Context-Sensitive Software Update for Communication Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Updating the operating software of communication devices in multi-device systems is inefficient due to the inability to account for device-specific boundary conditions, leading to high memory requirements and time-consuming user-driven updates.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating device context information based on both the communication device and connected devices' information, allowing for the selection and loading of update data that optimally adapts to the multi-device system's technical conditions, enabling automated and cost-effective updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the communication device supports all structurally different variants of further communication devices, then updates are not required, but high memory capacity is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with multiple device variantsVSAvoidmemory capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device proactively generates device context information about itself and connected devices before updates are needed, and uses this information to automatically select and download appropriate update data in advance, avoiding the need to store multiple update variants in memory

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Device context information acts as an intermediary that bridges the communication device and update server, enabling precise matching of update data to device configurations without requiring the device to store multiple update versions for different device variants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the user manually selects update data based on device information, then device-adapted updates are ensured, but the process is very time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-adapted update accuracyVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device automatically performs update selection by generating device context information about itself and connected devices, then using this information to autonomously select and download appropriate update data without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining update accuracy while eliminating time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses device context information as feedback to automatically determine which updates are needed, creating a closed-loop system where the device monitors its own configuration and connected devices, then self-corrects by selecting and applying appropriate updates without user involvement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If updates are based only on communication device information, then the update process is simple, but device-specific boundary conditions in multi-device systems cannot be taken into account

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate process simplicityVSAvoidmulti-device system compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges device context information from both the communication device itself and connected further communication devices into a comprehensive update selection criteria, allowing simple automated operation while ensuring compatibility across the entire multi-device system through unified context analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2482572B1Context-sensitive software update for a communication device
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 GIGASET COMMUNICATIONS GMBH
  • EP2482572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2482572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2482572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for loading update data for a communication device (102) is executed by the communication device (102). To improve the updating of the operating software of the communication device (102), the method comprises generating (114) device context information based on device information about the communication device (102) and at least one further device information about at least one other communication device (104) that can be communicatively coupled with the communication device (102), and loading (122) the update data based on the device context information.