Hardware Update Agent for Mobile Handset Firmware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating firmware and software in electronic devices, such as mobile phones, face challenges due to insufficient processing power and memory, leading to lengthy update times and resource-intensive activities like parsing XML documents and repetitive tasks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an update agent in hardware within electronic devices, which generates and processes updating information in parallel, utilizing multiple instruction streams to facilitate faster firmware updates through a network, including wireless communication, and employing specialized chipsets for parallel processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If firmware update is executed using software-based processing, then the device can perform flexible update operations, but the update time becomes excessively long and consumes significant processing resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate speedVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based processing system with a hardware-based processing system. Specifically, it implements a dedicated hardware update agent that can execute update operations in parallel, significantly reducing update time from minutes to seconds while maintaining the necessary processing capabilities for firmware updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the update processing into separate functional components: a hardware update agent for time-critical processing operations and software for higher-level control and coordination. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal domain, with the hardware agent handling parallel execution of update instructions while the software manages update package reception and overall coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If software-based update processing is used, then the system has sufficient flexibility for various update scenarios, but processing power and memory are insufficient leading to lengthy update times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes general-purpose software processing with specialized hardware processing for update operations. The hardware update agent provides dedicated processing power for update tasks while the software layer maintains adaptability for different update scenarios through configurable update packages and coordination logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hardware update agent is designed with universal capabilities to handle various update operations including firmware updates, feature additions, and bug fixes through a unified parallel processing architecture. The software component provides multi-functionality in coordinating different update scenarios and managing communication with external sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If update operations are performed using existing software resources, then the device can execute update code, but memory constraints and processing limitations cause significant delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate execution capabilityVSAvoidupdate duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based execution environment with a hardware-based execution environment for update operations. The hardware update agent provides dedicated execution capabilities that operate independently of the device's general-purpose processor, enabling parallel processing of update instructions without interfering with normal device operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the execution environment into two independent components: a hardware update agent for parallel execution of update instructions and the software system for normal device operations. This segmentation allows update operations to proceed independently and simultaneously with other device functions, reducing overall update duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7861211B2Mobile handset with update agent implemented in hardware

Publication Date: 2010.12.28 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention may be seen in a system and method for speeding up the processing of update packages by an update agent, by implementing at least a portion of the update agent in hardware. In an embodiment of the present invention, the update agent in hardware may process executable instructions in parallel.