A method for upgrading converged set-top box gateway units

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for upgrading the gateway unit of a converged set-top box. The steps are as follows: S1: The set-top box unit upgrade package includes a gateway unit upgrade package. The gateway unit is upgraded after the set-top box unit is upgraded; S2: When upgrading the gateway unit, an independent virtual network interface card (NIC) is created on the set-top box side for communication between gateway units and for distributing the upgrade package. This method for upgrading the gateway unit of a converged set-top box addresses the issue of the gateway unit not being able to be upgraded online. It allows the gateway unit to be upgraded simultaneously with the set-top box unit. Its advantage lies in creating an independent virtual NIC, allowing the set-top box unit to use the real NIC for its services, while the virtual NIC is used for communication between the upgraded gateway unit and the gateway unit. This does not affect the normal operation of the set-top box's original service functions, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the gateway unit upgrade and the user experience throughout the entire product usage process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of converged set-top boxes, and more particularly to a method for upgrading the gateway unit of a converged set-top box. Background Technology

[0002] A converged gateway comprises a set-top box unit and a gateway unit, integrating both into a single network product. The network entry and exit points for the entire product are unified through the gateway's network interface. The set-top box unit's network is directly connected to the gateway's internal network, physically interconnected, with no separate physical interface to the outside. The gateway unit runs on Linux, while the set-top box unit runs on Android; they are independent units. While the gateway unit typically has its own upgrade server, in practice, some operators lack such servers or experience server issues. In such cases, the set-top box unit is used to upgrade the gateway unit. Since the gateway unit runs on Linux, its smaller footprint makes it suitable for upgrades via the set-top box. The set-top box unit determines whether to implement an upgrade strategy by checking the gateway unit's version. Although different methods and technologies exist for this purpose, their reliability and timeliness vary significantly.

[0003] The traditional method for upgrading the gateway unit from the set-top box unit on a converged gateway device is to transmit upgrade packets between the set-top box unit and the gateway unit through the set-top box unit's actual network interface card eth0. This method can enable the set-top box unit to upgrade the gateway unit, but it obviously has certain defects and shortcomings.

[0004] The disadvantages of using a single network interface card (NIC): Set-top box services typically use a dedicated network, while communication between the set-top box and gateway unit uses an internal network. To use a private network, the dedicated network used by the set-top box must first be disconnected, and a private network established with the gateway unit using a static IP address. This requires preserving the dedicated network's dialing mode and protocol stack so that it can be restored to the set-top box's original dedicated network after an upgrade. In this case, disconnecting the set-top box's dedicated network will affect its live streaming and video-on-demand services, impacting the user experience. Furthermore, in complex network scenarios, such as simultaneous use of IPOE and PPPoE, or IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack, manually disconnecting and then restoring to the desired mode risks inconsistencies with the network before the static mode was set. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the difficulty of upgrading gateway servers by proposing a method for upgrading the gateway unit of a converged set-top box. The converged set-top box supports two different types of converged gateways: LAN device uplink and PON device uplink.

[0006] A method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, comprising the following steps:

[0007] S1: The set-top box unit upgrade package includes the gateway unit upgrade package. Upgrade the gateway unit after upgrading the set-top box unit.

[0008] S2: When upgrading a gateway unit, an independent virtual network card is created on the set-top box side for communication between gateway units and for distributing upgrade packages.

[0009] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S1 includes the following sub-steps:

[0010] S11: The converged gateway powers on and starts up. The set-top box unit requests the upgrade server to download the latest upgrade package and completes the upgrade of the set-top box unit.

[0011] S12: After completing the upgrade of the set-top box unit, determine whether the upgrade package contains an upgrade version of the gateway unit;

[0012] If the upgrade package contains an upgraded version of the gateway unit, then, based on the mechanism established between the mesh unit and the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 private protocol, request the current version of the gateway unit.

[0013] If the upgrade package does not include an upgrade version for the gateway unit, the upgrade is complete.

[0014] S13: Compare the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package.

[0015] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit includes the following sub-steps in S12:

[0016] If the upgrade package contains an upgraded version of the gateway unit, then, based on the mechanism established between the mesh unit and the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 private protocol, request the current version of the gateway unit.

[0017] If the upgrade package does not include an upgrade version for the gateway unit, the upgrade is complete.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S13 includes the following sub-steps:

[0019] If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is inconsistent with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, an upgrade request will be sent to the gateway unit.

[0020] If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is the same as the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, then the gateway unit does not need to be upgraded.

[0021] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S2 includes the following sub-steps:

[0022] S21: The set-top box unit begins creating the independent network interface card required for the upgrade;

[0023] S22: The gateway unit sends a pre-agreed IP address and sets the IP address to the created virtual network interface card;

[0024] S23: The set-top box unit communicates with the gateway unit via socket by binding to the source IP address and sends the upgrade file;

[0025] S24: The gateway unit determines whether the upgrade file was sent from the specified IP address;

[0026] S25: After the gateway upgrade is completed, a message indicating that the upgrade is complete is sent to the set-top box unit;

[0027] S26: After receiving the message, the gateway unit destroys the previously created virtual network card, and the upgrade process is completed.

[0028] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S24 includes the following sub-steps:

[0029] If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file was sent by the specified IP, it will accept the upgrade package and complete the set-top box upgrade.

[0030] If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file is not sent from the specified IP, it returns to S22.

[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This solution provides a method for upgrading the gateway unit of a converged set-top box. When the gateway unit of a converged set-top box cannot be upgraded online, the gateway unit is upgraded simultaneously with the set-top box unit. Its advantage lies in creating an independent virtual network interface card (NIC). The set-top box unit uses the real NIC for its services, while the upgraded gateway unit communicates with the gateway unit using the virtual NIC. This does not affect the normal operation of the set-top box's original service functions, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the gateway unit upgrade and the user experience throughout the entire product usage process. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is the method logic diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] A method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit involves directly connecting the gateway unit and the set-top box unit's CPU GPIO, effectively simulating a "virtual network card" at the hardware level. Combined with the Linux kernel interrupt mechanism, the input signal of this "virtual network card" is associated with the network card interrupt number of the set-top box unit's real network card. When the GPIO input signal changes, it's equivalent to the set-top box network card disconnecting, triggering the kernel network interrupt mechanism. This notifies the Android system, which in turn links to the network management mechanism of the Android system's set-top box upgrade package.

[0035] As attached Figure 1 As shown, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit includes the following steps:

[0036] S1: The set-top box unit upgrade package includes the gateway unit upgrade package. Upgrade the gateway unit after upgrading the set-top box unit.

[0037] S2: When upgrading a gateway unit, an independent virtual network card is created on the set-top box side for communication between gateway units and for distributing upgrade packages.

[0038] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S1 includes the following sub-steps:

[0039] S11: The converged gateway powers on and starts up. The set-top box unit requests the upgrade server to download the latest upgrade package and completes the upgrade of the set-top box unit.

[0040] S12: After completing the upgrade of the set-top box unit, determine whether the upgrade package contains an upgrade version of the gateway unit;

[0041] If the upgrade package contains an upgraded version of the gateway unit, then, based on the mechanism established between the mesh unit and the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 private protocol, request the current version of the gateway unit.

[0042] If the upgrade package does not include an upgrade version for the gateway unit, the upgrade is complete.

[0043] S13: Compare the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package.

[0044] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit includes the following sub-steps in S12:

[0045] If the upgrade package contains an upgraded version of the gateway unit, then, based on the mechanism established between the mesh unit and the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 private protocol, request the current version of the gateway unit.

[0046] If the upgrade package does not include an upgrade version for the gateway unit, the upgrade is complete.

[0047] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S13 includes the following sub-steps:

[0048] If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is inconsistent with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, an upgrade request will be sent to the gateway unit.

[0049] If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is the same as the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, then the gateway unit does not need to be upgraded.

[0050] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S2 includes the following sub-steps:

[0051] S21: The set-top box unit begins creating the independent network interface card required for the upgrade;

[0052] S22: The gateway unit sends a pre-agreed IP address and sets the IP address to the created virtual network interface card;

[0053] S23: The set-top box unit communicates with the gateway unit via socket by binding to the source IP address and sends the upgrade file;

[0054] S24: The gateway unit determines whether the upgrade file was sent from the specified IP address;

[0055] S25: After the gateway upgrade is completed, a message indicating that the upgrade is complete is sent to the set-top box unit;

[0056] S26: After receiving the message, the gateway unit destroys the previously created virtual network card, and the upgrade process is completed.

[0057] Furthermore, a method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, wherein step S24 includes the following sub-steps:

[0058] If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file was sent by the specified IP, it will accept the upgrade package and complete the set-top box upgrade.

[0059] If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file is not sent from the specified IP, it returns to S22.

[0060] A method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, the software implementation of which is divided into two main parts: the interaction of the set-top box unit and the gateway unit using the Layer 2 protocol, and the creation of a separate virtual network card by the set-top box.

[0061] Interaction between the set-top box unit and the gateway unit via Layer 2 protocol: During the power-on startup of the converged product, the gateway unit completes initialization and establishes a handshake mechanism with the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 private protocol. The set-top box unit requests the current version number of the gateway unit. After obtaining the software version number of the gateway unit, it compares it with the gateway software version carried in the set-top box upgrade package to determine whether to send an upgrade request to the gateway unit.

[0062] The set-top box creates a separate virtual network interface card (NIC): After receiving confirmation of the upgrade from the gateway unit, the set-top box module begins creating a virtual, independent NIC. Once the virtual NIC is successfully created, it requests a specific IP address from the gateway unit, obtains the IP address, and writes it into the virtual NIC. After completion, the set-top box unit sends an upgrade package to the gateway unit using that IP address. The gateway unit verifies the upgrade package after confirming it is from the agreed-upon address and completes the self-upgrade. After confirming the gateway unit's upgrade is complete, the set-top box unit destroys the previously created virtual NIC.

[0063] A method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, the key points of which are:

[0064] 1. Creation and destruction of independent virtual network adapters:

[0065] The integrated gateway set-top box unit upgrade package is a package of the gateway unit's upgrade package. After completing the upgrade itself, it will ask the gateway unit whether it wants to upgrade. If the upgrade is confirmed, the set-top box unit needs to create an independent virtual network card to provide the upgrade package to the gateway unit. After the gateway unit completes the upgrade, the set-top box unit destroys the previously created virtual network card.

[0066] 2. Ensure that the function of transmitting data packets is completed on the created virtual network adapter:

[0067] Since set-top box units typically use dedicated networks for their services, while communication between the set-top box unit and the gateway unit uses the internal network, the upgrade process utilizes the private IP address assigned to the set-top box unit by the gateway unit. The upgrade package is then transmitted on a virtual network interface card (NIC) to avoid impacting the live and video-on-demand services currently being used by the set-top box.

[0068] This solution achieves the following advantages through a method for upgrading converged set-top box gateway units:

[0069] 1. The gateway unit establishes a handshake mechanism with the set-top box unit through a Layer 2 proprietary protocol, and creates a virtual network card on the basis of the existing network card for the transmission of upgrade packet data;

[0070] 2. By binding an agreed-upon private IP address to the virtual network card, the authenticity and reliability of the software upgrade package received by the gateway unit are ensured;

[0071] 3. The existence of an independent virtual network card ensures that the original dedicated network of the set-top box unit is not disconnected when the gateway unit is upgraded, thereby improving the user experience and reducing the risk of unexpected network recovery caused by disconnecting and then restoring the network during the upgrade process using a separate network card.

[0072] 4. Virtual network cards are created when needed and destroyed when not in use, reducing network risks caused by improper use of multiple routers when multiple network cards are used simultaneously.

[0073] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit, characterized in that, The steps are as follows: S1: The set-top box unit upgrade package includes the gateway unit upgrade package. Upgrade the gateway unit after upgrading the set-top box unit. S2: When upgrading a gateway unit, an independent virtual network interface card (NIC) is created on the set-top box side for communication between gateway units. An upgrade package is then distributed. Set-top box unit services are processed using the real NIC, including the following sub-steps: S21: The set-top box unit begins to create the independent network card required for the upgrade. It is directly connected to the GPIO of the set-top box unit CPU through the gateway unit and the set-top box unit to simulate a virtual network card at the hardware level. Combined with the Linux kernel interrupt mechanism, the input signal of the virtual network card is associated with the network card interrupt number of the real network card of the set-top box unit. S22: The gateway unit sends a pre-agreed IP address and sets the IP address to the created virtual network interface card; S23: The set-top box unit communicates with the gateway unit via socket by binding to the source IP address and sends the upgrade file; S24: The gateway unit determines whether the upgrade file is sent from the specified IP. If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file is sent from the specified IP, it accepts and completes the set-top box upgrade package upgrade. If the gateway unit determines that the upgrade file is not sent from the specified IP, it returns to S22; S25: After the gateway upgrade is completed, a message indicating that the upgrade is complete is sent to the set-top box unit; S26: After receiving the message, the gateway unit destroys the previously created virtual network card, and the upgrade process is completed.

2. The method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, S1 includes the following sub-steps: S11: The converged gateway powers on and starts up. The set-top box unit requests the upgrade server to download the latest upgrade package and completes the upgrade of the set-top box unit. S12: After completing the upgrade of the set-top box unit, determine whether the upgrade package contains an upgrade version of the gateway unit; If the upgrade package contains an upgraded version of the gateway unit, the current version of the gateway unit will be requested during the handshake mechanism established between the gateway unit and the set-top box unit through the Layer 2 private protocol. If the upgrade package does not include an upgrade version for the gateway unit, the upgrade is complete. S13: Compare the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package.

3. The method for upgrading a converged set-top box gateway unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, S13 includes the following sub-steps: If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is inconsistent with the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, an upgrade request will be sent to the gateway unit. If the version number of the gateway unit in the set-top box unit is the same as the version of the gateway unit carried in the set-top box upgrade package, then the gateway unit does not need to be upgraded.

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