After said storing step is performed, said radio communication module is reset with said new main program and/or said new data.

Such a reset is not a reset of the system, eg necessary to change the executable main program version and/or related data.

Advantageously, said reset step starts when at least one of the following conditions is met:

a user has performed a reset request through a man/machine interface directly or indirectly associated with said radio communication module;

a user has performed a reset request through a man/machine interface associated with said update device;

· The download program contains a self-resetting command executed at the end of execution;

• The standard file transfer program sends an autonomous reset command to the radio communication module when it detects the end of sending the new main program and/or the new data.

It should be noted that none of these alternatives require the user to perform a reset of the radio communication module (external reset) with the enable lead held at supply voltage. Indeed, this reset request is performed either by the user through a man/machine interface (case of the first and second alternatives) or automatically by a spontaneous reset command (case of the third and fourth alternatives).

Preferably, said radio communication module is arranged in a device belonging to the group consisting of:

· Radio communication terminal;

Equipment requiring wireless communication functions other than radio communication equipment;

·modem.

Advantageously, said downloading program can communicate with said standard file transfer program via at least one physical medium according to said standard communication protocol, said physical medium belonging to the group comprising: serial link, infrared link, radio link, etc.

The invention also relates to a radio communication module capable of communicating with an update device to perform an update of the main program executed by said radio communication module and/or of the data associated with said main program. According to the invention, this radio communication module includes means for executing a download program capable of communicating according to a standard communication protocol with a standard file transfer program of the data terminal type executed by said updating device, so that said standard file transfer program can follow The standard communication protocol sends a new main program and/or new data to the downloading program, so that the downloading program can store the new main program and/or the new data in the radio communication within a non-volatile memory of the module.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken as an illustrative and not restrictive example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

· Figure 1 illustrates the current update technology (Prior Art); and

• Figure 2 illustrates a specific embodiment of the method designed in accordance with the present invention.

The current technology as shown in Figure 1 has been described in detail above.

A specific embodiment of the method according to the present invention for updating the main program executed by a radio communication module and/or the data associated with this main program will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 .

In FIG. 2, the same numerical designations are retained for those parts already appearing in FIG. 1 (ie, the designations 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 12').

For simplicity, it is assumed that the update process is only the main program. Obviously, other update cases (data only, or main program and data) can be derived directly and conveniently from what is described below.

Traditionally, this (current) main program 2 is stored in the ROM flash memory 11 of the radio communication module 1 . All that is required is to download the new main program 12 into a non-volatile memory of the module (eg ROM flash memory 11). The latter program 12 is previously stored ( 12 ′) in the memory 9 associated with the updating device 5 .

According to the present invention, the updating device 5 may execute a standard file transfer program 20 of the "data terminal" type providing communication according to a standard communication protocol. For example, if the device 5 is a PC-type microcomputer operating under the DOS operating system, the standard program 20 may be the "Hyperterminal" program, and the standard protocol may be the "X-modem" protocol. Obviously, other data terminal types can also be used while remaining within the framework of the present invention.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the radio communication module 1 permanently stores a download program 21 in its ROM flash memory 11 . This program is designed and developed to communicate with a standard file transfer program 20 when executed according to a standard communication protocol.

With this design, standard communication protocols can be supported by several types of physical media such as the usual serial link (RS 232) or infrared link (IRDA).

In this specific embodiment, working situation is as shown in Figure 2, and this method comprises the following steps:

(a) the radio communication module starts and executes the download program 21;

(b) standard file transfer program 20 sends (23) new main program 12 to download program 21 according to standard communication protocol;

(c) the download program 21 stores the new main program 12 in the ROM flash memory 11 of the radio communication module 1;

(d) Reset the radio communication module 1 with a new main program 12 .

Step (a) is performed, for example, when the user reports (for example with an AT command) via a man/machine interface that he wants to perform an update. The term "man/machine interface" means, for example, that the user can browse (via one or several keys of the keyboard) and select from within an update (sub)menu (displayed on the display), thereby requesting the start of the update. This man/machine interface can be either the man/machine interface of the updating device 5 or the man/machine interface of the radio communication module 1 .

Step (a) can also be performed when the main program 2 is unavailable or does not exist after the radio communication module is powered on. In this case, the reset is automatic, which prevents the radio communication module 1 from being blocked all the time without being reset.

Both possibilities for starting step (a) can exist simultaneously within the same radio communication module.

Step (d) is performed, for example, when the user requests (for example with an AT command) to reset the module 1 through a man/machine interface. The term "man/machine interface" means, for example, enabling the user to press a key dedicated to reset (or a reset key) to perform a reset. This man/machine interface can be either the man/machine interface of the updating device 5 or the man/machine interface of the radio communication module 1 .

Step (d) can also be carried out automatically when the download program 21 contains a self-resetting command that is executed at the end of its execution, or when the standard file transfer program 20 detects that the sending of the new main program 12 ends to the radio communication module. automatically executed when a spontaneous reset command is issued.

Claims (8)

1. A method of updating a main program (2) executed by a radio communication module (1) and/or data associated with said main program, wherein said radio communication module is associated with an updating device (5) communication, It is characterized in that said method comprises the following sequential steps: said radio communication module initiates execution of a download program (21) capable of communicating with a data terminal type standard file transfer program (20) executed by said update device according to a standard communication protocol; Send a new main program (12) and/or new data to the download program (21) through the standard file transfer program (20) according to the standard communication protocol; and The new main program (12) and/or the new data are stored in a non-volatile memory (11) of the radio communication module (1) via the download program (21). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the download program (21) is permanently stored in a non-volatile memory (11) of the radio communication module (1). 3. According to the method described in any one of claims 1 and 2, it is characterized in that the step of the radio communication module (1) starting to execute the download program (21) is executed when at least one of the following conditions is met: a user executes an update request through a man/machine interface directly or indirectly associated with said radio communication module (1); a user executes an update request through a man/machine interface associated with said update device (5); and After the radio communication module (1) is powered on, the main program is unavailable or does not exist. 4. according to the method described in any one in claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that described method also comprises the following steps: After carrying out the storing step, the radio communication module (1) is reset with the new main program (12) and/or the new data. 5. according to the described method of claim 4, it is characterized in that described resetting step starts when meeting at least one of following conditions: a user executes a reset request through a man/machine interface directly or indirectly associated with said radio communication module (1); a user executes a reset request through a man/machine interface associated with said updating device (5); said downloader (21) contains a spontaneous reset command executed at the end of its execution; and The standard file transfer program (20) sends an autonomous reset command to the radio communication module (1) upon detection of the end of sending the new main program (12) and/or new data. 6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said radio communication module (1) is included in a device belonging to the group comprising: radio communication terminals; Terminals requiring wireless communication functions other than radio communication terminals; and modem. 7. According to the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, it is characterized in that said downloading program (21) can communicate with said file transfer program (20) through at least one physical medium according to said standard communication protocol, so The physical media described above belong to the group consisting of: serial link; Infrared link; and radio link. 8. A radio communication module (1) capable of communicating with an update device (5) to implement a main program (2) executed by said radio communication module and/or with said main program update of program-associated data, It is characterized in that said radio communication module includes means for executing a download program (21) capable of communicating according to a standard communication protocol with a data terminal type standard file transfer program (20) executed by said updating device (5), so that the standard file transfer program (20) can send a new main program (12) and/or new data to the download program (21) according to the standard communication protocol, so that the download program (21) can The new main program and/or the new data are stored in a non-volatile memory (11) of the radio communication module (1).

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