Reflected Power Transceiver for Packaged Device Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices often ship with outdated software or firmware due to the impracticality of updating them while packaged or unconnected to an external power source, leading to difficulties in maintaining current software versions during short development cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a reflected power transceiver to transmit software updates or firmware changes to electronic devices while they are packaged, allowing the device to harvest power from the transceiver signal or internal battery to update its software when connected to a power source, or to indicate the need for an update by setting a flag in memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed after device packaging, then devices can receive current software versions, but devices ship with outdated software during the packaging and shipping process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by transmitting software update data and power during the packaging process, before the device is shipped to the customer. The reflected power transceiver receives power through the packaging material, enabling the device to boot and receive software updates in advance, so that by the time the device is activated by the customer, it already has current software versions.
2Ease of manufacture
If devices are unpacked and connected to power for software updates, then software can be updated, but the process becomes complex and requires customer intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the device to automatically receive power and software updates through the packaging material without requiring customer intervention. The reflected power transceiver automatically harvests power through the packaging, boots the device, and transfers software updates in the background, eliminating the need for customers to perform complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging material serves as an intermediary that enables power transmission and communication between the update system and the device. By incorporating reflective elements in the packaging, the system can transmit power and data through the packaging material itself, simplifying the update process and removing the need for direct physical connections or customer intervention.
3Productivity
If reflected power transceivers are used to transmit power through packaging, then software updates can occur while packaged, but the packaging design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging material is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection, enables reflected power transmission for charging and updates, and facilitates communication between the update system and the device. By integrating these functions into a single packaging design, the system achieves high productivity in software updates without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables software updates to be performed on electronic devices without requiring them to be unpacked or connected to an external power source, ensuring devices receive the latest software versions upon initial power-up, thus maintaining current software and improving post-purchase support.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a reply transmission from the electronic product, the electronic product harvesting power from the interrogation transmission with the reflected power transceiver portion for use in at least sending the reply transmission
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and systems for updating software or firmware or otherwise conveying target software to an electronic device (204). Target software may be conveyed to an electronic device (204), while the device (204) is packaged or otherwise not connected to external power. Information indicating a current software or firmware version number may be transmitted from an external transceiver (108) to the packaged (104) electronic device (204). A software update itself may also be transmitted to the packaged (104) electronic device (204). The electronic device (204) may use stored information or the stored software update itself to replace an older and out of date software version existing on the electronic device (204). The electronic device (204) may also harvest electronic power from an external transceiver (108) signal or may use power from an internal battery (224) source to affect a software update when the electronic device (204) is packaged or otherwise not connected to external power.