Set-Top Box Firmware Update Loop Prevention via CVT Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional set-top boxes in digital broadcast systems enter an infinite loop when receiving both public and filtering Code Version Tables (CVTs), leading to unnecessary firmware updates and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for updating firmware in set-top boxes that determine whether a newly received CVT is public or filtering, prioritizing updates based on the type of CVT received, ensuring that only necessary updates are performed to avoid infinite loops and optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the set-top box updates firmware with both public CVT and filtering CVT sequentially, then firmware can be updated to latest version, but the system enters an infinite loop of repeated updates and reboots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update reliabilityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by checking whether a filtering CVT is already installed before processing the public CVT. This preliminary check prevents the infinite loop by avoiding redundant firmware updates. The set-top box performs this check in advance (step 108) before executing the firmware update (step 111), thereby preventing the stability issue while maintaining update reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the set-top box processes both public CVT and filtering CVT, then comprehensive firmware updates are achieved, but unnecessary repeated updates consume system resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the filtering CVT information from the update process and checks its presence before processing the public CVT. This extraction approach (checking step 108) separates the necessary update path from the redundant one, allowing the system to maintain adaptability for different CVT types while avoiding unnecessary resource consumption from repeated updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the set-top box always updates firmware upon receiving CVT, then firmware can be kept current, but redundant updates occur when filtering CVT is already installed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update efficiencyVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by checking whether a filtering CVT is already installed (step 108) before proceeding with firmware updates. This preliminary check prevents redundant updates and the associated time loss, while still ensuring firmware remains current through selective updating based on the check results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9176724B2Firmware update method and apparatus of set-top box for digital broadcast system

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A firmware update method and apparatus of a set-top box for a digital broadcast system is provided. A firmware update method of a set-top box for a digital broadcast system includes determining whether a newly received Code Version Table (CVT) following a public CVT which has been previously received and stored is the public CVT or a filtering CVT; and updating, when the newly received CVG is the filtering CVT, the firmware of the set-top box with a filtering firmware indicated by the filtering CVT.